First world champs for Kiwi-born sport
26 Sep 2008
Wind sport enthusiasts from around the globe are gathering for the inaugural world championships of an unusual sport invented in New Zealand.
The 2008 World blokart Championships will be held at Papamoa in the Bay of Plenty from September 28 to October 4 with 87 competitors from 10 different countries expected to attend.
Blokarting or wind sailing, combines elements of hang-gliding, sailing and surfing to create a wind-powered cart that can travel at speeds of up to 93 kph.
From kiwi ingenuity to a world-wide craze
In true kiwi fashion, the first blokart was built in a backyard shed in Tauranga in 1999 by local inventor Paul Beckett.
Beckett wanted to create a wind-powered toy that was lightweight, portable and simple for people of all ages to use.
The first ever blokart was unveiled in 2000, so Beckett says he is delighted at how quickly the world has caught on to the sport.
''Blokart started from humble beginnings and now to be holding the inaugural world championships in Papamoa absolutely blows my mind,'' said Beckett.
Support for unique sport
Blokarters from as far afield as The Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, France, Spain, Japan, USA, the Caribbean and Australia will be battling it out for the title of world champion, and the competition’s sponsor says it is excited to be supporting such a unique sport.
''It is fantastic that competitors, both men and women, can jump in one of these blokarts and absolutely feel the thrill of high speed land sailing. We are proud of Kiwis continuing in their inventive, out-of-the-box and energetic attitude on life,'' says John Rosair, managing director of Kelloggs New Zealand.
Papamoa and Blokart Heaven
Papamoa is a picturesque beachside town in the Bay of Plenty just minutes away from popular tourist spot, Mount Maunganui. Well-known for its warm, windy summer months, Papamoa was seen as the ideal spot to develop for blokarting.
Blokart Heaven has been described as ‘where sailing meets speedway’. It is a 60m x 60m tar-sealed race course designed specifically for blokart racing. The wide open space allows karters 360° of wind in a safe environment.
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