Kiteboarding will make its Olympic debut at the 2016 Games in Rio after the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) dropped windsurfing
Although kitesurfing has been established for over 15 years the sport is still in its infancy. Over the years we have seen the sport grow and grow while we still haven’t seen any major boom, maybe the time is about to come! Its official that kitesurfing is part of the 2016 Rio Olympics. Major hard work has been made to make this happen. The International Kitesurfing Association (IKA) with its board of Kiteboarding Olympic Ambassadors including Sir Richard Branson and Flash Austin has battled hard over the years with the Olympic officials and ISAF to make it happen.
The decision has been met with surprise and frustration within windsurfing and an online petition has been set up to keep it as an Olympic discipline.
Kitesurfing has a tight and small community and its always surprising where ever you go even to the far reaches of the planet you will always bump into old friends or meet new friends who already happen to be great pals of your own. This bond within the sport has formed groups, societies, clubs and schools which have all helped to increase the awareness of kitesurfing by making videos, pictures, writing articles and of course teaching people on how to kitesurf through kitesurfing lessons. This continued effort and support has made a huge impact of why the ISAF have decided to make kitesurfing an Olympic sport. It also shows that kitesurfing isn’t just a sport but also a lifestyle with thousands of top friendly people.
So which discipline will they use in the Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games? The kitesurfing discipline will be racing similar to the sailing catergory. Kitesurfers will be scored on their race times after completing a circuit. Specialist racing equipment will be used and we’re sure that kitesurfing brands will really focus on new products with the build up to the games.
So perhaps the time is now to start training and dreaming of that gold medal! Zenith Kiting have already noticed the increase in customer demand for kitesurfing lessons in Essex, UK. Our radius is enlarging with many students travelling from the out reaches of London, Cambridge and Kent to come to the coast and taste the sport. We enjoy teaching and we strife of the happiness it brings to others.
We will continue to push the sport and instruct others around the world. Maybe we will see you in the games! Happy Kiting.
