Now in its 5th year, the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada took place on Hayling Island on 9-11 June 2017. Moving on from its humble origins in 2013, the event has evolved to included something for everyone.

On the beach there were plenty of kitesurfing and SUP activities scheduled. In addition to the Guinness™ World Record attempt where organisers were hoping to break the 2016 mass participation record of having 423 kiters on the water at the same time; kiters could also sign up to take part in a new event, the ‘Kite-SUP-Run’ triathlon Charity Challenge. Big air demos and competitions, boardercross racing, foiling, taster sessions for beginners and pro and technique clinics were also planned. And if that wasn’t enough, the festival was also playing host to Round 2 of the British Kitesurfing Championships.

And at the event site, organisers had created a family friendly festival. With the sun shining down; live music on the outdoor stage, a Fat Face Family Zone, a Neilson Recovery Zone with a hot tub, and massage and yoga areas, an industry marquee with brands showcasing all the latest gear, and talks from pro kitesurfers and industry gurus, all added to the beach festival vibe.

Set up to raise money for charity, fund raising remains an integral part of the Virgin Kitesurf Armada, and to date, the Armada Trust, has raised over £160,000. This year money raised was supporting 2 different areas; the Kite & SUP Youth Tour Project, whose aims are to enable over 1,000 children and young people who wouldn’t ordinarily have the opportunity to try kitesurfing and SUP, and Virgin Unite both in the UK and internationally.

For ExPix, it was the first time that we’d been at the event and it was great to catch up with some ‘old’ faces. As the largest free kitesurfing festival in the UK, the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada brought with it some legends of kitesurfing, old and new.

Whilst the conditions meant that the charity challenges had to be postponed; international kitesurfer, UK pro rider and former 3 x British Freestyle Kitesurfing Champion, Lewis Crathern, entertained crowds on the public beach with his coaching session, live from the water. After suffering a nasty crash in the Red Bull King of the Air in 2016, it was great to see Lewis fit and healthy and back in action.

Another favourite on the water was the crazy man of kitesurfing, Danish kitesurfer, Nick Jacobsen. Current Red Bull King of the Air champion; Nick is renowned for his big airs and daredevil stunts and in April 2017, launched himself off one of the tallest buildings in the world, the world-famous Burj Al Arab in Dubai. Whilst other kitesurfers went around the groynes at Hayling Beach, Nick took to using them as an obstacle course!

Joining Nick and Lewis on the water were UK pro riders, 5x World Freestyle Champion Aaron Hadlow and former British Freestyle Kitesurfing Champion and 4 x Triple S champion, Sam Light, with 9 x Freestyle Kitesurfing World Champion, Gisela Pulido getting in on the action too. And out back, in the thick of the waves, 2 x World Champion, Mark Shinn could be seen foiling. All in all a feast of kitesurfing history for the spectators, the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada and Hayling Island!

It was fantastic to see so many kiters on the water in the UK. Everywhere you looked, the beach was strewn with kites of all makes and sizes, including the CBK beach which was taken up with the British Kitesurfing Championships.

Check out a selection of images from the event below or click on the link for all images from the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada