Non, Tio soar in Phl Kiteboarding Tour

MANILA, Philippines - Julius Non and young Christian Tio bested a tough international field with top-notch acts to rule their respective divisions and lead the winners in the inaugural Philippine Kiteboarding Tour in Playa Calatagan, Batangas over the weekend.

Non, of Soloviento-Lake Caliraya fleet and a full-time kiteboarding instructor, lorded it over a field of 30 top kiteboarders from Australia, Switzerland and Norway and Manila, Boracay, Palawan, Davao, Puerto Galera and Caliraya to dominate the Twin Tip Course Race.

Boracay’s Jing Gajisan took the women’s crown while Manila-based kiteboarder Carlo Leongson topped the Masters class in the event organized by the newly formed Philippine Kiteboarding Association.

Tio, a 12-year-old Norwegian find and member of the powerhouse Boracay team, also took the spotlight as he bested his rivals to bag the Freestyle crown in the men’s class of the event backed by Cabrinha Kiteboarding, Lanco, Aloha Boardsports, Stoked Inc., Stilts Calatagan, Aee sports camera, JAC transport and Beautiful Batangas through the office of Vice Gov. Marc Leviste.

Tio, who took up the sport at 7, is coming off a top 10 finish in the PKRA Kiteboarding Freestyle Junior World Championship in Spain.

Aussie Ali Dudfield took the ladies Freestyle title in the three-day event which kicked off a five-leg circuit staged to put up a formal venue for honing up Filipino kiteboarders whose skills are at par with international competitors. 

Reynard Gajisan, also of Team Boracay and a Kiteboard Tour Asia campaigner, dazzled the crowd with a breathtaking performance as he copped the Cabrinha Hangtime Challenge plum.

Meanwhile, kiteboarding shifts to Vigan, Ilocos Sur when the second leg is held Dec. 6-8. Boracay and Caliraya will host the next two stops on Jan. 3-5 and Feb. 7-9, respectively, before the tour winds up in Puerto Princesa on May 7-9. For details, visit Philippine Kiteboarding Association page on Facebook.