Boardercross Ideas

[ricki]

Originally Posted by ELLINAS

I am very interested for important infos - sites -drawings-photos of a kitecross competition.

thank you in advance
Aris Evdos

Neil is the expert in Florida on organizing kitesurfing boardercross events. If memory serves I think in addition to coming from a kiteboarding, windsurfing background he also did some Pro BMX racing in the past. Pending input from "The Marlboro Man of Kiting" (thanks Ryan!), some ideas for consideration in putting one together follow.

1. Keep a firm limit on the number of riders per heat, say up to four with a sufficiently large course may make sense. Too many kites in the mix can lead to additional line tangles and hazards.

2. Go over kiting rules of the road as they apply to the race in the race literature and in the captains meeting along with grounds for penalties and disqualification.

3. IMPORTANT: Go over procedures for riders if they do tangle kites with another rider and for riders coming into the tangle.

4. Start and stop signals and grounds for temporary suspension of racing.

5. Grand Prix starts on the beach is one way to approach the race. Relative position in the lineup is governed by normal considerations.

6. Sailing tactics should play a role in the course layout. Look to triangle sailing references for ideas in that regard (i.e. beating upwind, running downwind, etc.). The crossovers from windsurfing racing may have a wealth of ideas in this area.

7. SAFETY MUST GOVERN THE RACES. Even if you try your best eventually there may be accidents in something like this. If you are careless in organizing or enforcement you will be increasing the odds of a problem. Safety gear, common sense would suggest making helmets, impact vests, gloves, functional quick releases, kite leashes, etc. manditory. It would be great to locate insurance for the organizers, sponsors, venue owner, etc. IF it is feasible to obtain. Riders too if you can get it.

8. Obstacles such as the "bananas" adapted by Neil (great idea!) may provide a safer barrier than others that come to mind. You can still get hurt even with a banana though in theory. Course markers should be able to maintain position despite conditions (waves and currents) and ideally could be secured with a breakable link (lower test fishing line?) should a kiter get wrapped up. Carefully consider the placement, spacing and alignment of course markers and obstacles for actual conditions to where riders will have sufficient spacing for manuver in a group and time for reaction. You may plan out one layout but be forced by conditions to restructure the course. Make sure your markers and obstacles don't drag. Running advance trial "non-race, races" makes good sense prior to the big event only makes sense to get the kinks out and fine tune plans and procedures.

9. Most kiteboarding events that I have been associated with in years past have staged EMTs, had safety officers, contingency plans, etc.. It would be a good idea to have these provisions for boardercross as well.

10. Have a segregated and ideally roped off competitor setup and launch area. It would be good to have the spectator area setup in a way to not be directly downwind of the course.


REMEMBER and constantly keep telling yourself ... kiting is different, it's special and boardercross is a totally unique kiteboarding experience (NOT!). We were talking about doing this for the first Miami competition in 2001 as it was an obvious event plagarized from mountain sports. So, look at other similar sports that have been doing this sort of thing a lot longer than us for ideas like ...

http://www.skiclub.co.uk/skiclub/new...intItemID=3589
http://www.usasa.org/wv2000/bxformat.html
http://www.usasa.org/files/Rulebook2006.pdf
http://www.fis-ski.com/data/document/icr2004.pdf

(and many more)


Look to other existing kiteboarder cross events (like you're doing) for more info like:
http://www.fksa.org/viewtopic.php?t=1169
http://www.fksa.org/viewtopic.php?t=1171
http://www.fksa.org/viewtopic.php?t=1166
http://www.kitesurfing.org/bksaPageT...ID=1&mode=open
http://www.bayareakiteboarding.com/
http://www.kiteflix.com/videos.html
http://www.totaltravel.co.uk/travel/...-boardercross/
http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:.../appendixK.asp
http://live.vsk-match.com/vsk_match/...structions.asp


NOTE: A LOT of the above is taken from other activities or reasoned, which can sometimes set you up for surprises. Work with someone who has actual hands on experience like Neil if you can.

[ricki]

Just came across a more recent post about boardercross in the NW. There were some problems and minor injury which are analyzed in the post.

http://www.skypilotkiteboarding.com/...680a6f36#89674

[kent]

Rick,

Heats shoudl be limeted to 6 riders with the top 3 advancing: (boarder cross only). water starts will help to avoid 6 being too many people.

All starts should be running, timed starts (ie. windsurfers slalom races) this allows for competitors to be spread out a bit more at the starts

Any competitors "clear ahead" going into the mark has rights, no exceptions.

There are already plenty of accepted singinals used in all types of racing on the water. the use of visual signals is a must.

In order to take this to the same level as what we have going on the West Coast, these changes should be employeed to arrive at a fun, fair, and more competitive environment.

Kent

[ricki]

Thanks for the input Kent. How are things in boardercross on the West Coast by comparison? There has been talk about eventually extending competition nationwide. It would be a shame to hand the left coasters an advantage if avoidable. Other ideas out there?