Carol Freitas: Two-Time Brazilian Wave Champion!

Posted September 20th, 2007

Congratulations to Carol Freitas, BEST Brazilian Team Rider, who just won the Wave Competition in Ibiraquera, successfully defending her title as female Brazilian Wave Champion for the second year. Click here to watch the video on youtube.

Patrick Blanc kites for a Royal Audience!

Posted August 29th, 2007

On Saturday August 25th, 11-year old Best Team Rider Patrick Blanc took part in a sport's festival in Mallorca called Surf Action 2007. The wind was strong, gusty, and offshore but they still managed to put on a good show, not just for the public but for the family of the King of Spain as well!

The youngest kiter there, Patrick even managed to get his picture in the newspapers and on the internet!

For a link to the news article in Spanish, right-click here (and open in a new window.)

Next stop for PatricK? Tarifa, where he flies today to attend a 10-day kid's camp for improving his technique, and pushing himself even further. Patrick is also the posterboy on the event flyer (below), with a nice unhooked nose grab that most people double and triple his age won't even bother to attempt!

8/21/07: Best at the Spanish National Championships

Congratulations to Best riders for their top-notch finishes in the Spanish Nationals, which took place in July, over three stops. The first stop took place in Tarifa, the second in Valencia, and the third in Malaga.

Alvaro Onieva finished first overall in Men’s Freestyle, Patrick Blanc finished second overall in Kids Freestyle (up from a fourth place ranking in 2006), Sami Gali finished first in Men’s Racing, and 14-year old Marina Nuñez finished second overall for the Women, a combination of racing and freestyle.

Marina, from the north coast of Spain, is sponsored locally by Bestkiteboarding, North Wind Kitesurf and Shapes, and did a tremendous performance making an excellent 2nd place behind the 3 time KPWT world champion Gisela Pulido, who won the competition. Well done for the first appearance in the world of competition!!!

Marina (far left) on the podium

5/24/07: 15-yr old Goncalo Gomez finishes 3rd in European Junior Championship

Congratulations to 15 year old Goncarlo Gomez, a shop-sponsored Best rider from Portugal, who finished 3rd in the European Junior Championship and won the Big Air contest in France last week.

Goncarlo, who has been riding for 4 years, is the two-time Portugese National Juniors Champion, and is sponsored by Strusurfshop.com in conjunction with Best Kiteboarding. Right click here (and open in new window) to watch a video of Goncarlo in Brazil.

Double elimination results: 14/16:

1st: Valentin Fayemendie, France

2nd: Thomas Paris, France

3rd: Gonçalo Gomes, Portugal

Hang time : 14/16:

1st place : Gonçalo Gomes, Portugal (4''906)

2nd place : Thomas Paris, France (3''62)

Important Fashion Note: Wearing your shirt backwards is now back in style!

If you have any Best-related newsworthy items, please send pictures and relevent information to stacey@bestkiteboarding.com