Tenby kitesurfer Gareth Mogsy Morgan was placed third in the UK in the hydrofoil class at the British Kitesurfing Racing Championships held at Exmouth earlier this month.

The hydrofoil class is the fastest single-handed sailing class in the world, reaching speeds up to two-and-a-half times the speed of the wind in lighter wind conditions. The hydrofoil lifts the surf board off the water and elevates the sailor above the surface reaching speeds over 30 knots.

The British Kitesurfing Championships also featured the Formula racing class and open class for more regular surf boards. The Formula class is likely to be featured as the newest sailing class in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.

The British Championships consisted of eight races, with six to count, allowing two discards, in wind strengths of up to 20 knots. Courses were windward/leeward Olympic courses around a start and finishing yacht.

Gareth uses up to 17m square metre kites to propel him around the race course tacking and gybing, abiding by the yacht racing rules.

Gareth explained that the Pembrokeshire coastline has been a perfect training ground for honing his hydrofoil racing skills, with consistent winds and sheltered waters. He also managed to get some mid-winter training in South Africa last winter, utilising the Western Capes Cape Doctor wind.

The last Americas Cup held in San Fransisco Bay in 2013 used hydrofoil technology to revolutionise the sport of sailing, and sailing classes, including kitesurfing, have been inspired to follow suit. The kite surf rider uses the hydrofoil to both support and steer through the water, minimising the drag eliminating any wake that exists with conventional boards or hulls.

Gareth explained the sense of silence the sailor experiences downwind at over 30 knots and only hear the wind in your ears whilst sailing upwind at over 20 knots.

Gareth is also a British skiff racing sailing champion and a kitesurfing wave master champion and utilises all these skills in the fastest of all singlehanded sailing classes on the planet.

Gareth said he was delighted to get this placement as the hydrofoil class attracts the presence of some of the country's best sailors. He has been working and training hard on his racing skills and tactics over the last few years. He is particularly pleased as he is an amateur rider competing at the same level as professional riders.

Gareth is a member of Surflink surf club, South Beach, Tenby. He is hoping to gain more sponsors after his performances in the British Championship. Any local businesses looking to support Gareth and gain logo advertising on the kite and boards he rides on local Pembrokeshire beaches and at various UK sailing establishments, can contact him via his email address [email protected]">[email protected].