I met Dilsiri, one of the two owners of Kitesurfing Lanka, back in 2012 before they opened their resort. It was one of the first ones in Kalpitiya and since then, I could feel Dilsiri’s illusion and motivation, not just for the sport, but to accommodate people and show them his beautiful country of Sri Lanka.
In the last years, I have been often back, for work in kite factories and for our camps and I could see how his business was flourishing each year more. Creating a small oasis for backpackers and solo travellers. Really impressive and a great job!
KSL had a double hit with the April Bombings in 2019. When COVID hit Sri Lanka, KSL had to take immediate cost-cutting actions and embrace for a difficult summer season. While they retained all staff, all of them took a pay cut in order to stretch the reserves they had for the unforeseeable future. Presently KSL is stable however their newer sister kite camp on the Adams Bridge Mannar, Vayu is having a more difficult time.
Founded year: 2012
Nr. of Employees: 50
Affected by COVID-19: All 50
KSL stopped all activities but committed to take cate of the employees and their families through the COVID-19 pandemic. Not an easy task with this amount of staff.
They halted all constructions and tried to reduce all costs. Also, KSL started a fundraising action which should support the employees and their families.
Today, they actually already reached their aim, which is fantastic! It also says a lot about the kitesurfing community!
They hope that tourism will be recovered by May 2021… and we can only hope that it happens even before that!
Let’s move to Germany now. Some of you might think that Germany does not has really a sea or place to kitesurfing, but actually do! There are even several islands with great conditions.
Original drawing of the ancestral home at Talangama, Built in 1928 by DLW Extract from the burial register. St Matthew`s church cemetery
Tomb stone of Beatrice Welikala eldest daughter of DLW , died at the age of 10. Tomb stone of Wife of DLW. Pls note the name Colombatantrige. (common grave)
When Leo and myself started KSL, we did a 1 page Word document that highlighted values we would like to inculcate through our business. One of the key aspects was COMMUNITY. As ordinary individuals we had no big savings or financial backing. We did have people who believed in us. Friends and families who through our association believed in helping us achieve our \crazy' dream of a creating a kitesurfing community in Sri Lanka.
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I remember our long term kitesurfing friends offering us a loan to start our business, I remember the middle income Sri Lankan gentlemen who on experiencing what we have started offered part of his life savings,, I remember our families giving their savings. Trust in 2 individuals with the belief that we could do something extraordinary.
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We fast forward to the present. Many people who experienced KSL are amazed at the hospitality and kindness of our team. Some even ask me why. All I say is I am very grateful. There were people who supported us in a time of need and in their name we carry this legacy of hospitality and kindness. Our lives are too short to amass wealth and status - rather lets lift each other up and give self worth to all.
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Covid has made us all question many things - about ourselves, our lives, our world. A personal struggle for me was questioning whether I had failed as a businessman. We survived the troubles last year and we simple didn't have the reserves to survive another. Had I mad a bad decision somehow? It was then, with our team we reached out to our community for help by means of a fundraiser. The response blew us away. We were amazed at how many people contributed, shared and spread the post around. People contacted me personally, some did not have money but they assured me with their thoughts and prayers which were strenght in itself. Around two and half weeks later we exceeded the campaign goal.
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As in the start of KSL, this time we had more help come in the form of a interest free loan by guests to help us cover our bank loans! Another example of persons putting their savings to help a total outsider. I was so grateful to the God above.
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Through all this the biggest lesson I have learnt that it is not just Leo or myself that 'own' KSL. We are simply the 'trustees' of an amazing community of people. KSL is ours. Ours meaning YOU who have supported us by sharing in our experience; be it by supporting us financially, staying here with us as a guest, creating a mural/ painting, planting a mangrove or tree, serving in the team or as a guest musician, by prayer support or giving us a suggestion. I am more motivated to continue to be a blessing to others - people and community - in the name of you who supported and kept KSL afloat during the hardest of years of our existence.
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As I write this, I work on a proposal to grow more mangroves and create an educational center, regrow more trees on our beach property, talk about potential waste management apps and solutions and say yes to talk to Management Trainees in the Corporate Sector via Zoom. My life would never be the same. I am encouraged by the goodness in people and now on a mission, more than ever before to use the tool of Kitesurfing Lanka to make a positive change in our community, country and world.
Its a tough tough time for all of us. We really need your help to generate funds to sustain our staff. Most of you know how KSL has transformed many lives for the better.
Do help us sustain our staff and continue the legacy of Kalpitiya.
The joys of Kitesurfing still havent subsided. We still love kiting, sharing our kites and even taken shots of people kiting! Kiting is a community sport for sure and our community at Kitesurfing Lanka just keeps growing :)
I started Kitesurfing just by chance when my friend Previne invited me to join a ‘kitesurfing camp’. It was the 1stin Kalpitiya. I saved money, attended the camp. I couldn’t quite afford lessons, so once I came back to Colombo I managed to get some money, buy a kite and be taught the sport by Mischi Walter.
The sport took over my life, I gave up playing competitive sports – Rugby, Hockey was out, Kitesurfing was in! Every weekend I took a bus – 8 hours to Kalpitiya amidst bomb scares and checkpoints. This was in 2008 and the civil war was still on.
I remember being arrested for kitesurfing in restricted areas, I remember being chased by a Navy Gun Boat for having strayed onto the high-security zones in Colombo. I remember how crazy we were wanting to be the first to kitesurf in all of Sri Lanka in all the different locations. We felt like explorers, adventurers.
At work, Monday to Friday, I dreamt of kiting. My bosses were quite cool giving me a chance to kite during ‘office hours’ on the condition I get the work done later on. The stars seem to align to support my passion. I started blogging, got into magazines, TV, billboards.
THE BEGINNING OF KSL
Leo and I met randomly through my blog Kitesurfing Sri Lanka. We did some trips, we became friends. Around 3 years later, we randomly chatted on google and decided let’s take the plunge and start a business. I got a break from my corporate life, and with the savings we rented a hotel. Year 1 started with 15 persons in rented premises. We have our Series 1 Land Rover as the support vehicle – I remember we snapped the chassis carrying too much weight on it!
We cleaned, cooked and did all. Fast forward Leo and I have Kitesurfing Lanka in Kalpitiya and Vayu Mannar – which incidentally was the very place I kited for the first time in 2009. We directly employ around 60 persons and impact 2 communities. Today the World Number 3 Paula Novotna is staying in our camp, along with Red Bull King of the Air Champ Aurélien Pétreau and the 8 time World Snow Kite Champ Guillaume Chastagnol!
SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY
Just yesterday, I read a post from the President of the Local Fishing Community, Sugath; he thanked us for the support – we made a conscious decision from year 1 to outsource services to the village – so they can earn a living through support services to our business. To this day, KSL does not own a truck, van or boat – all these are provided by the village.
I wonder how we did it, no money, help just from family and friends and we created something huge. I am truly grateful to serve and make a difference through this sport and business. I hope you will be part of our story.
Mannar Island. Sri Lanka's first sea port, the place of the Rama's Bridge also known as Adams Bridge, a Mecca for Bird Life and now Sri Lankas next big Kitesurfing Destination.
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If you browse through the posts on this blog you will see me actually kiting her for the first time - literally first time ever on the Adams Bridge, thanks to the help of Commander Priyantha. Fast forward also 8 years, we have a unique rustic kite camp on the doorstep to the Adams' Bridge.
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Vayu Kite School & Resort: Mannar Island, Sri Lanka from Kitesurfing Lanka on Vimeo.
Its quite cool being here as one of the first tourism setups. This area was never developed due to the civil war. The community continues to be of poor fishing communities. HOWEVER, kitesurfing will be an avenue out of the poverty. We already have Roy, Mannar's first local kiter! Soon we will get others on the board from the village.
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Marine pollution that comes from India has really damaged the environment here, however we take it upon ourselves to make a change through inspiration from the precious plastics movement. More information on this out soon.
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Finally, after two years, I (Gianna) am back in Sri Lanka – the country I feel so connected to. My passion for kitesurfing and motivation to make a difference brought me back to palm tree paradise.
Kitesurfing Lanka Entrance
My team and I will start our first upcycling project here. So we partnered up with people who share our vision and mission and were willing to support our initiative. I would shortly like to introduce our team which comprises Isabella, Fabian, Lisa, Johanna and me. We found each other through our will to fight against plastic pollution. Initially, we knew each other through our studies, work or friends. Today we are connected by our vision to upcycle plastic waste into useful products and thereby help to overcome poverty in developing countries. I would shortly introduce the team;
Isabella (Head of Product Design):
With her experience in product design, Isa gives our products the final touch. She is our creative link between technical implementation and design.
Fabian (Head of Product Development):
With his experience in engineering, Fabian is responsible for the development of our products and technical implementation.
Johanna (Head of Marketing):
Our social media, PR and online marketing guru is among our creative minds, bringing colour, variety, new approaches and innovative ideas to the team.
Lisa (Head of Business Development and Partnerships):
Provides answers to the questions of contact and customer management, as well as strategy development and operational procedures.
Me – Gianna (CEO):
I represent and coordinate our team, combine technical and economic requirements and I am responsible for our financial survival. For more information please see our team page.
Also, there is our official business partner Dilsiri Welikala: Dil is much more than just our business partner though, he is our biggest fan, friend and enabler. He is co-owner of two kitesurf camps – Kitesurfing Lanka and Vayu Kitecamp and closely involved in the success of our first project.
Dilsiri Welikala
Four years ago, Dil and I crossed paths when I first visited Sri Lanka and stayed at his and his partners´ (Leo) camp, Kitesurfing Lanka. His passion for kitesurfing, the environment and people motivates him to make a change and develop opportunities to do so. When he figured out we were setting up plastic recycling projects, we reconnected and he offered us the opportunity to set up our first project in Sri Lanka. Together with a great team of people, I am fully confident that this project is going to be a great success. We are all eager to give back and promote plastic recycling and education – we are spreading our vision of #turningplasticintovisions
With an
opening day registration of over 60 riders from 13 countries, the KTA Sri Lanka
was shaping up to be the event everyone was hoping for.
The event
set to take place on the stunning flat water freestyle heaven at Kalpitiya, was
already seeing the wind being to fill in, even before the last rider had
checked in.
Sponsored
by the Sri Lanka Tourism Ministry and supported by the kite schools from the
Kalpitiya Windsports Club, the first day of the KTA Sri Lanka was designated
for the Sri Lanka Freestyle X National Championships. It was the event start
that is sure to set the scene for the rest of the week, as the local riders
showed the international riders how to throw-down on their home turf.
Freestyle
X, the freeride competition format developed by the KTA, allows riders to mix
together their old and new school moves to show off the best of what it means
to be a freestyle rider. It is a format that perfectly suits the strong Sri
Lankan conditions, allowing riders to boost their old school moves and power
the new.
The wind
throughout the day pushed up to between 20 -25kts, meaning that even though
riding conditions were not at all times stable, it certainly set the challenge
and showed the judges who had the best all round ability.
With an
awesome mix of deadmen, handle passes, kiteloops, F16’s and board offs of every
variety, the early heats of the Sri Lanka Freestyle X National Championships
began to unfold. Local friends and rivals alike pushed each other to perform at
their best and although of course not every rider would make it through to the
later stages, they showed the impressive level Sri Lankan kiters have now
reached.
In the
final stages though, the showdowns would be played out between Samara Priyanka
andGihan Anurudda Mihdukulasuriya in
the first semi, withAmjath Nasar andAnishka Dinel in the second.
For
Priyanka and Mihdukulasuriya the wind was perhaps at its flukiest of the day,
with lulls popping up throughout the heat making it difficult for the riders to
time their moves and gain a lot of height in their old school moves. In the end
though Priyanka’s better constancy would take him through to the finals.
For the
second semi the wind was back to full power and both riders were able to show
their best. Nasar was able to initially catch the eye of the judge with a
smooth range of well boosted old school moves that seem to put him in front of
his opponent. Dinel however fought back and in the end it would be his overall
constancy that would carry him through
The
runners-up final began in the same vein as the semi’s, but unfortunately at the
halfway point Nasar’s slammed in a hard landing and his board snapped in two.
Although after this Nasar was taken a replacement board by the rescue team,
this is under the rules seen as outside assistance and gave the win to
Mihdukulasuriya.
In the
finals, Dinel open his account with powerful deadman front roll, only to be
countered by a big board off switch, F16 and back-roll handlepass from
Priyanka. Dinel held his nerve though finishing with some powerful wake style
tricks, while Priyanka pushed perhaps a little too hard and failed to land his
final rush of moves, giving in the end the Sri Lanka Freestyle X National
Championships to Dinel.
Today has a
seen a classic start to a freestyle event, high standards and hard fought
competition that with the wind forecast to remain at this level throughout the
week, we can look forward to a lot more top level kiting as the international
riders get set to join the proceedings.
Sri Lanka National Championship Results
1Anishka Dinel
2Samara Priyanka
3Amjath Nasar
4Gihan Anurudda Mihdukulasuriya
2018 Asian Freestyle X Championships
KTA Sri
Lanka and the pumping winds have brought us to the much anticipated Asian
Freestyle X Championships, the main event of the week here in Sri Lanka.
The riders
are now all very tuned into the conditions at the Kalpitiya lagoon and ready
for the day’s competition. The wind as it has been all week was averaging
around the 20kt mark with just a few gusts and lulls throw in to unsettle the
competitors. Unfortunately though in these conditions have taken their toll on
a few of the riders and several of the first heats out on the water today were
in effect by’s as injured riders were unable to compete. In this situation the
rules still require their opponent to take to the water and complete one
scoring jump, to justify the win.
But then
with the admin rounds dealt with, the competition took off for real, with two
rounds of heats that saw riders giving their all once again in the cut and
trust of Freestyle X.Strong performances
from Sri Lanka’s Mohamed Althaf, Ajmal Nasar and Anishka Dinel, along once
again saw these local riders progressing well through the early rounds. Their
run though was brought to an end by Vietnam’s Phu Phoang Lai, the Philippines
Mark Magliqiuan and Thailand’s Yo Narapitchit Pudla and Prawit Buachatturat.
The latter
group of riders were now through to the semi-final rounds, each with their
sights set on the championship title. It was though the turn of the women to
take to the water and settle who would be their 2018 champion.
The women’s
combined final would feature Japan’s Aya Oshima, Turkey’s Elif Taluy and Thai
riders Fon Benyapa Jantawan, and Tatsanee Phisin. The outcome however was not
to be a repeat of the International Open earlier in the week, as Taluy and
Jantawan were edged out by Phisin and Oshima.
Phisin in
particular had a blinding final, landing powerful new school moves and high
well timed old school tricks that showed her confidence had grown over the
week’s competition. However, the experience and skill of Oshima proved
unstoppable, with her range of new school moves in particular leaving her
rivals in her wake. In the end there could only be one winner and for the 2018
Asian Championships, it was once again Japan’s Aya Oshima.
Attention
then moved back to the men’s group, as our semi-finalists battled it out to
grab their place in the finals. The final though would turn out to be an all
Thai affair as Pudla and Buachatturat held off the challenges of their rivals.
The Pudla / Magliqiuan semi-final was though in particular staggeringly close,
with only a 0.5 difference in the score between the two.
Magliquian
would though pick up the bronze medal podium slot, after his runner-up finals
with Vietnam’s Phoang Lai, who’s early form of the week deserted him this time.
In particular Phoang Lai failed to land two attempts at his normally rock solid
slim chance and this seem to throw him of course a little. Magliquian though
was still on a roll from his near defeat of Pudla and really did not put a foot
wrong to take the win.
The men’s
2018 Asian Freestyle X final, would open with both riders matching each other
move for move as they rolled out big one-foot front rolls, boar spins and
313/s. At this point with things more or less evenly matched, Pudla’s power
began to tell and he started to pull away from Magliquian, ending of course
with a massive well anticipated X5 front loop.
And with
that, Yo Narapichit Pudla was once again Asian champion - although even as he
admitted it was a bit of a surprise that at 31 years old he was still top of
the pile.
Both the
men’s and women’s finals had lived up to the high level expectations for the
KTA Sri Lanka. Both reigning champions had retained their crowns, but it was
good to see the rising level of talent chasing them hard, ensuring many good
years of freestyle competition are to be anticipated in the coming years.
Asian
Freestyle X Championship Results
MenWomen
1Yo Narapitchit Pudla (THA)Aya
Oshima (JPN)
2Prawit Buachatturat (THA)Tatsanee
Phisin (THA)
3Mark Magliqiuan (PHL)Elif
Taluy (TUR)
4Phu Phoang Lai (VNM)Fon
Benyapa Jantawan (THA)
ABOUT THE KTA
The KTA was
formed to give an international platform to the skills and talents of
kiteboarders throughout Asia, and to bring professional level competition and
training to the region. The KTA launched the first kiteboard event of its kind
in Asia in September 2009 and since then delivered over 50 international events
across Asia and Australasia ranging from National, to International and Asian
Championships, including World and Youth Olympic Qualifiers.
The KTA is
open to everyone from anywhere, amateur and pro riders alike. It is the one and
only officially Asian continental tour sanctioned by the International
Kiteboarding Association (IKA), the kitesurfing world governing body, which in
turn is the class representative to the International Sailing Federation (ISAF)
sanctioning international sailing competitions from world championship to
Olympic levels.
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