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The BVI Kite Jam 2011 taking place February 26 – March 5, will kick off with a Beach Party and Pro Demo at Nanny Cay, on February 26th between 10am and 3pm. Some of the top riders in the world including Kristin Boese, Shannon Best, Andre Philip, Pete Cabrinha, Tom Court, Youri Zoon, Stephen Shank, Jaun Carlos Morales and many others will be here to show their skills. A try kiteboarding session with KATS, Carib Kiteboarding and the BVI Kite Boarding Association (BVIKA) will also be a part of the day’s festivities.
BVI Kite Jam is a unique annual kiteboarding event bringing together pros and amateurs with visual competitions, demonstrations, technique clinics and festivities taking place in key locations throughout the British Virgin Islands. The event aims to bring attention to the kiteboarding community as well as BVI as a Mecca for kiteboarding because of its ideal wind and water conditions. Pro riders that attended the 2010 event include nine-time world champion Kristin Boese, the legendary Andre Phillip, Susi Mai, Tuva Jansen, Tom Court, Chris Burke, Gretta Kruesi, Madison Van Heurck and Jason Slezak.
The inaugural event took place last year and kicked off with an illustrious opening party at Necker Island for pros and participants along with sponsors, international media, esteemed members of the BVI Tourism Board and local VIPs and officials. The Honorable Ralph T. O´Neal, Premier and Minister of Tourism, addressed attendees with thanks and good wishes and Sir Richard Branson reminisced about coming up with the idea for Kite Jam with event partner Charlie Smith. The BVI Kite Jam Team presented $5,000 checks to charity partners Virgin Islands Search and Rescue (VISAR) and Tortola´s Kids And The Sea (KATS). Party goers danced the night away to live music by local act Last Resort on the sands of Necker Island under a full moon.
The highlights of the week included an unforgettable downwinder to Pomato Point on Anegada followed by a BBQ lunch at Cow Wreck Beach and an afternoon of freestyle action on Wednesday, March 3. Pro boarders Kristin Boese, Tom Court, Chris Burke and others carved up the waters along side Sir Richard Branson and participating kite jammers. Other activities took place off of Bitter End Yacht Club´s North Beach where pros and amateurs grinded on sliders and water obstacles on a sand spit in the Eustasia Sound. BVI Kite Jam closed with an over the top party on a remote beach on Mosquito Island, complete with an award ceremony, fire dancers, and a DJ getting the crowd pumped and dancing.
The 2011 BVI Kitejam Schedule
Saturday 26th February
* Registration 1000hrs – 2200hrs
* Kite Jam Beach Party at Nanny Cay with Professional Demos and Kids And The Sea (KATS) Pro Rider Clinics
* Sunsail Billabong BVI Kite Jam Welcome Party at Sunsail Base 1900hrs – 0100hrs
Sunday 27th February
* 0800hrs Flotilla Departs for North Sound
* Welcome to North Sound event and Lunch at Saba Rock
* Free Kiting and Race Brief for Monday’s Round Necker Island Challenge
* Dinner & Party – Cash Bar
Monday 28th February
* 0830hrs Round Necker Island Challenge
* 1300hrs Lunch
* 1430hrs Catamaran Race to Anegada
* Sunset Kitting
* 1900hrs Dinner
* JTV Tight & Bright Party at the Billabong BVI Kite Jam Village at Anegada Reef – Cash Bar
Tuesday 1st March
* 0800hrs Anegada Kiteboarding Location TBD based on Wind Conditions
* Lunch
* Pro Clinics
* 1900hrs Dinner
* Finlandia Tribal & Invent the Official Kite Jam Cocktail Party at the Billabong BVI Kite Jam Village at Anegada Reef – Cash Bar
Wednesday 2nd March
* 0800hrs Anegada Kiteboarding Location TBD based on Wind Conditions
* Lunch
* Pro Clinics
* 1900hrs Dinner
* K&J Party at the Billabong BVI Kite Jam Village at Anegada Reef – Cash Bar
Thursday 3rd March
* 0900hrs Yacht Race to Bitter End Yacht Club
* Lunch at Bitter End Yacht Club
* Afternoon Event at Eustachian Sound
* 1900hrs BVI Party at Leverick Bay – Local Fun, Food and Entertainment BVI Style!
Friday 4th March
* 0800hrs Kitting Event at Eustatia Island
* Lunch
* Billabong BVI Kite Jam Awards Ceremony at Bitter End Yacht Club, Carvery – Cash Bar
Saturday 5 th March
* 0600hrs Flotilla Departs for Sunsail Base
* 1100hrs Check Out
For more information and to register for Billabong BVI Kite Jam 2011, visit, www.bvikitejam.com
