It’s that time of the year again and we are STOKED! F-One & Manera Brands will be attending this years 16th Annual Pismo Kitexpo on Pismo State Beach in California April 13-15, 2018! This is a yearly favorite for us and is the biggest expo style demo on the West Coast. Hands on, touch it, feel it, try it and check it out in person!
Year after year our turn out has been spectacular featuring all the top brands in the industry and tons of passionate kiters all in one place. Mark your calendar for April 13-15th to come test out every piece of gear imaginable.
Manera Exo & Union Harnesses, F-one Bandit, Furtive, Breeze and Diablo kites with the new 2018 LINX bar which is a game changer for F-One creating the best possible connection to your kite. Trax & WTF Twin Tips in various sizes along with our Mitu, Slice & Signature directional surfboards.
Event brought to you by The Kiteboarder Magazine and in honor of Kinsley! Complete Pismo Beach Kitexpo Event details below.
16th Annual XBA Pismo Beach Kitexpo
The Pismo Kitexpo is now called the XBA Kitexpo, in honor of founder Kinsley ThomasWong of XtremeBigAir (XBA). In celebration of Kinsley’s love for the ocean and his desire to share his stoke, Kitexpo now benefits the Oceano Junior Lifeguards summer program which introduces young people to aquatic recreational opportunities and is designed to improve participant’s physical conditioning and understanding of the environment while gaining respect for themselves and others. As many of us watermen and women know, a program like this changes lives! When we can get kids excited about the ocean, they will in turn respect it and it’s inhabitants. This program runs during the month of July.
WHERE: Pismo/Grover Beach, California, North of Grand Ave Beach Access Entrance
WHEN: April 13-15, 2018
TIME: 12p to 5p daily (registration 10:30a-3p except Sunday,12p to 2p)
April 13: #Live Like Kinsley Dinner/Band to benefit Oceano Jr Lifeguard Summer Program, 7p -10p
In memory of Kinsley ThomasWong and in the spirit of continuing his love for getting together with friends and family and spreading stoke, the XBA Kitexpo dinner is now a benefit to provide scholarships for underprivledged kids who want to participate in the Oceano Jr. Lifeguard’s Summer Program. Details coming but we are trying to do this at Fin’s, the restaurant located at the Grand Avenue beach access entrance.
April 13-15: KiteXPO demos 12pm to 5pm
New for 2018: Due to increasing event costs, Kitexpo must now charge a fee. We are determining what it will be but it will not be over $20USD per person. Details coming…
Must be intermediate level or better kiteboarder/surfer/SUPer, comfortable in crowds, able to do basic tricks/self rescue, sign waiver and provide CC info (VISA/MC only) to demo kiteboarding and/or SUP gear. Registration is 10:30a-3p Fri and Saturday and noon to 2p Sunday.
Kitexpo demo participants will get a plastic card with participating vendor logos on it. This card will come with a zip tie that you can loop around your harness or wetsuit zipper. Request a sticker from each vendor you demo.
Demo participants will also get a raffle ticket when registering. Demo participants only are participating in a contest to see who can demo all the vendors. The raffle ticket is good for the smaller prizes of $100 or less. Raffle details/drawing days/time TBD. Participants that demo all brands need to submit their card to registration with their name/number written on the back by 5p SATURDAY WHEN REGISTRATION CLOSES to be eligible for a special raffle drawing on Sunday, time TBD.
Please take note of the NO KITING PAST PIER AVE/POLE 6 RULE March 1-Sept 30 due to snowy plovers or you risk getting a hefty ticket! Official rules
April 14: Beach BBQ/Bonfire 6p-10p
Light it up! The Oceano Jr. Lifeguards and friends will be cooking up a storm to help raise funds for their summer program. Tickets are sold at the event only on a first come, first serve basis (only 125 tickets!). BBQ will be at the event site picnic area, in front of registration, followed by our traditional beach bonfire.
Interested in donating something toward the raffle & silent auction? Email marina@thekiteboarder.com
LODGING
For lodging information, visit www.classiccalifornia.com We suggest anything in the Pismo Beach or Grover Beach areas. Arroyo Grande, Shell Beach and Avila Beach are within 10-15 minutes of event site.
Thanks to LUV2CAMP for providing us with our registration trailer — check them out! www.luv2camp.com
