Flexifoil rider Johara zorgt iedere keer voor een dik report na een PKRA
erg leuk om te lezen!

Flexifoil, PKRA rider Johara, reports on Round 6 of the 2008 PKRA - Fuerteventura


So for me the Fuerteventura PKRA event was to be a little different. For this event I was forced to leave my beautiful new AH Pro’s in their boxes at home (boo hoo hoo) as I was unable to ride after injuring my foot, but made the decision to head out to the event in Sotavento to help out my buddies (as much as I can hopping around on crutches!) and learn something of how the event is run. I thought I would also have some time for a little relaxing in the sun, but somehow I seemed to be even busier than if I was riding!
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Head judge Sammi Gali gave me judging lessons and for the first half of the Double eliminations I sat along the judging panel and Sammi marked my sheet against the other judging, giving me tips in between each heat. It was an amazing experience and makes you look at the heats in a completely different way. I learnt a huge amount about what the judges are looking for and what can make the often small differences between winning and loosing a heat. I actually had great fun with my judging attempt although I’m not sure I’d make the world’s best judge as I was struggling to keep with some of the guys heats when riders such as Aaron are busting out 18 tricks in a 7 minute heat! Thanks to Sammi and Mauricio for showing me the ropes.

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Despite my absence we still had a big Flexifoil presence down on the water which was awesome. Jemma Grobbelaar came early to Sotovento to train and compete in the Speed event the week before the freestyle and course racing started. Speed is her main discipline so it was important for her to be here before to train on the race strip. Her time there was well spent as she got the new British speed record of 29.69 knots and finished fourth in the event. A big well done to Jemma as it really was survival of the fittest to go that fast on the course they had set in the crazy gusts that were hitting their course. Her choice of kite quiver for the speed is the Ion3 which, as the kite is so diverse, it means that they are also perfect for her to compete in the freestyle event as well – such different disciplines but luckily she only has to lug one set of kites round to the events!
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Bouncing with energy and enthusiasm and raring to go we were joined for the third event this year by young Forest Bakker. After his awesome entry to the PKRA scene at his home spot in Tarifa, thirteen year old Forest decided to join us in Portugal and then here. Ready for the super strong off shore conditions with his 3m and 5m Atom08 and 7m AH Pro, Forest was stoked to have the opportunity to compete on the World Tour again. His draw in the Single Elimination was an unlucky won against Sebastian Garat, KPWT World Champ, but he put up an impressive fight! He then went into the Double eliminations on his 3m Atom08 as the wind meter was reading 35 to 45 knots! Unfazed by these conditions Forest went on the kill it in his heat with big kite loops and event landed a blind judge for the first time he has landed one on his 3m! The spectator stand was going wild for the little ball of fire whizzing round in front of them! Well done Forest, we can’t wait for your next PKRA appearance.

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Aaron, armed for the onslaught with some new kites he has been working hard on with the Flexifoil R&D team in a secret location (shhhhhhhh!!), was on top form for this important event. Overall points between him and Kevin Langeree were close and Aaron was determined to take back the lead he has held onto for four years. Aaron seems to thrive on the crazy, gusty offshore conditions which Sotovento throws at the riders each year and totally shows the difference between him and the other riders. The easy power he gets from his AH Pro kites is evident to see and was leaving the crowds in complete owe of what they were seeing. During Aaron’s heat against Seb Garat in the Single eliminations, his kite took an insane crash and snapped a line right out the back of the competition area. So Aaron settled in third place in the Singles with a sly grin on his face, knowing what he was easily capable of in the Double eliminations. And sure enough he did not disappoint! He busted into is heats on top form and took his heats against Pastor and Langeree, putting him back in his rightful place in finals. This time was slightly different as he was up against Seb Garat for the title and not Kevin Langeree. As Seb had won the Singles, it meant Aaron had to beat Seb in two consecutive heats in order to win. This he did with style, consistency and big kite loop passes!
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A very happy Aaron then took the top podium spot and was back in the top spot of the leader board. Well done Aaron!
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I’d like to say a big thank you to all the event organisers, the Reni Egli centre and the judges for braving the judging tower when it was creaking at high tide and 45 knots. I’d also like to say big up to new girl on the tour Mia Furness. Eleven months old and as bomb proof as Jason! Mum Charlotte brought here up to the judging tower to watch Aaron’s heats when the tower was at its scariest and happily clapped her hands a giggled as she was sat on the huge booming speaker! She’s going to be a hard core chicka!
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So we’ve all retreated up to the North of the island for a couple of days of wave action recuperation and beach action for me so chow...
Jo
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Aaron rides the Flexifoil HadlowPro - Visit www.hadlowpro.com for details
To visit Aaron's site and read his thoughs on the PKRA comp so far - visit www.aaronhadlow.com
To find out more about the Flexifoil Atom08 - visit www.Atom08.com
To find out more about the Flexifoil Ion3 - visit www.Ionthree.com
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Johara is sponsored by Flexifoil, Turbulence, and Jimmy Lewis
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All photography copyright Johara / Flexifoil 2008
(Special thanks to Steph Bridge and Paul Caswell for the use of their cameras!)