Free kitesurfing sessions for youngsters being offered in Ramsgate

Sessions need to be booked

Free, one-hour kitesurfing sessions for youngsters will be held in Ramsgate this weekend.

The sessions are organised by Active Ramsgate, the British Kitesports Association (BKSA), and Ramsgate’s Kite Pirates Kite School in the run up to the final leg of the 2018 National Freestyle Kitesurfing Championships being held on the main sands this Summer.

The championships are organised by the BKSA, which has recently had members in the area to inspire isle children to take part in the sport.

BKSA and Kite Pirates Kite School visited Chatham and Clarendon Grammar School and the Royal Harbour Academy (Lower Schools) earlier this month to talk about the sport.

More than 300 children listened to Graeme Rolbiecki from the kite School and BKSA’s tour manager Will Kay talk about how fast growing kitesurfing is, as well as being an environmentally responsible watersport that people of all ages and sporting abilities can take part in.
Chatham and Clarendon teacher Tom Richford said: “The assembly inspired a fair few students who are really looking forward to the taster sessions.”

Dr Cheryl Mvula, project manager for Active Ramsgate, said: “This championship is a great coup for Ramsgate, and raises its profile as a serious kitesurfing destination.

“As part of this, we want to encourage as many young people as possible to give the sport a go. For the first time, kitesurfing will feature in the Youth Olympics Games this year, and it could be that we have some future Olympians in our own area!

“It’s a great activity to get the kids out of the house over the Easter holidays and trying something new and active. But you’ll have to hurry, places are filling up fast!”

Photo Malcolm Kirkaldie

The free sessions take place on Saturday, April 7 and are for young people aged 11 to 18.

Spaces are limited. Visit http://www.armadaevents.co.uk/events/kite-sup-youth-tour/ to sign up now.

The final leg of the kitesurfing championships will take place on August 18-19 off Ramsgate Main Sands and around 70 competitors from all over the UK will  be competing for the title of National Freestyle Kitesurfing Champion.

Find out more at www.britishkitesports.org, www.ramsgatetown.org/activeramsgate and www.visitramsgate.co.uk

Read here: Ramsgate to host finals of 2018 National Freestyle Kitesurfing Championships