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GKA ProAm Challenge and GKA Test Event 2024 Dunkerque – A Thrilling Success
28 August – 1 September 2024
Tens of thousands of kiteboarding fans flocked to the historic strand of Dunkerque, France, for the inaugural GKA ProAm Challenge and GKA Test Event, which featured four days filled with exciting action.
The GKA Test Event brought together leading kiteboarding brands and their team riders who participated in the GKA ProAm Challenge, a series of competitive races designed for both professionals and amateurs.
This exciting event coincided with the GKA Freestyle Kite World Cup, creating an atmosphere of exhilaration within the brands’ friendly village. The participating brands included Duotone, Naish, Flysurfer, Nobile, F-one, Xenon Boards, Mioboards, and Booomtag, all aiming to promote inclusivity in the sport.
Focus on Fun
Kiteboarding enthusiasts had the opportunity to meet and discuss the latest gear before and after testing, including interactions with Naish’s French team rider, Louka Pitot, who competed in the World Cup.
Kiteboarding legend Lewis Crathern, representing Duotone, and Flysurfer’s Roderick Pijls, joined the amateurs for the GKA ProAm Challenge races, emphasizing the event’s fun nature.
The GKA ProAm Challenge featured seven races over two days, including participants in both Fin and Foil classes. The challenging course included a broad reach of 3 kilometers after a rabbit start, a gybe around a single mark, and another 3-kilometer tack upwind to the finish line near the beach.
A Great Concept
Lewis Crathern shared his racing tactics, saying, “Follow the best guy.” He expressed enthusiasm for the event, stating, “I think it’s a great concept. We’re mixing with a lot of the pro-racers.”
In the final standings, Crathern secured respectable fourth and fifth place finishes in the two races he competed in. Flysurfer team rider Roderick Pijls achieved a commendable second place in the Fin class and third overall. Hugo Gaborit topped the Fin class, earning the overall first place, while Remy Kryztofiak dominated the Foil class, securing second overall.
GKA ProAm Challenge 2024 Overall Results:
- 1. Hugo Gaborit
- 2. Remy Kryztofiak
- 3. Roderick Pijls
Foil Results:
- 1. Remy Kryztofiak
- 2. Maxime Swetala
- 3. Marc Swetele
Fin Results:
- 1. Hugo Gaborit
- 2. Roderick Pijls
- 3. Matthias Desert
Source
Emily Carter, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Vancouver, has a deep-seated passion for the ocean that has shaped her career. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of British Columbia, Emily has become known for her captivating and detailed storytelling. Her work vividly portrays the excitement of sailing and the distinct maritime culture of Canada, earning her a respected place in the sailing community. When not writing, Emily enjoys navigating the rugged coastlines of British Columbia and participating in local regattas, always eager to embark on her next maritime adventure.
