We arrived with our VW Bus ,which was packed with the kiteequipment and all sort of other stuff, in the land of baguette and french kiss two weeks before the event. We both had in mind of getting to know the spot before the competition especially because we both have no experience with shore break and doing freestyle tricks in waves.
St. Gilles is lovely , the fisherhouses and the little streets. But the best for us, the Atlantic ocean. Wow, used of being kiting in the bath tub “Red Sea” it felt almost like a shock to go kiting in there.
The first day we were just looking around the city and trying to get warm. But f*** it was cold, with a snowboardjacket and winter boots we were freezing our asses off.... To get an idea you can have a look at the picture. We did not want to spend a lot of money so we decided to live at the parking lot close to the beach, no camping area.
Because there was no wind the first days we soon had the idea of going surfing. Carina never did it before, and Celine new a little bit. But this decision was the best. The surf teacher Nico was really sweet and invited us for a drink in the evening. And then it re
ally started. We got to know the local kiteshop owner Olivier from Kitesloop and after a few Rum their English got really good, so it was not only us talking. We had a great evening and got to know a lot of local people. After a few days the people in the supermarket recognised us, “the kitesurf girls that come for the comp” and said hello and we both agreed that this is just the coolest place and people.
The only thing that was missing was the wind...finally after one week of surfing we were lucky. Wind.....Lets get out , totally nervous and afraid the kite could drop and the lines could wrap around us. But wow , we survived and were both calmed for the event because we both managed to do our tricks even in the wave. One day of wind was all we could practice before the event, but it did not bother us. Surfing was great, and with teacher Nico no wave was big enough.
Olivier from the Kiteshop gave us some goodies in return of putting a sticker on our board during the competition. Almost every evening we spent together with Nico and Olivier and their friends, having a lot of fun, playing Acitivity, cooking weird French food, going to concerts or discos or just hanging around in our favourite bar Le Sloop. We almost felt like at home with old friends.
Then in the
morning we both saw the hugest poster of the KPWT in St. Gilles and we knew, now it is going to start.
Jane and Dave, our supportive team and Photographer , arrived in St. Gilles. And all the other Kiters too.
Both getting more and more nervous, finally the event started. First day, Freestyle. Celine had problems of going upwind because there was not a lot of wind and so she could not manage to get in the next round. Carina showed a nice heat and came in the next round.
Wave Competition. This was fun. We both had no wave board and never tried one. We could persuade some riders to give us a board for the heat and so we went. And what a cool surprise: Celine got 5th
Raceday was pretty hard, because there were a lot of problems and confusion. Celine almost drowned and Carina did not manage to get upwind. But finally in the last race Carina got second in the race.
Then the Best Trick Competition. We were really happy because we could ride together in the heat. Celine managed to become first and Carina second. That was our main objective, that we both get on the podium , check out the picture.
So thats our final results:
Celine
1st Best Trick
5 th Wave
Carina
2nd Best Trick
4th Race
5th Freestyle
Now we are back in Egypt and we have to say we miss the wave , we miss the surf and we miss the people there. And we threw a coin in the ocean, so we will come back.
And thanks to the MC. Donald’s Crew for letting us use their toilets as our bathroom and the free internet... :-)
St. Gilles is lovely , the fisherhouses and the little streets. But the best for us, the Atlantic ocean. Wow, used of being kiting in the bath tub “Red Sea” it felt almost like a shock to go kiting in there.
The first day we were just looking around the city and trying to get warm. But f*** it was cold, with a snowboardjacket and winter boots we were freezing our asses off.... To get an idea you can have a look at the picture. We did not want to spend a lot of money so we decided to live at the parking lot close to the beach, no camping area.
Because there was no wind the first days we soon had the idea of going surfing. Carina never did it before, and Celine new a little bit. But this decision was the best. The surf teacher Nico was really sweet and invited us for a drink in the evening. And then it re
ally started. We got to know the local kiteshop owner Olivier from Kitesloop and after a few Rum their English got really good, so it was not only us talking. We had a great evening and got to know a lot of local people. After a few days the people in the supermarket recognised us, “the kitesurf girls that come for the comp” and said hello and we both agreed that this is just the coolest place and people.The only thing that was missing was the wind...finally after one week of surfing we were lucky. Wind.....Lets get out , totally nervous and afraid the kite could drop and the lines could wrap around us. But wow , we survived and were both calmed for the event because we both managed to do our tricks even in the wave. One day of wind was all we could practice before the event, but it did not bother us. Surfing was great, and with teacher Nico no wave was big enough.
Olivier from the Kiteshop gave us some goodies in return of putting a sticker on our board during the competition. Almost every evening we spent together with Nico and Olivier and their friends, having a lot of fun, playing Acitivity, cooking weird French food, going to concerts or discos or just hanging around in our favourite bar Le Sloop. We almost felt like at home with old friends.
Then in the
morning we both saw the hugest poster of the KPWT in St. Gilles and we knew, now it is going to start.Jane and Dave, our supportive team and Photographer , arrived in St. Gilles. And all the other Kiters too.
Both getting more and more nervous, finally the event started. First day, Freestyle. Celine had problems of going upwind because there was not a lot of wind and so she could not manage to get in the next round. Carina showed a nice heat and came in the next round.
Wave Competition. This was fun. We both had no wave board and never tried one. We could persuade some riders to give us a board for the heat and so we went. And what a cool surprise: Celine got 5th
Raceday was pretty hard, because there were a lot of problems and confusion. Celine almost drowned and Carina did not manage to get upwind. But finally in the last race Carina got second in the race.
Then the Best Trick Competition. We were really happy because we could ride together in the heat. Celine managed to become first and Carina second. That was our main objective, that we both get on the podium , check out the picture.
So thats our final results:
Celine
1st Best Trick
5 th Wave
Carina
2nd Best Trick
4th Race
5th Freestyle
Now we are back in Egypt and we have to say we miss the wave , we miss the surf and we miss the people there. And we threw a coin in the ocean, so we will come back.
And thanks to the MC. Donald’s Crew for letting us use their toilets as our bathroom and the free internet... :-)
