Thailand’s Naprichit Pudla defies gravity with a jaw-dropping backflip in the Freestyle division of the ICTSI-Philippine Kiteboarding Tour Season 11 kickoff leg in Calatagan, Batangas. The opening leg underscored the growing depth of Filipino talent –a testament to the Philippine Kiteboarding Association’s sustained grassroots and development programs. (Contributed photo)
The winds of Calatagan once again proved why the Philippines is fast becoming a force in Asian kiteboarding, as Thailand’s Naprichit Pudla and Estonia’s Trina Trei ruled the freestyle division of the ICTSI-Philippine Kiteboarding Tour (PKT) Season 11 kickoff leg in Batangas.
Pudla and Trei turned the beachfront into an aerial showcase, landing gravity-defying handle passes, towering spins, and razor-sharp flips that drew cheers from spectators lining the coast. Their performances set the tone for the three-stage circuit, establishing an early benchmark for the season’s title chase.
But beyond the podium finishes, the opening leg told a bigger story — one of a nation steadily building its credentials in the sport.
The event highlighted the deepening pool of Filipino talent, a development the Philippine Kiteboarding Association attributes to years of structured grassroots and athlete development initiatives. From youth clinics to competitive circuits, the PKT has become more than a tournament — it has evolved into a proving ground.
That progress was underscored on the regional stage when Waner Janoya captured bronze in Foil Racing at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand. The medal signaled a breakthrough moment for Philippine kiteboarding, proving local riders can contend with Southeast Asia’s elite.
“Kiteboarding in the Philippines has evolved from a niche hobby into a serious competitive sport where Filipinos can truly shine on the world stage. Seeing athletes like Janoya win a SEA Games medal validates everything we are building,” Philippine Kiteboarding Association president Jay Ortiz said.
Ortiz emphasized that the PKT remains central to that upward trajectory.
“The PKT is the heartbeat of our development program. It’s where we discover and hone the next generation of champions — from our 50-plus Grandmasters to our Novice riders. At the same time, we are promoting the Philippines as a top-tier sports tourism destination with world-class conditions,” he said.
While freestyle commanded the spotlight in Calatagan, titles were also contested in Hangtime, Twin Tip Racing, and Foil Racing. Divisions for men’s and women’s Grandmasters (50+) and Novice riders further reinforced the tour’s inclusive structure — a deliberate pathway that bridges grassroots participation and elite-level competition.
With Janoya’s SEA Games podium finish fueling belief and international riders raising the competitive bar, Season 11 of the PKT begins not just as a domestic tour, but as a statement. The Philippines is no longer just hosting world-class kiteboarding events — it is producing athletes capable of winning them.