ICTSI kiteboarding unwraps in Siargao

Fil-Norwegian world No. 2 Christian Tio headlines around 40 riders from around the world vying for top honors in the kickoff leg of the third ICTSI Philippine Kiteboarding Tour unfolding today in Siargao.

Long considered as the country’s top surfing destination, Siargao hopes to become the next kiteboarding site too as it hosts the three-day event, the first of four lined up by the organizing Philippine Kiteboarding Association for its third season.

Joining Tio in the event are Liezl Tio, Doque delos Santos, Rebecka Maudal, Atte Kappel, Jingjing Gan Gajisan, Jack Alvarez, Tony Baysa, Kristine Baysa, Jen Baysa and Siosan Baysa and other top riders from Australia, Sweden and Norway.

Tio, who placed second in the world junior championship last year, will banner the Filipino bets’ bid in the freestyle category.

“I’ll try my best to win,” said the 14-year-old Tio, fancied to dominate the event backed by Viento del Mar, Harana Surf Resort, Lux Siargao Boutique, Seabreaze Kite Club, Kermit Surf Resort, Buddha Surf Resort, Kitesurf Siargao, Siargao Cooking School, Kitya’s Place, Kokai Resort and My Life on Board.

Aside from freestyle play for both men and women, the tour will also showcase adrenalinefilled competition in the race category for men, women and masters (40-above) and for the first time, a novice division.

“This tour has attracted a lot of international champions in our first two seasons and we’re expecting more and more top riders, especially the young ones to join us in our next tour stops,” said PKA treasurer Carlo Leongson, who thanked the PKA’s partner ICTSI, which put up the $40,000 prize money for the entire tour.

Boracay will host the next leg on Jan. 8-10 before Anguib Beach, Cagayan takes its turn on Feb. 12-14. The tour winds up at Cuyo Island, Palawan on March 11-13.