Thursday, 4 March 2010 – Road Town, Tortola: Digicel BVI has joined up with the BVI Tourist Board, Necker Island and other major local and international sponsors to host the inaugural BVI Kite Jam 2010 now underway.

BVI Kite Jam is one of the only pro-am kite boarding events in the world and aims to bring attention to the Territory as a leading kite boarding destination, according to the organizers. Over 40 professional and amateur kite boarders are surfing the beautiful waters of the British Virgin Islands this week in a competition that organizers say will become an annual event. Pro riders in BVI for the event include World Champion Susi Mai, German World Champion Kristin Boese, National Team Rider Gretta Krusie and Antiguan Andre Phillip.

The event began on Sunday February 28 with a VIP Party at the world-famous Necker Island with Sir Richard Branson and Digicel CEO Alan Bates among those in attendance. Additional events, competitions, parties and meals are being hosted on Bitter End Yacht Club, Necker Island, Anegada and Moskito Island for Kite Jam participants throughout the five days until March 5.

“Digicel is delighted to be one of the sponsors of this amazing event in BVI,” Bates said. “We know the importance of communications in today’s world, and we are very excited to have international journalists coming to the BVI to cover this event, it was important for them to have phone and Internet service readily accessible across of the islands.”

The competition is taking place at key spots around the territory, including Anegada Reef, Cow Wreck and Pomato Point on Anegada, Bitter End on Virgin Gorda and Necker Island.

BVI Kite Jam 2010 is sponsored by the BVI Tourist Board, Sunsail, Cape Air, Bitter End, Necker Island, Phillip Stein, Billabong, and Digicel, among others.

International media covering the event include Kiteboarding Magazine, NBC News, Plum TV, OK Magazine, Just Kite It, Robb Report, Vela Uno TV, Kiteworld Magazine and Esporte de Especula.