Cabrinha commercial manager Mike Raper states: “Kiteboarding has a strong future and we are excited to see that ISAF has included Kiteboarding as a new class, we hope the benefits of ISAF will assist the sport continue to succeed on the international stage. We look forward to working with the IKA to develop a unified strategy to grow the sport. We are very positive about the possibility of Kiteboarding becoming a participant of the Olympic games, we hope the support of IKA will help us in this direction”.

[Source: IKA]

New Aboards Contest!

You are welcome to the contest from ABoards Kiteboarding with possibility to win 5 valuable prizes. The main prize X-series 2009 kiteboard with SFLS Atmosphere. To qualify for prizes you have to provide valid answers to the questions in our website and agree to sign-up for newsletter from ABoards Kiteboarding. There will be 5 winners selected in a random drawing from all eligible answers. One entry per person. Deadline for submitting the answers 3rd April, 2009.

Click HERE to enter the contest

We’re getting ready to implement a new online ITC system through the IKO website that will make taking an Instructor Training Course that much better!

That’s right - starting February 16, we will be launching an online ITC scheduling system that will offer vastly improved services to our ITC candidates, including an online education system and easy course registration. Here’s a basic outline of how the new system will work:

1. School Manager or registered ITC Organizer places ITC directly online.
2. ITC Candidates register for selected course via the Training Calendar, and pay the IKO training fee through Paypal at the time of registration. The remainder of their course fee is paid directly to the ITC Organizer.
3. Upon registration, Candidates receive online pre-course study material, developed to better prepare them for their ITC course. Candidates then take an online test designed to gauge their pre-course knowledge and skill level.
4. Examiner receives the results of registered Candidates’ pre-test, which will help him to tailor the upcoming ITC course to the needs of his students.
5. During the weeks prior to the ITC, prospective candidates are able to view course registration to see how many spots are still available for each course.
6. Once the ITC has finished, the Examiner can validate his Candidates directly through the same simple online system that was used at registration.

BENEFITS of the New System:
-Online education! Students’ ITC training is now supplemented with online pre-course study, which will allow candidates to get more out of their training experience
-Easy registration: Candidates can register directly through the IKO website, instead of having to contact the course organizer
-Improved service: Quicker post-course validation for candidates

What’s Next?

In the coming weeks, we will be releasing more detailed information about this new system, and how we will all transition between the old and the new. We appreciate your support in making this switch a smooth one, and are certain you will love the new changes to come!

[Source: IKO]

Kitemovement Team wishes everybody a Happy 2009

For the first time, Al Gharbia will play host to the ultimate international kiteboard World Cup, to be staged in Abu Dhabi, Mirfa, from March 22 to 29, 2009.

The 2009 Al Gharbia World Cup, is expected to draw the majority of the world’s top-ranked male and female competitors in Kiteboarding

Action will be intense, with all the discipline to be staged at one location on Abu Dhabi famous Mirfa.

The Kiteboarding event boasts international sanctioning with valuable competition points and rankings as part of the Kiteboard Pro World Tour (KPWT) World Cup and IKA world Ranking sanctioned by Isaf (International Sailing Federation).

It will feature 32 male and 12 female riders in a relentless freestyle competition, vying for their chance to share in the 30 000 euros Kiteboarding prize money on offer.

The event, Al Gharbia Kiteboard World Cup provides the platform for the KPWT to launch its first Kiteboarding event in United Arab Emirates (UAE).

KPWT Promoter Frederic Gravoille said the inclusion of Al Gharbia World Cup in the World Tour represented a positive evolution for the sport.

Bringing the KPWT to Abu Dhabi is a great opportunity not only for the KPWT, but for kiteboarding as a whole, he said. “

In terms of sport possibilities, new riding conditions, and media it couldn’t be better.

We’re excited to be aligned with Al Gharbia, United Arab Emirates (UAE), which represents truly world-class competition for both athletes and spectators. This fantastic outcome is the result of a long and successful collaboration.

The Al Gharbia Kiteboard World Cup will attract new water sports visitors and millions of television viewers worldwide.

Vision from the event will be distributed to national and international broadcasters throughout Europe, Asia, United Kingdom, North America, South America, Middle East, South Africa and Australia, and will be seen by more than 400 million people worldwide.

[Source: KPWT]

The Kiteboard Pro World Tour (KPWT) has published a full schedule for the 2009 title.

The competition is to kick off in March, in Abu Dhabi.

There are two dates to be confirmed: Canada and the United Kingdom.

The 2009 KPWT is now the official kiteboard world championship, sanctioned by ISAF and IKA.

This is the 2009 KPWT World Tour schedule:

ABU DHABI - March 09
ITALY - May 09
GERMANY - June 09
TURKEY - July 09
GREECE - July 09
PORTUGAL - July 09
FRANCE - August 09
CANADA - August 09 TBC
UK - September 09 TBC
MOROCCO - October 09
BRASIL - November 09

[Source: KPWT]

A lot of guessing is around about the IKA structure and its sub-committees. This article gives you a brief overview about who is who and who is doing what. However, the final nominations for the sub-committees are up to the IKA conference end of January.
The IKA has started back in 2006 as an initiative of riders and organizers involved in the kitespeed-worldcup, but not limited to them. This is still the core part of todays IKA, the part that worked with ISAF since a long time and that achieved official recognition in November 2008.
Read more…

News from Jason Furness

Hi All,
I hope this mail finds everyone well.
As most of you know I have been involved in the Kiting industry - alongside Flexifoil - for quite a few years.
In the past 15 years I have competed on Flexifoil kites both in kite-buggying and kitesurfing, after which I have been Team Manager, Sales Manager and Brand manager for Flexifoil Intl.
The time has now come for me to move on from Flexi. This has been a mutual decision between the company and myself and we are parting on the best of terms. I will be leaving Flexifoil tomorrow 24th December.
Before going I would like to take this opportunity to thank Flexifoil and the Van Dort family for my long term job. I have so many wonderful memories and experiences to take with me on my new road, Thank you.
Although I won’t be employed by Flexifoil any longer, I will be doing some
consulting work for them in the future. I will also be available for any
advice for future plans, opportunities etc etc..
My career so far in the kiting industry has been amazing and I am planning on keeping it that way. I will stay involved in the progress and development of our industry worldwide, and my strong ties with the industry, riders and friends will now allow me to explore new challenges…
After the 24th December you will still be able to contact me on my Flexifoil email address up until the end of January. Mid January I will be sending out my new contact details.
I wish you all a great Christmas and may the New Year bring us all exciting new challenges and even more adventures..
Now the time is here to Chill, Relax and enjoy Bring it on…
Go well
Laters J x

[Source: Kiteforum.com]

Eclipse kites proudly announces the addition of Australian wave pioneer Felix Pivec, to their team.

From an early start Felix has been expanding and defining the current limits of modern wave riding with kites. Felix has set the standard for hard-core progressive riding in the waves with a kite. Raw talent and training has helped Felix achieved unprecedented levels of publicity for kiteboarding with over 90 pages of editorial content just this past year. One can only reach this level of success with endless hours on the water and a commitment to pushing the sport so it gets the respect it deserves. Felix looks towards the future and working with a brand he can grow with.
Read More