Check out this report on kiteforum.com
Cmon Victoria lets get something going...
"Just back from an awesome weekend at the inaugral Coconet Classic www.coconet.net.au
Tim who invented and owns the coconet company put up $5k, and the local Club, Central Queensland Kite Surfing Association did the rest.
It was the best organised, most enjoyable event I have ever been to!
Most of the members of the club are under 25yo, and a lot are under 20, they all ride really well, enjoy a laugh and respect each other. The backup and support from their parents was incredible, breakfast was laid on every day, even on the Monday after the comp had finished. The presentation was at a local licensed club with local bands supplying the music.
The format made a huge difference to how this event was so much fun for everyone involved, basically it was a freeride for 4 hours each day, everyone on the water at once or whenever they felt like it.
I was a judge along with a couple of the young club members, and then on the Sunday arvo, we handed out voting sheets to all the riders. When we tallied up all the rider votes with our own score sheets the decisions were all unanymous. My only regret would be that I would have liked to award a lot more places, the standard of riding was very high.
I would prefer to see this format used in even national titles, over 4 hours the standout riders could be picked and then heats run to come up with a winner. Easier to run, easier to judge, as you could use rider/competitor voting, more fun for everyone involved, riders get to ride a decent amount of time, no penalties for crashing (like lost time in a heat), popular decisions. Let me kno what you think?
One rider did stand out though, and that was the incredibly improved Zeb Peters, Slingshot, (Trophy and $1000), his powerful wake style, new school/wake style, kite low powered moves were simply amazing to witness. Paul Jackson, Airush, was 2nd ($300) with a a mammoth effort of at least 8 hrs solid riding over 2 days, Mark Warren, Slingshot, 3rd ($100)
Same with the women Cheryl Button, Cabrinha, from Brisbane 1st ($1000)
Angi Van Hoof, Airush, 2nd ($300) Beck Nicholson, Wipika, ($100)
Juniors was the amazing Campbell, a 14yo local who has been kiting for 8 months, look out all other riders in Oz! Young Mike Padzunious was given an encouragement award for his endurance and amazing performance too, I never saw him crash his kite over at least 6-7 hrs.
Biggest balls award went to a guy on an Airush lift 12M on 10M lines who was trying to kite loop, incredible visions of his crashes, the sound of the kite hitting the water was only slightly louder than him coming in at mach 10 just afterwards!
Adam Yared, Slingsot, won the legends, and Matt Tobin won the "personality award" mainly because he wore a gath helmet complete with superfly afro wig whenever he was on the water, and his incredible skill on a surfboard, I saw Matt land a powered kiteloop while grabbing the surfboard with one hand, steering the kite with the other!!!!
Other standout riders that definately deserve a mention are Daryl Christie (Caution), Bill Crang (Slingshot), Rob Wybrow (Wipika), Ben Cox (Cabrinha), Jamie (Cabrinha), Bob (Caution), Lucky Dave (Slingshot), Jesse Herbert (Wipika) Craig Maxwell, (Wipika), and a few others who's names escape me right now.
As far as I know everyone complied with the leash rule (depowerable suicide type, or other reride type), there were several tangles due to the tight comp area and the narrow creek, all were sorted quickly and the riders were out riding again in minutes, no lost kites at all!!
Only one injury, a broken leg, rider landed hard with one foot out of a strap.
Wind blew in at approx 12.30 each day at around 15 knots and increased by 1.30 to approx 20-25 knots, smooth trade winds, water approx 21C, what could be better??"
