Army kitesurfing has gone from strength to strength. In just 12 months, we have matured from a handful of die hard enthusiasts to a fully blown discipline within the Army Sailing Association. The highlights of the year have included; an overseas expedition, two Inter-Services competitions, an International Kitesurfing Organisation (IKO) qualified instructor and a fully equipped and resourced training plan for 2010. Army Kitesurfing is underpinned by a buoyant and social group that welcomes all standards of rider and prospective rider to its ranks.

Team Captain - Lieutenant Colonel Mark Smyth

Mark has been kitesurfing for over 7 years. His local spot is Weston Super Mare, but he has travelled all over Europe in his pursuit of wind and waves. Not the greatest 'freestyler', however, he won the Army 'Big Air' Award at the Tri-Service Championships 2009 for what was described as a 'Death Defying Jump!' Never afraid to get out on the water, he has been known to leave his home in North Somerset before dawn and get a quick hour on the water before work.

Why Kite for Heroes

Every member of the Army team has served on Operations. We all know people that have been injured or not made it back and are dedicated to supporting our troops. Kite for Heroes is one way that we can show our support and we are all looking forward to the challenge.

The RPKA was formed in June 2007 by 7 power kite enthusiasts who wanted to get more out of the sport than just doing it for fun. From conception, the ethos behind the RPKA has made the sport safely accessible to all serving members by providing free high quality instruction and access to association equipment. The RPKA is an approved sport which has helped developed power kiting exponentially within the air force. We boast over 100 hundred members who actively take part in all Power Kite disciplines including static flying, land boarding, buggying and kite surfing. The RPKA is the only Military mutli-disciplined Power Kite Association and is one of the largest power kite clubs in the UK. We continue to drive the competitive edge and expect membership to exceed 150 this year.

The RPKA has 7 fully qualified BKSA/IKO instructors and we hold regular training camps world wide, including many events across the UK including an annual Kite Camp in Cyprus where novices are trained with little or no experience up to IKO level 3. The RAF are the current Tri-Service Champions who were victorious in a close fought battle against the Army and Navy.

Why Kite For Heroes

Everyone who deploys on Exercises overseas including current Operations in the Middle East will pass through the hands of RAF personnel. Kite for Heroes enables the association to play a direct and active part by showing our support to the many servicemen and women who selflessly put their lives on the line for world stability. We look forward to an exhilarating competition that will test the spirit and guile of all competitors. The race has never been attempted by the Navy, Army and RAF and will be an ideal opportunity for all associations to display the multitude of skills and leadership qualities that epitomises service life in the Armed Forces.

The RNRMKA was established in the summer of 2008 by a few avid kite surfers at RNAS Culdrose. The aim was simple; create an association to cater for the needs of anyone interested in Kite Surfing within the RN or RM. Since then the club has gone from strength to strength and with over 50 active members and new applicants weekly it is one of the fastest growing sports associations in the Service. Whether helping newcomers getting started, competing against the Army or RAF, or running training camps at home and abroad the RNRMKA is an association run by kite surfers for kite surfers. To find out more please check out www.kitenavy.com.