PKRA - Registration Day - The PKRA Arrives in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

Today, 36 competitors from 13 different countries arrived in Playa Del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico, for the much-anticipated MINI Kiteboard World Tour, which is sure to enthrall and excite over the next several days. Of these competitors, 21 men and 5 women make up the racers, while the rest plan to participate in a special freestyle event.

This year, thousands of dollars in prize money is at stake, as well as the top race rankings to kick off the year. Undoubtedly, this event and the racing competitions that follow will provide intense battles, with former champions and new names fighting for premium podium positions. Past PKRA course racing champions include John Heineken (USA) and Carolin Adrien (France) in 2011, as well as Adam Koch (USA) in 2010. Notably, the 2011 PKRA race world tour leader from France, Julien Kerneur, will be attending this event - keeping the level of racing at a high intensity.

Additionally, a special single elimination freestyle event will take place, which will include a full ladder of 12 male competitors. World-renowned freestyle riders, Sebastian Garat and Alberto Rondina stand out as the ultimate professionals to watch, as they throw down their biggest tricks for the special exhibition.

While registration day provided the riders with more rain than sun and greater humidity than wind, expectations remain high for the event to come, as the forecast looks very promising for the afternoon on Thursday, as well as Friday and Saturday. As a result of the rain and lack of wind on registration day, competitors spent their time wisely, venturing into and around the scenic and lush region of the Riviera Maya, and taking advantage of the myriad of things to do and see. As the first PKRA racing tour stop of 2012, many of the riders appeared highly concentrated - focusing on the events in days to come. Currently, the area is abuzz with hopeful spectators and excited kiteboarding fans; ready and willing to take in all the action this tour stop has to offer.

Keep updated on all the happenings throughout this event via Facebook and Twitter or the PKRA website - .