Three days of impressive Dominican kiteboarding has left organizers, spectators and riders wanting more! After years of working towards presenting Dominican kiting through an association, it finally came together this year and gave the kiteboarding world a peak into what is going on in one of the hottest kiteboarding destinations there is. As the adrenalin takes a rest and the riders are back to training for more events, the Dominican Kiteboarding association already prepares for next years tour. After this success it is highly possible that the riders will have the opportunity to show themselves through more than one stage the next year. In the meantime, new and talented riders will rock the bays all around the country to aim for a challenge against the new champions.

On the last day of the contest, the spectators got to see a caliber of young junior kiteboarders whom most likely is the future of kiteboarding. Already, these young riders are pulling tricks on a world class level, and with the support they saw through this first annual official kiteboarding championship, the possibilities are endless for future competitions.

It was hard to anticipate who would make it to the top in the junior finals, but both riders gave it their best and left it up to the judges to set the scores that would eventually crown the new champion.

Robinson Vasques is a 2007 newcomer in competitions and rocked his way all the way to the finals against long time favourite Ariel Corniel. Ariel holds an extremely high technical level and took it all the way this Saturday. The 13 years old Robinson got close, but is still very satisfied with his own accomplishments.

Ariel Corniel is now to be considered the best junior kiteboarder in the Dominican Republic.

Congratulations to them both and all the juniors, for their effort and hard work!

Price giving took place at Kite Beach Hotel Saturday night, with an introduction in Dominican power problems. There’s no such thing as 100% guarantee for power in the country, and unfortunately the local rock-and reggae band Open Minds had to struggle to get their music across to the public. It usually works out in the end, and the price giving was finally introduced in late night hours. Organizer Jose Armando Mieses got to hand out a wild card for the new Dominican champion Emmanuel Rondon (18), and some neat prices for in total six of the best national riders.

Partying in to the early morning hours, celebrating a new era in DR kiting, riders, staff and visitors completed the success with big smiles.

Thanks to all sponsors, staff, riders, spectators and media for giving this first annual Dominican Kiteboarding competition all their support and believes. ADK looks forward to a new year of progressive kiteboarding!

Word & photos: Hege Holt