Int'l kitesurfing contest returns to Pingtan

Dubbed the most exciting surface water sport, kitesurfing combines aspects of wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding and gymnastics into one extreme sport. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2017 Pingtan International Kitesurfing Competition is scheduled to be held in Pingtan, Fujian province from Sept 18 to 24.

The event is sponsored by the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA), the sport's world governing body, and is a world kitesurfing ranking event

Open both to pro riders and amateurs, this year's competition is offering a whopping $50,000 in prize money.

Pingtan, by virtue of its favorable water quality and wind speed, has hosted the event for six consecutive years.

One of the world's fastest growing water sports, kitesurfing is gaining an increasing popularity in Fujian in recent years, especially Pingtan and Xiamen.

Kitesurfers from across the world are expected to take part in the 2017 Pingtan International Kitesurfing Competition in Pingtan, Fujian province from Sept 18 to 24. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]