Whitstable to Minnis Bay Downwinder – October 2026
Kite Pirates is planning a coastal kitesurfing downwinder from Whitstable to Minnis Bay this October — and we’re now looking for riders who are interested in taking part.
Supported by East Kent Kitesurfing Community (EKKC), the event is aiming to bring together around 40 kitesurfers for a downwinder along the North Kent coast while raising money for Porchlight.
Surfr is supporting the event and will be providing prizes for riders, with the Wind Games app being used to qualify for the prizes.
The exact event date will be confirmed closer to the time and will depend on suitable wind, weather and sea conditions.
See article about a previous downwinder here
Event details
Route: Whitstable → Minnis Bay
When: October 2026 – date TBC
Target: Around 40 riders
Expected entry: Approximately £35
Event organiser: Kite Pirates
Supported by: East Kent Kitesurfing Community (EKKC)
Prizes supported by: Surfr
Charity: Porchlight
50% of every entry goes to Porchlight
The expected entry fee is approximately £35 per rider, split equally between running the event and supporting charity:
50% – Event running costs
To help cover the costs involved in organising and safely running the downwinder.
50% – Porchlight
Half of every entry fee will be donated to Porchlight.
Who can take part?
This is a significant coastal downwinder and is intended for competent, independent kitesurfers with suitable experience for the route and expected conditions.
We welcome expressions of interest from EKKC riders, the wider Kent kitesurfing community and experienced riders from outside the area.
Submitting an expression of interest does not automatically mean you have been accepted onto the downwinder.
Before a rider can be accepted, Kite Pirates instructors will need to be satisfied that they have the appropriate experience and ability to safely participate.
We will therefore ask about:
How long you have been kitesurfing
Your current riding experience and ability
Previous downwinder experience
Deep-water pack-down experience
Self-rescue experience
Current BKSA insurance
Your availability during October
Final acceptance onto the event will be subject to instructor sign-off.
What happens if you’re accepted?
Once the event has been confirmed, riders who are considered suitable will be provided with the next steps.
To secure your place, you will be required to:
Provide evidence of valid BKSA insurance
Complete and sign the event disclaimer
Receive sign-off from the Kite Pirates instructors confirming that your experience and ability are suitable for the downwinder
Pay the event entry fee
Payment and the disclaimer will only be required once the event has been confirmed.
Completing this initial form is therefore an expression of interest only and no payment is required now.
Why is the date TBC?
Kitesurfing is weather dependent, and a downwinder of this distance needs suitable conditions.
The event is being planned for October 2026, but the exact date will be selected around appropriate wind, weather and sea conditions.
We’re therefore particularly interested in hearing from riders who have some flexibility during October.
Surfr prizes
Surfr is supporting the downwinder with prizes for riders taking part.
To be eligible for the Surfr prizes, participants will need to use the Wind Games app during the event.
We’ll provide more information about the competition and prizes when the event is confirmed.
Register your interest
We’re currently looking for around 40 suitable riders to make the event viable.
If you’d genuinely like to take part in the Whitstable to Minnis Bay downwinder this October, complete the expression-of-interest form below.
There is nothing to pay at this stage.
Please complete this form to register interest. or complete below.
Completing the form does not guarantee a place. Rider suitability will be reviewed by the instructors before final acceptance.
If the event goes ahead, successful riders will then receive the disclaimer, payment information and final event instructions.
Whitstable → Minnis Bay
October 2026 | Date TBC | Approx. £35
50% event costs • 50% to Porchlight
Organised by Kite Pirates
Supported by EKKC
Prizes supported by Surfr
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