Kiters gear up for comp

It’s time for the Cook Islands Kitesurfing Competition.

Professional riders from the Kite Asia Tour, local competitors and big-time circuit judges leave this weekend for Aitutaki, where they will stay for the duration of next week. Last year’s local champion Pauro Arnold is joining them.

Kiters are this weekend praying to the wind gods, and looking forward to on- and off-the-water action in Aitutaki.

The competition will proceed for two days, but which days will depend on wind conditions. On days off, riders will visit local schools to judge a ‘recycled sculptures’ competition and attend a ceremony at which they will donate kite gear to the Aitutaki community. The prizegiving on Friday night will follow a night market at Arutanga wharf. That the competition is on the Asia tour for the first time means it will be bigger and more professional than it was in its inaugural year.

Air Rarotonga is offering discounted airfares to spectators and kiters, and the Cook Islands Kitesurfing Association is running free water taxis from Aitutaki to the competition site, Motu Maina Iti.

Telecom Cook Islands is putting broadband internet on the motu for the convenience of spectators and media – which will include a Cook Islands delegation and journalists from the Kite Tour Asia, who will be supplying print and television content to publications and channels in the United States and Asia.

Cook Islands Tourism supports the kitesurfing competition, which seems to be growing each year and promises to increase Aitutaki’s international exposure.

Cook Islands News will bring readers coverage and photos of the kitesurfing competition over the coming week.