The Scottish Power Kite Association

SPKA Race Day

Report on the 14th of December 2008 - West Sands, St. Andrews

Unfortunately for those attending the wind was just too light for racing to take place, luckily however its only another month to the next event!

SPKA St. Andrews Kite Festival

Report on the 30th of November 2008 - West Sands, St. Andrews

The St. Andrews Kite Festival this year was a huge success, instructors from around Scotland gave up their time to teach the public the basics of flying, while up on the grass in the arena various flyers displayed the variety of kitesports available including a large and attractive static kite display from the Kite Club of Scotland.

Although there were sub zero temperatures all day everyone enjoyed themselves and the day went off without a hitch and the day acheived its goal to promote safe and fun flying in Scotland

Huge thanks to all those who attended and supported the festival again this year.

Next years festival is already being planned so keep checking back!

Photos are available in the SPKA St. Andrews Kite Festival 2008 Album.

SPKA Race Day 3

Report on the 16th of November 2008 - West Sands, St. Andrews

The curse of light winds strikes again! On arrival at the beach everyone wrapped up warm in preparation for the day ahead. The wind was cross off at around 15mph and so everyone kitted up, registered, and on the beach by around 10.15am.

There was no-one interested in a practice race and so the series racing was underway immediately. A course was set up and altered slightly and then the flag dropped for the start of the race. Throughout the race the wind slowly decreased and by the end of it there were very few kites still in the air although there were some who persevered and showed that they wouldn't be beaten. Unfortunately due to the low winds and rising tide the day was called off around lunchtime. The final event of the year is at St. Andrews again and its hoped that it will prove more favourable with some typically wintery winds.

If you are interested in attaining a licence to race in the Scottish series then please take a look at the SPKA Buggy Licencing Page and get in touch at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., its free as long as you're a member so you lose nothing by coming along to give it a go!

Results to date available here: SPKA Annual Buggy Race Series 2008/9 Results

SPKA Race Days 1 + 2

Report on the 11th/12th of October 2008 - Sands Of Luce, Dumfries and Galloway

Well the season got kicked off in style this past weekend, flyers gathered and the wind and weather was suitable for racing both days. With an empty beach and cross off winds a technical course was set out on Saturday and was used for 2 30min races. On Sunday a similar course was set using more of the beach and due to the later start only 1 40min race was held and the day was finished at a reasonable time to allow everyone to get home and relax.

The facilities on the campsite and at the Hotel were excellent and will no doubt be recommended by all. A meal was arranged by Owain for Saturday night and it went off without a hitch, everyone was very impressed with the food, the relaxed company and the phones that were being shown off and tested...

A HUGE thanks to all those who marshalled and gave their time at the weekend, specifically Alan, James, Jim P, Jim McG and Joyce, without whom the racing would not go ahead.

Results are available here: SPKA Annual Buggy Race Series 2008/9 Results.

SPKA Summer Fly

Report on the 6th of July 2008 - West Sands, St. Andrews

Once again the Summer Fly drew kiters from across Scotland together for a BBQ and some enjoyable flying, however this year the weather managed to break with its sunny tradition in past years and the day was spent chatting and socialising under cover from the rain. The presentation went ahead however crowning Stuart McGougan the new number 1!

Sands of Luce Expedition

Report on the 28th/29th of June 2008 - Sands of Luce, Dumfries and Galloway

Various members of the SPKA appeared at Sands of Luce to try it out and evaluate it for future use and all were impressed by the locality and the beach itself after a days flying.

The Celtic Challenge

Report on 3rd/4th of May 2008 - Benone, Co. Londonderry, Ireland.

The first leg of the event was held across the water in Benone, a fabulously smooth beach. With a number of pilots ranging in experience competing it looked set to be a great event, however on Saturday the high winds and rain meant that there would be no racing. So in good spirit everyone went to the Benone complex for a BBQ (by this time the rain had stopped) and a friendly football match with some holidaying kids ensued, the end result? Kiters should really stick to what they're good at!

Sunday began much the same way although with slightly lighter winds, but slowly the rain became less frequent and the wind dropped to much more managable conditions and a race was called. As soon as the 15min countdown was started however, the rain began again, and continued until 2.30pm, and with the rain stopped the wind disappeared.

So the Celtic Cup could still go to either nation, it now falls to Scotland to provide the weather for the next round.

Report on 7th/8th of June 2008 - West Sands, St. Andrews, Scotland

Well after the lack of flying that was available in Ireland the Scottish leg proved significantly more successful. The fog on Saturday morning gave everyone a different experience to fly in in the light winds. Slowly the wind increased and the fog lifted to reveal a fantastic looking beach, with much more room to play than usual.

A quick introductory race went ahead to start with just after lunchtime, and then the first official race of the day got started. The tide came in swiftly and ended the day around 4pm letting everyone go back to the accomodation and great meal arranged by Joyce at the nearby Dunvegan Hotel's Claret Jug restaurant.

After a few (too many?) drinks everyone retired for the night to start fresh in the morning, on arrival at the beach there was a slightly lumpy 14-18mph offshore wind and bright sunshine and the first pilots briefing was called at 10.10am with the fun race followed by 3 official races all of which were mostly dominated by the Scottish pilots.

Overall the points were: Scotland 9, Ireland 43, meaning Scotland has won the 2008 Celtic Challenge by a large margin.

Celtic Challenge 2008 Results

The first two of the races held also enabled us to conclude the Scottish Annual Buggy Race Series 2008, this year won by Stuart McGougan.

All those who finished in the top 10 are now able to run their respective number if they wish on their number plates, and also have qualified to compete in the European Championships held this year in Gravelines, France. Congratulations to all! Another special mention must be made to Anne Downs who was the number 1 female pilot this year and managed to get into 10th place overall!

2007/2008 Scottish Annual Buggy Race Series Results

Prize giving for the Scottish Series will be held at the Summer Fly (see Here)

A huge thanks to all the marshals and organisors, particularly Joyce S and Jim H.

Photos can be found at:

The SPKA Gallery Celtic Challenge Album
Kevin Copelands Album
The Traction Kiting Gallery Celtic Challenge Album

And Alan Paynes video is available Here.

If you are interested in becomming a licenced buggy racer then check out the SPKA Buggy Pilots Licencing Information page and drop Jim the licencing officer an email: trainer @ spka.org (remove spaces).

Report on SPKA Race Day 3

11th of May 2008 - West Sands, St. Andrews, Fife.

Its about time the flyers of Scotland had a decent day on the beach! St. Andrews proved to be an unbeatable venue on Sunday, with winds ranging from 8mph up to 18mph during the day at different times the variation meant that kite choice was very important during the races.

The day showed a vast fleet wide improvement over the last few events, with very few managing low lap counts during the 5 series races that took place.

The introductory race also proved a success, with Stuart from 'up north' and Jim from Glasgow giving racing a go at the start of the day, the introductory race is likely to become a firm part of each race day from now on and will hopefully encourage more and more into the scene.

Congratulations have to be said to both of the new racers, as well as Alan Payne, who flew an almost flawless last race to take 1st position.

Thanks to all the marshals and officials who made the day possible: Bill, Jim, Joyce, Roger and Valerie, without whom there would most probably be no racing.

It is hoped that 2 of the races from the Celtic Challenge (info Here) will conclude the series this year, Saturdays first races will be used (wind permitting) and if no success is had on Saturday they will be held on Sunday.

Results are now available: SPKA Annual Buggy Racing Series 2008 Results

Report on SPKA Race Day (3) and Freestyle Day (1)

27th of April 2008 - West Sands, St. Andrews, Fife.

The days weather could not be more perfect, solid sunshine all day and onshore winds, unfortunately the wind was more of a breeze.

This combination of a lack of wind and the lack of interest from competitors meant that the freestyle events could not take place.

However it was just strong enough to start a race for the buggys, however shortly after the start the race was called due to the low winds and the vast majority of pilots struggling with the tricky conditions. The race was continued from the cancellation with an announcement that it was now for fun rather than position and a few continued to lap around until the time was up. Unfortunately that was the only action on the day, hopefully 2 weeks time will serve flyers some better wind.

Thanks to all the marshals and scorers who helped out, once again doing an excellent job.

Report on the Freestyle Meet

26th of April 2008 - West Sands, St. Andrews, Fife.

The wind was a bit too strong for most beginners on the day, however a few turned up, the more experienced riders spent most of the day dodging showers and flying about while those less confident watched on.

Another Freestyle meet will be coming up in the next few months so keep an eye out!

Report on SPKA Race Day (3)

30th of March 2008 - Ardeer Beach, Stevenston.

Unfortunately the event was a bit dampened, first by the rain, and then by a distinct lack of wind, the majority of flyers chatted until around 1.30pm and the racing was called off. As is always the case, as soon as the majority had departed, the wind returned at 15mph onshore with bright blue skies. Lets hope it stays like that...

Results up to this time are available by following this link: SPKA Annual Buggy Racing Series 2008 Results

Report SPKA Race Day 2 and Freestyle Day (1)

2nd of March 2008 - Ardeer Beach, Stevenston.

The forcast during the week leading up to the event was not looking promising, however luck was on our side and flyers arrived to some slightly variable moderate winds for a change. The board freestyle unfortunately was not able to go ahead as most of the riders could not make the trip across the country for such a bad forcast. However buggy racing went ahead and a course was set out.

Tricky conditions and a narrow beach limited the scope for the course, which ended up as lengthy upwind and downwind stretches with marks to keep flyers seperate when heading in opposite directions.

A wet and firm beach meant that there was a variety of wheel choice however none was proved completely superior on the day.

Just as the chequered flag went out for the leader there was an accident with another pilot which saw the end of the days racing and flying. Buggy freestyle unfortunately was also cancelled.

But one more race now contributes to the series meaning competition is hotting up throughout the positions. No discards yet, however with the next race 1 discard will count and those presently in the lead may find their advantage fading...

Results are available by following this link: SPKA Annual Buggy Racing Series 2008 Results

Report on the SPKA Race Day 1

27th of January 2008 - West Sands, St. Andrews, Fife.

Well after the first windless attempt at racing and freestyle in November the Race Day went ahead with significantly more wind. At the start of the day the conditions were offshore with challenging winds of around 20-25mph. The racing went underway early on in the day, the first race commencing at around 10.45am. 19 pilots navigated around the course which involved a short leg to the first mark which was in some damp sand, before heading on to the most seaward mark almost directly across wind, from there a slightly upwind line heading towards the estuary caught some people out before the tighter upwind line to the last marker inland. A quick turn there saw pilots heading across wind again towards the line for another lap.

Race Master Jim H was on hand with the flags and the races ran smoothly until halfway through the second race when there was a number of significantly larger gusts. After a short time it was clear that the wind was hitting well over 35mph, and was deemed unsuitable for racing and so the 2nd race was called short. Pilots returned to the pits and realised exactly how much the wind had increased. Some feeling comfortable while buggying, but when standing up discovering they were struggling. After an hours break for lunch and to allow the wind to calm down the Racing was called off for the day at around 2pm since the tide was expected to come in fast in the near future and the wind was still extremely high, gusting 47mph at times.

All the flyers were greatful for the dry and relatively warm conditions for a change.

2 races complete... what will the rest of the series bring?