Lately we’ve seen heaps of people kitesurfing outside the shop in Clontarf despite the nearest place to launch being miles away. They didn’t launch from nearby – in fact they launched way over at Sandgate or Brighton and did an upwinder from there. Yes, an UPwinder!

World Champ John Heineken fights for the top spot at the Lord of the Winds Showdown while his sister Erika chats about the decision to use a race board and gives the technical lowdown during the race.

Last Saturday, the Sydney racing season officially started! Sixteen more or less experienced – but all extremely keen – racers registered for the first official kitesurfing race of the season.