About 10 kitesurfers from Goa will participate in the national ranking

Team Herald

PANJIM: Around 10 kitesurfers from Goa will compete against Indian kitesurfers in the first official National Ranking Kitesurfing Championship to be held in Goa recognized by the Yachting Association of India, Mandrem from April 16-19.

“Goa has had many windsurfers who have represented the country at Asian and international levels and now is the time that we have a Goa representing India in kitesurfing at the 2024 Olympics in France,” said the former international from windsurfing Derrick Menezes.

“This championship will provide participants with an opportunity to get ranked to represent the country at the Asian level and then qualify for the 24 Olympics in France where kite surfing is being introduced for the first time,” Derrick said.

Goa normally sees around 10 locals and around 10 regular foreigners kite surfing on the northern beaches – Morjim and Mandrem in particular. “Kite surfing cannot be done on crowded beaches, that’s why athletes prefer secluded beaches,” explained Derrick, who is India’s 15-time national windsurfing champion.

Although this is the first time that Goa has hosted the national kitesurfing championship, there have been unofficial fun competitions between kitesurfers from Goa, India and foreign nationals in the past.

Candido Soares, Mark Butte, Remmy, Myran Gomes, Katia and Dwayne Coelho are a few Goans who have represented India in the past and kitesurfers in the state are now looking to prove their mettle in the sport.