The Aldinga Bay Surf Club-hosted event will be held one weekend between Saturday 19 June and Sunday 1 August, with the event window allowing for the required weather conditions. The exact date will be confirmed three to four days prior to the weekend of the event.
Local kite school RIDE Kitesurfing will be on hand both days between noon and 3:30pm to provide free lessons to the general public, with the hour-long Come n Try sessions supported by council’s HALO (Healthy Active Lifestyles Onkaparinga) program.
Participants will get first-hand experience at flying a learner kite while learning the safety requirements of the sport.
Interested participants can register their interest via the Kiteboarding Australia website and you’ll then be contacted by RIDE to arrange a time slot.
The public is also encouraged to watch the state’s best kitesurfers as they battle it out in spectacular fashion to become state champions.
Kiteboarding Australia (KA) President Rhys Higham said kiteboarding/kitesurfing is one of the fastest-growing sports in Australia.
“Spectators and competitors will be treated to an amazing display of wave riding, manoeuvres and tricks when the 2021 KSA State Wave Titles hit Aldinga Beach,” he said.
“Kitesurfing is a visually stunning sport and Aldinga Bay is a fantastic beach, with amazing views, a playground, public toilets and BBQ, making it easy for spectators to come down and watch all the action.
“It’s also a great opportunity to visit the newly rebuilt Aldinga Bay Surf Club, which was badly damaged by a storm in 2018, with the state titles being one of the club’s first major events since the rebuild.
“With kite foil racing set to debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics, interest in the sport more broadly is growing, and the State Wave Titles are expected to attract riders, learners and a cheerful crowd to the McLaren Vale and Fleurieu Coast.”
The event will host the best riders from SA, including 2020 Open Men’s trophy winners, Evan Higham, Matt Stringer and Alex Murray, and standout women, Roxy Logereau and Jessica Bowman.
Keep an eye on Kiteboarding South Australia’s Facebook and Instagram pages, as well as Kiteboarding Australia’s official event page for event updates, including date confirmation and registration details.
HALO assists the community to take part in sport and recreation and lead to healthy lifestyles.
Each year HALO enables more than 20,000 activations (incidents of physical activity) in sport and recreation, with previous Come n Try sessions including beach volleyball, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, cycling and tennis.
Head to the HALO webpage for more ideas on how to stay healthy and active in Onkaparinga, including free outdoor group exercise sessions with a personal trainer, Parkruns, local walking groups and playground adventures.
All photos: Geoff Smith (Fotosportz)