WELCOME TO KITE BUGGYING
SWATK KITE LANDBOARDING
SOUTH AND WEST ASSOCIATION
OF TRACTION KITING
The South and West Association of Traction Kiting (SWATK), established in 2003, was originally formed by a small group of like-minded kiting enthusiasts to promote the sport of Power Kiting. We are a power kite traction club dedicated to promoting this sport. We are an affiliated British Kitesports Association (BKSA) club and can be found listed as "SWATK" on the British Kitesports membership and events portal.
Due to the Bristol Channel having the second largest tidal range (rise and fall) in the world, Weston and Brean offers a unique place to kite buggy, kite landboard depending on the winds and tide. Since we are also part of the BKSA you also have the opportunity to go further afield – see the BKSA website for details. Our members are a friendly diverse bunch. Our only aim is to have fun so please feel free to come and join us.
We look forward to meeting you The SWATK Crew
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5/1/2021
LOCKDOWN 3 Guidance from the BKSA
Many of you have been in touch asking that key question…”Can I go kiting?”
The answer for some of you, depending on where you live is YES… BUT not unconditionally. Last night the government implemented a third full lockdown until February. Our interpretation of their regulations and our subsequent guidance is below:
- Schools and training centres are to remain closed.
- Advanced coaches are also required to remain closed / inactive.
- Participants and general kitesports CAN BE practiced as beaches, parks and open spaces remain open, provided the distance you are travelling to do so is local. To define local: this means ‘within’ your village, town or city.
If you live in London or a long way from your land / sea kiting location, then I’m afraid kitesports are off the agenda for the moment.
Kiters have been recognised during the pandemic as a good and responsible bunch of outdoor, sporty folk. Let’s keep that up as it pays dividends for us with councils, local authorities, harbour masters and beyond.
PLEASE don’t spoil it now.
PLEASE, PLEASE also follow our Winter and COVID kiting guidance as it’s the coldest, (and therefore) most hazardous time of the year to get in the water as the effects of exposure are profoundly rapid at the moment.
Stay safe, have compliant, safe kiting if you can, and here’s to the onset of spring.
There exception to this as we have just received information from NSC council, they are closing WSM beach again this is including the Windzone for all leisure activities including all kite related sports.With WSM beach closed and the BKSA guidance to stay local that means that none of us can kitebuggy or kiteboard at the moment.
Regarding Brean beach, this will also remain closed to our members due to the rules in place with the local council where signs have to be set up and committee members need to be present before any buggying or boarding can take place. (None of our committee are local to Brean)
We will let people know when the beaches will be open for us to use again as soon as we know ourselves.
We understand it is frustrating, but... Please be safe, be sensible, and see you on the beach soon!!
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4/1/2021
Happy New Year Folks!
Despite the difficult circumstances and the ongoing restrictions that we have all been dealing with, the SWATK Crew thank all of you who have supported us last year.
Here's hoping we can get more Buggy and Board time in 2021
See you on the beach soon...
SWATK Crew.
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Happy New Year Folks!
Despite the difficult circumstances and the ongoing restrictions that we have all been dealing with, the SWATK Crew thank all of you who have supported us last year.
Here's hoping we can get more Buggy and Board time in 2021
See you on the beach soon...
SWATK Crew.
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20/10/2019
Brean Beach did not disappoint, we had sunshine, onshore winds and a dryish beach. A perfect day for the last day of the SWATK Buggy Race 2019 season. Even though it was a small turnout we got in 3 great races with pilots Adam Whiston, Ryan Mcgavin, Mark Coombs and Steve Townsend battling it out.
The results for the races saw Ryan take 1st place on all 3 races and winner of the day, with Mark taking 2nd place with a 3rd, 2nd and 2nd, Adam came 3rd with 2nd, 4th and 3rd, and taking 4th place for the day in his first buggy race was Steve Townsend with a 4th, 3rd and 4th.
Well done to all who raced today.
The overall results for the season:
1st Place Adam Whiston 108 pts
2nd Place Mark Coombs 106 pts / 3rd place Ryan Mcgavin 60 pts
4th Bart Bristow 58 pts / 5th Mark Bruford & Karen Cutbush 54 pts / 7th Steve Townsend 52 pts
Congratulations to Adam, Mark, Ryan and well done to everyone who took part. Thanks to everyone who takes part and assistant race officers who helps make these races possible.
That's the end of the 2019 Buggy Race Series, but in this sport it's not the end of the season. Take this opportunity to get out on the beach as often as you can and use the time over the winter months to have fun and get yourself ready for the SWATK 2020 Buggy Race Series.
It will be here sooner than you realise...
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Brean Beach did not disappoint, we had sunshine, onshore winds and a dryish beach. A perfect day for the last day of the SWATK Buggy Race 2019 season. Even though it was a small turnout we got in 3 great races with pilots Adam Whiston, Ryan Mcgavin, Mark Coombs and Steve Townsend battling it out.
The results for the races saw Ryan take 1st place on all 3 races and winner of the day, with Mark taking 2nd place with a 3rd, 2nd and 2nd, Adam came 3rd with 2nd, 4th and 3rd, and taking 4th place for the day in his first buggy race was Steve Townsend with a 4th, 3rd and 4th.
Well done to all who raced today.
The overall results for the season:
1st Place Adam Whiston 108 pts
2nd Place Mark Coombs 106 pts / 3rd place Ryan Mcgavin 60 pts
4th Bart Bristow 58 pts / 5th Mark Bruford & Karen Cutbush 54 pts / 7th Steve Townsend 52 pts
Congratulations to Adam, Mark, Ryan and well done to everyone who took part. Thanks to everyone who takes part and assistant race officers who helps make these races possible.
That's the end of the 2019 Buggy Race Series, but in this sport it's not the end of the season. Take this opportunity to get out on the beach as often as you can and use the time over the winter months to have fun and get yourself ready for the SWATK 2020 Buggy Race Series.
It will be here sooner than you realise...
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09/10/2019
We are under 2 weeks away from our final race day, hopefully we will be able to finish the race season on a high with some good full on buggy racing. The venue for the race weekend on our winter home of Brean Beach.
We are making a change from our usual race weekend, we plan to hold the weekends racing on the Saturday, this will give us the option to use Sunday for racing if we are unable to race on Saturday.
Details now up on the race page.
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15/09/2019
Last week a few of the SWATK race crew took part in the 4 Nations Kite Buggy race in Scotland , the end results saw three members of the crew take home 1st place trophies.
Well done to Ryan Mcgavin taking 1st Place overall, Karen Cutbush 1st Ladies and Mark Coombs 1st place Fixed Bridles.
Also well done to all pilots that took part in what was some difficult race conditions.
Next weekend will be round 5 of our club race series, details now up on the race page.
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Last week a few of the SWATK race crew took part in the 4 Nations Kite Buggy race in Scotland , the end results saw three members of the crew take home 1st place trophies.
Well done to Ryan Mcgavin taking 1st Place overall, Karen Cutbush 1st Ladies and Mark Coombs 1st place Fixed Bridles.
Also well done to all pilots that took part in what was some difficult race conditions.
Next weekend will be round 5 of our club race series, details now up on the race page.
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01/09/2019
Last week saw some of the SWATK race crew head north to the south west coast of Scotland, this club road trips main reason going back to Scotland is to take part in the 4 Nations Kite Buggy Race taking place next week.
The couple of short videos below shows the crew stopping off on the way to spend some time on the waters of Loch Ken kayaking.
Updates will be posted up as their journey unfolds...
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Last week saw some of the SWATK race crew head north to the south west coast of Scotland, this club road trips main reason going back to Scotland is to take part in the 4 Nations Kite Buggy Race taking place next week.
The couple of short videos below shows the crew stopping off on the way to spend some time on the waters of Loch Ken kayaking.
Updates will be posted up as their journey unfolds...
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14/07/2019
The end of last month a few club members headed over to Les Hemmes to take part in the annual 8hr Endurance Race, followed by a short trip up to Amsterdam before returning home. Next weekend we will be returning to Uphill (Weston Super Mare) for round 4 of our own club race season.
Details for round 4 are now posted on our Race page...
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The end of last month a few club members headed over to Les Hemmes to take part in the annual 8hr Endurance Race, followed by a short trip up to Amsterdam before returning home. Next weekend we will be returning to Uphill (Weston Super Mare) for round 4 of our own club race season.
Details for round 4 are now posted on our Race page...
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8H LES HEMMES 2019 from Mark Coombs on Vimeo.
KAYAKING ZEEBURG AMSTERDAM from Mark Coombs on Vimeo.
27/05/2019
This weekend just gone saw SWATK members descend on Weston Windzone for the first time this year for 2 days of flying with some racing thrown in for good measure, Saturday turned out to be a great session with cross onshore winds and a dry beach followed by a BBQ later that evening. Sunday however didn't turn out as planned, the weather had decided to change on us and the racing had to be cancelled due to rain, but we still manged to have fun and get some footage from saturday's buggy action.
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This weekend just gone saw SWATK members descend on Weston Windzone for the first time this year for 2 days of flying with some racing thrown in for good measure, Saturday turned out to be a great session with cross onshore winds and a dry beach followed by a BBQ later that evening. Sunday however didn't turn out as planned, the weather had decided to change on us and the racing had to be cancelled due to rain, but we still manged to have fun and get some footage from saturday's buggy action.
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SWATK Summer Playground from Dazman on Vimeo.
20/05/2019
Ok folks, just under a week to go before round 3 of the club race season and we a back to small course racing as we are back in the wind-zone for the summer
Details about the racing is on the Race Series Page.
See you all next week.
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Ok folks, just under a week to go before round 3 of the club race season and we a back to small course racing as we are back in the wind-zone for the summer
Details about the racing is on the Race Series Page.
See you all next week.
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22/04/2019
After a fantastic start to the race season back last month we are just under a week away from round 2 of the race season. Check out the video below of footage from the Round 1.
Details about the racing is on the Race Series Page.
See you all next week.
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After a fantastic start to the race season back last month we are just under a week away from round 2 of the race season. Check out the video below of footage from the Round 1.
Details about the racing is on the Race Series Page.
See you all next week.
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18/03/2019
THAT WAS ONE WILD AND WINDY WEEKEND ON BREAN SANDS.
After last weeks storms, this weekend gone saw the SWATK Crew and members hit the beach for round 1 of the club buggy race series.
SATURDAY: with winds gusting over 40 mph and cross onshore, a few brave souls spent a few hours ripping up the sand and dodging the debris left by the tide. With GPS units strapped to their buggys it was a good day for speed runs, with the fastest run of the day made by Karen Cutbush at 52.5 mph.
SUNDAY: the wind speed had dropped off a bit but was still well above 20 mph forecast to build and onshore, perfect for a days racing. Pilots briefing called shortly followed by the first race, with little time for a break between each race due to the increasing wind speeds the racing was all over with in less than 90 minutes leaving all pilots exhausted but with smiles on their faces.
The racing itself was extremely close and intense with the pilots determined to catch up and overtake each other, making it highly entertaining for any spectator to watch. After the races the pilots managed to continue ripping up the beach before the winds increased lifting the sand and shifting it up towards the dunes, after 2 days of being blasted by high winds we left the Brean Sands feeling windswept but happy after a great weekend and fantastic start to the Race Season.
RACE RESULTS CAN BE FOUND ON THE RACE SERIES PAGE...
Video's and Photo's from the weekend will follow soon.
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THAT WAS ONE WILD AND WINDY WEEKEND ON BREAN SANDS.
After last weeks storms, this weekend gone saw the SWATK Crew and members hit the beach for round 1 of the club buggy race series.
SATURDAY: with winds gusting over 40 mph and cross onshore, a few brave souls spent a few hours ripping up the sand and dodging the debris left by the tide. With GPS units strapped to their buggys it was a good day for speed runs, with the fastest run of the day made by Karen Cutbush at 52.5 mph.
SUNDAY: the wind speed had dropped off a bit but was still well above 20 mph forecast to build and onshore, perfect for a days racing. Pilots briefing called shortly followed by the first race, with little time for a break between each race due to the increasing wind speeds the racing was all over with in less than 90 minutes leaving all pilots exhausted but with smiles on their faces.
The racing itself was extremely close and intense with the pilots determined to catch up and overtake each other, making it highly entertaining for any spectator to watch. After the races the pilots managed to continue ripping up the beach before the winds increased lifting the sand and shifting it up towards the dunes, after 2 days of being blasted by high winds we left the Brean Sands feeling windswept but happy after a great weekend and fantastic start to the Race Season.
RACE RESULTS CAN BE FOUND ON THE RACE SERIES PAGE...
Video's and Photo's from the weekend will follow soon.
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Stormy Dayz from Dazman on Vimeo.
03/03/2019
We are 2 weeks away from the start of the clubs buggy race season. Saturday is the usual free flying session and a good time to get some practice in before the race day. Lets have a great turn out, if you haven't raced before and would like to give it a go this weekend is a great opportunity to find out more about it.
Details about the racing is on the Race Series Page.
Remember this weekend isn't just about the racing, it's also a good time to join in the fun and catch up / fly with other members.
See you all in a fortnight.
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We are 2 weeks away from the start of the clubs buggy race season. Saturday is the usual free flying session and a good time to get some practice in before the race day. Lets have a great turn out, if you haven't raced before and would like to give it a go this weekend is a great opportunity to find out more about it.
Details about the racing is on the Race Series Page.
Remember this weekend isn't just about the racing, it's also a good time to join in the fun and catch up / fly with other members.
See you all in a fortnight.
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17/02/2019
SWATK has always been about making sure our members have fun, over the 16 years since the club was formed back in 2003 there has been many road trips around the beaches of the UK and Europe.
With many friendships formed and some great memories made the following video created by Mark Coombs and Ian Lloyd is a fantastic compilation from the past 10 years of Club Members doing what they do best and that is having fun!!!
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SWATK has always been about making sure our members have fun, over the 16 years since the club was formed back in 2003 there has been many road trips around the beaches of the UK and Europe.
With many friendships formed and some great memories made the following video created by Mark Coombs and Ian Lloyd is a fantastic compilation from the past 10 years of Club Members doing what they do best and that is having fun!!!
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TEN YEARS OF SWATK from Mark Coombs on Vimeo.
19/11/18
Well folks
This weekend just gone saw the end of our buggy race season, it's been a hard season with half the race days cancelled due to the weather conditions, but we at least managed to get 3 races in on the final day despite the gusty off shore winds. The pilots did really well and seemed to enjoy themselves going by the girly screams that could be heard as they made their way around the course.
Well done to everyone who took part throughout the year, and congratulations to Ryan Mcgavin taking first place, Mark Coombs second and Bart Bristow with third place in the Depower Class. Also congratulations to our Sponsored Rider Adam Whiston taking home the first place trophy in the Handles Class.
A big thanks to Race Officer Assistants: Ryan Mcgavin, Russell Winters, Bart Bristow for all their help to run these race days.
For the full season race results go to the race season page....
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Well folks
This weekend just gone saw the end of our buggy race season, it's been a hard season with half the race days cancelled due to the weather conditions, but we at least managed to get 3 races in on the final day despite the gusty off shore winds. The pilots did really well and seemed to enjoy themselves going by the girly screams that could be heard as they made their way around the course.
Well done to everyone who took part throughout the year, and congratulations to Ryan Mcgavin taking first place, Mark Coombs second and Bart Bristow with third place in the Depower Class. Also congratulations to our Sponsored Rider Adam Whiston taking home the first place trophy in the Handles Class.
A big thanks to Race Officer Assistants: Ryan Mcgavin, Russell Winters, Bart Bristow for all their help to run these race days.
For the full season race results go to the race season page....
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11/11/18
Next weekend will be the last Race day of our 2018 Buggy Race Season, and the SWATK AGM (For members only).
Saturday is the usual free fly day and the last chance to get a bit of practice in before the racing on Sunday.
Sunday morning the AGM will be held on the beach before the racing, and will start between 10.00 and 10.30.
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Next weekend will be the last Race day of our 2018 Buggy Race Season, and the SWATK AGM (For members only).
Saturday is the usual free fly day and the last chance to get a bit of practice in before the racing on Sunday.
Sunday morning the AGM will be held on the beach before the racing, and will start between 10.00 and 10.30.
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16/9/18
Well that’s another Swatk weekend over. There were tears there was blood and a lot of laughter and that’s before the race day lol . Big hand to Adam the Swatk sponsored rider on passing his practical PKA test .Theory next then see you at Brean for round one of the PKA series. Saturday saw some very close flying which was not without its traumas (Russ). Sunday saw 3 races not the best direction and lumpy winds and a very fast incoming tide . This was some great short course racing with some of the cones under water as well as the pilots . Well done to all the pilots that took part and well done to Adam not the easiest racing and thanks to Daz, Russ and David for a great race day .
Race Results are now up on the Race page.
Photo's and video's from the weekend to follow...
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Well that’s another Swatk weekend over. There were tears there was blood and a lot of laughter and that’s before the race day lol . Big hand to Adam the Swatk sponsored rider on passing his practical PKA test .Theory next then see you at Brean for round one of the PKA series. Saturday saw some very close flying which was not without its traumas (Russ). Sunday saw 3 races not the best direction and lumpy winds and a very fast incoming tide . This was some great short course racing with some of the cones under water as well as the pilots . Well done to all the pilots that took part and well done to Adam not the easiest racing and thanks to Daz, Russ and David for a great race day .
Race Results are now up on the Race page.
Photo's and video's from the weekend to follow...
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9/9/18
We are 1 week away from Round 5 of our race weekends.
Details for this weekend is on our race page...
This means we are just over a month away from our final race day at the end of October, which we will be sharing with the PKA at the start of their Race Season... more details of this will be posted early next month...
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We are 1 week away from Round 5 of our race weekends.
Details for this weekend is on our race page...
This means we are just over a month away from our final race day at the end of October, which we will be sharing with the PKA at the start of their Race Season... more details of this will be posted early next month...
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12/8/18
Next week is the 4th round of our race season, current forecast for next weekend is looking good and as we have only managed to hold a few races we could do with a few more.
Details for this weekend is on our race page...
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Next week is the 4th round of our race season, current forecast for next weekend is looking good and as we have only managed to hold a few races we could do with a few more.
Details for this weekend is on our race page...
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SWATK ROAD TRIP 2018 from Mark Coombs on Vimeo.
14/7/18
The past few weeks has been the club has been busy check out the our video/photo gallery to see what we have been up to.
We have finally had our first buggy race of the season, go to our race page for the results.
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The past few weeks has been the club has been busy check out the our video/photo gallery to see what we have been up to.
We have finally had our first buggy race of the season, go to our race page for the results.
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14/6/18
SWATK EURO TRIP 2018
This week has seen some club members and family head off on a 2 Week Road Trip around Europe. You can follow where they have been on our news & articles page...
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SWATK EURO TRIP 2018
This week has seen some club members and family head off on a 2 Week Road Trip around Europe. You can follow where they have been on our news & articles page...
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EURO'S 2017 - HOYLAKE - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -Tuesday 29 August to Saturday 2
Last week saw 5 club members join the England team to take part in European Kite Buggy Championships competing against 4 other countries Scotland, Germany, France and The Netherlands. Well done to Karen Cutbush, Ryan McGavin, Barry Cook, Russell Winters, Bart Bristow and the rest Team England.
RESULTS can be found here www.kitebuggyeuros.com/
and Video coverage of the event below thanks to Bicycle Production.
Last week saw 5 club members join the England team to take part in European Kite Buggy Championships competing against 4 other countries Scotland, Germany, France and The Netherlands. Well done to Karen Cutbush, Ryan McGavin, Barry Cook, Russell Winters, Bart Bristow and the rest Team England.
RESULTS can be found here www.kitebuggyeuros.com/
and Video coverage of the event below thanks to Bicycle Production.
EUROS 2017 HOYLAKE from Mark Coombs on Vimeo.
RACE WEEKEND 5th/6th AUGUST 2017
This weekend was Round 4 of the Club race season at Weston Super Mare Windzone, we had a great turnout with 12 Pilots racing round a short course. Check out news & articles and see what some of our members comments from this weekend, race results are posted in the Race Series page and a few photo's and video can be found in our Photo/Video Gallery.
This weekend was Round 4 of the Club race season at Weston Super Mare Windzone, we had a great turnout with 12 Pilots racing round a short course. Check out news & articles and see what some of our members comments from this weekend, race results are posted in the Race Series page and a few photo's and video can be found in our Photo/Video Gallery.
SWATK is not only just about kiting, there is an active social side to the club. Our latest social event was a road trip around Scotland.
Check out some the sights we saw as we traveled from the West to the East Coast of Scotland in the photo gallery.
Check out some the sights we saw as we traveled from the West to the East Coast of Scotland in the photo gallery.
TUESDAY Night Kite Fly is now finished for this year
they will be back in Spring 2018....
Weather permitting: check their facebook page.
they will be back in Spring 2018....
Weather permitting: check their facebook page.
