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Thursday, 14 June 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Red Bull Island hopping, the island’s inaugural kite surfing race, is all set to take place in Kalpitiya. The race which will take place on the 7 and 8 July will test the speed and skill levels of the local kite surfers.
Kalpitiya, known to be the best kite surfing locations in the world, will play host to the first ever Red Bull Island Hopping.
The race involves kite surfers hopping from one island to the other off the North Western Puttalam Peninsular.
The epic race will include mastering the ‘choppy’ ocean conditions then making their way to the ‘ultra flat’ Kalpitiya Lagoon. The total route would be around 25KM. Overall winner will be decided based on timings.
The kite boarders will be going with the wind and will have the option of taking on the challenging task of kiting against the wind.
Additional prize money is up for grabs for upon completion of the super challenge.
A Free style exhibition competition will also be held at the lagoon on 8 July.
This is Red Bull’s second stint with Kite surfing in Sri Lanka. Last year Red Bull Kite boarder Susi Mai was down to try her hand at the winds of Kalpitiya. She also conducted an Under my Wings program with the local kite surfers.
Kite surfing or kite boarding can be defined as the ultimate adventure surface water sport. It combines wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, and gymnastics. Kite surfing harnesses the power of the wind to propel a rider across the water on a small surfboard or a kite board.
There is a range of different styles of kite boarding, including freestyle, free ride, down winders, speed, course racing, wake style, jumping and wave-riding which is focused on kite surfing big waves using a directional board similar to a surfboard.
