Lukas 3rd at Canterbury Championships

Lukas Walton-Keim on his Gin Zulu IIThis weekend's Canterbury Champs ended up a "pseudo Nationals" because no NZ Nationals 2010 competition has been organised so far. 

Hence, a large number of North Island competitors travelled to Christchurch last weekend to test their skills against each other.

Lukas Walton-Keim from Wings & Waves was the youngest competitor by 2 years. After initially feeling a little intimidated by the older kiters, he ripped through his junior heat on his brand-new 7m Gin Zulu II and his Underground Styx board, kicking out older kiters who were confident to win the competition and moved into the final. In the final, he out-did another teenager and took 3rd place in his first competition.

Lukas Walton-Keim (right)Besides this, he won the junior's "best trick" prize. With 6 years to go in the juniors, this is a great start.

The CHCH estuary seems the perfect venue for a kiting competition, but unfortunately, the weather did not play the game. Southerlies prevailed on the weekend which sent us to Lake Elsemere instead. While the drive through featureless flatlands got us lost at times, the lake offers great conditions on SW winds.

The final of the open comp ironically ended up an "North Island Kiters" only event, so that a separate Canterbury final was scheduled. 

After 2 (half) days, Marc Jacobs won the open competition convincingly; no surprise as he seems to be quite superior to most other NZ kiters. He is professional and exceptionally talented. 

The CHC junior kiters were quite impressive! A strong group of 15 to 18 years olds showed some amazing kiting. Outstanding was Anthony Hopkins (15) who won the juniors competition. 

Sue Kay from Decay won the ladies' competition easily; no one was even close to threatening her victory.

Tim from Kitesports, Alan from Groundswell, both in Christchurch and Cookie impressed with professional and relaxed organisational skills.