A DORSET woman has won a British kitesurfing trophy.

Gemma Soloman has brought home this year’s British Kitesports’ Wavemasters trophy after winning a three day competition.

The kitesurfer from Southbourne tackled 50 knot winds in the competition which took place last month off the coast of County Kerry in Ireland.

It is always held in the autumn when the best swell and winds reportedly come through the region.

During the final day competitors experienced six metre high waves on the "infamous" Mossies lower reef, a world renowned wave location.

Gemma works for Easyriders in Poole which is a British Kitesports recognised school, and has recently been made a director.

British Kitesports (BKSA) is the appointed national governing body for kitesurfing and other kitesports in the UK.

Easyriders’ owner Andy Gratwick, is very involved with the BKSA and his team helped to run the Wavemasters event.

Gemma said: “I am delighted to win this prestigious award, especially as I have only just been recognised as a pro. As a team we all entered the competition; myself, Andy Gratwick and Joe Taylor, as we are all advanced waveriding coaches and this is a great way to showcase our own personal skills as well as promoting Easyriders as a BKSA school and kitesurf coaching holidays provider.

“Although the event was scheduled to run for six days from sixth - September 11, we had such cracking conditions, so the Pro Mens fleet was able to run through in just one day. The following day commenced with the first heats of the Pro Womens, amateurs and masters fleets and after a challenging start in double-head high waves and strong winds the remaining heats were postponed due to safety as the weather became wilder.

“The third and final day saw the remaining heats take place, along with an additional strapless freestyle competition and although the weather was pretty bleak for most people to be on the beach, the waves were fantastic and the whole competition – although challenging – was an absolute ‘craic.”