| Dominican Republic wins world cup!!! click for more info |
| ADK - Asociacion Dominicana de Kiteboarding It has taken a long time, but the Dominican kiteboarding athletes have finally gotten their support. For three years the local riders have struggled and worked towards an association that will open new doors and make sure the future of Dominican riders will be improved. Three years and an enormous amount of paperwork two weeks ago paid off when the newspapers finally proclaimed the Asociacion Dominicana de Kiteboarding official. Led by local rider and passionate supporter Jose Armando Mieses, the Dominican kiteboarding scene can now focus and grow towards a new era. Through the association there have already been accomplished important goals. The issue of safety is being addressed, both regarding the beaches as well as for the riders themselves. Especially in Cabarete, the kiteboarding capital of the Dominican Republic, the beaches are crowded and in lack of rules. Although there is an organized system to maintain some order and safety, the association will now work progressively towards cooperation between schools, hotels and other establishments on the beach to make sure that this rapidly growing sport stays safe and healthy. And just as important, the association will help the riders to achieve their dreams and goals and support the many amazing talents. Through the years the kiteboarding world has seen riders like Luciano Gonzales, Jose Luis Ciriaco, Wilson Taveras and many more make it to high international levels in their sport, but new talents are growing up and facing harder times as the industry grows. The young riders will now benefit from these professional athletes' experiences as all of them contribute through supporting the new association. The first ever event in the name of ADK is taking place at Kite Beach Cabarete this week. On the 20 th of June 27 riders enter the water outside of Kite Beach Hotel as the first official Dominican Kiteboarding competition shoots off. The competition will hand out two wild cards for the two best riders to enter the upcoming PKRA Cabarete World Cup stage next week. The level is high, and the favourites many, but most importantly the riders get a chance to show themselves before an excited crowd of spectators. Kite Beach Cabarete is ready. Let the show begin! |
And the winners are... A perfect day in kite paradise! The third and final day of the first official Dominican Kiteboarding Championship crossed the finish line in the name of success today. Mother Nature blessed Kite Beach Cabarete with what can only be determined as the perfect day. Kite Beach Hotel hosted a great number of spectators, and the riders gave it all on the water. In great sportsmanship the riders competed against each other hunting for the grand title as the new Dominican Champion to rule the throne for the year to come. Both juniors and seniors hold a level of kiteboarding that is impressive and amazing, and what the spectators saw today was nothing but world class riders. Category Open was equally intense with extremely high level and hard competition. Through single elimination, quarter and semi finals, one by one had to retreat to the beach to watch some of the riders that can easily any day make an impression even in the world cup. In the end, one rider took it all the way and can well deserved take place on the top of the podium at the price giving ceremony this evening. Fighting against the talented young rider in the finals, 18 years old Emmanuel Rondon is now to be considered the best Dominican kiteboarding athlete. Emmanuel is a local Cabarete rider who is always to be found on the water. In light wind, strong wind, gusty or whatever wind. This rider has progressed with the speed of light throughout his young career and will do his best to fight the best in the upcoming world cup event next week. Emmanuel is being given a wild card for the PKRA as a reward for his riding. Congratulations to Emmanuel Rondon with his new title Dominican Kiteboarding Champion 2007! Results from the junior finals will be published tomorrow. "I am very happy to finally make it all the way to the top, but I have to admit that I didn't really know what my level would be compared to the other riders. For a long time I haven't felt like I've had the right kite to help me give my best, but now everything has come together and I feel absolutely satisfied with myself. The event has been very nice, and the wind has been good every day. The judging in particular has been good, and we have been blessed with fair and good judges. I don't think they've made one single bad decision about any of the riders, and I think we all feel that way. Now I'm going to rest and focus towards the PKRA CAberete world cup event in a few days, but first I will celebrate with a party and an Open Minds concert here at Kite Beach Hotel this evening." - Emmanuel Rondon, the Dominican Kiteboarding Champion 2007-06-24 |
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