It’s weird to think that almost a year ago I was sitting on the beach with a pen and piece of paper judging the final round of the KLB European Championships, knowing in the back of my mind that I might actually come back myself to compete. Last year got me excited about a return to the competition scene to ride against a strong field of competitors and here I was one year later, preparing myself for the final round knowing a minimum of 4th place would wrap up the title.

The final round named the “Flymasters” and my sixth competition of the year took place in Ijmuiderslag, Holland. I drove over on the Friday morning along with 10 other UK riders hoping to enjoy the large hard packed beaches on offer. On arrival I met up with some of the Flysurfer team and went for an overpowered freeride on the 18m Flysurfer Speed, boosting some rather large airs with plenty of hang time.

The event commenced a day later on Saturday, as we were gifted excellent conditions. I used the 18m Speed in the first round and then downsized to the 13m BOOST as the wind built, knowing a win against Pascal Lohmann was required to wrap up the European Championships. I rode a clean heat dropping just the one trick and advanced into the semifinals… I’m not sure it sunk in at the time but I had just won my second European title… a good 9 years after winning the first one in 2006.

It definitely took the pressure off the next heat against Ash Garwood - the beach was starting to get a little softer so it required extra time to pick the right spots to take off from and land. Ash was ripping all day and put down a good heat however I also landed some sweet tricks advancing into the final. I was riding against last years winner who had successfully beaten my closest opposition for the European title for the second year running. Joey Oldenbürger is the current German Champion and like myself can ride very technically yet with a powerful style. I knew I would have to be on top of my game to win this and boy was I.... I nailed it landing every trick I could find time for. To list a few tricks I remember… a Slim Chance, Manual Double Frontroll Invert, Front to Blind, Kiteloop 3, Blind Frontroll Invert to Blind and even put in a cheeky Blind take off into Slim Chance just as the horn was fired.

Unfortunately I had to wait another day to hear the final results but for a change I was confident I had done enough to win the event. Results were announced on the beach and that was it! Six wins out of six… along with two titles had been won, the European Champion and British Champion both for the second time in my career and without a doubt the most successful year I’ve ever had Kiteboarding. Who knows what next year will bring.