Lewis Crathern Kitesurfer – August Update

“August provided classic storm conditions on the South Coast of England – finally! Amongst other events I made it out to Canada for the 2016 Kite Clash Canadian Championships. Here’s all my latest from August…”

IKSurf 58

IKSURF magazine ran a full article on my recovery in Issue 58. I was especially happy to be given the cover shot. The magazine is free to read online so click here to take a look. ‘Back from the Brink’ became the running title and I go quite in depth about my experience at King of the Air earlier this year. It was also nice to talk about other things like what I’ve been up to since, what my life entails, my plans and ambitions and my never-ending passion for the sport.

Topping the WOO Global Leaderboard

We have had some super conditions for big air kiteboarding in Worthing. As usual Eunice Bergin was on hand to capture the action. After a full-on day of riding, it was great to share 1st and 2nd on the Global WOO Height Leaderboards with my friend Lance. Jez Hangtime Jones also riding in Worthing made it in the top 10 as well…

It never gets boring comparing your big air results to others around the world and is so simple to do. Really hoping on some storm winds again soon. They have really become my main passion within the sport.

2016 Kite Klash Canadian Championships

I love this place! Just north of Vancouver lies Squamish. A really nice little town where everyone seems active. After I visited last year I couldn’t wait to come straight back to the 2016 Kite Klash Canadian Championships. I spent the week prior to the event getting used to the conditions and figuring out my best set up. The wind ended up absolutely perfect and at some points was hitting 30 knots. I took the 11m North Rebel kite on the water and was boosting huge!

In the end I had to settle for 3rd place but I was told it was close. I’m always happy to be on the podium and when I think about all that’s happened in the space of a year it’s a good result. The team behind the event promoted the event really well and I received some great coverage. Radio interviews with Mountain FM, TV interviews with CBC Vancouver and a front cover and article in the Squamish Chief. There are plenty more incredible images from this trip on my website (here) so please feel free to take a look.

Bracklesham Boardriders Clinic

I delivered a Kitesurfing Clinic with Bracklesham Boardriders. Five riders took part in an awesome day of progression. I love to coach and mix with kiteboarders of all levels and these clinics provide the perfect environment in which to do that. How to boost better, riding technique, back rolls, front rolls, transitions, S-bends – we went through the lot!

Keep an eye out on my Facebook page for future clinics, as I still have a number of them planned for 2016.

Picnic in the Park 2016

Picnic in the Park has run in Tarring (close to my home) for a number of years now. Whenever I am around I love to support the event. Families and children gather to see various stalls and of course to have a picnic. As you can imagine it’s not possible for me to kitesurf in the park, but simply tying my bar to the van and having a board on the grass is enough to inspire the children. It gives them the feeling of it, and they really do imagine that they are out at sea.

Events like this are great opportunities to speak to people about kitesurfing, especially the parents who are also thinking of getting into it!

Other News

The new 2017 North Rebel is out. Featured above is the new model of the kite I have been using mostly this year. It boosts absolutely incredible and is great fun to ride.

I have further clinics planned in the UK from September onwards. If you are interested then please send me a message.

All the best, and I’ll update you next month!

Lewis

Lewis Crathern Kitesurfer
www.lewiscrathern.com