Tour directors spellbound by Aitutaki

As co-founder of the Kite Tour Asia (KTA) – in terms of rider participation the biggest kite tour in the world – Willy Kerr spends his year travelling in search of wind and waves. Now based in Thailand, he covers most of the Asian continent judging kite competitions in places like China, the Philippines, Vietnam and China. But this week marks his first exploring the South Pacific.

Kerr says he’s found paradise at last.

”By far – no joke, and I’m not just saying this because you’re writing it down,“ he said yesterday, ”this is the most amazing, amazing place I’ve been. I’ve never seen colour like this in my life.“

Surveying Aitutaki’s sprawling lagoon, he said he expected the island to be beautiful – he saw photos before arriving this week – but had no idea just how beautiful.

The flat water, the absence of obstacles and the fact that the wind blows from every direction makes Aitutaki a kiter’s paradise, he said.

Kerr envisions Aitutaki becoming part of a regular world tour, and is already planning a return visit.

”We’ll come back if you guys will have us back,“ he said with a smile.

Being part of the Kite Tour Asia this year is big for Manureva, the fledgling event that was born last year.

”KTA riders will be so jealous,“ Kerr said of the video and film footage the KTA team is shooting and intending to distribute in coming months.

KTA has agreements with publications and television stations across Asia and the United States, which promise Aitutaki heightened international exposure.

Kerr says the organisation is considering establishing an Oceania tour, a proposal it is currently discussing with the Oceanic Sailing Federation.

He says it would be simple to transfer the Asia tour format to Oceania.

Race director and fellow KTA judge Stephan Hertig agrees with Kerr that Aitutaki is a ”kiting paradise“.

Asked to expound, he just pointed at the lagoon.

”Look at it,“ he said. ”Palm trees, blue water, white sand. We go to a lot of ocean spots with wind and water but this is a kiter’s paradise.“

He says with the KTA exposure, Aitutaki is bound to attract professional riders in droves. While KTA is keen to send more riders to Aitutaki, Hertig says the key will be bring bigger names and offer a bigger prize package.