THE RED BULL LIGHTHOUSE TO LEIGHTON FROM ROTTNEST ISLAND

The Southern Hemisphere’s #1 kiteboarding race, the Red Bull Lighthouse to Leighton from Rottnest Island, returns on 8 December and you can be a part of the fun by heading down to the beach to cheer on the 135 competitors as they race to shore.

Now in its 9th year, the race is a ‘must do’ for serious kiters who take on the 19km open ocean course from Rottnest Island to Leighton Beach, Fremantle.

Mother and son Olly and Steph Bridge won last year’s race in 17 knot winds and clear skies. The local and international kiteboarding community will be vying to beat the race record of 19 minutes and three seconds, set by Frenchman Nico Parlier in 2016.

In good conditions, the kiteboarders will be faster than the Rottnest Express ferries so we recommend getting to the beach in plenty of time to enjoy the party and live commentary and see the winners receive their trophies. There’s more than $5000 in prize money up for grabs. Look out for the Red Bull wig wams on the beach.