I travelled out a few days before the event
started on 2nd December with the forecast showing some promise of a swell hitting just in time for the
event to start. Having been to Sal a few times before and getting skunked when I was there for a month for my 30th birthday a few years back, I was a little weary of the swell being too north to get into Ponta Preta.

 Arriving to my friends Phil and Vicky of Cape Verde Imports, I managed to get straight out for some left hand waves at Punta Leme at the bottom of town past the Angulo windsurf centre. After this I went to check in at the Farol hotel which Mitu had arranged with an amazing deal of All Inclusive for 25 euro a night. Thanks! Gorging myself on some amazing food I hooked up with the Brazilians, Ian Glaza & Mauricio Padreira and Portugese champ Nuno Stru and decided to rent a truck together to make the most of any swell we could find. Driving to get the car in an Alluger, the guys ended up negotiating with the driver to be ours for the duration and got it for less than the price of the hire car including driver, Jaouso and fuel. Nice!

 So the first day of the comp saw no waves at Ponta Preta and the call was made for a lay day. We all then headed North to my favourite spot on the island, Curral Jouel to see if there was a wave. It turned out to be small but fun and easy enough to launch on the rocks, which is impossible when its over 3ft and the reason the event could not run there. We all had some fun waves on 12-9m kites and it turned out Jaouso was good fun and keen to film and take pictures. Perfect!

Saturday dawned with magic seaweed showing decent swell with a
large period but with a lot of north in it. We had the riders meeting at 8am at
Ponta Preta with the occasional overhead wave breaking and light winds. We were
  put on hold for the wind to come up and the first heat started around 11am. I
was up in heat 3 with the wind super light, I borrowed Sky’s new 12m Fuse and
rode my 5’7 Resin8 Scoop. With my knowledge of the break I had 5 fairly average
  waves which were all of the sets that came through but then with 3 minutes to
  go of the 15, the head judge called the heat off stating it was too inconsistent. Shame as I was winning by 4.5 points! This turned out to be it for the contest proper which was a massive shame for me as some of the riders beating me in the rankings had never gone right and I was confident of a good result on my preferred direction which would of moved me considerably higher up the rankings! Still we all jumped in for a surf and had fun until dark, when we went back to our all inclusive palace.

 Sunday and yet again we were at Ponta Preta at 8am, but this time it was almost totally flat. The call was for an expression session at Secrets at the top of the island. Knowing it would take a few hours for them to set up, the real wave crew, now joined by Spanish rider Diego Anta, headed all the way to the top and a pumping Curral Jouel. Our plan was to have a quick hour before riding the 3km downwind to Secrets for the expression session with Jaouso driving down to meet us. Needless to say with sets approaching double overhead and only 5 of us out on 7m kites, we ended up riding for nearer 3 hours and by the time we made it to Secrets, we had missed our heats and they were onto the semis. Watching the action while we ate lunch we then sped back for the second session and were greeted with more offshore wind and perfect glassy waves. 7 hours of riding with just friends in great waves really made the trip worth while, especially as most of the other riders were all moaning about the lack of waves! Big congrats to Bear Karry who won the expression session.

 Monday we were yet again meeting at 8am even though no waves were
forecast. The call was expression session at Kite Beach. This turned out to be
mostly jumping, right next to the beach in Onshore winds. The locals showed
everyone how it’s done and Airton took the win with some amazing strapless
tricks while Kirsty showed that the girls can do some strapless jumps too!

With no more waves forecast for the foreseeable future and an upcoming  strike by Tap Air, the contest director decided to call the event off meaning most people could change their flights and fly home instead of being stranded for another 2 weeks. I managed to book a new flight back to the UK and left the next day after a great beach party at Mitu’s centre on the beach in front of the Hotel.

With everyone getting equal points for the event, The top 3 men for the year are – Airton, Mitu & Guilly while the women are – Innes, Marie & Kristin. I ended up 10th which is ok but definitely gives me plenty to work on for next year and my goal of Top 5.

Big congrats to 2011 Wave World Champions - Airton Cozzolino & Innes Correia and to the whole KSP Crew for forming an amazing tour and pushing the sport in the right direction.


I would like to thank my sponsors-
North Kiteboarding, Resin8 Surfboards, Freeirders, West wetsuits, Wiley X & the BKSA for all the support throughout the year and Sportif for the help with my flight to Mauritius. Also Tara and my whole family, whom I couldn’t do it without!

Have a great Christmas and an amazing 2012

Lee

I recently got back from an epic comp in Peru followed by a week of getting barreled in Lobitos.
Pretty pleased with my 9th place which has put me in 8th on the IKA official ranking with just the Cape Verde event to go next month. Still should of gone through to the quarters as had the highest wave score of round 4 but got a little hung up on my backup wave which the judges said after the event, cost me 1 point and i only lost by 0.34!
Still Pacasmayo is an amazing place with super friendly and welcoming people and of course super long waves. We were staying at the El Faro adventure resort, which is a great place with lovely wodden cabanas and super cool staff who even pump and Had some amazing surfs with one morning catching a wave from the top of the point all the way back to the hotel. Sky measured the distance after on google and it was 1.25 miles. Sick!
and i did this about 15 times surfing and 30 times kiting during the 2 weeks i was there in waves in the 6-8ft range.
Light wind was the name of the game the whole time and i only used the 2012 North Rebel 11m on 25m lines along with my Resin8 Scoops in size 6'0 and 5'7.
These boards were perfect for the wave here and so impressed by the feel. the 5'7 is a magic board and i suggest you get one before they run out!!!
The comp was won by Guilly Brandao (brasil) 2010 world champ and Milla Ferreria (brasil) who were both ripping and definately had the right tactics for this wave of waiting for the good ones. Guilly only rode 2 waves in the final which is risky if you fall but paid off for him and he killed it with some super critical backside turns.
After the comp I went to Lobitos for a week, pics and write up to come once the mags have chosen what they want.
Pics from the comp below.
Stay tuened for the Ponta Preta pro in Cape Verde starting 2nd Dec. Watch it live at www.kspworldtour.com
Big thanks to my sponsors-
North, Resin8, Rip Curl, Freeriders, Wiley X, BKSA

The first ever stop of the Kitesurf Pro World Championship Tour
will go down in history as the best kitesurf event ever and has broken new ground within the sport of kitesurfing. With pumping wind and waves hitting the One Eye reef at Le Mourne on the paradise island of Mauritius, the world’s best kitesurfers showcased their talent and the sport of wave riding to the world, live on the web thanks to, Extremience and the KSP video crew.

 The buzz on the beach has been amazing with riders from around the globe coming together, all with the same goal in mind of pushing the sport forward and riding the best waves in the world. Legends of the sport such as Herve Boure (FRA), Sky Solbach (USA), Marc Ramsier (SUI) and former World  Champions Kristin Boese (GER), Jesse Richman (HAW), Mitu Monterio (CBV), Guilly Brandao (BRA) were joined by young and old unheard of names in the sport of kitesurfing outside their respective countries such as Mauricio Pedreira (BRA) at age 36 and Ozzie Smith (RSA) at 16. The UK was represented by myself, Lee Harvey and 4 time race world champ Steph Bridge.

Before the event some huge swells had been coming in and riders were claiming best kite waves ever, which is hard to believe, until I arrived on Tuesday 20th and it was 8-10ft grinding barrels with cross off 7m weather. This place is simply amazing, windy every day with swell after swell coming through and even the small days still kicking up a very ride able 2ft on at least one of the 3 waves on the outside of the lagoon. After 3 days of practise, a meeting on the judging criteria and general info on how the tour will run, we got down to business with the event kicking off on Friday evening.

On Saturday we were awoken by thunder on the reef from the huge waves. The wind however was slow to awake and after a quick expression session to assess the conditions and the judges to get a scoring scale, I was up in the first heat around 3pm.  

Round 1 consists of 3 riders with the winner advancing to round 3 and 2nd place moving to round 2. 
Riding my 9m 2012 North Rebel and strapless 6’3 Resin8 Tokoro I  was up against the local video trials winner and an unknown rider from Reunion Island. I narrowly missed out on the win by 0.3 of a point to the local, which left me miffed as I only scored a 2.6 for my first wave which was a huge wave in the 12ft range. However looking back I remember thinking as I was dropping in that I couldn’t see the judges tower with the other 2 riders on the 2 waves in front, lesson learnt for Peru and at least I got to ride again! With the wind dying the contest director called it for the day with 5 of the men’s round 1 heat's still to run. 

Sunday dawned a little smaller but still pumping around 6ft and after the 2 remaining men’s heats, Steph was first up in the ladies, easily advancing riding strapless with powerful turns in the critical section. The big upsets of the day were former wave world champs, Mitu and Guilly both losing, thus drawing each other in round 2!

Next up for me was French legend and fellow North rider, Jeremie Eloy who’s been charging really heavy waves such as Teahupoo lately. Commentating all morning watching some amazing rides with long open sections, I elected to stay down in front of the judges while Jeremie rode further upwind on the softer Chamioux section. Scoring a great 1st wave I couldn’t get another to open up, and taking a heavy beating which left my ears ringing I bowed out of the comp. The day ended after the end of the ladies round 2 with  the big news of the day that, Mitu won against Guilly.

 The level of riding that followed was simply insane, with over half of the men’s riders going strapless, this event has truly pushed the sport of kite wave riding to new levels with all of the final 4 going up against each other with Mitu riding both ways and Jesse the only full time backsider. In women’s Steph was unlucky to come against local wildcard Ninja in the semis where she narrowly lossed after electing to ride straps for the first time in the yet again triple overhead barrelling waves while Kristin crashed her kite and lost her heat to French rider Marie Gautron.

The finals went down the next day in slightly smaller waves but, what an amazing show and I’ll leave the full report to the KSP press team. I would like to congratulate the winners, Airton Cozzolino and Ninja Bichler who were deserved winners after being the standouts all week. I’ve also got to thank the whole KSP team, judges, local organisers and Indian resort for putting on the best event I’ve been to by far. Also JB who in his own words has the best photos from any watersports event or location he’s ever been to.

Big thanks to my sponsors without whom I would not be able to represent Cornwall and the UK on the KSP World Tour-
Sportif, North, BKSA, Resin8, Freeriders, Wiley X, Rip Curl. 

And of course Tara and my whole family for their continued support. xxx

Bring on Peru!
Cheers
Pasty

All action photos John Bilderback. Big Thanks, be sure to have a look. If you want to purchase any for your own use please contact me in the first instance.

The conditions are still pumping here at One Eye in the beautiful island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. Unfortunately I went out of the event in round 2 where i struggled to find a wave that opened up and took a few beatings. Still its an amazing place and we are looking to run a super session on the weekend with even better conditions forecast. On friday im going to go to Tamarin and try ans surf this perfect famous wave, but there is a big local problem so hoepfully i can sneak in and out?
Big thanks to Sportif for my flights and if you are after a kite/windsurf holiday in a perfect location with wind and waves everyday, Le Mourne and the Indian resort is truly hard to to beat with its flat water lagoon on the inside and 2 waves on the reef. Check out their amazing deals for a holiday youll never forget at www.sportif.travel
JB has some amazing photos but i cant have them until the mags etc have chosen theirs but as soon as i do they will be up on here.
Be sure to tune in today for the finals and some great commentary on www.kspworldtour.com
check out my heat below where could find a 2nd wave and went out :(

I am currently on route to the first KSP World Tour event, The
One Eye Pro in Mauritius. 

I would like to thank my sponsors, especially Sportif for sorting my flight, and North Kiteboarding, The BKSA, Queens Basement Hair & Beauty for helping with entrance fees and my other sponsors- Freeriders surf shop, Rip Curl, Resin8 surfboards and Wiley X eyewear for their continued support with the best equipment you can get.

In my bag I’ve  got 4 boards- 6’6 Ultimate Style Nigel Semmens semi gun, 6’3 Resin8 Tokoro pin, 6’0 Resin8 Scoop and the new 2012 North Wam 6’0 along with 2012 Rebels 11,9,7 a 25 and 22m bar. This is my quiver I am going to be using for all the KSP events and is the perfect travel quiver to surf and kite. I’ve not packed any straps so cannot be tempted or talked into putting any on even if its 20ft which I hope it is!

 I’d also like to thank Eddie Vale who is letting me leave my stuff at his house in Brighton in 2 weeks when I fly back from Mauritius as I’m then off to Amsterdam to meet Tara for a few days holiday, before coming home to work for 7 days and then back to Eddies pick up my bags and off to Peru and the longest waves in the World.

 Tara is currently in Sweden volunteering in Play Parks, learning from the inventors of modern children’s play, to report back to Play England and push this much needed part of youth development forward in Cornwall and the whole of the UK. Partly funded by the Lady Allen Trust, she has taken time off work, been learning Swedish and done all of the work herself to create some amazing contacts. I’m so proud of her and can’t wait to see her for a couple of days relaxing and sightseeing in a fortnight.

 At Pasty Adventures we now have the full range of 2012 North Surfboards available to demo and so far I am super impressed with all the boards now being nice and light. 

The Wam is the allround model, suited for strapless as well as strapped riding, the 6’0 is amazing for riders over 80kg while if you are 70-80 the 5’10 and under 70 the 5’8. I prefer the thrusters set up, but the quad option does give you more drive in onshore conditions.

The Kontact is aimed at big wave riding but it also works really well in onshore (which was a big surprise to me) due to its narrower shape allowing you to lay down full speed carves without bouncing out. It is also real fast and smooth in choppy water. If you like going fast and carving big cutbacks into the pocket, in chunky onshore conditions then this is probably the board for you.

The Whip this year comes in 2 sizes and I’ve found it performs best when ridden with straps. The 5’8 has a fair bit of volume and is good for over 80kg riders and the 5’6 under 80kgs, who mostly ride strapped in onshore or cross on waves up head high, if you ride in bigger stuff, I’d recommend the Wam.

 The last 2 boards are the X Surf 5’11 and Nugget 5’0 which I haven’t had time to get on yet but both look really exciting as strapless boards. The X Surf is going to be my board for strapless fun in not ideal waves up to head high while the Nugget is a chop and small wave fun strapless jumping board.
 If you want to demo any of the boards I will have them in the van
when I’m back or email lee@pastyadventures.co.uk

 All the demo boards will also be available to test on our wave clinics and coaching holidays this winter.

 Thanks and stay tuned to www.kspworldtour.com for live coverage of the world
championship tour.

 Lee

thanks to Mike Newman for taking some great pics last week. If you want to purchase any you can contact him at ocean-image.com

I am super pleased to announce that Sportif, the UKs leading
kitesurfing and windsurfing holiday company are sponsoring my flights to Mauritius for the first stop of the KSP World Championship wave tour.
 Having Sportif on board organising my flights has meant that I can concentrate on my training and getting my boards and kites ready for the first tour stop. The One Eye Pro being held at the fabulous Indian Ocean Resort at Le Mourne, Mauritius.
 I cannot thank them enough and look forward to working with  Sportif more in the future. 
If you want to come and spectate or ride amongst the best wave  kiters in the world then Sportif are doing a special deal for the event, but spaces are limited so be quick. 
If Septembers not a good time for you to go away,  check out their website for holidays to all of the top watersports destinations in the world with the markets leaders in sports holidays- Sportif.
www.sportif.travel 

SPECIAL TRAVEL OFFER
 9 nights All Inclusive 21 Sept – 01 Oct 11. WAS £1695 NOW £1495 (£200 OFF!)**Book by
31 August 2011. Subject to availability.
Price includes return flights from UK, transfers and twin share accommodation on All Inclusive Basis.

LAND ONLY package (without flights) available.
Tel:+44(0)1273844919 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            +44(0)1273 844919      end_of_the_skype_highlighting Email:
info@sportif.travel

I would also like to thank- North Kiteboarding, Queens Basement
Hair & Beauty and the BKSA for helping towards the cost of entrance fees and
lodgings in Mauritius.

Stay tuned to www.leepasty.co.uk and www.kspworldtour.com for all the news and updates from Mauritius and the rest of the Tour.
Let’s show the world what wave riding with a kite is all
about!

I am open to offers of sponsorship for the next KSP tour stop in
Peru in October; help me to fly the flag for the UK and Cornwall, competing on
one of the longest waves in the world.
Email: lee@leepasty.co.uk for details.

Stay safe and have fun!
Lee

Kitesurfer, Lee joins the Worlds elite

Lee Harvey aka Pasty from Penzance, Cornwall has been selected to compete on the Kite Surf Pro world tour. An extensive voting process was initiated by the International Kiteboarding Association, involving National Kite Associations, the panel of judges and wave riders committee, the IKA industry partners and the world’s kitesurfing media who were asked to submit their Top 15 male and Top 8 Female kitesurf wave riders. These are then added to the 7 pre qualified male riders bringing together the World’s Top 22 male and 8 females to battle out for the 2011 World Kite Surfing crown in the best waves on the planet. The only other UK rider to be selected was 3 x Women’s World Wave champion, Kirsty Jones from Wales.

Lee says; ‘I am so stoked to be recognised as one of the best wave riders in the world with a kite and can’t wait to fly the Cornish flag at the best spots in the World. To be listed alongside the sports superstars, is amazing and gives me extra motivation to train hard and represent my country as best as I possibly can. Hopefully I’ll be bringing the World title home to Penzance for Christmas.’

The first stop of the tour is in Mauritius in September, then goes to Peru in October and finally Cape Verde in December where the World Champion will be crowned in the famous right hand point break of Ponta Preta.

Lee is now in need of sponsors to help with the travel costs. If you are interested or can help, please contact lee by email- lee@leepasty.co.uk to discuss which level of sponsorship is best suited to you or your business.

More info can be found at www.leepasty.co.uk and www.kspworldtour.com

Lee is sponsored by North Kiteboarding, Newave, 9 bar, Wiley X eyewear and Freeriders surf shop.