Conditions may not have been the best, but competitors certainly made the best of things competing at the Fourth Annual St Lucia Kite Surfing Fiesta competition at Sandy Beach, Vieux Fort.
The competition was organized by the Reef Beach Cafe and Kite Surfing Centre, in conjunction with the Southern Tourism Development Corporation featured two days of competition (March 12-13).
Day one was certainly not in keeping with the superb conditions this picturesque location is famous for when it comes to kite surfing. Winds were light that day which led to a three hour delay.
Things changed the following day. According to Event Coordinator for the Kite Fiesta, Denia George, the first day was a bit depressing but today {Sunday} we have a completely different vibe.”
There were a total of 10 competitors from all over the world including, Norway, Poland, United States, France. St Lucia was also represented.
This year Jeremy Tronet who grew up in Martinique successfully defended his title at this competition, which included several spectacular freestyle displays. Beth Lygoe who competed under St Lucian colours placed second, with Cody Modeste (St Lucia) finishing third.
Kite surfing has caught on here thanks in part to the Reef which has a teaching centre with instructors from overseas. Modeste who is a qualified instructor at Coconut Bay Beach Resort and others have certainly gravitated to it and the future looks bright.
This kite surfing competition was a real fiesta. In addition to some fantastic acrobatic displays on and above the water there was entertainment galore at Sandy Beach featuring Fourth World reggae band as the main attraction.
