The 2017 Virgin Kitesurfing Armada Launches Today!!

Hello everyone! We are delighted to announce today the launch of the 2017 Virgin Kitesurfing Armada Festival – which will take place on Hayling Island from the 9-11th June. Tickets and all the info you need are now live at www.kitesurfingarmada.com 

This year the 3-day festival will be bigger than ever before, with an expanded live music schedule across 2 stages, a huge brands marquee showcasing all the latest gear and loads more going on across the festival for everyone to enjoy.

On the beach we are hoping to have over 500 kitesurfers taking part in as much kitesurfing as the wind allows – from big air competitions, boardercross racing and foiling to taster sessions for beginners, technique clinics and an attempt to break our own mass participation kitesurfing World Record set at Hayling last year.

And for the first time the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada will be hosting the British Kitesurfing Championship at the festival, showcasing the very best of UK kitesurfing talent.

Event founder Dan Charlish said, ‘This year feels like a big step up for the festival and we can’t wait to get everyone back to Hayling Island once again. The addition of the new outdoor music stage will give the whole event a great festival feel and we have had to expand the brands tent by 50% on last year to fit everyone in – which is really positive for the festival as there will be loads of fantastic stands to check out.’

‘Hosting the British Kitesurfing Championships is another exciting development. The UK punches way above its weight with the kitesurfers we have – and it will be awesome to have them demonstrating their skills to all the spectators and visitors on the beach.’

Charity fundraising remains central to the goals of the festival and this year sees the launch of a brand new ‘Kite-SUP-Run’ Charity Challenge which we are confident will be a hit with festival goers. Funds raised will be supporting Virgin Unite’s fantastic work as well as supporting the grassroots of the sport through the Armada Trust’s Kite & SUP Youth Tour.

The Tour launched this year with over 8 tour stops around the country, and aims to enable over 1,000 children and young people who wouldn’t have the opportunity to participate in these sports, to get involved and get linked in to local kite schools.

International kiteboarder and UK pro rider Lewis Crathern will once again be hosting the festival, whilst a number of other world class kitesurfers including Nick Jacobsen, Gisela Pulido and Hannah Whiteley are planning on attending.

Lewis said, ‘As always I am really looking forward to the festival and bringing everyone together for three fantastic days. It is such a positive event for kitesurfing and for the promotion of our sport, especially for all the kids who visit from the local schools to see kitesurfing in action and learn a bit more about the sport, wind energy and the environment. Having the main marquee packed with kids at the schools event on the Friday always kicks the festival off with loads of energy and fun!’

Alongside the music and entertainment, you can take in talks from professional kitesurfers and industry experts, the kids can enjoy the family zone where there will be kite-making and other activities and you can grab some quality food and drink at the food court whilst watching a band and enjoying the festival atmosphere. There is even an outdoor Kite Spa and Sports Massage Zone this year, with hot tubs from which you can watch the bands!

Registration is now open for kitesurfers at www.kitesurfingarmada.com Also get your camping and campervan tickets here, and sign up for the Kite SUP Run Charity Challenge (and then get your weekend Kitesurfing pass for FREE!) Thanks for all your support – see you there!

SIGN UP HERE

Kitesurfers & SUP borders fund our first Youth Tour!

In case you missed it, here is the info on the Youth Tour funded by the Armada Trust which kicks off in a few weeks!