Kitesurfing replaced by windsurfing at 2016 Rio Olympics

The International Sailing Kitesurfing announced in May 2012 that Kiteboarding would replace Windsurfing at the 2016 Rio Olympics. At the time, I commented that this decision was unfair to Windsurfing, which had been in the Olympics since 1984 for men and 1992 for women.

Now, ISAF has reversed that decision and dropped Kitesurfing to reinstate Windsurfing!

It is not clear to me why have flip-flopped on this, nor is it clear why both sports cannot be included, which would surely be the best option.

Kitesurfing could be "demonstration sport" at Rio in addition to the well established Windsurfing events.

It would seem that there is lots of "politics" about how international organisations such as the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) and International Windsurfing Association (IWA) are going about their business.

I was not intending to compete, but I pity those who have already started training up for the possibility, and buying kiteboarding race gear.

I love kitesurfing for its action, challenge, adrenalin and sometimes the solitude.  Sporting governing bodies should be careful they don't intrude on this.

Links

• Windsurfing is back to the Rio 2016 Olympic Games - SurferToday
• Sailing bosses change tack on Olympic kiteboarding - Sailing News | TVNZ :
• 2012 ISAF Annual Conference Concludes In Dun Laoghaire, Ireland - ISAF World Sailing  

Kitesurfing in the Olympic Games, but windsurfing is dropped

Kitesurfing has been announced as an official sport for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.  This decision was  made by the International Sailing Federation.

Kitesurfing at the Olympics will boost kitesurfing's profile worldwide and could see the sport become more "mainstream".

However, windsurfing has been dropped, apparently in favour of kitesurfing.  I don't agree with this.  Windsurfing has a long heritage and is a well established water sport. I think it should have been retained in the Olympics.

In addition, the vast majority of kitesurfing worldwide is either freestyle/freeride/wakestyle on twin tip boards or wave riding on surfboards.  The Olympic event will be course racing on race boards - a discipline that relatively few kitesurfers currently do - even at competitions.

It will be interesting to see how this goes.  A sudden surge in popularity for kitesurfing could put a lot of pressure on locations that are already becoming crowded, and beginners who don't take lessons will put themselves and others at serious risk.

I hope that the Olympic kitesurfing events go well and that this contributes to kitesurfing's acceptance as the safe and fun sport that it is.

I offer my commiserations to windsurfers, including some buddies.

Links

• Kiteboarding Becomes an Olympic Sport, inMotion Kitesurfing
• Kiteboarding to replace windsurfing at 2016 Rio Olympics,  BBC Sport 

Sail Melbourne Kiteboarding Championships on at Hampton

The Sail Melbourne Kiteboarding Championships are being held at Hampton Beach from 10-12 November as part of the ISAF Sailing World Cup Carnival.  The event is presented by Cabrinha and KBV.

Kiteboarding is being considered as a demonstration sport in the in the 2016 Olympic games in Rio De Janeiro.

Competitors in this internationally recognised sailing competition may have a chance to participate at the Olympic games!

KBV/AKSA members have the opportunity to experience the following four competitions, including two proposed Olympic Kiting classes, in an official competition format:

• Course Racing (proposed Olympic class)upwind-downwind course racing
• Freestyle expression session with elimination finals, specific format depends on number of competitors in each division and weather forecast - 
• Kite-X (proposed Olympic class) slalom racing with obstacles, running elimination heats and finals - 
• Big Air expression session, if conditions permit

Winners will receive a recognised medal from Sail Melbourne. Plus Cabrinha and SHQ will provide prizes to the winners on the day.

The event has been created to cater for all levels of kiteboarding ability.

The Kiting portion of the Sail Melbourne World Cup week will be held Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10-12th November, at Hampton Beach.

Links

• Competitors information, Sail Melbourne
• Olympic hopefuls take to the bay, The Age
• Sail Melbourne Kiteboarding Competition, KBV