The inaugural BVI Kite Jam taking place March 1-5, 2010, will be a unique kite boarding experience and internationally renowned affair presented by the BVI Tourist Board and will include Sir Richard Branson’s Necker Island. Richard Branson, an avid kite boarder himself, conceived of the event after staging an impromptu race between Necker Island and Anegada with friends.

BVI Kite Jam will be a five-day event aimed at building awareness of the destination to the international kite boarding community and will highlight BVI as a Mecca for this growing sport. BVI, an archipelago of some 60 idyllic islands, islets and cays in the North Eastern Caribbean, provides the perfect weather conditions and winds necessary for kite boarding.

The event will bring together amateurs and professionals alike such as Susi Mai, with visual competitions, demonstrations, and technique clinics, taking place in key locations including Necker Island, the North Sound, Virgin Gorda and Anegada.

“BVI Kite Jam will be a unique annual sporting and lifestyle event showcasing BVI’s beauty, charm and sophistication. We’re thrilled to have the tremendous support of Necker Island, a huge believer of BVI Kite Jam and advocate for the growing kite boarding community, in our inaugural year,” says Myron Walwyn, Chairman of the BVI Tourist Board. “We can’t wait to bring together kite boarding athletes, first-timers, sports enthusiasts and VIPs for this exciting event and shed light on this burgeoning water sport.”

BVI Kite Jam will kick off the festivities on February 27th with a VIP Party at the Fat Virgin Cafe on Virgin Gorda. Additional events, competitions, parties and meals will be hosted at Necker Island, Bitter End Yacht Club, Anegada and Moskito Island for Kite Jam participants throughout the five days.

In addition, the event will support green and eco-friendly operations by obtaining a “Sailors for the Sea,” Clean Regatta Certification in conjunction with BVI Kite Jam accommodation partner Sunsail Yachts. Clean Regattas is a third party certification program that helps regattas, yacht clubs and sailing programs voluntarily achieve higher environmental standards. Other high-profile sponsors include, Bitter End Yacht Club, Cape Air, Green Technology BVI, Sunsail, Delta Petroleum, Coors Light and others.

From seasoned pros, intermediates and beginners, all athletic levels are welcome to participate! Potential “KITE JAMMERS” just need to register online at the official BVI Kite Jam website, www.bvikitejam.com. Participation fees include accommodations on Sunsail Catamarans, lunches, dinners, festivities and more. Fee costs, additional amenities and restriction details can be found on the event’s website.

Below is an outline of daily event activities for participants including a little relaxation time built in for fun in the sun!

March 1 - Early morning free-kiting session for first timers, late morning competition “Round Necker Island Race” for amateurs and pros; Lunch and relaxation on Necker Beach. Afternoon competition in the Eustacia Sound consisting of either heat-run freestyle, sliders or big air depending on weather.

March 2 - Morning race to Anegada with 12 miles of thigh burning endurance rewarded with a sumptuous lunch at Pomato Point on Anegada. Alternatively, spend the afternoon onboard a catamaran for a sail following the kiters.

Afternoon/evening events at Pomato Point or Cow Wreck beach take riders through mangroves and waist deep water stretching almost a mile out to sea or riders can head over to the North-western corner for wave or freestyle action; followed by a BBQ dinner and party at Anegada Reef Hotel.

March 3 - In the morning follow the wind west-ward to Cow Wreck beach for the opportunity to kite through the most spectacular bay in the BVI’s known as Windlass Bight. This bay provides a flat-water playground and offers experienced riders good quality waves outside the reef. Lunch at the beautiful Cow Wreck beach.

Afternoon/evening event consists of a trip to West End for world-class wave riding and/or freestyle competition at Cow Wreck; dinner and party at The Whistling Pines.

March 4 - Early morning yacht race back to the North Sound area. Free kiting on arrival followed by lunch at Bitter End Yacht Club. Afternoon/Evening includes a full afternoon of competition including fancy dress kite boarding and technique clinics with the pro’s between heats; dinner and party at the Bitter End Yacht Club.

March 5 - Morning includes more competition and technique clinics on Necker Island followed by lunch on Necker’s Sand Spit.

Afternoon/evening finals includes pro rider showdown followed by Grand Prize awards; dinner and closing party on Sir Richard Branson’s Moskito Island.

March 6 - All competitors sail back to Tortola and disembark yachts.

For more information and to register for the event, please visit www.bvikitejam.com.