Dockers star Nat Fyfe proves fitness with Rottnest kiteboarding race

Fyfe was part of a record pack of 135 kitesurfers from Australia and overseas who lapped up what were described by race organisers as perfect kiteboarding conditions with winds of up to 24 knots.

Coming in the middle of the pack the AFL Brownlow Medallist came 69th in a time of 33 minutes – but was happy to complete the race after a difficult start.

"After about the first kilometre I thought I might have made a mistake and thought I should turn around," he told 9 News Perth.

"But I was happy to make dry land, it was good fun."

With training due to start for the Docker and his senior teammates on Monday, it was a decent fitness challenge for the star midfielder – who added it was race he had his eye on for some time.

"I've been kiting for a while now and always wanted to do the crossing."

"It's good exposure for the sport and it was good fun."

Frenchman Nico Parlier completed the 19km crossing from Rottnest to Leighton Beach near Fremantle in a race record 19 minutes and three seconds – slashing three minutes off Englishman Olly Bridge's previous record.

Parlier felt he had an advantage just before the race started when Bridge broke his foil board.

"Right before the start, Olly broke his foil on a jump so he raced on the twin tip. I thought I then had a chance," he said.

"It was a very good race, we had a really good wind and flat water. I was afraid there would be a lot of seaweed in the water but it was ok.

"I'll be back next year to do it again."

Florian Gruber from Germany and 2013 World Champion in Formula Kite Racing placed second with Florian Trittel from Spain coming in third.

The UK's Steph Bridge held her fastest female title for the third year in a row ahead of Russia's Elena Kalinina and local kiteboarder Theresa McKirdy in third.

The race was scheduled for Saturday but unfavourable wind conditions forced organisers elected to move the event to Sunday.