Kids at Ride for Arda competition
YEDİDALGA’S Heaven Surf House hosted young kitesurfers on Sunday at the fourth memorial Ride for Arda competition with the message “Don’t let another Arda die!”.
The annual event is staged in memory of Arda Erkan, found dead three years ago after taking a cocktail of drink and drugs.
It was jointly organised by Heaven Surf House owner and kitesurf enthusiast Uğur Sayılır with Lefke Municipality and the Prime Ministry’s AntiDrugs Commission.
Commission head Hasan Karaokçu thanked organisers, sponsors and supporters for “directing youth to use their energy in sports”.
He said a new helpline for youngsters with a drug problem or their families would launch next month, and added: “We must not see another young life lost. The fight continues to raise awareness and promote wellbeing with youth organisations and civil society.”
Arda’s parents, Mustafa and Gülseren Erkan, remembered their son, a keen kitesurfer who trained with Mr Sayılır. The 26-year-old was found dead in his parked car in Lefkoşa after consuming Ecstasy, synthetic cannabinoids known locally as Bonzai and alcohol.
Mr Erkan’s father thanked supporters and the commission as he vowed to continue “the great struggle of this mission which is a shield to embrace everyone”.
His wife added: “We lost our Arda to drug traffickers but the fire in our hearts will never die.”
She urged the 35 competitors to “show the youngsters how to fly between the waves with real wings”, adding: “That’s how I remember [Arda], with his beloved kitesurf sport. He will bring them all together in the deep blue depths.”
Mr Sayılır said: “Arda was a good athlete and so loved and valued he can never die. We remember him proudly.”
A former medic who has seen the human cost of synthetic drugs at first hand, he added: “Wind every day, surf every day! We will always support this cause.”
Awards on the day went to the youngest rider Rüzgar Sayılır, 10, and brothers Burhan and Adnan Dayi who took first and second place.
Mr Sayılır’s roundisland kitesurfing partner Nicos Pissourio, took first place in a foil slalom event, with runners-up Emrah Akay and Christian Hugel.
Deniz Kaptan, 17, won the men’s slalom with Toğan Tunç Mestan in second place and Kaan Ünsal in third.
Zeynep Demirel took the ladies’ top prize, beating Feral Uyumsal and Eylül Ceylan. The enthusiastic crowd enjoyed live music, a mixed grill and energy drinks supplied by Silvan Yaşlı and Swan of Soli restaurant, and thanks went to sponsors Nethouse, Cressi-Sub, @airrushkites, Kaan Ünsal, commission head Hasan Karaokçu and the Erkans.