Local kitesurfing competition to launch next year

(TRIO): Following on from the recent tremendous successes of Cayman-based kite surfing professional, Jhon Mora, head instructor at Kitesurf Cayman, the Cayman Islands intends to put itself firmly on the international kitesurfing map with the launch of Cayman’s own four day kitesurfing championship: The Rock International Open, to be held from 12 – 16 February, 2014. Local kite surfing hero Mora recently competed in the 2013 Kiteboard Racing North American Championship, which took place at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco, gaining 14th place out of 78th. (Photo by Tara Stanhope)

He then travelled to the Southern Caribbean island of Bonaire just a few days later, competing in the South and Middle American Course Racing Championships, an event sanctioned by the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) and the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and hosted by the Bonaire Kitesurf Foundation. Mora had healthy finishes in all races over the four days and was delighted with his positioning.

“Grand Cayman has now started to be recognised on the IKA circuit. It feels very cool,” he confirmed.

As a result of the buzz this new extreme sport has created among local sports enthusiasts, Cayman’s first ever kitesurfing competition will launch next year. Some of the world’s top kitesurfers are gearing themselves up for Cayman’s first kitesurfing championship, known as The Rock International Open 2014, while the excitement locally is mounting.

T.R.I.O. 2014 organiser and avid kitesurfer Derek Serpell said:

“As the sport grows in popularity here in Cayman in parallel with the growing appetite for kitesurfing internationally, we thought the Cayman Islands should host its very own championship. We have already seen considerable excitement generated by this event locally and it’s gaining traction abroad as well. This is great news for the sport here in Cayman and the Island as a whole, as we seek to expand and promote sports tourism in the Cayman Islands.”

If you would like to participate in or sponsor this event please visit: www.trio.ky for more information.