The Notice of Race for the 2010 North American Course Racing Championships has just been published and is available here for download.

You can register online for this event by following this link.

The event is hosted by Asociacion Mexicana de Kitesurf for and on behalf of Copa Mexico and the Mexican Sailing Federation and will be held from March 1st (Registration) till March 6th at Bucerias,Nayarit / Mexico.

20000 US Dollar are up for grabs and will attract the best course racers in the kiteboarding world.

The event will be based at the beach in front and to the south of hotel Decameron, in Bucerias, Nayarit, Mexico.

Conditions to be expected: Onshore to sideshore winds ranging from 8 to 25kts; water conditions are choppy with occasional small shorebreak on windy days.
Average water temperature in March is 24 degree celsius (75F) but sudden cold currents can drop it as low as 20C (68F) so a neopreme top or shorty is recomended. Air temperature ranges from a high of 27C (81F) to a low of 17C (63F) at night, averaging 22C (72F).

Provisional Schedule:
Saturday February 27th Amateur course racing & clinic.
-11:00 Riders meeting for amateur course racing clinic/qualifyer for intl fleet.
-12:00 First possible start.
-18:00 Opening Ceremony of Copa México as a whole at the Skybar of Marival Residences´ Penthouse.

Sunday February 28th Amateur course racing
-11:00 Riders meeting for amateur course racing clinic/qualifyer for intl fleet.
-12:00 First Possible start.
-TBA party

Monday March 1st Free day of competition
-17:00-20:00 International course racing registration.
-TBA party

Tuesday March 2nd International Course Racing
-11:00 riders meeting
-12:00 First possible start
-TBA party

Wednesday March 3rd International Course Racing
-11:00 riders meeting
-12:00 First possible start
-TBA party

Thursday March 4th International Course Racing
-11:00 riders meeting
-12:00 First possible start
-TBA party

Friday March 5th International Course Racing, National freestyle.
-11:00 riders meeting for international course racing
-12:00 First possible start
-15:00 end of international course racing, riders meeting for national freestyle
-15:30 first possible start for national freestyle
-TBA party

Saturday March 6th  International Course Racing Finals & National freestyle
-11:00 riders meeting for international course racing
-12:00 First possible start
-15:00 end of international course racing, riders meeting for national freestyle
-15:30 first possible start for national freestyle
-19:30 Prize giving ceremony for international course racing at Marina Riviera Nayarit.

Sunday March 7th National Freestyle finals
-11:30 national freestyle riders meeting
-12:00 fisrt possible start
-TBA prize giving ceremony/party

Air Mexicana is offering 25% reduced tickets, booking information is available at the registration page.

The organiser will provide shuttle from Puerto Vallarta Intl Airport. For details see the notice of race.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.internationalkiteboarding.org

PREVIEW PICTURES: http://www.internationalkiteboarding.org -> Press Center
Hi-Res Pics and Videos available on request.

ClASS MANAGER: Markus Schwendtner

For more information about the International Kiteboarding Association, please do not hesitate to contact us at:

The International Kiteboarding Association
Rohrbecker Weg 43
14612 Falkensee
Germany

Fon: +49 1713819139

http://www.internationalkiteboarding.org
info@internationalkiteboarding.org

So the International Kiteboarding Association officially is working to get kiteboard racing added in to the 2016 Olympics!  I just got the press release below that includes a link to the brochure.  The thing that I noticed is how much the roots of our sport from here in the SF Bay come through in the images used.  Lets hope that we can get some of the local SF boys and girls on the podium in Rio.

So here is the Press release:

With the successful bid of Rio de Janeiro and the Olympic Sailing Regatta 2016 held on the beaches of the Copacabana, Kiteboarding would perfectly suit  into this scenery and add a true highlight to the Olympic Games.

Have a first look at the 2009 brochure and learn more about what kiteboard racing has to offer to the Olympic Games

“Kiteboarding is the purest form of sailing and would be an awesome addition to the Olympic Family within the framework of the 2016 Olympic Sailing Event. Kiteracing is not weight sensitive and all of your equipment can fit in the back of a regular car. Its colorful, dynamic, inexpensive and super easy to learn… and can be done in water as shallow as 2 inches deep, opening up many places where no other craft can navigate.
As a five-time Olympic Athlete within the sport of Windsurfing and now a professional kiteboarder, I feel Kiteboarding would marry well within ISAF’s umbrella of international and Olympic Sailing events. Why not introduce the sport to the world for the 2016 Olympics. It is the most modern and efficient form of wind powered sailing on the planet.“, says two-time olympic medalist Michael Gebhardt (USA), member of the IKAs Olympic Commission.

• Kiteboarding perfectly suits the IOC strategy
• Kiteboarding is the best performing of all sailing classes
• Kiteboarding offers equal opportunities for any kind of athlete
• Kiteboarding is affordable and transportable
• Kiteboarding is media attractive
• Kiteboarding brings the sports top athletes to The Games
• Kiteboardings Olympic Campaign is supported by the major manufacturers
• Kiteboarding can help to make Olympic Sailing attractive again

Watch out for our regular updates on the development of kiteboard racing towards the Olympic Games !

The high-resolution version of the 2009 brochure “Kiteboarding and the Olympics” can be downloaded here

Quick demo video of the 2010 Ocean Rodeo SLE kite bar.

So what is it like to kiteboard under the Golden Gate Bridge.  Well here is your answer.

Erin Loscocco did a POV video and posted it on YouTube.

I was riding bikes with the family on the San Francisco Marin Green today and happen across the Family Kite Festival. www.fdkf.org

It was good fun. My son got me make a kite and fly it.

But the best part and why I really wat to share it with all of you is that the Hornblower Hybrid boat is giving bay cruises for $10!

The cruise was 45 minutes from Gas House Cove (across from the Marina Safeway) out to the Golden Gate Bridge and back.

There is a bike on board so you can pedal and put some power into the boat.

We got luck and took the 4:30 cruise tonight and got to shoot some pictures of the local kiting below.

The new Ocean Rodeo 3.0 SLE kite bar will blow every thing else out of water.

Bar Construction: Hydro formed extruded alloy tubes are fused to a computer shaped solid alloy center delivering the perfect combination of strength and light weight.

Ergonomically shaped for the ultimate in comfort, the bar matches your hands natural grip, resulting in more comfort and control.

Integrated bar end / floats do double duty adding floatation and padding. The molded EVA ends are designed to make winding lines easy.

Adjustable Bar lengths. Available in 2 sizes, simply pull the rear line leader from side to side through the bar end to set your bar length: Available in two sizes: 42cm to 49cm or 48cm to 55cm.

Textured Bar Grip: embossed EVA bar grip is colored to for easy “left/right” – “port/starboard” recognition.

Refined trim line center hole allows for unrestricted bar movement while polished alloy centre reduces center line wear.

Stretch cord line retainers: Elastic cord retracts inside bar end when not in use.

Self aligning trim loop: The top molded section of the chicken loop mates with center line slot. When unhooked the chicken loop will position flat facing you for easy hook in.

Easy trim loop replacement: Trim loops can be ordered in different sizes and are easy to install thanks to the chicken loop hub system.

Front line spreader bar: Stainless steel front line swivel assembly auto rotates with front line tension, minimizing front line twist.

Ergonomic release cuff: Easy to locate and grip in an emergency situation, the cuff can be activated even when chicken loop is tight against the bar.

New reduced profile cleat provides easy operation with less wear to the trim line.
Trim loop tubing features stiffer construction making hooking and unhooking easier while increasing durability.

Donkey dick is mechanically attached to the chicken loop and can be easily removed or repositioned.

3 stage tension adjustable bar stopper, set your bar throw.

Kite leash (included with bar) shown attached to center line.

Kite leash (included with bar) attached to front line re-ride.

The SLE 3.0 Bar comes complete with two attachment straps for you harness. The lower fits on a harness spreader bar. The top strap can be used for a handle pass leash attachment when the leash must slide.

Easy to maintain: All the features on the bar and chicken loop assembly are easy to access and maintain.
As you now see this kiteboarding bar has a user friendly design. Simple, time proven tried and tested push away release from the kite. Made for control responsive kite control, comfort and safety. Built to last.
Ocean Rodeo’s latest generation SLE kitesurfing bar offers the most desirable features in terms of performance and safety ever offered in a kite bar.

So tandem kiteboarding is not new but for the most part I don’t think is it often planned.

I have rescued a few friends this way and of course we report Richard Branson infamous tandem ride.

But when you are taking your child with you and non-kiting wife is watching,  you better have a good plan of attack.

So I took my old twintip race board and add an extra set of straps.

I did this by by moving the straps and pads on the board to the back most setting.  This left the front most setting open. After removing the handle I screwed the extra straps into the front setting and  the handle screw holes.  Next I cut up a old pad to give him a little more comfort and keep his feet from slipping.  If his feet were any bigger I would have had to make some straps out of rubber and wax the board.

So next it came down to location. I needed steady wind, warm water and friendly kiters. Naturally Sherman fit the bill. So we set out of a Saturday afternoon session.

After launching my kite we walked out together.  I had my son hold on the one end of the board as I dragged it behind me. Once we where deep enough to make a tack out I had my son hold my arm as I put the board on my feet.  When I was set I had him climb between my legs and put his feet in to his straps.  I had him reach back and hold my legs while we water started.

The overall feel of riding was just like driving a truck vs. a car. A little loaded down but once up to speed it was fine.  We even got comfortable enough that we did some jumps.

We rode for about 2 hours and my son never wanted to quite.  Do you think he want to do it again?

He now says that he never wants me to go kiting without him.

Jeremie Tronet’s video of a great kiting spot in Brazil.

Here is what he says about it:

Hi Guys, my latest DVD “discovering ilha do Guajiru” is now available online and for free at : http://www.ilha-do-guajiru.com

I filmed and edited this video last year in November during my trip in Brazil. We had the chance to discover this new spot and I wanted to film some kite action there.

The video feature Linn and I kiteboarding all the spots on ilha do Guajiru with other pro kitesurfers like Evandro Da silva ( 1st KPWT in Brazil and 2nd PKRA Brazil) also using  the ocean rodeo diablo and zen board during this movie and pro windsurfers from Brazil.

You can find some cool freestyle handle pass action, old school but also nice windsurfing freestyle tricks during this video.

If you prefer, you can also wait and watch it on your TV, the DVD is coming out with your kitesurf magazine:

-All kiteworld subscribers will receive a free DVD with the next issue of the magazine.

-The DVD is included in the new kiteboarding german magazine

-In the Latest Stance magazine in France, Italie and international.

-In the Duch kitesurf magazine and in the Belgium Swell magazine.

Downloadable HD version of Discovering Ilha do Guaijrú is available!

Use the right mouse button (for Mac users: CTRL + left-mouse) and then choose “save target as…” on this link: download HD version.

Men

1. Sean Farley
2. Chip Wasson
3. Johnny Heineken
4. Damien LeRoy
5. Bruno Sroka
6. Jesse Richman
7. Bjoern Rune Jensen
8. Dirk Hanel
9. Sky Solbach
10. Michael Gebhardt

Women

1. Steph Bridges
2. Kristin Boese
3. Melissa Gill
4. Sandy Parker
5. Katja Roose
6. Paula Sonnenberg

Silver Fleet

1. Eric Geleynse
2. Chris Brown
3. Bruce Johnson

Here are links to the scoring PDFs.

Qualification Series Results

Gold Fleet Results

Silver Fleet Results

Women’s Division Results

Men’s Division Results

Chip Wasson and John Gomes enjoy the night after a lot of hard work.

Pete Cabrinha and Jeff Headington at the Awards party.

Shawn Farley and Mike Gebhardt watch the slide show form the pictures take over the week.

Bruno and one of the International Judges inside the St Francis.

Evan and Stafaans top the charts for their home countries, Canada and South Africa. I will skip how many rider of each country there where

So here are some pictures of the boards and people at the beach.

Chip getting his kites ready for day 4.

Here is team Cabrinha boards

Nils and Shawn talk about what fins to run.

Eric Due happy after a good day of racing.

Martin Vari and Mike Zajicek

Nils hits up Eric's majic cooler.

Bruno Sroka and Steph Bridges sit before a long day of racing.

Frank and Stefaans. Protest ?!? No way man.

Shawn Farley getting ready to set up for the day.