For as long as I can remember (which isn’t that long) I have always wanted to kitesurf. Having seen videos of Flash Austin, Robby Naish and Co ripping it up in nice blue waters somewhere warm its always looked like the perfect sport. What other sport would let you stay on the water when you want to and when you don’t you can boost to well over 40ft?

The Ainsdale KiteBeach Extreme Sports Festival at Ainsdale kicked off on the Friday night for most people.

After arriving at ‘The Prison Camp’ (Pontins) most people headed straight to The Sands to catch up with and meet new people. A divided kite group was there when I arrived, the buggy racers had claimed the bar area, and the freestyle crowd had claimed the conservatory area with a few in between.

Even now, 2 weeks after the event which yet again surpasses all previous power kite, buggy and board events since the beginning of time on sheer numbers I’ve still got my wrist bands on, a flo orange one to show I’m insured, and a flo green one to show I was allowed to camp.

And so another countdown was underway, looking forward to a very much so hyped up event. Though one that did live up to its reputation and all the speculation. When the time hit 5pm and the gates opened to the field the cars wandered on in, with people who had never been there before awestruck at the amount of space available.

The games where held over three days in September, and the sun shone throughout. I arrived late on Thursday night to the sounds of the waves crashing, and the wind howling. When I awoke early on Friday a disappointing feeling was awaiting, a crucial factor namely the wind seemed to be missing.