Page 36 - Bugle Spring 2025

6 RIFLES
Ex ZENITH SAMBA
Army Kitesurf Trip to Northern Brazil
Group photo on the last
day in sunny Brazil
In October I had the opportunity to go to
Cumbuco, Brazil for two weeks with the
Army Kitesurfing team to train together
ahead of the Inter-Service kitesurfing
competition in 2025. Brazil was chosen
as the location for the exercise due to the
consistent winds that the northern coastline
experiences, alongside the benefits of it
being summer at this time of the year.
In total there were 15 soldiers on the
exercise, with four of these having only
recently learnt to kitesurf at the sailing centre
on Thorney Island; this was a time for the
novices to learn to stay up wind and learn their
first jumps. For the remainder of the group
these two weeks were a great opportunity to
push each other to learn new tricks and jump
higher. Many individuals increased their jump
height more than 50 feet and learnt new tricks
such as double back rolls, dark slides and
adding kite loops.
We were lucky that our accommodation
was based right on the beach where we would
kitesurf, in addition to being within a short
drive of a large lagoon to kitesurf on flat water.
Each day would generally consist of a morning
and afternoon session, with the evenings
being focused on rest and recuperation in the
pool, ahead of the next training day.
To offer variety to the team, we would
alternate between the local beach and the flat-
water lagoon which was a 10 minute buggy
ride. This provided the group with a variety of
conditions and experiences that supported
their kitesurfing development, with it being
an easier environment to learn new tricks in
flat water.
This sports exercise was only possible
due to the funding received from the Army
Sports Lottery, and the entire team thoroughly
enjoyed the experience and are excited to
compete in the Inter-Service competition in
2025 to showcase their new tricks.
Captain Clarke, C Coy, 6 RIFLES
Capt Clarke enjoying the flatwater lagoon
36 RIFLES The Bugle
Packing up following a kite session on the lagoon
In total there
were 15
soldiers on
the exercise,
with four of
these having
only recently
learnt to
kitesurf