Friday, 21 August 2015
WIRRAL KITESURFING TUTORIAL
WIRRAL KITESURFING TUTORIAL TAKING YOUR SURFACE LOOPS TO THE AIR
Some excellent advice here on this video tutorial about taking your surface loops to the air.kiteboarding Progression :
Thursday, 20 August 2015
World Kitesurf Tour Update
World Kitesurf Tour Update
Here is the latest announcement from ISAF following up on our previous article: Kitesurf World Tour – What Is Really Going On? http://www.airforcekitesurfing.com/2015/08/06/kitesurf-world-tour-what-is-really-going-on/ The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and the Pro Kite Tour (PKT) - formerly known as Professional Kiteboard Riders Association - are pleased to confirm that ISAF Special Event status is being awarded to the Virgin Kitesurf series of worldwide events. The series will become ISAF's sixth Special Event, joining events such as the America's Cup, Volvo Ocean Race and Extreme Sailing Series as one of sailing's premier circuits. Following a successful event in Fuerteventura, Spain the next stop of the series will be in St. Peter Ording, Germany from 21-30 August 2015. The world's top riders will take to the water, competing for a share of the $42,000 USD prize fund in the Freestyle and Slalom disciplines. Argentina, China and South Africa will host the remaining events in 2015 and both ISAF and the PKT are looking forward to working together to deliver a successful series of events.What Airforce Kitesurfing Thinks
We are stoked to see some kind of current compromise as opposed to the previous announcements stating that the VKWC may not be able to crown kitesurf world champions. However we see no clarification of this in the statement just acknowledgment of the tour and prestige status awarded. Airforce Kitesurfing so far this season have been impressed with both the new format and the way VKWC media portrayal of the sport have evolved. We do however remain dubious of IKA and ISAF intentions only for the simple fact we oppose the previous format that was submitted to the Olympics for kiteboarding's inclusion. Airforce Kitesurfing still champions the fact that if kiteboarding follows its true identity and heart there will come a time where the IOC comes knocking. Kiteboarding should stay true to itself and not compromise for Olympic inclusion, copying other sports formats will be detrimental to the sport in the long term in our opinion.Pringles Kitesurf World Cup St. Peter-Ording
St. Peter Ording , Germany 21 to 30 Aug, 2015All the info on the next event can be found here:
http://www.vkwc.com/st-peter-ording-kiteboarding-world-cup-2015
And the rest of the VKWC tour here:
http://www.vkwc.com/world-contest-schedule
Here is a glimpse of what to expect:
from: www.airforcekitesurfing.com
Tuesday, 11 August 2015
Kitesurf World Tour Round up Fuerteventura
Kitesurf World Tour Round up Fuerteventura
Brazil Kiteboarders Dominate In The Kitesurf World Cup
An early call was made for the rider's meeting at 9:30am, as the forecast was looking optimistic for the day ahead, and there was a challenge to be able to complete both the freestyle and the big air competitions in only a few hours. As the riders set up their gear, the wind started teasing by continually dropping off and then picking up again.Carlos Mario Cumbuco Kiteboarder Storms To = 1st In Mens Feestyle
By 12pm, the winds appeared to be consistent enough to run the first heat with Paul Serin (FR/Naish) vs Carlos Mario(BR/Slingshot). The guys were on 14 metre kites, and the wind was blowing an estimated 16 knots. Carlos Mario started strong with a powerful Back Mobe. Serin managed to get a strong start also by throwing down a nice KGB and Back Mobe. Mario did an impressive Heart Attack 5 in the last second which gave him the win and passed him through to the semi finals. As the heat drew to a close, Mario went to high 5 his friend Serin, a demonstration of the good vibes and positive attitude that these guys maintain both on and off the water.
Heat number 28 got underway with the conditions improving considerably. Aaron Hadlow (GB/North) opened well with a fierce Front Blind Mobe and Back Mobe 5. David Tonijuan did not fail to impress either, putting together the same moves as Aaron, but with more height and power. Unfortunately, Aaron struggled to land his backside 315, crashed his kite and tangled his lines. Tonijuan seized the opportunity and was on fire during his heat, enabling him to defeat the British rider and pass through to the Semi-Finals.
Men's heat 29 was an action packed 8 minutes with 1x World Champion Alex Pastor (ES/Airush) up against Current World Champion Christophe Tack (BE/Liquid Force). Pastor entered the water showing great confidence with his riding, landing a Front Blind Mobe and Back Mobe 5 and an impressive Double Heart Attack in the first few minutes. Tack was not willing to be defeated, and retalliated with a nice Fronside 7 and Backside 315, to eventually take the win and head straight for the finals.
Joining him in the final was the 17 year old Carlos Mario (BR/Slingshot), who landed an incredible S-Mobe 7 being the highest scoring trick of the competition, and defeated Spanish rider David Tonijuan (ES/Cabrinha), who did amongst other tricks an impressive Backside 315 but it wasn't quite enough to beat the Brazilian Mario.
Bruna Kajiya Brazillian Former World Champion Back On Top
For the girls, Annabel Van Westerop (AUA/Cabrinha) went head to head against Gisela Pulido (ES/Best) Riding her 9m kite, Annabel opened up landing a very clean S-Bend to Blind. Gisela changed her kite and opted for 11m, landing a powered Back to Blind, S-Mobe and a Blind Judge. Both riders showed incredible aptitude and determination, but eventually it was Pulido who advanced. To see who else would gain a place in the final, it was time for Brazilian Bruna Kajiya (BR/Airush) to face Paula Novotna(CZ/North). Both riders have been competing well at recent events, but it was the more experienced Kajiya who pulled of an impressive Back to Blind and 313, and passed through to face Gisela Pulido in the final.
For the Women's final, an impressive heat was run between 9x World Champion Gisela Pulido and 1x World Champion Bruna Kajiya. The heated battle commenced with an outstanding Heart Attack and Slim 5 from Gisela, which was matched with an S-bend to Blind and S-Mobe from Bruna. Eventually it was the Brazilian rider's perseverence and consistancy that gave her the win. Bruna was thrilled with her first event win of the year. Gisela took 2nd place, with Annabel Van Westerop in 3rd and Paula Novotna in 4th. All the girls put on an amazing show today, and gave their best performance in front of the Sotavento crowds.
Bruna Kajiya - "I'm so happy, it's incredible! Im happy that I did a really good heat and Gisela also. This is important because it made it more exciting for both of us. I just went for it, I risked a lot. I went for big tricks, and in the end it was worth it, and im extremely happy. "
There were several attempts to run the Men's Final and mini final, but the wind was just not playing ball, so by 5pm the event was over, placing Christophe Tack and Carlos Mario in joint 1st place, and Alex Pastor with David Tonijuan in joint 3rd place.
It was unfortunately not possible to finish the Big Air elimination due to the light wind conditions.
Christophe Tack - "I was lucky to have some great wind for 12 metres, and had a good heat against Alex. I was stoked to be able to find some kicker tricks, I pulled a heelside frontside 720 and toeside backside 540. In the final I started well against Bebe with a backside 317 and managed a KGB 5 and heelside frontside 720, but unfortunately the wind dropped and the heat got cancelled. Bebe was ripping so I'm stoked to share first place with him!"
It's been an outstanding week of action here on Fuerteventura, with wind conditions being more varied than previous years. As always, the beaches have filled with spectators and supporters who came to cheer on the World's elite kiteboarders. Thanks to all who came, riders, spectators and organizers, for a wonderful effort and succesful event. Next up is the VKWC in St Peter Ording, which will be commencing on 21st of August... see you all there!
Question is will it still be the VKWC after the next event?
by www.airforcekitesurfing.com
Monday, 10 August 2015
What Is Really Going On With The Kitesurf World Tour ?
What Is Really Going On With The Kitesurf World Tour ?
Well first off this week has seen some bizarre announcements from the IKA, ISAF and VKWC regarding the kitesurf world tour. However before we take a look at the politics and announcements lets first take in the action so far at the latest tour stop.Kitesurf World Tour - Furteventura
Kitesurf World Tour - IKA Announcement
The International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) has decided to cancel all agreements with the Virgin Kitesurf World Championships (VKWC). The governing body for the sport of kiteboarding will no longer allow the Freestyle World Tour to be run under the organization led by Richard Branson. IKA intends to oversee the running of the forthcoming two confirmed events in Fuerteventura, Spain, and St Peter Ording, Germany. The decision puts an end to months of negotiations between both parties. Kiteboarding brands like North Kiteboarding and Naish don't agree with the fact that the sole Freestyle World Tour is so closely linked with Best Kiteboarding, a brand in which Javier Perez Dolset has made investments. The Spanish businessman has also partnered with Richard Branson to control the VKWC. "A new contract would have enhanced fairness, transparency and independent judging for riders, with the aim avoiding conflicts between the tour owners, brands, judges and riders," said Markus Schwendtner, CEO at IKA. "Additionally, the new contract would have required improvements to the newly introduced PKRA [VKWC] scoring and qualification systems, which the IKA is aware have created significant dissatisfaction amongst riders." The IKA is sanctioned to award world championship titles by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) within its rules, under the umbrella of the International Olympic Committee. The riders' standings from the three competitions so far will be recognised, even if a decision is ultimately taken to change the judging criteria. And there will be qualifying rounds for each event, rather than the just two qualification slots announced by the VKWC. The VKWC confirmed that the parties were unable to reach an agreement. However, the organization led by Richard Branson underlines that "we will now deal direct with ISAF in good faith in the best interests of the sport, its riders, our commercial partners and our supporters." "The Global Kitesports Association, representing the majority of the Industry supporting the professional riders on the tour 2015, has expressed its full support to VKWC." The VKWC confirms that "new public events at great kitesurf locations producing thrilling media content are part of the development plans to change the way kiteboarding is recognized globally." source: http://www.surfertoday.com/kiteboarding/11984-ika-says-richard-branson-cant-crown-world-championsKitesurf World Tour - ISAF Announcement
A few days later ISAF released this statement about the kitesurf world tour: The International Sailing Federation (ISAF) has announced that the upcoming Fuerteventura Kitesurfing World Championships will go ahead under the Virgin Kitesurf World Championships (VKWC) insignia. The ISAF, the VKWC and the International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) have met in London to discuss the future of professional kiteboarding and the official world tour. "The positive and productive discussions between the parties included the exciting investment being made by Virgin in this growing area of the sport, and all bodies are working together to conclude a long-term agreement to govern the future management and operations of the Championship," ISAF tells in a statement. "In particular, there is common agreement that the future arrangements need to ensure a flexible and commercial approach to developing the professional tour, whilst ensuring and safeguarding the fairness of competition and the interests of the riders." As a result, both ISAF and IKA will work with the organization led by Richard Branson in Fuerteventura, "to provide support to the event promoter and assure riders of the fairness of competition." ISAF, the world governing body for the sport of sailing, also underlines that only the cooperation and planning between all organisations will further progress the class towards the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games." All three parties have not clarified whether the German stage in St. Peter-Ording will be run under the VKWC flag. source:http://www.surfertoday.com/kiteboarding/12016-isaf-soothes-tension-in-the-kiteboarding-worldKitesurf World Tour - Airforce's View
Well so far amid some initial skepticism as we have already stated we have been impressed so far with the VKWC format.We are strong believers in showcasing all disciplines of our sport and so far we think the new format has done a good job of this. It is also our belief that the exposure Richard Branson and Virgin bring to the sport can only we positive and we truly believe this level of exposure filters back down to grass roots opportunities. ISAF and IKA in our humble opinion our dragging political spin into a sport where we believe there is no place. The statements evoke thoughts such as monopolization and corporate control with vested interests. The 2020 Olympics seems to be top of their agenda, personally we have long opposed based on what happened to the windsurfing RS class and the Olympics with the last push. Airforce would far rather see kitesurfing take a skateboard/snowboard route to imposing its dominance in the extreme sports market. We believe the current kitesurf world tour format showcasing freestyle, big-air, wave etc has much greater appeal across the board than RS class style course racing. If IKA and ISAF intend in their next Olympic proposal to change the discipline we may have a differing opinion. However we are strong believers in keeping kitesurfing true to its roots and not developing a new format to fit an Olympic criteria. Kiteboarding doesn't need the Olympics, it needs to find its feet and establish itself the same way snowboarding did then the Olympics will come to kiteboarding.from http://www.airforcekitesurfing.com/
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