Oman is an increasingly popular kiteboarding destination. Thanks to near-perfect wind and sea conditions the Sultanate has quickly obtained a ‘must-visit’ status within the ever-growing global kiting community.

Popular kite spots – ranging from sheltered lagoons to spectacular wave spots – include Masirah Island, Bar al Hickman at Al Khaluf, Al Jazir north of Salalah, Sawadi Beach in Mussanah, Quryatt, Ras al Hadd, and Muscat’s Al Mouj beach, the venue for the Formula Kite Worlds.

The recent Kite Speed World Championship event held at Masirah Island saw Oman described as a ‘kiteboarding paradise’ and a ‘revelation’ by competitors who enjoyed idyllic, windy conditions.

ABOUT OMAN SAIL

Oman Sail is a pioneering national initiative established in 2008 that is using the sport of sailing in a novel and ambitious way to rekindle the Sultanate of Oman’s maritime heritage, to foster Oman’s socio-economic development and to promote the country as a high-end and adventure tourism destination.

The scale, vision and early success of this unique programme, which aims to instil confidence and teach valuable transferable life skills to a generation of young Omanis, is without precedent.

Oman Sail is proving a catalyst in the growth and development of Oman while playing a key role in raising the country’s regional and international profile. To stay up to date: www.omansail.com

FORMULA KITE WORLDS

The high-performance Formula Kite class is the newest discipline in kiteboarding, and sees competitors skim above the water on hydrofoils fitted to their boards.

The class is currently campaigning to be recognised as an Olympic showcase event at Tokyo 2020 with full medal status for Paris 2024, and the world championship in Oman will play a major role in its bid for inclusion. The rapidly growing sport of kiteboarding has an estimated 1.5 million participants worldwide.

The Formula Kite Worlds event has attracted international male and female entries from countries including France, Spain, Australia, Slovenia, Italy, Germany, Poland, Mexico, Croatia, Monaco, Russia, Denmark, New Zealand, Brazil, USA, Uruguay, the Cayman Islands, Turkey, Venezuela and the United Kingdom among others.

The event will run from November 19 to 24 and a championship fleet of up to 105 male and female competitors are expected.