Set on the edge of the beautiful Gower Peninsula, 5 mile long Swansea Bay is protected by the headland from almost all the south westerly swell that hits the area. While this may make it one of the few Gower beaches with no surf, it doesnt stop the wind getting in. As competitors in Kiteival 09 found out...

So the wind duly blew.Who needs exfoliating cream when you can sandblast your pours watching kitesurfing craziness in Swansea Bay?

Spectators strong enough to brave the winds at round one of the BKSA National Freestyle Tour ‘09 weren’t disappointed. A changing mixture of heavy downpours, grey clouds and blinding sun kept the organisers on their toes. The one thing that was consistent though was the 25-30mph wind, and the Bay was treated to plenty of excellent tricks and huge airs all weekend.

Great action in both the mens and womens finals saw Toby Raw, competing in his first Mens Pro event, land first place. The girls event was put on hold while the organisers let some pretty harsh conditions pass overhead - when they got underway again Hannah Whitely won what looked like a close call.

Results after 3 days of non stop wind and 97 competitors!

Kitesurf Freestyle

Five time world champion Aaron Hadlow wasn’t competing, but could be seen entertaining the crowd (and the commentators) in the free surf with some crazy tricks.

Course Racing Kitesurf

Kitelandboard

1 Steph Bridge2 Andy Gratwick3 Denzil Williams4 Steve Stubbs5 Callum Edge6 Darren Pompey

7 Jason McCaffery8 James Longmuir9 Rob Darling9 Dom Moore11 Neil Harper11 Nicky Rudd

13 Alex Laird13 Matt Smith13 Peter Whiteley16 James Edwards17 Steve Mews

Freestyle Mens1 Lewis Wilby2 AJ Philipsen 3 Nick Austin

Juniors1 James Langton2 Greg Chilton4 Robbie Shire Maidment,

4 Ted Polkey4 Jack Daykin

Pro Men1 Toby Raw2 Sam Light3 Ali Barratt

Pro Ladies1 Hannah Whitely2 Nicki Rudd3 Sarah Silvester

Am Men1 Tom Butler2 Sam Moore3 Ben Todd

Am Ladies1 Megan Griffiths2 Sukie Robertson3 Sherly Confue

Seniors1 Pete Whitely2 Matthew Davies3 Marc Rowley

Juniors1 Dan Morrice2 Dan Sweeney3 Oli Bridge

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