Flying start for festival

ONE of the country's biggest kitesurfing festivals got off to a flying start yesterday.

Around 250 schoolchildren from Hayling Island schools attended for an afternoon of talks about kitesurfing, wind energy and general health and fitness from pro-kitesurfer Lewis Crathern.

Havant MP Alan Mak with schoolchildren on the first day of the Hayling Island Virgin Armada kitesurfing festival

Picture: James Gradwell — Havant MP Alan Mak with schoolchildren on the first day of the Hayling Island Virgin Armada kitesurfing festival Picture: James Gradwell

placeholder image — Havant MP Alan Mak with schoolchildren on the first day of the Hayling Island Virgin Armada kitesurfing festival Picture: James Gradwell

Havant MP Alan Mak, who attended the event, said: ‘We are very proud to have the Virgin Kitesurfing Armada here on Hayling Island. I came last year and it was a fantastic atmosphere.’

The kitesurfing festival runs throughout the weekend on Hayling seafront. It is a free festival with taster sessions, a family fun zone, and live bands. There will be a world record attempt for the largest numbers of kitesurfers completing a one-mile course.