(Posted 31st August 2023)
By Joey Nicles for ATCNews
From July 26th to 30th, 2023, the village of Mourouk in the south of Rodrigues Island and its famous kitesurfing spot, considered one of the best in the world, hosted the 8th edition of the Rodrigues International Kitesurf Festival (RIKF). It was the first edition of this event, touristic, ecological, festive and sporting after three years of absence due to the health crisis.
Organized by the Rodrigues Kitesurfing Association (RKA) and benefiting from the support of the regional authorities, this major competition has become an unmissable event since its first edition in July 2013. It is the meeting place for kitesurfing enthusiasts where top athletes meet -level and amateurs, men and women of all ages, from the islands of the Indian Ocean and from all over the world.
The opening ceremony took place on July 26th in the early afternoon in the presence of the guest of honor of the festival, H.E Victor Henry Jardine, Ambassador of the United States to Mauritius and the Seychelles who had made the trip to Rodrigues Island with his wife and son as well as five representatives of the American Embassy in Mauritius.
The theme chosen for this opening was 'RIKF Go Green'. The Chief Commissioner of the island, Johnson Roussety, the Commissioner of Tourism, Jean-Alain Wong So, elected officials from the Rodrigues Regional Assembly (RRA) and various local personalities were also present.
The many amateurs present had the opportunity to meet the Franco-Mauritian Louka Pitot, young hope of world kitesurfing, currently 3rd on the circuit of the GKA World Tour 2023. Louka was the sponsor of this edition. The triple world champion Jalou Langeree (Holland) was also present as godmother, and she was accompanied by the Swedish professional kitesurfer, Johana Catharina Edin.
On July 27 and 28, the competitions could not be held due to the lack of wind. To overcome this bad weather condition which makes kitesurfing impracticable, the public was treated to an introduction to kite flying. Désiré Laval Meunier, (Dario) vice-president of the Rodrigues Kitesurfing Association, was delighted to have invited two Indian pilots for this initiation. A beach volleyball tournament also kept competitors busy.
With a favorable wind finally returning during the weekend, the 39 competitors were finally able to start the competitions on the 29th. Two events were scheduled for Saturday. The first race in the men's slalom was won by Jérémy Chan from Mauritius. The one reserved for ladies went to the young talented kitesurfer from Rodrigues, Audrey Pauline.
On Sunday, two mini-raid events were on the program. The freestyle competition has been canceled by decision of the organizers. The men's mini-raid event went to Drany Clair. A victory that was enough for the silver medalist rider at the Indian Ocean Island Games (2019) in Mauritius to win the title of RIKF Festival 2023 champion. While in the women's category, the final victory went to the Frenchwoman Hélène Lucas, also winner of the Beach Volleyball tournament. A big concert closed the evening after the award ceremony. Some of the best artists from the Rodriguan and Mauritian music scene thrilled the public.
Text and photos © Joey Nices Modeste
