So ExPix  have arrived in Calshot for the 2010 Student Kitesurfing Nationals - the first ever national student kitesurfing competition.

Hosted by Southampton University Kitesurf Club, and sponsored by King Of Watersports, Kamikaze, Flexifoil, Hooked On, Naish, Prolimit, Aquapac & Beach Break Live, the event is aimed at the cream of university kitesurfers. The format is pure freestyle with the emphasis on FREE; old school tricks are as welcome as super, kite low, s-bends!

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If there was ever any doubt that this was a serious event, the race meeting on Friday evening soon put pay to that! With precision akin to a military operation and the envy of any event organiser, the logistics of the event were discussed with the 50 or so organisers and volunteers present.

Saturday morning arrived and so did the rain! Never deterred and after a very very early start an army of students soon assembled the site and after a safety briefing the competitions began. The Red Bull team were on hand pumping out some epic tunes and free Red Bull to lift the spirits. As media partners for the event, ExPix were out in force capturing all the day's action both on and off the water.

 

First on the water were the intermediates and after 4 heats and a quick lunch break it was time for the advanced riders. Pro rider James Boulding and Freddy Oldfield, together with industry guru James Longmuir had the difficult task of judging as pro rider Ali Barrett commentated as riders competed for a host of prizes including a photo shoot with ExPix, a holiday from Hooked On, 2 top of the range 2010 wetsuits and sector 9 longboard from King of Watersports, Naish golf bag, Prolimit Harness, Aquapacs and Beach Break Live festival ticket.

More updates to follow including images from the Saturday night party. If the previous Student Kitesurfing Association (SKA) parties are anything to go by these should be messy, you have been warned!

After a great day of action with a high level of skill being demonstrated everyone was eager for the results; who had won best wipeout, most boring and obviously who had won the finals in both categories? In true student style it was decided that  the best way to celebrate this had to be at the SUKS party so it was down to the Student Union bar.

The ExPix slide show kicked off the night and attracting a huge crowd and then the presentations began. Manuel won the Intermediates and Rick Burton won the Advanced. Southampton University were crowned overall Kitesurfing Nationals Champions 2010 for getting the most riders through to the finals.

ExPix made a surprise presentation; 2 riders were picked by the judges for their initiative and perseverance throughout the day's riding; Ben Gillespie and Gemma Brill each won a full day's photo shoot with the ExPix team.

A  big thanks went out to the terrible two Alex Parker and Ali who organised the event, well done guys great effort and then the party got underway!!!!!! Check out the images below and register to see more of the, shall we say, messier ones

Sunday morning and how does the saying go, 'three in the bed and........'? No it's not what you think, we don't want or need to know what the guys got up to after we left at 3.00am! No the ExPix team were woken up very suddenly at 7.00am by our over exuberant newest member to the team Kayla, who at 6 months old had just realised that she could make it onto the bed. Oh and if you haven't meet her yet she's a Pyrenean Mountain dog cross Border Collie pup, not what you need in your face when you've only had 4 hours sleep! Still it got us to Calshot nice and early, far earlier it must be said than any of the students. With no wind forecast it wasn't surprising that a few had decided to go with the extra sleep.

The day was a slow starter and ended just the same .... a little wind saw one or two riders attempt a free sail whilst the SKA had a brief meeting with students wanting to be involved for the next year. With good support from its members and from people wanting to come to a 'lifestyle' competition things are looking up for a new era of student kitesurfing.

OK so to find the images click here but you have to be registered to view them.

When you register you will receive a event id and pasword to enter the gallery. Dont forget once you have registered you can also enter our competition to win a kiteboard (Competition CLOSED!)

Watch this space as ExPix bring you the news and shananigans of the student kitesurfing events !