Thanks to the fact that your AKSA organisation is now run by a board of reps from each state WAKSA can bring you the news hot off the press.

Just in case you didn’t know, the AKSA National Freestyle Championships were held over the week end as a part of the Week of the Wind Festival; which in turn was also a part of the St. Kilda Festival in Melb. From all reports the titles event was a spectacular success with the wind cooperating to a degree beyond our most optimistic dreams. A full day of competition on Friday was followed by a few hours of wind on Sat to complete the finals. Normally you would have to be in WA to get that sort of cooperation  ;-)

Well known tourist to WA Toby Bromwich; of sliderjam & Core-Online fame;  was recruited by AKSA as head judge & event coordinator. With his years of experience as a professional PKRA judge and with his hand picked team of international riders working in the judging tent our national titles had a level of professionalism never before seen in Australian competition.

But perhaps the best news to come out of the event was that; thanks to Chrissy; WA took out the womens title yet again in 2010. Her high powered and stylish moves gaining the edge over fellow WA chick kiter and long time freestyle competitor Shannon Ducker.  Well done to both of these girls. Great ambassadors of our state.

With very few entries from WA generally our only other name on the winners dais was Simon Witcherman who came 4th in the mens open. We can only assume that the bar must have been set very high by the top 3 as Simon had come bak from injury to work very hard this season. He was looking super sharp in the lead-up to the event with a long list of high level moves well and truly dialled.

Congrats to all organisers in Vic including organising sponsor Kitemag – check the mag website for even more detail and a long list of sponsors headed by Cabrinah who offered both presenting sponsorship and a very experienced volunteer on the ground ieHudson Godfrey-Smith.

Congrats of course to Andy Yates. From reports to hand it was yet again another stand-out and stand alone performance from a true master of the craft. My tip is he wont be ranked No. 5 for much longer.

Men
1. Andy Yates (Caloundra)
2. Keahi De Aboitz (Noosa)
3. Ewan Jaspan (St Kilda)
Note: Keahi and Ewan get a "wild card" into the PKRA World Tour comp to be held in Gold Coast in December. Andy is already competing as world's No.5
 

Women
1. Chrissy Gaudieri (Perth)
2. Shannon Duckar (Perth)
3. Michelle England (Newcastle)
Note: Chrissy given a wild card into the PKRA World Tour comp

Juniors
1.Keahai De Aboitz (Noosa)
2.Ewan Jaspan (St Kilda)
3.Lincoln Reeves (St Kilda)

Masters (over 35)
1. Scott Sollar(Terrigal, NSW)
2  Mario Steffan (Adelaide)
3. Rob Sellar