PKRA - Day 1 PKRA Australia

Near windless first day of competition

The Gold Coast extends from the Queensland Capital of Brisbane down to the New South Wales Border. With excellent transport infrastructure, hotels and a lively, welcoming atmosphere the Gold Coast is the perfect location to host Australia’s first ever Kiteboarding PKRA World Tour Event.

The weather conditions were not favorable in Surfer’s Paradise today, causing a slight delay for the kick off of the final tour stop of the PKRA World Tour season due to the unforeseen lack of wind. The wind was very unstable and would pick up to near 15 knots in front of the squalls and drop within minutes of the passing fronts. It would have been possible to run the competition if the wind direction would have been sideshore instead of full onshore. Due to the onshore wind, the wind speed would have needed to reach 20 knots or greater in order for riders to have enough power to fight against the current and kite away from the shore.

Even though heavy rainsqualls hovered over the event site throughout the day, the beach was crowded with spectators anticipating the wind to pick up in strength for some kiteboarding action. At 1:00pm PKRA race director Olaf Van Tol announced that all freestyle riders were released for the day as well as the long distance race competitors. It was a day of waiting for the wind, something that is extremely familiar to every eager kiteboarder.

Shortly after 5:00pm the wind and weather conditions were more favorable, however Van Tol decided to call it a day and released all riders.

Tomorrow’s mandatory skippers meeting is set for 10:00am.

The PKRA Gold Coast Kitesurfing Pro 2010 event is sponsored in part by Nissan, Cabrinha, Red Bull, Gold Coast International Hotel, Fakie and Temple with official partners Queensland Events, Gold Coast City Council, Tourism Queensland, Gold Coast Tourism, Katz Management, Glamorous Life Swimwear, Lovebirds Australia, Mojoz Swimwear with special support by Minotaur Sports Management Party Ltd. MSL - Michael Sing Lawyers, Keystone Events and 12 Below.