|
JAMAICA KITEBOARD PRO WORLD TOURNAMENT 2010 TO CREATE WAVES IN JAMAICA
World famous Long Bay Surfing Beach in East Portland, Jamaica will host the first leg of the 2010 Kiteboard Pro World Cup from March 25-April 3.
The Jamaica Kiteboard World Cup (JKP) was recently launched at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel by local organizers Jamrock Tours in conjunction with the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).
The Honorable Edmond Bartlett - Minister of Tourism who was the guest speaker at the event addressed the gathering on the financial gains that international sporting events such as Kiteboarding can contribute to the local GDP. Minister Bartlett commended the organizers of the event for having the initiative and courage to take the bold step to host such a relatively new yet fast growing worldwide extreme activity. He also expressed appreciation for the invaluable exposure that Jamaica will receive from the extensive media coverage that follows such an extreme sport. . He noted that the community of Long Bay will benefit financially from the influx of visitors as hotels, guest houses, villas and small bed and breakfast
establishments will see increased bookings. The Minister closed by pledging his Ministry’s full support and endorsement.
Local promoter – Eugene Smith of Jamrock Tours, stated that this 10 day tournament expects to bring
between 500-1000 visitors to the island and over 50 competitors including the top 32 professional male Kiteboarders and the top 10 professional females from Wales, Norway, Spain, Poland, Australia, France, Denmark, USA, Mexico and Italy among others who will compete in nine water sport disciplines including, wave master and junior, freestyle, and course racing. He also stated that the event is expected to attract a wide array of international media coverage namely Sky Sports, Nova Sports, Sports TV, Fox Television, and Sailing Channel which in turn will expose Jamaica and by extension Portland to millions in TV land.
Kiteboard World Pro Tour Director (KPWT) – (the governing body for Kiteboarding) – Frederic Gravoille spoke of the ideal conditions that Long Bay Portland has to offer to the sport. He cited the long stretch of beach, wind conditions and height of waves as factors that makes Long Bay Beach an ideal location to host such a prestigious event.
The event marketed under the heading Kitebaording…. Music…Lifestyle will feature a series of after
parties at the Portland Marina to showcase aspects of the Jamaican Culture including, our music, food and fashion. The event will feature the likes of a Freddie McGregor, Lloyd Parkes, Chino, Byron Lee’s Dragonaires and Prodigal Son.
The Kiteboarding Pro world Tour will also host competitions in Spain, Portugal, Brazil, France, Turkey, and Greece.
|
