Kite Buggy Racing

The Parakart Association :: PKA

Try Racing

Some might argue that once you can go fast in a kite buggy that your learning is over. Kite buggy racing is not just just about going fast in a straight line or flying the biggest kite. There are so many aspects that they can't be listed, if you want to learn more and improve your buggying skills then read on to find out how to start racing.

The best way to start racing is to come along to one of our Events, the Last Gasp and Icicles are the most informal but if you can't wait that long then you can attend one of the National Series events straight away. All you need to race in a PKA event is valid 3rd party insurance and a race licence.

The aim of licence assessment is to make sure everyone is competent, safe and aware of the basic rules of racing. Any competent buggier who’s invested a bit of time to understand racing rules will pass without a problem.

 

Regional Assessors are spread across the country and there should be one near you.

Find out if your local club organises racing:
Wind and Wheels (Weston-super-mare)
Wirral Sand Yacht Club (Hoylake)
South West Association of Traction Kiting
Carmarthenshire Land Sailing Club
Scottish Power Kite Association
Irish Power Kite and Sand-yacht Association

5 easy steps to getting a race licence

1. Download...

...the licence pack, PKA Handbook

2. Revise...

...your answers, complete the written theory test and hone your buggying skills

3. Contact...

...the National Licensing Co-ordinator, Mark, who will put you in touch with your regional assessor and put the next available test day in your diary

4. Bring...

...your insurance documents, test papers and £5 admin fee to the test day

5. Pass...

... the test and start racing!

Events in 2024

Anyone that can travel in control of a buggy and kite can race, take a look at our Try Kite Buggy Racing page to find out how to take part.

The PKA strongly encourages you to take out PKA membership and insurance through the British Kitesports Association, because as well as supporting the Parakart Association it also provides you with third party liability insurance (including competitor to competitor), personal accident cover, and a low excess on claims. PKA members will also benefit from a £5 discount off their race fees compared to non-members.

Other pre-approved insurance policies will continue to be accepted for PKA events in 2024, currently approved insurance providers include: SPKA and SWATK. If you do not yet have insurance, it is also possible to apply for temporary 7 day insurance from the BKSA, although we would recommend that everyone is insured at all times while participating in power kite sports.





2024

'24 promises to be an amazing year on the beach... The PKA is back for another season of fast paced kite buggy action. If you think you're fast in a buggy, come along and try your hand at a race, there is nothing more satisfying than overtaking someone with 'all the gear' while you're racing in a smaller buggy.

National Series Round 1 2023/24

23 & 24 Sept 2023 :: Hoylake, The Wirral

We had a great weekend on the beach at Hoylake - a challenging course and a sunny dry beach. Chris our excellent and dedicated race officer set a course which could be raced on so many different racing lines, and the wind-shifts throughout the day on Saturday caused a lot of interesting head-to-head battles. On Sunday rain appeared slightly earlier than forecast, but shortly after calling it for the day it stopped and cleared up - but there is always next time.

View the results for the weekend.

National Series Round 2 2023/24 

7 & 8 Oct 2023 :: Brean, Somerset

The wind at Brean eventually showed up to allow us to race. The weather was always on the edge of being "just a bit cold" but thankfully the beach was dry and although the tide limited the available beach we still achieved 4 races.

View the results for the weekend.

View the results overall to date.

National Series Round 3 2023/24

TBC: 20 & 21 April 2024 :: Pembrey, Carmarthenshire

Saturday:

  • Registration: 9.15am - 9.45am in the car park
  • Races/briefing: 10.30am on the beack
  • Races end: 5pm
  • Pub: 7pm

Sunday:

  • Races/briefing starts: 10.30am
  • Races end: 3.30pm
  • Results announcement: 4pm in the car park

National Series Round 4 2023/24

18 & 19 May 2024 :: Hoylake, The Wirral

Saturday:

  • Registration: 9.15am - 9.45am
  • Races/briefing: 10.30am
  • Races end: 5pm

Sunday:

  • Races/briefing starts: 10.30am
  • Races end: 3.30pm
  • Results announcement: 4pm in the car park

National Series Round 5 2023/24 & Open Entry

TBC: 29 & 30 June 2024 :: Luce Bay, Nr. Stranraer

Saturday:

  • Registration: 9.15am - 9.45am at the campsite
  • Races/briefing: 10.30am
  • Races end: 5pm
  • Pub: 7pm
  • Sunday:

  • Races/briefing starts: 10.30am on the beach
  • Races end: 3.30pm
  • Results announcement: 4pm at the campsite
  • National Series Round 1 - 2024/25

    14 & 15 Sept 2024 :: Hoylake, The Wirral

    Saturday:

  • Registration: 9.15am - 9.45am
  • Races/briefing: 10.30am
  • Races end: 5pm
  • Pub: 7pm
  • Sunday:

  • Races/briefing starts: 10.30am
  • Races end: 3.30pm
  • Results announcement: 4pm in the car park
  • National Series Round 2 - 2024/25

    12 & 13 Oct 2024 :: Brean, Somerset

    Saturday:

  • Registration: 9.30am - 10am
  • Races/briefing: 10.30am
  • Races end: 4.30pm
  • Pub: 6.30pm
  • Sunday:

  • Races/briefing starts: 10.00am
  • Races end: 3.30pm
  • Results announcement: 4pm on the beach
  • 4

    Rounds

    10

    Qualifying Men

    10

    Qualifying Women

    1

    International Championship

    Membership

    Although you do not need to be a member of the PKA to race at any of our events, we would strongly recommend that you take out PKA membership and insurance because it does offer certain benefits as outlined below.

    The PKA is affiliated to the British Kitesports Association (BKSA) who also provide third party liability insurance - it is this which gives us the ability to run the National Series and select the National Team for competition at FISLY (International Federation of Sand and Land Yachts) European / World Championships.

    All pilots who want to compete internationally if they qualify as part of the national team must be members of the PKA, and therefore hold British Kitesports Association insurance to compete at FISLY competitions.

    Membership includes:

    • £5 Million 3rd Party Liability Insurance
    • Personal Accident cover (See Policy)
    • Worldwide cover with exceptions (See Policy)
    • Recognised by most landowners
    • Policy - Zurich
    • Cover - flying any kite on water or land, kitesurfing, kitelandboarding , snowkiting, buggying and powerkiting
    • The correct insurance to compete in any BKSA approved event
    • Membership is open to any nationality, not just British
    • A membership card and joining pack (including stickers and harness tag)
    • The right to vote at AGM
    • Regular newsletters via e-mail
    • Discounted fees for PKA events

    Find out more about BKSA membership and then join the Parakart Association on the BKSA website, choose your membership type and select 'Parakart Association - PKA' as your club. Membership of the PKA is included in the BKSA membership fee: £42 for an individual, £36 for a student and £115 for a family.

    The Results

    European & World Championships

    European Kite Buggy Championship 2017 - Mens classification

    European Kite Buggy Championship 2017 - Womens classification

    European Kite Buggy Championship 2017 - Overall combined classification for information only

    Team results:

    Position Country Points
    1st Germany 111
    2nd England 141
    3rd The Netherlands 212
    4th France 281
    5th Scotland 489
     

    2012 World KiteBuggy Championships Cherrueix - 8 - 15 July 2012

    2011 European KiteBuggy Championships Hoylake - 5 - 9 September 2011

    2010 World KiteBuggy Championships De Panne - 28 - 2 October 2010

    4 Nations Championship

    2014 4 Nations Day 1
    2014 4 Nations Day 2
    2014 4 Nations Day 3
    2014 4 Nations Overall

    Last Gasp

    2015 Last Gasp Enduro (Overall)

    2013 Last Gasp Short races (Masters Class) 2013 Last Gasp Short races (Open Class) 2013 Last Gasp Enduro (Masters Class) 2013 Last Gasp Enduro (Open Class)
    2012 Last Gasp (Masters Class)
    2012 Last Gasp (Open Class)

    2011 Last Gasp (Saturday)
    2011 Last Gasp (Sunday Enduro)

    2010 Last Gasp (Sat. Open)
    2010 Last Gasp (Sat. Novice)
    2010 Last Gasp (Sunday Enduro)

    Icicles

    2018 Icicles (Sat. Full Fleet)

    2013 Icicles (Sat. Masters Class)
    2013 Icicles (Sat. Open Class)
    2013 Icicles (Sat. Full Fleet)

    2012 Icicles (Sat. Open Class)
    2012 Icicles (Sat. Womens Class)
    2012 Icicles (Sat. Novice Class)
    2012 Icicles (Sat. 16" Class)
    2012 Icicles (Sat. Full Fleet)
    2012 Icicles (Sunday 3hr Enduro)

    2011 Enduro

    2010 Saturday (Open Class)
    2010 Saturday (Novice Class)
    2010 Sunday Enduro
     

    About

    Our main goal is to develop the kite buggy skills of our members through fun and challenging events.

    This means we organise social and series racing throughout the year in England and Wales for all to attend, and at the end of the year we put forward the English team for international competition. The revised constitution document to reflect the current sporting environment is available here. You can find out about the last year and plans for coming year by reading the last AGM minutes.

    The PKA is affiliated to:

    BKSA logoFISLY logo

     

    History

    The Parakart Association was formed in 1993 by a group of parakart (or kite buggying) enthusiasts. It’s reputedly the oldest kite buggy club in the world! Its original purpose was to provide kite buggying sites and third party liability insurance as Class 8 Land Yachts. This has given us access to the best buggying beaches in the world.

    Since then, kite buggying has evolved massively as a sport and the role of the PKA has now become more defined as the guiding body for kite buggy racing in England and Wales. The PKA provides third party liability insurance through the British Kitesports Association and runs fun and challenging events to encourage beginners into the sport and to select the national team to compete at international events.

     

    Contact us

    Chairman - Chris Croft - Email

    Secretary - Kevin Arlott - Email

    Treasurer - Mark Sherlock - Email

    Health & Safety Officer - Tommy Grierson - Email

    Licensing Coordinator - Mark Coombs - Email

    For general enquiries please contact the PKA Secretary Kevin Arlott