Home»News

Team Trampa rider Ash Garwood @ BKSA Westward Ho

26/10/2012

And so the last stop of the British Kite land boarding championships was upon us, I was particularly excited for this event as I had a chance to take the title once again. I arrived early Thursday to a cold and wet westward ho. Shortly after arriving I settled in to a chalet with views of the beach waiting for the tide to go out. The wind for Thursday was predicted to be good so I made my way to the beach for a warm up session to get ready for Friday’s competition. 

After a good session on Thursday, I managed to land handle passes, 360 varials, varial flips and multiple rotations. I felt good about the competition the day after, although looking at the forecast I wasn’t sure it would happen.

Friday morning came and with it fresh anxiety for the day ahead. Competition is one of the most enjoyable things to do, but at the same time it’s also terrifying. You find yourself in a small compact area, pushing yourself, all the while trying to mind other competitors, fight for space and land all your tricks. Not something easily done in wind, but in no wind it becomes very frustrating. Friday it seems was not happening, so myself and the other riders retired for a chilled evening in the chalet.

I woke Saturday to a cold, chilly, and windless day. And with my hopes of a good session dying, I pondered over breakfast what would happen if no competition was run. Thankfully though, there was a brief period of wind, which led us into competition. But like our summer, the wind was brief. My 1^st heat was up and the wind was in. I competed against Abe Azoulman in the first round, he was flying a 21m kite and I was on my trusty 11m C4. My aim was to use my smaller kite and superior speed to boost me into the next round. After about 20 seconds into my heat, the wind died leaving me severely under-powered, but I still managed a few 5 to blinds, railey to blinds and other ground combos to land me in the final. 

Unfortunately though, the wind dropped to absolute zero meaning I got joint first with LOLO and Emanuel.

The prize giving for the whole year was Saturday evening and the whole fleet turned up dressed in their best to celebrate another great year at the BKSA. The results were in and I managed second over all for the year. That’s 2 years running and I’m so stoked to do it as part of the Ozone and Trampa team. It’s been a great year for me in general and for kiting. We have pushed land boarding further than ever and shown that there Is some real style around.

The final results for the year are

Laurent Guyot 1^st

Ash Garwood 2^nd

Abe Azoulman 3^rd

A big up to every one for a great year and for every one who the supported me.

For more on my antics check out www.facebook.com/AshGarwood

Peace.