Third Stop of the KPWT: Essaouira, Morocco

Posted Monday August 13th 2007

By Kristin Boese

Essaouira, the city of wind ... Morocco, the country I always wanted to visit (in fact, Morocco was the reason for me to buy my VW Transporter Van 6 years ago as I wanted to go on a 3 month trip for the winter ... but then I started kiting and never had time). KPWT, World Cup Number 3 of the year 2007 ...

I went from NY straight to Morocco, can only advise that you never fly via London as it is a total hassle (only one piece of hand luggage allowed strictly and you can not even pay your over luggage fee by credit card). I finally got to Essaouira at 11 PM on the day of registration. Tired and jet-lagged, I hoped that I would not have to compete early next morning and got lucky with that. Very unusual for the place, but there was no wind at all on the first 2 days of the competition. Not only a good chance for me to rest a bit after the trip, but also the best chance for me to explore the place! So I went with a bunch of riders (Clinton of course, and Abel Lago who I was so happy to see again and some more) and photographer Carlos. Carlos, who knew the town very well, quickly became our tour guide and we had the nicest time! We explored the port and the town,

... the local cultures and rites,

... and made new friends

Along the way Carlos took some great pictures for the organization and media and we all had the best time. Very happy about my chance to actually get to know Essaouira and the Moroccan people a little (that normally never happens if I go to a country for a competition!) I was now ready for the competition and lots of exercise. The next day the wind really kicked in and we started off the Freestyle competition. (Clinton got a little protective and did not seem to be able to deal with the sand blowing around ... I got kind of scared when I saw him the like that the first time ...)

After two days and nicely strong and fairly gusty wind, we had finished the first and second chance (that is how the KPWT calls the single and double eliminations, and I think it actually makes much more sense for the spectators and media!) and I had not even noticed that I had actually won. I was super happy about my victory in the freestyle discipline, which I really had not expected (as I honestly have to say that I did not practice any Freestyle over the winter). I went straight into the Hang time competition that was run right after the Freestyle finals. Still in excitement about my great result I also just jumped very big and long and won the Hang-Time as well. Then, the next day actually was the day I had been looking forward to most: the day with the best swell and a good wind forecast. The day that was chosen by the KPWT organization to be the day of the Wave competition. As Essaouira really is not a spot for waves (there are some islands right in front of the spot so no waves can come in) they put all of us on a big bus and our equipment into a huge truck.

After a 45 minute drive, we got to Moulay, a very popular wave spot. The wind looked really light and the waves did not look too exciting and we did not have too much hope for the competition, but then it actually turned out to be a great and super fun day with really good conditions for a wave discipline. As I had been riding waves a lot over the winter (much more then freestyle) and really enjoy playing around in those mountains (sometimes only hills) of water, I extremely enjoyed the competition and the spot.

We had 8 girls competing in it and we all just went out and had a great time. I was super happy that I actually made it to the final and became second after Kirsty Jones. Another great result for me! Clinton, who also rode extremely well, had to borrow boards every heat and unfortunately got unlucky again. He only got 9th, but should have done much better then that.

The next day was the last day of the World Cup in Essaouira and was the day of course racing. We actually had the Moroccan TV report live from the beach and it was super fun to watch the other riders compete while you had a little rest in your hotel room. We only had 2 races (2 for the guys, 2 for the girls) as there was not more time, but it was great to watch, for the spectators, for the media and also for me! It really looks amazing when all the kites are in the air so close together, racing each other. Having fun with the racing I also became first in this discipline and had probably one of my best competitions ever. Maybe that was because I really enjoyed Morocco so much? I don't know, but I definitely enjoyed the competition very much.

Now, I am back in Germany and went from the airport straight to Wustrow on the Baltic Sea where I am at my girls camp now. Unfortunately my luggage did not arrive with me and I do not have my boards and kites with me, which is a bit unfortunate as the TV comes to film us tomorrow. My camera cable is also in my bag and I can not download the last pictures from Morocco (competition and prize-giving). So I will just report after the girl's camp and then also send some more pictures from Morocco with it. You will hear from me soon.

- Kristin

Having competed in two of the three KPWT stops, Kristin is currently in third place, having finished first overall in Italy, and placing first in 3 of the 4 disciplines in Morocco (Freestyle, Racing, and Hangtime), and second in Waves.

For all previous news on Kristin Boese, click here.