BVI Plans First Kite Jam Competition

The five-day BVI Kite Jam is intended to build awareness in the international kite boarding community about the ideal BVI wind and weather conditions.  

It is also designed to bring together both amateurs and professionals, the event will include visual competitions, demonstrations, and technique clinics in key locations including private Necker Island, the North Sound, Virgin Gorda and Anegada.

Sir Richard Branson, an avid kite boarder, owns Necker Island. He also conceived of the event after staging an impromptu race between Necker Island and Anegada with friends.

Seasoned pros, intermediates and beginners are welcome to participate and register   online at www.bvikitejam.com. Participation fees include accommodations on Sunsail Catamarans, lunches, dinners, festivities and more. Fee costs, additional amenities and restriction details are listed on Kite Jam website.

BVI Kite Jam will kick off the festivities on February 27th with a VIP Party at the Fat Virgin Cafe on Virgin Gorda. Other competitions, parties and meals will be hosted at Necker Island, Bitter End Yacht Club, Anegada and Moskito Island for participants.

In addition, the event will support green and eco-friendly operations by obtaining a “Sailors for the Sea,” Clean Regatta Certification in conjunction with BVI Kite Jam accommodation partner Sunsail Yachts.

Clean Regatta is a third party certification program that helps regattas, yacht clubs and sailing programs voluntarily achieve higher environmental standards. Other high-profile sponsors include, Bitter End Yacht Club, Cape Air, Green Technology BVI, Delta Petroleum, Coors Light and others.

Here are the scheduled events:
 
March 1 - Early morning free-kiting session for first timers, late morning competition “Round Necker Island Race” for amateurs and pros; Lunch and relaxation on Necker Beach. Afternoon competition in the Eustacia Sound consisting of either heat-run freestyle, sliders or big air depending on weather.

March 2 – Morning race to Anegada with 12 miles of thigh burning endurance rewarded with a sumptuous lunch at Pomato Point on Anegada. Alternatively, spend the afternoon onboard a catamaran for a sail following the kiters.

Afternoon/evening events at Pomato Point or Cow Wreck beach take riders through mangroves and waist deep water stretching almost a mile out to sea. Riders can opt to head over to the North-western corner for wave or freestyle action; followed by a BBQ dinner and party at Anegada Reef Hotel.

 March 3 – In the morning follow the wind west-ward to Cow Wreck beach for the opportunity to kite through the most spectacular bay in the BVI’s known as Windlass Bight. This bay provides a flat-water playground and offers experienced riders good quality waves outside the reef. Lunch at the beautiful Cow Wreck beach.

The afternoon/evening event consists of a trip to West End for world-class wave riding and/or freestyle competition at Cow Wreck; dinner and party at The Whistling Pines.

 March 4 - Early morning yacht race back to the North Sound area. Free kiting on arrival followed by lunch at Bitter End Yacht Club. Afternoon/evening includes a full afternoon of competition including fancy dress kite boarding and technique clinics with the pros between heats; dinner and party at the Bitter End Yacht Club.

March 5 – Morning includes more competition and technique clinics on Necker Island followed by lunch on Necker’s Sand Spit.

Afternoon/evening finals includes a pro rider showdown followed by Grand Prize awards; dinner and closing party on Sir Richard Branson’s Moskito Island.

 March 6 - All competitors sail back to Tortola and disembark. .

More information and registration at www.bvikitejam.com.

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