Myanmar Wave Riders Cup And KTA Race Open
Thu 3rd Dec, 2015 @ 6:00 pm
A hotly contested round of competitions highlighted the Myanmar Wave Riders Cup and KTA Race Open. Participants and organizers traveled from around the world to take place in this historic event at Ngwe Saung beach. This was Myanmar’s first International Kiteboarding Competition. Along with kiteboarding, SUP and windsurf categories were also contested. Another highlight was the KTA Kite Kids project, a program that introduced local youth to power kite safety and control. Continue reading below for a full report and results from each category.
It has of course been a historical time in Myanmar as the country held its first democratic elections, but in a small way the Myanmar Wave Rider Cup & KTA Race Open was also breaking new ground, as it delivered Myanmar’s first ever international kiteboarding competition.
The KTA brought kiteboarding competition to Ngwe Saung , Myanmar.
The KTA, working with the Myanmar Yachting Federation, introduced kiteboarders to a new location and country, in an event that could not have set the scene better. Based at the 2013 SEA Games venue on Ngwe Saung beach, the event saw action from not only the kiteboarders, but windsurfing and Stand up Paddle racers as well.
Groups of riders and organisers alike traveled from all over Asia (some even from as far as the US and Europe) to Ngwe Saung for the event. It wasn’t an easy journey to begin with, Myanmar being fairly off the beaten track, would involve at least 2 or 3 flights for most and a long road trip. That in itself was an adventure and an insight into Myanmar life as you journey ever on. In the end though when you hit Ngwe Saung and the Bay of Bengal, you can’t help but be a little blown away and can felt every km was worth it.
Local life along the highway to Ngwe Saung.
This event was many people’s first look at Myanmar, and in the countdown leading up to it everyone was getting pretty curious about what the location would be like. But at the end of the day, kiters are simple creatures, right? Once the minimum requirements of beach, warmth, waves and of course wind are met- it’s smooth sailing, surfing or kiting, which ever floats your boat. Ngwe Saung delivered on all fronts and while not perhaps the windiest of locations, when it did set in, it certainly did not disappoint.
Last rays of the day at Ngwe Saung.
The Myanmar Wave Rider Cup kicked with a formal opening dinner and welcoming speeches from the Minister of Hotels & Tourisms, Mr Htay Aung and our host at Ngwe Saung and GM for the MYF, Phone Kyaw Moe Myint. The event opening was also the end of the Buddhist Lent, which gave all the new faces to Myanmar a nice link into tradition, as the skies filled with lanterns and fireworks to mark the Full Moon of Thadingyut.
Myanmar Minister of Tourism.
The first morning’s skippers meeting was closely followed by the first round of SUP. Don’t let the smiling faces fool you, the gloves were off right from the start. Big breakers at the shoreline caused more than a couple wipe outs, but the riders powered through and set the scene with some awesome competition.
SUP racing kicked off the event.
The KTA Kite Kids project was also in action, introducing local youngsters to the sport during the first half of the event. Now in its 4th season the KTA Kite Kids is a staple edition at all events and it proved as popular in Myanmar as has everywhere else. The programme supported by Cabrinha and Maelstorm, aims to introduce kids to their first experience of power kite flying and teaches them the essential of kite safety. It gives the KTA and its host communities a direct link and fires up the next generation at the grassroots.
KTA kite kids class in action.
By lunchtime the promised winds kicked in and in 13kts of wind the Formula riders headed out to sea. Only to be stopped in their tracks half way through the first race, as dregs of the summer monsoon storms made an unwelcome appearance, to herald the end of the wind and solid soaking for one and all.
Monsoon time.
The pattern was repeated on day two, seeing the kiters frustrated, but the SUP racers having a killer of an event, with hard core paddling on the outward legs, followed by sweet sets of clean waves to fire you back home or dump you on your head if you did not keep your cool and your balance in tack.
SUP racers heading for the finish.
The wind that there was however, did allow the R300 windsurfers to make their mark on the event, in an all locally fought out affair. With ‘scores on the door’ now for both the windsurfers and the SUP racers, the pressure was on for the weather and the kiters to link up and complete the full slate of action.
There is no music more beautiful to a kiteboarders ears than waking up to the sound of wind whistling through the windows. Though the past few breezeless days had left us all wondering if this would be the first KTA event with no wind, our doubts were blown away by the 20 knots that hit Ngwe Saung Beach on Saturday morning. Everyone was out pumping before they even had time to open their eyes, fearing that, like the past few days, the wind could be swallowed in a storm at any second. Miraculously, it held out and both the Formula and TT classes put down races to be able to sign off the first Myanmar Wave Rider Cup as a success.
Twin Tip racing underway.
For Myanmar, kiteboarding is completely new and it was reflected by the unusual lack of ‘local riders’. However, local talent was uncovered in the depths of the KTA team itself and Zeyar Win (known to us all as Wit) from Mawlamyine, who had travelled back to Myanmar to teach on the KTA Kite Kids programme. Wit was soon talked into swapping his crew shirt for a riders vest by his countrymen, to become Myanmar’s first kite racer.
Wit, Myanmar’s sole kite racer, in full teaching flow.
The usual suspects however took up the top slots, picking up where they had left off last season. Topping the kiting for the men was Yo Narapitchit Pudla from Thailand, Asia’s top ranked kite racer, who was joined as he often is by Kathrin Borgwardt from Germany, who looks set to control another season in the women’s division.
Yo Pudla speeding toward victory.
In the Formula class the Thai riders dominated things as they met the challenges set on the open water course, providing some high-speed action that first-time local viewers were blown away by. The TT class, as always, made the visual impact as the fleet hit the start line at speed. Racing on a reaching course, the kiters blasted towards the beach line, with riders and spectators alike enjoying the various battles that unfolded.
Kathrin Borgwardt, the women’s champion.
And while our two KTA champions held their nerve, it was good to see other riders reminding them they might not stay on top forever. Filippo rider Jay Ortiz and Thailand’s Sirwichai Chaengla locked horns with Yo, in their fight to join him on the podium. While for the women it was great to see Germany’s Anke Brandt back in Asian waters, as she tussled with Thailand’s top lady Fon Benyapa Jantawan, for their podium slots with Kathrin.
Ngwe Saung rounded things off in style with a chilled awards ceremony at the river’s edge North Point Bar, which then blended it way into a full blown Halloween party for good measure, well it was Oct. 31st so it would have been rude not to!!
Awards ceremony group photo.
Certainly Myanmar’s first kiting event can be counted as a success, and the blend of watersports the organisers opted to work together seamlessly, making sure there was never a dull moment for the competitors or spectators. The hospitality of the Myanmar people and the professionalism of the MYF and Ngwe Saung Yacht Club and Resort was second to none who, along with the strong local support of the events sponsors and the KTA’s international supporters, deserves the highest level of thanks and left us all feeling that this is just the start of the Myanmar story.
For further KTA information and the latest on the seasons KTA X-Champs – http://www.kiteboardtour.asia
Myanmar Wave Rider Cup – Final Results
Kiteboard TT Class
Men
1. Yo Narapitchit Pudla (THA)
2. Jay Ortiz (PHL)
3. Sirwichai Chaengla (THA)
Women
1. Kathrin Borgwardt (GER)
2. Fon Benyapa Jantawan (THA)
3. Anke Brandt (GER)
Kiteboard Formula Class
Men
1. Yo Narapitchit Pudla (THA)
2. Chanon Phrakaew (THA)
3. Sirawit Phrakaew (THA)
Women
1. Kathrin Borgwardt (GER)
2. Anke Brandt (GER)
3. Fon Benyapa Jantawan (THA)
SUP Racing
Men
1. Thet Ko Ko (MMR)
2. Bo Bo Lwin (MMR)
3. Min Min (MMR)
Women
1. Sandar Thet Hnn (MMR)
2. Kathrin Borgwardt (GER)
3. Anke Brandt (GER)
Youth Boys
1. Bo Bo Lwin (MMR)
2. Thaw Thu Hoo (MMR)
3. Zew Hiet Lwin (MMR)
Youth Girls
1. May Thazin Kyaw (MMR)
2. May Myar Thu (MMR)
3. Shue Yamin (MMR)
Windsurf R300
1. Khun Aung Thein (MMR)
2. Shwe Ya Min (MMR)
3. Thiha Naing (MMR)
Event Sponsors: Bangkok Bank, Ooredoo, Mastech, MPRL, Myint & Associates, Krispy Kremes, Tberg, IEM Co Ltd, Toto
Brand Sponsors: Cabrinha, Starboards
International Supporters: Aethic, BBtakin, LiP Sunglasses, Maelstorm, Panasonic
Media Sponsors: Cloudstringers, Myanmar Times
