The Kent coast will host the final leg of the 2018 National Freestyle Kitesurfing Championships this weekend.

Following a glowing endorsement from record breaking kitesurfing champion Lewis Crathern - who broke the British record for the highest jump on Ramsgate sands in November 2016 - representatives from Active Ramsgate and the British Kitesports Association (BKA) agreed for the area to be one of four destinations to host this year’s championship.

The event, sponsored by Active Ramsgate, will be held on Ramsgate Main Sands on Saturday, August 18 and Sunday, August 19, and will see around 70 competitors from all over the country vying for the title of National Freestyle Kitesurfing Champion.

Earlier this year some free kitesurfing sessions were held in the lead-up to the event and there are a few spaces on sessions this weekend.

Cllr Peter Campbell said: “We are delighted to be welcoming kitesurfers from all over the UK. We know that Ramsgate is a fantastic destination for kitesurfers, and its popularity has grown rapidly in recent years."

Andy Gratwick, from the British Kitesports Association said: “We’re delighted to be taking it to a new venue. Ramsgate Sands is a perfect destination for kitesurfers. It’s where records have been broken in the past, so we know we’re going to be in for a good competition.”

For more details visit britishkitesports.org, and ramsgatetown.org/activeramsgate