Memorial Downwinder for Silke Gordlt

Cabarete, Dominican Republic

Posted Monday June 25th 2007

by Laurel Eastman

A few of the world’s top women kiteboarders gathered in the North Coast of the Dominican Republic prior to the PKRA event to honor their friend and fellow competitor Silke Gordlt in a girl’s only downwind ride from Cabarete Bay to Encuentro Beach.

Silke died 5 years ago during a kiteboarding competition when two kites tangled and she was dragged onto the beach. Her death inspired the industry to develop many advances in safety, like the quick release on the chicken loop, and through her friend’s memories and stories, her spirit lives on.

Organized by two of the Best Kiteboarding team riders - current world champion Kristin Boese and Cabarete’s Laurel Eastman - the women circled together on the beach, remembering Silke’s spirit and smile, tossed tropical flowers into the sea in her memory, and set off from Laurel’s kiteboarding school for a friendly and fun downwinder.

A star-studded occasion, the top 4 women from last year’s PKRA tour … Kristin (Best, Germany), #2 Bruna Kajiya (Best, Brazil), #3 Ania Grzelinska (North, Poland), and #4 Jo Wilson (Naish, UK) … ensured that the action on the water was hot. Having this caliber of rider was a great inspiration to all the participants, who included the newly wed Mrs. Ben Meyer (formally known as Jill Cervi) and her wedding guests!

For more information please contact laurel@laureleastman.com and thank you to Hege Holt (www.hegeholt.com) and Carrib Surf Tours (www.carribsurftours.com) for the photos and support!