Cabrinha Kite Surf Pro Opens

Kite surfing, Maui. File photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Opening ceremonies get underway at 10 a.m. today for the Cabrinha Kite Surf Pro event at Hoʻokipa Beach Park on Maui’s North Shore.

A total of 88 riders are registered for the 2013 event that is being held on Maui for the second consecutive year.

The event is sponsored by a $10,000 matching challenge grant from the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development.

The Kite Surf Pro features the world’s top athletes in the sport on Maui, which is touted by contest organizers as the birthplace of the sport.

During last year’s competition, kite sufers Keahi DeAboitiz of Australia, and Jalou Langeree of the Netherlands took home the 2012 titles in the men’s and women’s divisions respectively.

Event organizer Kristin Boese said both will be returning to compete. “It will be an incredible battle to watch and I hope that many Maui residents and visitors will join us at the beach. We are grateful to Maui County for this support,” said Boese in an earlier statement.

Event organizers say Xensr, the makers of the world’s first wearable motion capture device, will host the Xensr Big Air Invitational during the World championship event, and will operate a live webcast of the events at Hoʻokipa.

The competition continues through Dec. 1.