UK KITESURFING INDUSTRY AWARDS 2017

The glitziest night in the British kitesurfing calendar (and probably elsewhere!) returned in October!

The third annual UK Kitesurfing Industry Awards took place at the BKSA ball in Poole at the end of October. 150 people enjoyed a three course dinner, before the awards ceremony – organised and run by  Kiteworld, The Kite Show and IKSURFMAG – were handed out and the after party started and continued long into the night.

Recognising the great contributions to the sport as well as the high achievements, a mix of international and domestic industry votes were combined where applicable with public votes, leading to the following awards and winners:

• OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO UK KITESURFING: Steph Bridge
• OVERSEAS AMBASSADOR FOR UK KITESURFING: Lewis Crathern
• BEST VIDEO BY A UK RIDER: Sam Light’s England
• BEST CLUB: CBK Hayling Island
• BEST EVENT: Virgin Kitesurfing Armada
• BEST SHOP: CBK Hayling Island
• BEST REP: Tom Beaton – Ozone / Flysurfer / Axis
• 110% BKC AWARD: Russell Farrington

A couple of weeks earlier the Rhosneigr Park Jam once again attracted the world’s best park riders for the climax of the Kite Park League tour to Rhosneigr in North Wales. Organiser Ben Todd had two special awards that were announced on the evening, for Best British Rookie (won by Max Bartholomew) and Best Trick (won by Tom Bridge and collected by his mum Steph Bridge as he was in Brazil).

Thanks also to MC Lewis Crathern who hosted the night and and staged his classic kitesurfing quiz. Finally, Lewis and Dan from the Kitesurfing Armada ran the raley / handle-pass coin toss game and raised £600 for the Armada Trust charities.

Flick through more photos from the glitziest night in kiteboarding here! (Photo Credit to Roger Turner)