Kiteboarding event boosts sports tourism in Santa Fe

CEBU, Philippines — The municipality of Santa Fe, Bantayan Island is hosting the 8th installment of the country’s premier kiteboarding tour competition this coming February 10-12, 2023, pushing its way further to attract the big niche market in sports tourism.

Organized by the Philippine Kiteboarding Association (KPA) in partnership with the Santa Fe Kiteschool, the competition is open to three different fields of disciplines in the sport of kiteboarding, including Race, Freestyle, and Hangtime with further subclassifications: Novice, Men’s, Women’s, Masters and Grand Masters. In addition, for the first time in the tour, the organizers have added hydrofoil kite races to attract both local and internationally-ranked foil riders from across Asia, Europe, and the Americas to join the competition.

“The Santa Fe Kiteschool really pushed for the 3rd leg of the season 8 tour to be held in Santa Fe, Bantayan Island so that participants and the audience can discover that we are not just a summer beach destination but also a must-visit spot for sporting activities. We want to put Santa Fe on the map as one of the best kiteboarding spots in the Philippines,” says Event Organizer Louie Villacin.

After a successful run of the previous seasons with hundreds of participants from different countries, the organizers will be mounting another adrenaline-packed tour in the country’s top kiteboarding destinations with a quick stop at Cebu’s very own Santa Fe, Bantayan Island.

Organizers will also offer free lessons including kiteboarding, skimboarding, e-foil, and balance board basics.

On top of the games, the tour will feature local food vendors, coffee stalls, a beach bar, and merchandise booths. Participants and attendees can expect a weekend of fun and entertainment with live concerts by local bands and DJs plus an exclusive afterparty at the Beach People Hostel.

Over the years, the PKA has been gaining recognition as the country's governing body of kiteboarding and kitesurfing. Through the efforts of the organization and the support of the private sector, Filipino kiteboarding has been gaining momentum and popularity in the country, developing and producing world-class athletes while at the same time promoting the islands to local and international tourists to help rebuild the tourism sector of our partner municipalities.

Santa Fe is one of the three towns in the world's known island destination, Bantayan Island.

Bantayan Island is renowned for its pristine waters and long stretches of white-sand beaches with thousands of tourists flocking to the island during the summer, especially on Holy Week.

With the introduction of kiteboarding, the organizers from Santa Fe Kiteschool want to attract a new market for adrenaline-pumping extreme water sports during the low Amihan season from October to February.

The island offers the perfect conditions for watersport enthusiasts with many beach bars, nightlife options, restaurants, cafes, and accommodations directly at the beach.

The Philippine Kiteboarding Tour Season 8 is sanctioned by the Province of Cebu and the Department of Tourism and supported by the Municipality of Santa Fe.

Event sponsors include International Container Terminal Services Inc., Beach People Hostel, Santa Fe Kiteschool, GGC Group of Companies, Smart Communications, Efoil Republic, International Pharmaceuticals Incorporated, Salt + Fin, Bobels Hayahay Beach, Gonzalodo Enterprises, Kota Beach, Anika Island Resort, Indai’s Aquasports and Resort, Beach Placid, Thai-Phoon Restaurant, Big Jels Restomeat, and Santa Fe Beach Club.