THE Philippine Kiteboarding Association (PKA) is all geared up in the Amihan season with the eighth edition of the International Container Terminal Services Inc. (ICTSI) Philippine Kiteboarding Tour.
Formed in early 2013, and with the full support of ICTSI, the PKA has been conducting national kiteboarding tour competitions across the country in some of the best destination spots for the sport.
The PKA already organized more than 20 events across the country with more than 200 participants, local and international superstars, joining the tour.
Each leg features three main competition disciplines—Race, Hangtime (longest on air trick) and Freestyle.
The Race is further subdivided among Men, Women, Masters Class (40 to 54 years old) and Grand Masters (55 and above) categories, plus a Novice division for new participants of the sport.
The Freestyle and Hangtime competitions, are divided into the men and women divisions.
This year, the group is bringing these extreme athletes to four exotic and pristine beaches. They are at Kingfisher in Pagudpud, Ilocos Norte, from October 15 to 17; Sicogon Island in Carles, Iloilo, from January 13 to 15; again in Sicogon Island from February 10 to 12 and Boracay Island in Malay, Aklan, from March 3 to 5.
“We’re excited to bring back the tour after two years of absence due to the global pandemic,” PKA President said. “Since our silver medal feat in the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, we have set our eyes on other global events.”
“Our aim is for this tour to again put into track our Olympic Program for training local athletes and talents as kiteboarding will be a permanent event beginning with the 2024 Paris Olympics,” he added.
The PKA is under the Philippine Sailing Association headed by Ernesto “Judes” Echauz and supported by the Philippine Sports Commission.