The GKA Kite-Surf World Tour, that mixes wave and strapless freestyle disciplines, will take place over three events this season with a possibility of one or two more championships out towards the end of 2017. The three confirmed events will take place in Tarifa between 27 June and 2 July, Dakhla between 18 and 23 July and Fuerteventura between 1 and 5 August.
World Cup Round One: Tarifa Strapless Kitesurfing Pro
The GKA Kite-Surf World Tour kicks things off as they did last year with a pure strapless freestyle event in one of kitesurfing’s greatest meccas, Tarifa! The strapless freestyle discipline went off with a bang last year in front of thousands of sun-kissed spectators. Thanks to having a World Championship tour to compete on and a full 12 months pure progression under their belts since the tour was launched last year – we can expect explosive performances!
Airton got off to a flying start in Tarifa last year with his incredibly assured handle-pass maneuvers. What will come this year? Can Matchu retain his overall title? Will Paulino’s power be too much?!
Watch the Tarifa highlights video from last year:
World Cup Round Two: Dakhla, Morocco
In collaboration with hosts Dakhla Attitude and the new Hotel Westpoint, the tour heads back to the edge of the Western Sahara for more solid waves and a return to the scene of last year’s dramatic championship climax, where Keahi de Aboitiz made it four wins from four events for him in Dakhla, and in beating Airton in the final, allowed Matchu Lopes to claim the overall tour title.
The women competed in both Mauritius and Dakhla last year and at this event, Milla Ferreira took the win over Kirsty Jones and Carla Herrera Oria.
Watch the Dakhla highlights video from last year:
World Cup Round Three: Sotavento, Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
One of the most evocative events of last year took place at the Rene Egli site at Sotavento, the destination of World Cup windsurfing and kitesurfing competitions for 30 years. And boy, do they know how to host it! Combine their expertise in that respect with the very strong winds and this emerging strapless freestyle discipline, and the crowds had never seen anything like it!
Watch the Fuerteventura highlights video from last year:
The GKA Kite-Surf World Tour 2017 will see a mix of freestyle and wave events run in 2017, eventually resulting in the crowning of a World Champion. Women’s wave events will run in Dakhla too.
