Taming the wind

These guys go pretty fast, around 20 to 25 knots. Harnessed to a giant parachute kite, these guys expertly maneuver the kites via this trident-like control to where they want to go and skim the waters using surfboards.

But the difference between these guys and surfers is that they can use their kites to let themself be pulled up in the air. And it's here where they're like skateboarders as they perform flashy stunts to the adulation of the crowd.

Kiteboarding in Boracay has been around for several years but this is the first time that it was part of the Boracay Funboard Cup. And it showed: the main event was obviously the windsailing races complete with a number of heats but the kiteboarding was mainly an exhibition. But the kiteboarders still went at it with gusto.