Keahi wins the 2011 Kitesurfing Nationals
Keahi De Aboitiz kitesurfing in one of his heats.
Riding without footstraps in the challenging conditions, he edged out fellow Queenslander Mike Walker to take the win. Keahi's fluid and technical riding style really shone through in the final heat, and paired with Mikes powered riding, made it a spectacular display of kitesurfing for the spectators lining the beach.
In the girls final, Michelle Blinkhorn from Byron Bay, NSW took the win from Lisa Hickman. From what we've heard, all of the girls gave the guys a run for their money, both on the water and in the pub!
Conditions over the weekend ranged from 10 knots up to around 24 knots, with swell between 2 and 5 foot. Light winds and big swell make for some interesting kitesurfing conditions, but only a couple of kites got destroyed over the few days, and the only injuries we heard of were those sustained from riding too much!
The South West Kite Krew did a fantastic job of organising the event, with a free bus to take everyone on downwinders each afternoon. Leaving the riders feeling pretty sore after an entire weekend of kitesurfing. Thanks to the organisers, SWKK for running the event so smoothly, and of course all the sponsors for making it happen.
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Check out these photo's by Kitelife TV.
