The Luderitz Speed Challenge, which has become a highlight on the international speed surfing calendar takes place for the eighth successive year from Monday, 6 October till 2 November 2014.
The event has gathered the best windsurfers and kite surfers from all over the world since 2007 and seen a remarkable 11 world and 64 national records smashed in the ensuing years.
The event is unique in the world and is the place where the famous 50 knot and 100kph barriers have been overtaken on the water.
In 2008, the French kitesurfer Sebastian Cattelan broke the 50 knot barrier for the first time with a speed of 50,26 knots, which translated to 92,6km per hour.
Two years later, another French kitesurfer Alexandre Caizergues broke the 100kph barrier for the first time with a speed of 54,10 knots, but his record did not last long as Cattelan reached 55,49 knots and American kitesurfer Rob Douglas 55,65 knots in the same year.
This year, 33 competitors from 17 nations such as France, Switzerland, Russia, Germany, Sweden, Italy, United Kingdom, South Africa and Namibia will be in action as they once again aim to set new national and world records.
At last year's event, during the six weeks of competition, 58 riders took part and 2005 completed runs were recorded at a total of 70 hours 15 minutes of racing.
This year's event will see two windsurfing legends - Thierry Bielak and Erik Beale, who held the speed world records in the Nineties - in action, while a disabled sailor, Chris Ballois from France, will also participate for the first time.
Extreme surfer Chris Bertish from South Africa, who won the extreme Mavericks big wave competition in 2010, riding 50 foot waves, will also be in action, as well as numerous national and world record holders.
According to Sophie Routaboulle, co-organiser of the Luderitz Speed Challenge, research and development of the canal continues to improve each year due to relevant feedback from competitors, with the aim of maximising the canal's conditions to gain faster speeds in less wind.
"The spirit of this unique event is to share, learn and compete in a community. This country is exactly the area where this atmosphere is largely felt everywhere. Performance and collectivity is our aim," she said.
"Lüderitz, and Namibia, has become a place which has revolutionised our sport. It has inspired the speed industry all over the world and has pushed other events and grown the interest in our sport in general," she added.
According to Routaboulle, their community of speed riders promote the sport and share their passion and skills with local children in Luderitz.
"In this wonderful and unique union, event after annual event, a special relationship has formed joining two very different worlds. We are convinced that the 2014 event will be equally if not more exciting and exhilarating than previous Lüderitz Speed Challenge events," she said.
The event has gathered the best windsurfers and kite surfers from all over the world since 2007 and seen a remarkable 11 world and 64 national records smashed in the ensuing years.
The event is unique in the world and is the place where the famous 50 knot and 100kph barriers have been overtaken on the water.
In 2008, the French kitesurfer Sebastian Cattelan broke the 50 knot barrier for the first time with a speed of 50,26 knots, which translated to 92,6km per hour.
Two years later, another French kitesurfer Alexandre Caizergues broke the 100kph barrier for the first time with a speed of 54,10 knots, but his record did not last long as Cattelan reached 55,49 knots and American kitesurfer Rob Douglas 55,65 knots in the same year.
This year, 33 competitors from 17 nations such as France, Switzerland, Russia, Germany, Sweden, Italy, United Kingdom, South Africa and Namibia will be in action as they once again aim to set new national and world records.
At last year's event, during the six weeks of competition, 58 riders took part and 2005 completed runs were recorded at a total of 70 hours 15 minutes of racing.
This year's event will see two windsurfing legends - Thierry Bielak and Erik Beale, who held the speed world records in the Nineties - in action, while a disabled sailor, Chris Ballois from France, will also participate for the first time.
Extreme surfer Chris Bertish from South Africa, who won the extreme Mavericks big wave competition in 2010, riding 50 foot waves, will also be in action, as well as numerous national and world record holders.
According to Sophie Routaboulle, co-organiser of the Luderitz Speed Challenge, research and development of the canal continues to improve each year due to relevant feedback from competitors, with the aim of maximising the canal's conditions to gain faster speeds in less wind.
"The spirit of this unique event is to share, learn and compete in a community. This country is exactly the area where this atmosphere is largely felt everywhere. Performance and collectivity is our aim," she said.
"Lüderitz, and Namibia, has become a place which has revolutionised our sport. It has inspired the speed industry all over the world and has pushed other events and grown the interest in our sport in general," she added.
According to Routaboulle, their community of speed riders promote the sport and share their passion and skills with local children in Luderitz.
"In this wonderful and unique union, event after annual event, a special relationship has formed joining two very different worlds. We are convinced that the 2014 event will be equally if not more exciting and exhilarating than previous Lüderitz Speed Challenge events," she said.
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