Kiteracing in the Southeast is generally growing mostly due the recent advancements made in hydro foil boards. Combined with the latest para-foil kites, we have been able to be insanely more efficient in light air and on our VMG. This has created a growing following for everyone to get out on the water even if wind is sub 10 kts. In winds as low as 6 kts, we are hitting speeds up to 25kts downwind, which increase to 33 kts in 12 kts of wind.

Because there is not much wind in Florida, the new equipment has giving kiteboarding a new niche, and become a more closely related branch of sailing. I am organizing meet-ups to do windward leeward races a few times a year, with the likes of Pro Kite Foilers like Jon Modica, Damien Leroy, Zack Marks, Kevin Reali, Patrick Rynne, and the newest and youngest such as 15 year old sailors Jacob Oliver and James Mcgrath.

We had 17 entrants for our Spring Kite Foil Regatta on May 15-17 in St. Petersburg, FL with the foil boards providing an exciting experience on the water for people new to it and for seasoned veteran polishing up on their foiling tacks and jibes, laylines, mark roundings, and to improve on overall VMG. It is all giving us motivation for the future of kite foiling.

Report by Leif Given.