The IV GKC Velas Trairi Festival 2025
The fourth edition of the GKC Velas Trairi Festival , held at Praia do Guajíru in Trairi, Ceará, from June 16 to 22, cemented its place on the national agenda as a profoundly impactful event. Beyond a competition, the festival revealed itself as a movement of social, environmental, and cultural transformation, uniting athletes, communities, and sea enthusiasts in a unique and comprehensive celebration.
SUELTALABARRA! Family The official opening ceremony, held at Praça do Guajiru, marked the beginning of an intense week, attended by local organizations, associations, regional audiences, tourists, and athletes already preparing for the action. The festival, conceived by Jailson Sena, seeks to establish Praia do Guajíru as a global destination for kitesurfing and wingfoiling, simultaneously promoting sport, tourism, culture, and sustainability.
Competitions began on Thursday, with a packed schedule of top-level events. The event hosted stages of the Brazilian and South American Kitesurfing and Wingfoil Championships, attracting national and international talent. Competitions included Wingfoil: Race and Wave-Freestyle , and Kitesurf: Wave, TT Race, and Strapless Freestyle , in addition to the South American TT Race .
One of the week's highlights was the Sertões Kitesurf Challenge , a downwind event from Lagoa do Jeg to Guajiru, which offered free entry to the world's largest kitesurfing rally, with participation for professionals and amateurs alike. Although one day was challenged by weaker winds, the racing continued, showcasing the competitors' skill.
The final classifications for the modalities that have already concluded are as follows:
Kitesurf Wave
🥇 Elias Moraes
🥈 Leonardo Grangeiro
🥉 Artur Moraes
4th Jairo Neto
Wing Race - Men
🥇 Kauli Seadi (4 pts)
🥈 Daniel Nogueira (9 pts)
🥉 Carlos Araújo Junior (12 pts)
4th Francisco Erick (21 pts)
Wing Race - Women's
🥇 Lidiane Sanders (32 pts)
🥈 Rocio Reigert (34 pts)
🥉 Anita Amaro (64 pts)
Kitesurf TT Race - Men
🥇 Breno Lucas (2 pts)
🥈 Cássio Penha (7 pts)
🥉 Francisco Artur (8 pts)
4th Pedro Alexandre (8 pts)
Kitesurf TT Race - Women
🥇 Cristielly da Silva (21 pts), the young multi-champion of just 15 years old, from the social project "Viva C" in Barra Grande, Piauí, stood out for her performance.
🥈 Mara Ferreira (34 pts)
🥉 Maria Beatriz (35 pts)
4th Cauane Polo (50 pts)
In addition to modern styles, the festival celebrated local roots with traditional jangadas and paquete events, the use of which enhances the region's living culture.
Jangadas - General Classification
🥇 Bico Twelve | Sprite (1 pts)
🥈 Gabriel I | Downwind Solidário (2 pts)
🥉 Pitbull | SEBRAE (3 pts)
4th Gael | Trairi Prefecture (3 pts)
Packages - General Classification
🥇 Missa Lá Bella | SEBRAE (1 pts)
🥈 Emperor | PLIG (2 pts)
🥉 Dina | Janelas do Mar (3 pts)
4º Trê Irmãos | Zorah Beach (4 pts)
A legacy of sustainability and community strengthening
The GKC Velas Trairi Festival established itself as a model for environmental action. This year's edition emphasized selective harvesting , environmental education , carbon neutrality , and the fundamental role of the Sol Nascente Cooperative. Initiatives such as the beach cleanup with the "Escola Lixo Zero" in Guajiru highlighted the festival's commitment to caring for the planet.
The program went far beyond the competition arena, incorporating a strong focus on entrepreneurship and sustainability. In the SEBRAE space, extensive talks on business topics were offered, including success stories in the tourism sector and recreational boat skipper courses, with notable participation from the community and athletes. The Sustainability Forum and the Kitesurfing Schools Forum were held along the Costa de los Vientos Route, fostering dialogue and development.
Culture and the creative economy also took center stage. The Sabores y Sabores Fair showcased local crafts and regional cuisine, accompanied by live shows and cultural presentations such as the traditional coco dance and the cuadrilla junina. The event generated a considerable economic impact, boosting hotel and inn occupancy and stimulating commerce in Trairi, creating valuable opportunities for the local community. Cris Dias, a festival veteran, highlighted the "family" atmosphere and the electrifying energy, emphasizing the festival's importance in engaging the entire community through sports, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and culture.
Complete experience and accessibility for all
The festival offered a complete infrastructure for athletes and the public. The Zen Space provided functional nutrition, and the Health Space offered physiotherapy and muscle recovery. In addition, social areas, courses, talks, and various cultural attractions were available free of charge and democratically. A highlight was the athletes' welcome party on boats along the Mundaú River, an experience that combined contemplation, music, and vibrant energy.
The official program extended until June 22nd, with the finals, an awards ceremony highlighting gender equality, and a closing DJ show. Access to all areas of the event, including gastronomy, the fair, courses, talks, and performances, was completely free, reaffirming that the GKC Velas Trairi Festival is an event for everyone: athletes, tourists, residents, and anyone who wants to experience the energy of the Ceará winds.
Conceived by Jailson Sena, the festival not only celebrated mastery in nautical sports but also reinforced its commitment to inclusion, gender equality, and community empowerment, demonstrating how strong winds have the power to transform lives, communities, and the planet. This is something that we at Suelta La Barra are supporting in all Latin American communities with the Sports Tourism Seedbed project promoted by the Latin American Sports Tourism Network.
Photo credit: @limagenspro Videos: @gkcwatersports, @festivalgkcvelastrairi and @lkbsports for the excellent content shared during these 5 days of the festival.
