



For once, no spectacle on the water for Surfers Paradise, but a beautiful spectacle in the sky that also attracted many curious onlookers.
30 Vantage kites, specially designed for the occasion, were released into the air by 30 practised kitesurfers at low tide on the beach.
Everyone was given a starting order, and then had to stand on the designated spot one by one and try to keep the kite more or less motionless in the air.
Not a sinecure, when you know that the lines are 25m long, and the 30 kiters had to stand 10 metres apart: an exciting undertaking, because if one or more kites fly into each other, you immediately have a domino effect and a line may be drawn through the whole enterprise.
But notwithstanding the brisk westerly wind, everyone held out and there was plenty of time for all the shots to succeed. Truly a successful training for the final event from 1 to 10 November in Madagascar, where Wim wants to shoot the same thing but with 60 kites on turquoise water. Goal: to spend the total proceeds to purify water for the local population.
Indeed, each kitesurfer pays €1650 for the kite itself, a unique specimen, and is then offered 10 days' stay on site in a beautiful lodge on the beach. Meanwhile, there are still 6 places left so if there are any candidates who want to participate in this kite festival in Madagascar: mail to sarah@surfersparadise.be is the message.
Photos available online from the event.