Lewis update March 2014

Hi guys, March was a brilliant month. I got involved in a number of things and look forwards to sharing them with you. I’m on the road in Tarifa-Spain right now and this update comes right out of the van overlooking Africa 🙂 ”

Virgin Kitesurfing Armada Update

There has been some great developments with the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada (http://www.snow-camp.org.uk/events/big-charity-kitesurfing-downwinder) . I’m really proud to say my main sponsors Best Kiteboarding (http://www.bestkiteboarding.com) will be one of the Headline Sponsors of the event. We are also delighted to announce that IKSURFMAG (http://www.thekiteshow.tv/) , KiteWorld Magazine (http://www.kiteworldmag.com/) and TheKiteShow (http://www.thekiteshow.tv/) will be our official media partners. This year is set to be even bigger as the downwinder will be celebrated with a 2 day festival. Hayling Island Council have been brilliant with supporting us with this. So far 460 kitesurfers have signed up to register their interest! The official launch target date will be on the 6th of May. We are still looking for sponsors so if anyone is interested in finding out more, contact [email protected] . Next month I can reveal that we have just secured sponsorship from a major car company as well! Sign up or visit www.facebook.com/kitesurfingarmada for more….

Lancing Kite Club Clinic

I do miss the guys at my local beach when I am away, so when I’m home I try to get involved with the local scene by running some Kitesurfing Clinics at Lancing Kitesurfing Club (http://lancingkitesurfingclub.com/) . They really have come on over the years and I’m very grateful to the club for giving me the chance to run them. These clinics are very important to me as this is where I first started coaching. I love trying to motivate people and getting the best out of them. Here’s a shot of us all in the van having a Tea and Coffee at the before session briefing. I’d like to make a special shout out to ‘Aaron Sherwood’ who attended 2 clinics in one day! Now thats keen! Keep an eye out for future clinics on my facebook page, I may even run some whilst on the road in Europe….

The KiteShow

TheKiteShow (http://www.thekiteshow.tv/) gave me a ring last month and asked if we could shoot something in the van to complement my trip to China just before Christmas. You might remember from my updates that I went out to report on the Course Racing World Championships which was incredibly different from the sort of events I am used to. So how can we get from my van in Brighton to reporting a World Championships in China I hear you wonder? Well here’s a little teaser (http://www.kiteworldmag.com/editor-highlights/behind-the-scenes-at-the-kite-racing-worlds/) for the upcoming feature in episode 13. It’s highly worth a watch, I look forward to the episode…

Sir Robert Woodard Academy Visit

Without doubt the most last minute thing I have ever done was the visit to The Sir Robert Woodard Academy before I left on the road to Europe. Through a contact of my mother (http://www.innavision.co.uk/) (A great life-coach by the way) a teacher from the Academy contacted me asking if I could come in to speak to the students in the next month. I mentioned I was leaving for Europe in under 24 hours so I could only make the following morning! The students had been focusing on the ‘Paddle Round The Pier (http://www.paddleroundthepier.com/) ‘ event. They would b working in groups to research and plan something that will sell at the event to raise money for charity or a worthwhile cause. I delivered an interactive presentation where I spoke of the type of people that might come to an event of this nature (I’m one of them) We looked at peoples interest in renewable energy and living a healthy lifestyle and the ethos of the paddle event. Students ranged from 11 to 18 which is a great challenge to engage them all on an appropriate level. Thanks for having me The Sir Robert Woodard Academy.

Megaladon Video

Sam Medysky my Canadian team mate on the Best Kiteboarding International Team produced this video of us riding in Cape Town. If you like Sharks, Stunning Scenery, Strong wind and some big moves take a look, I’m sure you will enjoy it. Megalodon (http://www.bestkiteboarding.com/en/feed/megalodon/) . No sharks were harmed during the making of this video*

On Tour in Europe…

At the end of March then I left for Europe where I am now. It’s always nice to get away in the van after 2 months or more in Cape Town. Summer definitely seems to arrive a lot earlier the further you drive. I love that feeling of heading South, and I might just keep on going all the way to the Africa this time! I’m not going to tell you everything just yet, you will need to wait for the next update but for now I would love to share these (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.617558374994348.1073741848.373747149375473&type=1) amazing photos I took already…. See you next month, Follow Lewis on his Facebook page