The world’s highest-flying kitesurfers are descending on Pingtan this week as the island in Fujian province gets ready to host two of the biggest events in the extreme sport’s calendar.

Organized by International Kiteboarding Association, the 2016 Kiteboarding World Championships' Pingtan round will run from Sept 20 to 25, while a national championship sponsored by online extreme sports streaming platform REnexTop will run alongside the event.

The international contest, sponsored by a Chinese liquor brand, promises to attract many of the world's top riders thanks to the combined prize money of $50,000 on offer for those exhibiting outstanding wave-riding and jumping skills.

However, riders have been warned by the Pingtan kitesurfing association to use small-sized kites due to the strong seasonal northeast winds that cut across the northern section of the Taiwan Strait from September to December, which often reach 20–35 knots.

The national event, meanwhile, will be a speed race offering the winner a 16,000 yuan ($2,400) lump sum.

Both championships will be free to enter for domestic athletes, thanks to the requirements of China's General Administration of Sport and the permission of the International Kiteboarding Association.

Pingtan's hopes for success will rest on the shoulders of local kitesurfer Chen Jingle, who will be competing in one or both of the events. Chen finished in fourth place in a speed race at the 2016 Formula Kite World Championship, which took place in Weifang, Shandong province on Sept 9-15.

Pingtan kitesurfer Chen Jingle arranges the strings of her kite during a training session on Sept 18. [Photo by Cai Qihui/Pingtan Times]