Once again we are at another event; three on the bounce now so beginning to get tired, but as we haven’t been to a Kitesurfing event since early in the year we decided it was about time to get back on the horse….. so to speak. The British Kitesurfing Championship at Littlehamptonwas to be the venue for round 6.

Having missed out on a few rounds of the British Tour, the riders were asking when we were going to be back. Apparently the riders have been missing our images; so cameras at the ready, ExPix rocked up at Littlehampton to a rapturous reception from the riders.

Friday started with an early briefing and on the water by 11a.m. Heats were quickly got through as the wind fluctuated. A riders meeting was held and a decision to hold ten minute heats instead of 7 as running up the beach to gain position was the order of the day.

So with the sun shinning and just enough wind the competition was well under way as the tide receded at a fair speed. With this happening the mussel beds and rocks appeared and another decision was made to postpone the event until the tide came back in. Would the wind hold?

Well the answer was .......NO !!!

As the tide came in the wind dropped and the event was pulled for the day. Unfortunately the forecast for the rest of the weekend isn’t looking too good and as usual everyone is praying that things will change. We’re looking forward to tonight’s party and the camera opportunities that these events undoubtedly bring; as one rider put it “the fear of getting drunk has returned”!

SATURDAY

Unfortunately the forecast proved to be right, with no sea breeze to boot the riders chilled out in their vans or on the beach skating, sun bathing or sleeping getting ready for the night ahead. High spirits mixed with a little frustration created a few amusing moments as one or two riders took part in trying out some of our free t's

.........very nice boys ... now try the mens sizes!!!!

Thanks to deadman who sorted out our 'staff clothing' they were on hand as tour sponsors to promote their range of clothing, we hope it went well guys.

As usual the Littlehampton party was yet another cracker. Competing with a Fat Boy Slim concert a few miles down the coast at Brighton some of the riders opted to make the trip and not attend the event party ........... BIG  MISTAKE!

Sophie always puts on a good effort and for some reason doesn t mind her cafe being trashed in the process. For the third year in a row free beers! music and the obligatory beer fight (she had moved the tomato ketchup, brown sauce and mustard this year just in case.

Things started quietly but it wasnt long before the kitesurfing party goers were getting down dirty and WET!.

We were there to capture the debauchery that ensued. Anyone who wants images removing .....well.......errrrrrrr.......... sorry they're all staying up BUT you'll have to REGISTER to see them all.

Early Sunday morning for those who could manage to wake looked like the day could produce something and the wind did build throughout the day but unfortunately it just wasnt quite enough.  With the presentation for the completed heats at around 2 the competition was drawn to a close.

RESULTS

Due to the lack of wind not all the heats were finished. A result was taken from the last complete round in the mens (only the final and losers final were uncompleted) and from the first heat in the womens (2 heats finished with Hannah and Helen winning one each.)

So with a big thank you to Andy and Owen at Airhead, Sophie from East Beach Cafe, Deadman, kiteboarder, all the riders and everyone else who suported us at the event.

See you all soon.

To view a small selection of the images from the weekend click here

If you want to see more images from Littlehampton you have two chances

Click here for the smaller public gallery no registration needed (will be available Tuesday)

or  if you're registered and want to see ALL the images from Littlehampton click here

to register click here