Wednesday 16 / July / 2025
Bar Al Hikman –The first day of Oman Kite Festival 2025 brought the shores of Bar Al Hikman in Al Wusta Governorate to life with over 90 top-ranked international Kite Festival athletes from across the Sultanate of Oman and internationally taking part in the first race series of the event. Organized by OMRAN Group in partnership with Oman Sail, Visit Oman, and Oman Adventure Centre, the Oman Kite Festival aims to promote sports tourism through a series of events that showcase Oman’s distinctive coastal destinations as exceptional platforms for tourism experiences.
The opening day saw the first Kite Course race featuring 30 surfers, using boards capable of reaching top speeds of 30 km/h in the exceptional conditions that the region is known for. The race was won by Ahmed Mohammad Jamal from Egypt, finishing ahead of Marta Marlowe from Poland and Marcelo Antonios from Brazil in second and third respectively.
Leg 1 of the Oman Downwinder also took place, offering a day of exciting action as the wind propelled the fleet of 32 kites across the water during the 40 km course to Masira Island where the participants would enjoy the hospitality at Masira Beach Camp.
Nawaf Al Ghadani, Race Officer at the Oman Kite Festival, commented on the first day, emphasizing the potential for high level races to be held along the Omani coastline, saying: “The conditions are ideal for events like the Speed Race and Big Air competition to follow, as well as the Downwinder where participants thrive on strong and consistent winds. It has been an excellent first day and the caliber of athlete gives the event a global dimension which boosts competitiveness across the fleet while also showing how Oman can become a leading destination for international tourism and sporting events.”
Ahmed Mohammad Jamal, an Egyptian competitor on the first day, added, “This is my first time racing in Oman, and it has been one of the best race courses I have ever experienced. The wind is excellent and really allows us all to get the most out of our boards, while the surrounding environment is spectacular and adds a real sense of excitement to the event. Everyone taking part really enjoyed racing today and we cannot wait to get back out onto the water.”
The opening day also demonstrated OMRAN Group’s commitment to environmental conservation with a beach clean-up along the shores. Participants, representatives from OMRAN Group, Oman Sail, Visit Oman and the Oman Adventure Center, as well as members of the local community, joined hands to help, showing the shared determination of Oman’s tourism sector to operate responsibly and care for the natural environment.
The multi-stage “Downwinder” race, which unfolds over four stages until July 24. The next race will be on 20 July from Masirah to Ras Al Ruwais, then from the Pink Lagoons to Al Ashkharah, and finally from Ras Al Jinz to Ras Al Hadd. A Coastal Race at Masirah Island, and Slalom Race at Ras Al Hadd will run alongside the Downwinder, starting with a Big Air Competition on Masira Island from 17-19 July where participants will astound the crowds by using the wind to perform tricks, twists and turns. The Oman Kite Festival will also feature family-friendly entertainment and an SME exhibition at Ashkharah Municipal Park, enhancing its economic impact on surrounding communities.
The Oman Kite Festival serves as a platform to showcase the Sultanate’s exceptional coastal and marine landscapes, reinforcing its presence on the global tourism map and attracting enthusiasts of adventure sports and international sporting events. Building on the success of the 2024 Oman Downwinder, the festival aims to position key coastal destinations as premier global kiteboarding venues. It also contributes to the promotion of experience-driven tourism in underexplored areas, supports domestic travel, fosters community development, and raises awareness of Oman as a leading destination for adventure and outdoor experiences.
The event is organised by the OMRAN Group, Oman Sail, Visit Oman, and Oman Adventures Center in collaboration with the Governorates of South Al Sharqiyah and Al Wusta, as well as other key entities including the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, the Royal Oman Police, the Civil Defence and Ambulance Authority, the Environment Society of Oman, Salt Rider, and Red Bull Oman.
