This event was held to promote Tabuhan Island, an uninhabited island with white sand beaches and crystal clear sea water which can be reached for no more than 45 minutes from downtown Banyuwangi.
"Currently Tabuhan Island has become known as one of the top beach tourist destinations. Its fine white sand, clear sea water and charming marine biota are very appealing. Moreover, the surrounding support of infrastructure has begun to adequate, such as resorts, water games, snorkeling, and cottages with sharks conservations. With the latest sport tourism event, we believe Tabuhan Island would widely be famous," Banyuwangi Regent Abdullah Azwar Anas said.
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Tabuhan Island Pro Kiteboarding event was held in cooperation Banyuwangi regency and Bangsring Breeze Resort, one of the resort in Bangsring beach. To be able to get to Tabuhan Island, it takes about 20 minutes from Banyuwangi to get to the Bangsring Beach, one of departure point to Tabuhan. From Bangsring Beach, tourists can go to Tabuhan Island in less than 25 minutes using small boats operated by local community groups.
Co-Host Tabuhan Island Pro Kiteboarding, Jeroen van der Kooij, said kiteboarding has increasingly favored by water sports lovers all over the world. Based on data from the International Kiteboarding Association, there are more than 1.5 million kiteboarding (kitesurfing) players worldwide.
The estimated market value of kiteboarding industry could reach up to USD 321 million or Rp4,33 trillion, from equipment sales, organizing events, hotel accomodation and so forth.
"The market for this kiteboarding sport continues to grow. Of course it will benefit Banyuwangi tourism when optimized, especially to drive the local economy around Tabuhan Island as the hotel demand, dining and other services certainly increased," the native Dutch said.
He is optimistic that the island will be a dream location for kiteboarding lovers. One of the main reason is the sea on the island has some privilege we can not have in other local region which is known as Surfpoint like Bali.
Natural conditions on the island of wasp is very supportive to Kiteboarding. The wind speed above and around Tabuhan Island could reach 20-25 knots constantly throughout May until October. That is the ideal speed to play kiteboarding and windsurfing. Plus, the sea is relatively calm without big waves.
While in Bali, van Der Kooij explained, the wind hardly ever blows at speeds above 15 knots. Bali's wind speed is too low, that water sports enthusiasts require kite paragliding and a larger screen. The wind in Bali is also not constant, that the kite and wind surfers spend more time for waiting.
"I've come to many places in Asia to play kite surfing, and there is no place as good as Tabuhan Island. I believe the island is able to attract kiteboarders (kite surfers), mainly those who visit Bali regularly. So far you can see a lot of kite surfers who played in Sanur and Seminyak, it is our aim to persuade them to visit Banyuwangi," he added.
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Kiteboarding is a water sport that combines windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, and even gymnastics into one type of exercise. The athletes in surfboard associated with kite paragliding. Kite surfers take advantage of the wind to conquer the water and hovered in the air, and then sloping back surfing on the water with acrobatic movements.
Last year, the kiteboarding event was held on Tabuhan Island in August 2014, but it was only a trial. This year, the international competition will held with a total prize of Rp100 million provided by Banyuwangi regency and supported by major companies in the surfing industry, such as Rip Curl, Rip Curl School of Surf, Best Kiteboarding, Airush, Hunan Boards, Freedom Kiteboarding Magazine, and Beach Hut and Surftime ,
"This event has become the largest kiteboarding event in Southeast Asia," said van der Kooij.
Tabuhan Island Pro Kiteboarding event will be followed by more than 40 kite surfers from various countries, like the United States, Brazil, the UK, Sweden, Finland, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, France, Spain, Germany, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, Thailand, Singapore, and China. Not to forget, some surfers from Indonesia will also participate to show off their skills.
Some of the names confirmed to attend, such as Dan Sweeney (Freestyle Kiteboarding Champion from Australia), Narapichit Pudja (Runner-up World Champion and Asian Champion Race Race), and the Niklas Langseth (Freestyle Kiteboarding Champion of Sweden).
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Photo: Press Conference Tabuhan Island Pro Kiteboarding 2015
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