White Air 2000 held on the Island at Yaverland and various Island beaches is certainly here to stay.

Many competitors agreed that White Air, now in its fourth year was the ‘best event they had ever been too’. An incredible compliment to all the staff, judges, helpers and sponsors who made this event possible, and a superb boost for the Island establishing it as one of the premier sports venues in Europe.

Each year this event consisting of extreme sports including Kitesurfing, Windsurfing, Surfing, BMX, Skate, Inline gets bigger and bigger, and so do the parties, ranking it alongside such prestigious events such as Cowes Week.

This year was no exception with twice the number of competitors numbering some 400 brought to the Island with the compliments of Wightlink. Attracting World Champions and British Champions, no other event in Europe covers such diversity in these extreme sports, and the festival covers four major International events in one.

The gales blew and for many it was just too much with houses flooded all over the country, but for the competitors it was perfect and took the Windsurfing, Surfing, and Kitesurfing to the extremes. Sponsors from all different areas came together again for this huge end of season blow out. Animal watches, Bolle glasses, Gul wetsuits, Headworx, F2 boards/Arrows sails, UKSA, Henri Lloyd, Windsurf magazine, Wipika kites, Offshore sports, Revolver, together with the Island Council and Wightlink made the event not just happen but took it to a new higher level bringing it in line with the top most prestigious International events.

The event disciplines are;

Wavesailing/Wave Jumping; This involves the sailor blasting out to sea , jumping and looping 360-720 degrees and then sailing back in to surf the waves much as a surfer but with the added power of the wind.

Freestyle; The new sport held in fast planning conditions where competitors pull off some of the most amazing tricks and stunts close to the beach.

UKSA Youth Week

The event kick started with the UKSA youth week. This four days of training and contest attracts the top 24 youth sailors in Britain and Europe. The standard is incredible and some of the UKSA youth week sailors are now actually sailing on the pro PWA World Tour circuit.

Top International pros were on hand to give advice and tips to these next generation wavesailors, and the F2/Arrows team van was on hand with stacks of the latest equipment for the youths to use.

A full scale youth contest followed. The gales blew and the moves and loops even included double 720 degree loops that only a handful of sailors world wide can complete. Robby Swift, just 16 yrs old won the under 20’s with Lee Sheaff from the Island in second place.

In the 16’s and under Steve Thain from Cyprus took the honours with Dave Swift in second.

F2/Arrows Wavesailing Open

As the ‘White Air 2000 UKSA youth week’ finished the ‘White Air 2000 Open’ event started.

Whilst the surfing continued at Shanklin the Windsurfers and Kitesurfers battled the elements at Yaverland. Gust of up to 75mph were recorded with the wind ever increasing. The Windsurfing standard again was exceptional and in front of a huge crowd attendance these top International and National professional sailors were completing 360 degree and 720 degree loops.

Ranked number one for the event Tristan Boxford took two first places and a second to take the overall White Air Championship, with Danny Seales from the Canneries second.

The second year of the Headworx/VDolls Surf Open was held at Shanklin in head high clean waves. The Island is great for surfing with so many beaches to choose from. The ground swell beaches were just too big and too windy during the contest and the clean wind swell beaches were used instead. This was a bonus for spectators with action very close to the beach alongside the promenade.

With the top four surfers in Britain in attendance the standard was exceptionally high. The heat durations were timed heats by Animal with four competitors on the water at the same time battling it out in the final. The Islands Johnny Fryer already British junior champion won the Open putting the Island on the map once again.

The idea of Kitesurfing is that you start to fly. The fusion with surfing and other influences creates this wild new sport.

Heights of 20 meters and lengths of 100 meters, with speeds of 80kmh mean that kitesurfing will possibly become the fastest watersport around.

The kite is connected to the body with a safety harness whilst your hands grip the trapeze or boom. You build up momentum on the surface of the water and then you take-off, steering with your hands and body.

All elements of the board and kite structure must be made from the latest advanced lightweight materials so that you really can fly.

The Kitesurfers were at the top end of their wind level but still managed to pull of two complete rounds on the weekend at Yaverland.

World Champion Mark Shinn won the first round with some of the most radical and extreme moves you will see anywhere. Spectators in hundreds flock to Yaverland to witness this fast growing new extreme sport. Jumping 30ft and more the kitesurfers were simply flying in the gale force winds and some nearly landed in the car park to cheers from the crowds. Peter Hart commentated on the moves, jumps and loop giving the spectators a fascinating insight into this new sport.

Wipika kitesurfer Ben Hanbury won the second round taking the risk of life and limb to venture into what was by now severe gale force winds, and took the overall prize supplied by Wipika kites.

Red Bull’s ‘Whiz of the White’ was set out to find the ultimate competitor from the Kitesurfing and Windsurfing combined events.

Danny Seales took the prize with a fourth place in the Kitesurfing and a second in the Wavesailing. It was a much sought after win and earned Danny a trip to Lake Garda compliments of Red Bull.

For more details on next years huge event, competitor information and all sponsorship opportunities contact; info@whiteair.co.uk

www.whiteair.co.uk

The event organisation would like to thank all the helpers, judges, lifeguards, first aid assistance from Mark Watson, Sandown Zoo for use of their car park, and all the members of Yaverland sailing club who helped host such a successful event on the Island.

The event organisation would also like to give a special thank you to the Jet-Ski lifeguards from Yaverland Sailing Club. These guys were superb in helping with rescues under extreme gale force winds and huge waves. Great effort guys…thanks again.