Catch the 2019 Waterbourne Beach Festival video highlights reel that took place in Wellington, New Zealand last weekend. Starboard NZ and Starboard SUP International were the proud sponsors of the Ninja Games and Waterbourne Ocean Clash events.
The 2019 Waterbourne Beach Festival is New Zealand’s biggest watersports festival attracting spectators and entrants from all over New Zealand and the Pacific! This three-day beach party brings together windsurfing, kitesurfing, and paddle boarding.
The Ocean Clash is a SUP/Foil/Windsurf/Kite downwind Race – clash of the codes style- with handicaps for each discipline. Last year the Ocean Clash event was won by SUP Foil. The super fun Ninja Games features a giant inflatable SUP park where contestants race each other, rail to rail bumper action, on fun inflatable paddle boards, provided by Starboard.
This years event was once again action packed and made a memorable event for everyone.
Beach Party
Each day live music filled the shoreline with headline performers Boo Seeka and P Digsss. There was something for everyone, with food and drinks on the beach with an event marquee to keep everyone dry.
A wild weekend meant spectators had to endure the rain, nevertheless they filled the event site and made the most of the Waterbourne Beach Festival.
Big Air
Each day offered something slightly different with both big air, slalom and the paddle boarding obstacle course. The opening day provided ideal conditions for the Big Air, where Marc Jacobs demonstrated his aggressive style and pure class.
Ninja Games
We then moved into the paddle boarding obstacle course, where public of all ages got out and tried it out. Smiles all round provided the ideal foundation for what was wellingtons biggest beach party. Shapeshifters P Digsss set the scene, playing classics alongside his own favourites. Australian duo Boo Seeka then took the stage and set Eastbourne alive, reminding everyone why Waterbourne is one of New Zealand’s favourite beach festivals.
Ocean Clash
Sunday provided classic Wellington conditions with a southerly which filled the harbour. Athletes prepared for the Ocean Clash, which has all water sports fighting for the ultimate athlete. An 11 am start meant after a fun night before, athletes had to get ready for one of the most challenging races in New Zealand. Paddle Boarders started with a 15minute head start, racing from Petone to Eastbourne. The remaining divisions then launched where the kitesurfers and wind foilers had a clear advantage.
Matt Taggart (NZ) and Mathew Sawyer (NZ) completed the course in 13minutes, where Casper Bouman (Holland) was the first windfoiler. The battle for second and third in the windsurfers was very close where Dan Meehan (NZ) claimed the second place in front of Tahitian Fred Morin (Tahiti). The paddle boarders did not take the victory this year with Ned (NZ) and Dominic (NZ) pushed the limits of their race boards to beat foiling guru Jeremy Stephenson (NZ).
Slalom Windsurf
After the Ocean Clash the windsurfers completed the slalom windsurf racing. With three great races in 15-25knots, it provided ideal conditions for competitors of all levels to get amongst the action.
