Popular kitesurfing race takes off in Perth

One of the biggest kitesurfing races in the Southern Hemisphere, the Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton, returns to Western Australia this weekend.

  • Lighthouse to Leighton features 110 local, national and international competitors

  • One of Southern Hemisphere's biggest open ocean kitesurfing events

  • Supported by the State Government through Tourism WA 

One of the biggest kitesurfing races in the Southern Hemisphere, the Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton, returns to Western Australia this weekend.

Tourism Minister Liza Harvey said 110 local, national and international competitors would race from Phillip Point, near Kingstown on Rottnest Island, across the Indian Ocean and the Gage Roads channel, to the finish line at Leighton Beach.

"The race is expected to provide some tough competition as participants try to break the record of 23 minutes and 50 seconds, set by Australia's Marvin Baumeister last year," Mrs Harvey said.

Mr Baumeister, who is ranked six in the world, will be competing again in 2014.  He will be joined by female world champion Steph Bridge from the UK and her son Olly, who is world number three.

"It's a testament to this event and the unique backdrop offered by WA, that past champions return to compete each year," the Minister said.

The Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton is proudly supported by the State Government, through Tourism WA.

Mrs Harvey said the Government was proud to support a range of sporting, arts, cultural and culinary events across the State.

"Events play an important role in helping us to increase the value of tourism in WA to $12 billion by 2020," she said.

"During the last financial year, WA events contributed $1.3 billion in visitor spend and we hope to double this figure by 2020."

       Fact File

Minister's office - 6552 5900