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

Race training at marazion cornwall.
Kit - North race ltd 69, Fuse 14m.
Wind - 10-16knts, max speed 26.4knts, upwind/downwind course.
Boats are musto skiffs practising before their nationals.

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

I have now confirmed my first coaching holiday of the winter.
Cape Verde Wave Adventure on the island of Sal, home to some amazing right handers including the world class Ponta Preta. Spaces are limited to 6 so be quick. Dates are 19th - 26th jan, price is £1000 all inclusive.
More info on the website http://www.pastyadventures.co.uk/holidays.html 

The KSP have just released details of the upcoming event at One Eye, one of if not the best kitesurfing wave on the planet. Can't wait to get there but still in need of some sponsors to help me represent Cornwall and the UK on the highest level world championship tour. See below for the offical press release-

July 21, 2011: The inaugural Mauritius One Eye Pro is set to kick off this year’s KSP World Championship Tour and promises to deliver high caliber, action packed kite surfing. From September 23 to 29, 2011, (with a possible extension period until October 2, 2011) the world’s best kite surfers will vie for the first of three coveted KSP World Tour event titles.

The event will take place at One Eye, a world-class kite surf wave located directly in front of the Indian Resort and Spa at the base of the Le Morne Mountain, a World Heritage Site, renowned for it’s stunning scenery, pristine turquoise waters and perfect surf.  

Local organizer Patrick Desvaux de Marigny states: "We are proud to be able to bring the first ever stop of the KSP world championship tour to One Eye in Le Morne, Mauritius. This event will go down in history, not only for being the launch of an amazing tour with a big future but also for radical wave conditions that give the riders the ability to express their kite surfing styles and techniques to the max."

The KSP is excited to announce it's cooperation with some amazing local partners and sponsors, such as the main event partner the Indian Resort and Spa that agreed not only to host the event, but to also supply free accommodation for the world’s top 24 male and 12 female kite surfers.

Nadine Cameleyre, Managing Director of the Apavou group says: “The Indian Resort and Spa is scattered amidst a succession of lush tropical gardens of 7 hectare, bordered by immense, pristine beaches of white sand just in front of the surfers’ mythical spot One Eye. It is within this exceptional site that the KITE SURF PRO world championship tour event will be held in September 2011. It is with much joy that the Indian Resort is associating in this event as a main sponsor. Through this worldwide event, the Indian Resort shows its implication in the development of this sport in Mauritius and in the promotion of the spot & the destination.”

Additional partners for the Mauritius One Eye Pro include Mauritours Ltd. Travel & Tourism Company, the local travel partner that will also offer free airport/hotel shuttles for all riders, as well as Club Mistral Mauritius, the KSP logistics partner for the event.

The KSP is honored to be working with such an exemplary list of sponsors and partners and is looking forward to a very exciting Mauritius One Eye Pro and the kickoff event to the 2011 KSP World Championship Tour.

For any further info please visit www.kspworldtour.com or contact us at info@kspworldtour.com

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.

Im so gutted Ive got to miss this years IKA Coure racing worlds in Germany starting tomorrow. After my dam van broke and cost £1800 Ive been scrimping and saving but had no lessons now for 3 weeks and just cant afford it. Going to keep practising and save up to do the pkra racing in germany to make sure im on track and ready for next year!