NO WIND FAILS TO DAMPEN THE SPIRITS OF THE KITE JAM 2018 COMPETITORS.

 After almost of week of torrential rain and gale force winds, all was quiet on Saturday for the fourth annual Raglan Kite Jam, but this failed to dampen the spirits of those registered to compete!

Now in it’s fourth year, the Raglan Kite Jam has become an iconic event on the national kiteboarding calendar. This year the Kite Jam attracted it's largest pool of competitors yet, with 135 registrations. Competitors ranged in age, from 12 to 70 years and came from as far afield as Brazil, Ireland, USA, France, Bulgaria, Spain and the UK.

Organiser and Ozone New Zealand owner Matt Taggart said despite poor conditions the vibe throughout the weekend was awesome. The headline event, ‘The Downwinder’ was quickly substituted for a 3km-running race and 150m swim. Podium finishes went to Mark Miedama (1^st), Matt Taggart (2^nd) and Mark Duyvesteyn (3^rd) for the Mens, and Rebecca Sawyer (1^st), Georgina Loyd Burgess (2^nd), and Nicole Willmot (3^rd) for the Women’s, while Eve Skewes took out first place for the youth section followed by Malacai Ray in second.

Despite Saturday’s calm conditions, Friday’s early arrivals were greeted with an incredible day on the water with 30 knot, SW winds. On Saturday the Ozone New Zealand Hydrofoil School offered those keen an opportunity to learn to hydrofoil behind a boat and jet ski.
 
An after party at Ozone New Zealand’s flagship store and Raglan’s YOT Club bought everyone together, with a generous pool of spot prizes up for grabs, Argentinian BBQ and live band.

The fourth annual Raglan Kite Jam chalks up another successful year raising funds for charity, this year it was for the Raglan Coastguard.

We look forward to seeing you soon for The RKJ V2, coming soon ;)

A big thanks to all our sponsor:

WOO -  woosports.com/

Mystic -  www.mysticboarding.com/

Soul Shoes  - www.soulshoes.co.nz/

Three Fat Pigs -  www.threefatpigs.co.nz/

Fanifo Lofa -  www.kitesurftonga.com/

Raglan Coast Guard -  www.coastguard.org.nz/raglan

Rangitahi -  www.rangitahi.co.nz/

Raglan Roast Coffee  - www.raglanroast.co.nz

YOT Club -  @ facebook/YOT club

 

EVENT PICTURES 

Thanks for your interest in the Raglan Kite Jam, the registration is now closed as per our published deadline on the 10th April.
Please follow our facebook page if interested in following the event.
Media:  Please contact matt@ozonenewzealand.com 

IMPORTANT - PLEASE RESPOND
PLEASE SELECT THE EVENTS YOU WISH TO ENTER SO WE CAN PREPARE RIDER HEATS BEFORE SATURDAY:
CLICK ON THE OPTION BELOW

Depending on conditions first possible event start could be by 10:30am After that we will just run the show as mother nature lets us but will have a game plan ready at the briefing.


SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

PLEASE BRING YOUR IMPACT VEST OR LIFE JACKET (PFD) AS ALL COMPETITORS ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR DURING THE COMPETITION. WE ALSO RECOMMEND HELMETS TO BE WORN & TO HAVE A HOOK KNIFE IN CASE OF TANGLING

• WE WILL GIVE AT LEAST 15 MINUTES PRE-RACE WARNING TO GIVE COMPETITORS TIME TO LAUNCH AND BE ON THE WATER READY FOR RACE SEQUENCE START.
• ALL COMPETITORS MUST BE ON THE WATER  UPWIND OF THE RACE LINE - IT IS A ROLLING START. 
• THE RACE LINE WILL BE ACROSS THE ESTUARY MOUTH BETWEEN TWO YELLOW MYSTIC BUOYS
• RACE DOWNWIND TO THE RAGLAN SKATEPARK, VOLUNTEERS WILL BE POSITIONED BETWEEN TWO OZONE VERTICAL BANNERS TO HELP LAND YOUR KITE. COMPETITORS MUST WIND UP YOUR LINES AND LEAVE BAR ON KITE. (IF YOU DONT YOU WILL LOSE MORE TIME WHEN YOU RETURN FROM RUN AND OTHER COMPETITORS HAVE LEFT THEIR LINES OVER YOUR GEAR ;-)
• RUN ACROSS THE FOOTBRIDGE TO THE YOT CLUB/OZONE SHOP, 'DOWN REFRESHMENT" AND RUN BACK TO KITE, RACE BACK TO START, FINISH IS ON BEACH RIDERS MUST GIVE THEIR RACE NUMBER TO VOLUNTEER BY OZONE STAR TENT/FINISH LINE. 
• ONCE FINISHED PLEASE LAND KITE UPWIND OF EVENT VILLAGE UNTIL ALL COMPETITORS HAVE FINISHED.

3 MIN  - RED FLAG UP (3 SHORT BLAST)

2 MIN - RED FLAG DOWN YELLOW FLAG UP  (2  SHORT BLAST)

1 MIN - YELOW FLAG DOWN (1 SHORT BLAST)

START - GREEN FLAG UP (1 LONG BLAST)

We will discuss and explain the course during the briefing under the Ozone Start Tent at 10am please be on time.

BIG AIR COMP 

The emphasis is on having a fun and friendly competition, with such a large entry field we will need all riders to work together to make this event epic!

Judging will be based on style & height, 60% height, 40% freestyle.

PLEASE HELP US TO HELP YOU BY RESPONDING TO THIS NEWSLETTER BY SELECTING WHAT EVENTS YOU WILL ENTER SO WE CAN PREPARE HEATS AND THE FORMAT.

In case of no wind we will NOT have an alternate day but we guarantee a great time and will offer no wind alternatives, Wakeboarding with a Mastercraft and intro lessons foiling behind our jet-ski. Not to mention the rockin after party, Argentinian Grill and Three Fat Pigs beer!

 

Will be held at the Ozone New Zealand store, 9 Bow street, starting at 6:00pm with an Argentine bbq grill, cold beer and then live music At the Yotty.  

COMPETITION ARE:   

• The WORLD famous downwinder sponsored by the Yotty
• The Quim BIG AIR COMP 
• Hydrofoil adventure race (Freeride class with tube kites with freeride hydro-foils and a race class, high performance hydro-foils and race foilkites)

ENTRY FEE INCLUDES:        

• T-shirt         
• GIFT card 25% Discount on Ozone and Mystic products
• Beer & food vouchers       
• Loads of Spot Prizes       

1 x Coast Guard fundraising Raffle Ticket ($10 worth) for the chance to win lastest CODE V1 Board, you can also buy more raffle tickets at the Shop.

Raglan Kite spot, mouth of the harbour, 143 Riria Kereopa Memorial Drive, Raglan

**Please use the appropriate parking area without parking any cars in front of properties along the road. The end carpark has plenty of room as long as we all use the space wisely. Thanks for your help to respect the local residents so we can keep them happy with the kiting community :) 

OZONE STORE RAGLAN LOCATION 

A big thanks to all our sponsor:

Rangitahi - www.rangitahi.co.nz/

YOT Club -  https://www.facebook.com/YOTClubRaglan/

Mystic -  www.mysticboarding.com/

WOO -  woosports.com/

Three Fat Pigs -  www.threefatpigs.co.nz/

Fanifo Lofa -  www.kitesurftonga.com/

Raglan Roast Coffee  - www.raglanroast.co.nz

Soul Shoes  - www.soulshoes.co.nz/

Raglan Coast Guard -  www.coastguard.org.nz/raglan