British Virgin Islands to Host Billabong BVI Kite Jam 2011

ROAD TOWN, British Virgin Islands, Feb. 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Long known as the "sailing capital of the world," the British Virgin Islands will be the center of the kiteboarding world with Billabong BVI Kite Jam 2011. Pro and amateur riders from around the globe will descend on Necker Island and North Sound, Virgin Gorda from February 26 through March 4, 2011 to compete in this new and rapidly growing action sport.

Kiteboarding, an adrenaline filled water sport is a combination of surfing coupled with parasailing. Billabong BVI Kite Jam 2011 is a week-long competition open to both pro and amateur riders, as well as spectators, and includes Freestyle, Sliders, Big Air, Wave Riding and Long Distance Racing events. With spectacular event venues at North Sound, Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island, Anegada and Eustatia Sound, Billabong BVI Kite Jam 2011 makes another meaningful statement for the BVI's absolutely world-class conditions for water sports.

Equipped with a board and a large kite, riders must not only deal with the motion of the ocean, but take advantage of winds that can gust up to 30 knots, all the while pulling off heart-stopping tricks that have riders twisting and turning in the air. The British Virgin Islands offers the perfect playground for this sport with constant trade winds, gnarly waves and protected clear waters. Tackling the wind and waves to fly like a bird makes this sport a jaw-dropping experience for riders and spectators alike.

The BVI Kite Jam event was conceived by Charlie Smith and Sir Richard Branson after a 20 mile kite crossing from Necker Island to Anegada. In just a year since the inaugural BVI Kite Jam in 2010, the event has grown in popularity and sponsorships. Billabong BVI Kite Jam 2011 sponsors and partners include: Finlandia Vodka, Cape Air, Cabrinha Kites, Sunsail, Sir Richard Branson's Necker Island, Digicel, Bitter End Yacht Club, OBMI, Aggression Kiteboards, Keta Films, MediaPunch, The BVI Tourist Board, Road Town Wholesale, Crhristine Brook, Kestrel Shipping, Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding, JTV, Monster Energy Drink, Fiji Water, Fat Virgin Café, Green Technology, Rebootizer, Kiteboarding Magazine, DaKine, Heineken, Secrets Band and Sailors for the Sea who have awarded the event with a Clean Regatta Certification. 2011 Charities supported by Billabong BVI Kite Jam are KATS – Kids And The Seas BVI, VISAR, Green VI and Kiteboarding for Communities.

For a guide to kiteboarding in the BVI, videos, photos, rider information, and more information on Billabong BVI Kite Jam 2011, please visit www.bvikitejam.com.

About The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board

The British Virgin Islands Tourist Board is a statutory organization of the Government of the Virgin Islands (UK) responsible for promoting the British Virgin Islands as a destination.  The BVI Tourist Board invites everyone to experience the seduction of our pristine and exquisite home. For more information on all that BVI has to offer, visit www.bvitourism.com or call toll-free 800-835-8530.

SOURCE British Virgin Islands Tourist Board