WORLD’S FIRST KITEFOIL ACADEMY
By Rossland Telegraph
Unique partnership launched to train world class Kitefoil athletes: Red Mountain Academy and 4 Elements Kiteboarding are excited to announce the creation of the world’s first Kitefoil Academy.
The Red Mountain Kitefoiling Academy provides an exceptional kitefoiling and training program as well as an individual athlete advancement plan in a competitive, emotionally and physically healthy atmosphere that will help each athlete mature and reach his or her maximum potential as a kitefoiler and young adult.
Kitefoiling is to become a full Olympic sailing event after World Sailing’s (WS) Council approved a submission that will see athletes take the stage at the Paris 2024 Games. The Red Mountain Academy athletes will focus on Kitefoil racing, but will also have lots of time to practice freeride sailing.
The athletes will spend 5 months in Rossland (September to October, and April to June), studying at Seven Summits Centre for Learning and attending dryland training, including: swim training, gymnastics, mountain biking and running. Weekends will be spent kiting on Kootenay Lake near Nelson, with the potential for trips to Hood River and the Okanagan too.
Then the students will move to La Ventana Mexico (November to March) where they will be able to kite on a daily basis and train with 4 Elements Kiteboarding.
4 Elements Kiteboarding’s head coach is Xantos Villegas, whose passion for sharing his knowledge around the sport is why he has been coaching for 11 years. As an IKO level 2 certified instructor, he combines advanced progression techniques with his extensive knowledge as a professional athlete. Xantos is currently ranked 8th in the Kitefoil World Series Standings.
Deanne Steven said that “This is an exceptional opportunity for athletes to complete high school while also allowing them to train full time. We are excited to be able to put together this opportunity to create world class athletes in this growing sport.”
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