Windsurfing, kiteboarding events in the air for Zhuhai

The first international windsurfing competition in Zhuhai will accompany the first-ever Asian Kiteboarding Championship from Nov 23 to 30. 

The arrangement with the Asian Windsurfing Championship 2018 was announced by the Chinese Yachting Association and Zhuhai Culture, Sports & Tourism Bureau at an Aug 22 preparation meeting.

The windsurfing, hosted by the Asian Sailing Federation (ASAF), has the highest profile in the sport in the Asian-Pacific region. Its brand is second only to the RS: X World Championship.

This year's event will feature the T293, Gaastra, and RS: X categories. Contestants will be divided into groups based on age and gender; those aged below 19 will go to youth group.

The T293 event, however, will limit its youth group to windsurfers below age 17 and have a separate group for teenagers younger than 15.

The World Sailing Council approved the introduction of kiteboarding at the Paris 2024 Olympic sailing program in May. Kiteboarding is an emerging nearshore water sport in which players ride a board harnessed to a hand-controlled and wind-powered kite.