Surfing, Kiteboarding, Windsurfing and Bodyboarding News Center. Breaking News, Surfing Games, Surf Movies, Board Size Charts, Surf Videos, Wind and Wave Forecasts, Surf Shop, Surf Spots, Surf Cams, Surf Travel.
ISAF believes kiteboarding is ready for the 2016 Olympic Games
Saturday, 21 April 2012 09:06

Kiteboarding: ISAF likes the sport

Kiteboarding is ready to be included as an ISAF and Olympic sailing event for both men and women. This is the main conclusion taken by the ISAF officials during the Kiteboarding Trials held, last month, in Santander, Spain.


"Kiteboarding can add new interest to the ISAF Sailing World Cup and ISAF Sailing World Championships by helping to promote sailing to the media and the IOC. Effectively Kiteboarding can provide a real opportunity to help promote sailing", the document reports.

Actually, the final evaluation and technical reports introduced a few revelant recommendantions. The ISAF team considered that "safety issues are slightly different for Kiteboarding and it would be essential to have a well-trained team on the racing area (size of committee boats, tangled ropes, cutting the kites, jumping)".

The ISAF analysis believes kiteboard rules are well developed and follow the standard Racing Rules of Sailing with some discipline specific changes. The officials wrote that "racing is close to the shore with an easy to follow competition format. Kiteboarding is colorful, attractive to spectators and media and especially appealing to youth".

The overall kiteboarding evaluation is definitely very good. The class is growing fast. Approximately 60000 sailors start kiteboarding every year and 180000 kites and 75000 hulls are sold every year, with a yearly growth of 10%.

The ISAF judges have also underlined that there are "currently 14 builders producing hulls and 19 builders produce kites", a fact which "guarantees high quality at a low prize".

The report believes the equipment is light weight and offers a wide weight band. Kiteboards are physically and technically challenging to sail, but not destructive to the body (no pumping, always trapezing).

The ISAF officials consider the identification of sailors needs to be improved by adding nationality flags to the kites. The race for a ticket in the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games is clearly on. Kiteboarding and windsurfing will be battling for it until the last minute.


 

Join our surfing community in Facebook!   Get the top news stories in your Twitter account!   SurferToday.com on Google +   Follow us on Pinterest   SurferToday on Youtube

Wind Speed and Direction Forecast

Wave Height Forecast

Surf Videos

Online Surfing Games

Board Size Chart

Surf Photos

Surf Training and Fitness Exercises for Surfers

Surf Travel

Surf Movies

Surf Books

SURFING

The most shark-infested waters in the world
17/05/2013
article thumbnail

There are over 470 species of sharks and they have been living on Planet Earth for 420 million years.
The smallest shark - the dwarf lantern shark - is only 17 centimeters (6.7 inches) in length, while the whale shark is the largest specie in the world, with approximately 12 meters (39 feet). Sharks live in all oceans down to depths of 2,000 meters (6,600 feet). Usually, they do not live in freshwater with the exception of the bull shark and river shark.


From Teahupoo with love and rockets
17/05/2013
article thumbnail

Can surfers get bored of powerful and deadly waves because they're riding them for three consecutive days? Down at "The End of the Road", the big wave surfing hysteria keeps rolling. After all, it's Teahupoo isn't it?
Reef McIntosh confirms the theory of Teahupoo waves as freight trains, at full speed. He may have conquered the title of fastest tube rider of the French Polynesian islands. This thing called Teahupoo it's been pumping. Day one, day two and now chapter three. Kohl Christensen,  [ ... ]


+ Surfing News

KITEBOARDING

"Death loop" kills kitesurfer in Quebec
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

A 32-year-old kitesurfer has passed away when he was sailing on the Lake of Two Mountains, in Quebec, Canada.
Julien Blanchard was enjoying a kitesurfing session in the part of the river delta widening of the Ottawa River, in Quebec, when he suffered what is commonly called the "death loop". The rider was dragged to his death on the lake, after fell and being kept underwater by his kite for about 20 minutes.


Kiteboard Open 2013 set for Noordwijk
13/05/2013
article thumbnail

The Kiteboard Open 2013 will run between the 18th-20th May, in Noordwijk, Netherlands.
During three days, the west of the Netherlands is invaded by some of the best regional kitesurfers in a beach lifestyle festival. Ruben Lenten, Kevin and Jalou Langeree will be showing off in the Kiteboard Open 2013, at the their home spot.


+ Kitesurfing News

WINDSURFING

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode blast the Curacao Challenge 2013
17/05/2013
article thumbnail

Taty Frans and Kiri Thode have claimed the Slalom and Freestyle titles at the Curacao Challenge 2013, in the Netherlands Antilles.
A total of 85 windsurfers from some of the world's best sailing countries like Bonaire, Aruba and Curacao competed in front of hundreds of spectators. The 5th edition of the Curacao Challenge showcased an high level of competition mixed with a great atmosphere. The event held a Tow-In Freestyle contest, Slalom races and a SUP battle.


The windsurfing book for young people
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

"Go Windsurfing!" is a windsurfing book for young people published by the Royal Yachting Association.
Written and illustrated by Claudia Myatt, "RYA Go Windsurfing!" offers easy reading style and engaging content to children aged between 7-12 years old. The entertaining and clear format takes the reader from the beginnings through to starting to race and what they need to know to stay safe while out windsurfing. There is also an informative section at the back which explores Windsurfing amaz [ ... ]


+ Windsurfing News

BODYBOARDING

Dan Ryan air drops into vertical Teahupoo
15/05/2013
article thumbnail

Dan Ryan has scored epic air drops into deep barrels, in Teahupoo, Tahiti, during the largest swell of the year.
The adrenaline-fueled 13th May 2013 has been considered an historical big wave surfing day, in the French Polynesian island. Too big to paddle-in, too vertical for surfers. No worries. Dan Ryan, member of the big wave bodyboarding club, was one of the few prone riders defying fear, at the Teahupoo bowl. When the moment came, he went for it, big time.


World's best tube riders fly to El Gringo
14/05/2013
article thumbnail

The 2013 IBA GoPro Arica Chilean Challenge kicks off on the 17th May, in Arica, Chile, at the infamous El Gringo bodyboarding spot.
The third stop of the 2013 IBA World Tour is a Grand Slam Series events, which means there's a lot at stake. With $40,000 in prize money and 2000 points for the winner, Chile is a must. Moreover, the Arica Chilean Challenge is celebrating its 10th anniversary and all riders will be trying to claim the trophy, in front of thousands of hardcore bodyboarding fans.  [ ... ]


+ Bodyboarding News