Kiteboarding pioneer Su Kay plans to help Hong Kong in the new sport
Three-time New Zealand champion Su Kay has arrived in Hong Kong, hoping to help the city's bid for Olympic glory despite bitter infighting
Kiwi kiteboarding star Su Kay has landed in the troubled waters of Hong Kong - the Bermuda Triangle of the sport where three factions are embroiled in a bitter fight to be recognised as the official governing body.
The three-time New Zealand freestyle champion hopes to nurture the next generation of kiters, which may potentially include Hong Kong's future Olympic hopefuls.
But Kay knows it won't be plain sailing with the sport in a state of chaos, as three organisations chase potential windfalls and a ticket to the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
"That is a minefield many people joining the Hong Kong kiting community have to negotiate and, like me, many don't join any of the organisations or associations for fear of offending or being seen to be doing the wrong thing," Kay, 36, said.
"I am sure Hong Kong kiting would have a much stronger voice if these groups were to settle their differences and come under one banner. This one act would probably do more for kiting instantly in Hong Kong than any individual could do in many years.
"The publicity that has been received, even though it has been mostly negative, has brought both sports of windsurfing and kitesurfing to the minds of many people," said Kay, who recently moved to Hong Kong.