Kiwi Marc Jacobs storms the Kiteboarding Pro Circuit, now ranked 3rd in the world

Mt Maunganui kiteboarder Marc Jacobs is now ranked third in the world. With his impressive and consistent performance on the PKRA (Professional Kite Riders Association) Tour this year, he has moved up the world rankings from his 19th position in January 2011 to finish off this year in an incredible 3rd position.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TB3epOllQzU

The New Zealand kite boarding champion placed second last week in the PKRA Kitesurf Pro competition in Noumea, New Caledonia. Marc Jacobs a relative new comer to the world tour this year took down the current number one ranking kite boarding freestyle champion Youri Zoon to meet Spanish rider Alex Pastor in the finals. It was a close final heat with Jacobs only marginally being taken out by Pastor the current world ranked number two.

22-year-old Mt Maunganui born Marc Jacobs has had significant achievements in the sport over the past seven years leading up to this event. Through his own determination, commitment and passion for the sport he has been three times New Zealand junior champion and four times New Zealand open men’s freestyle champion. Marc has his own unique style and is a very powerful and aggressive rider at the forefront of his sport with the potential to be the next world champion.

To get back onto the world tour Marc has secured sponsorship with Switch Kites a New Zealand based Kite Company also a relative new comer onto the international stage. Switch Kites support has enabled Marc to get back on the world tour where he belongs and allow him to really showcase his talents. Switch Kites are a Bay of Plenty based company established in 2010. The company directors are keen to make the sport more accessible to young talent like Marc.

“A lot of talented young guys just can’t get into the sport because of the cost of the gear. Our goal is to bring high quality kite boarding gear to everyone. Our unique business model of selling direct to consumers worldwide via our online store will enable us to make our products more affordable for everyone. We are so happy for Marc right now and very proud of his achievements, and we hope that Switch Kites can encourage and support more talented young Kiwi’s like Marc in the future.” – Daniel Kajavala, Switch Kites. Marc is still looking for further sponsorship to ensure he can stay on the world tour to maintain and improve his position in the competitions.

Marc first saw kite boarding when he was 11 years old and told his Mum that he really wanted to get into the sport. She wasn’t too keen on it, so he diligently saved up his paper-run money, which was only $10 a week at the time. After about 3 years of saving he finally got his first kite on his 14th birthday. He still couldn't afford a board so he just played on the beach, jumping off the sand dunes for a full year. Then by his 15th birthday he had enough money to get his first board and from there it was all on.



MEN’S FREESTYLE COMPETITION RESULT

Noumea, New Caledonia 29 Nov to 4 Dec 2011

1. Alex Pastor (Airush, ESP)

2. Marc Jacobs (Switch, NZL)

3. Youri Zoon (Slingshot, NED)



MEN’S FREESTYLE WORLD RANKING 2011

Youri Zoon (Netherlands)

Alex Pastor (Spain)

Marc Jacobs (New Zealand)



For further information:

http://www.prokitetour.com/

http://marcjacobswake.com/

http://www.switchkites.com/