Close call for Hawaii Kiteboarders: Proposed 200' Kite Ban in Hawaii Deferred

The Hawaii Senate Committee on Water and Land deferred a proposed bill this afternoon that would have banned windsurfing and kiteboarding within 200 feet of swimmers and surfers. According to the bills sponsor, Senator Les Ihara Jr, the move "effectively dismissed it from further consideration".

 

Senator Ihara says he introduced the bill at the request of a constituent.

 

SBC Kiteboard contacted the senator to find out more and he informed us, "while the legislative idea in SB 2091 seemed worthy of consideration, many valid concerns were raised about the bill even before the hearing. As a result, I suggested to the committee chair prior to today's hearing that unless the concerns were adequately addressed, it may be wise to terminate consideration on the bill."

 

Hundred of windsurfers and kiteboarders from around the world flooded the Committee with emails and letters when word of the bill spread the day before todays hearing.

 

Thankfully clear heads prevailed, and the rights of windsurfers and kiteboarders have been protected for now.

 

Kiteboarding and windsurfings safety record with other user groups has been extremely good. Was the desire to keep windsurfers and kiteboarders off of "surfers wave's" the motivating factor behind this latest attempt to limit windsurfing and kiteboarding? Very Likely. One thing is clear, we as kiteboarders will always need to work together to protect our rights to fair access.

 

A big thank you to everyone that made sure their voices were heard.

 

We at SBC Kiteboard believe that the oceans are one of natures greates

Source

Seadi Takes First at Brazil PWA Comp

Brazilian windsurfer notches his first win of 2007 season.
by Brian McDowell

Kauli Seadi's dreams come true as a sensational win on his doorstep continues the 2007 trend of home advantage. This crucial victory marks the Brazilian's first event title of the season, and protects his grip on the tour lead.

There was no doubt in the crowd's minds as to who'd won as a throng of supporters carried Seadi from the water's edge to the podium before the decision was announced.

 

The judges seemed to agree and a unanimous 5-0 decision awarded him the victory.

 

Final Results

 

1. Kauli Seadi (Quatro / Naish)

 

2. Nik Baker (Mistral / North)

 

3. Levi Siver (Starboard / NeilPryde)

 

4. Victor Fernandez (Fanatic / Simmer)

 

5. Kevin Pritchard (Starboard / MauiSails)

 

6. Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde)

 

= 7. Klaas Voget (Fanatic / NeilPryde)

 

= 7. Jason Polakow (JP / NeilPryde)

 

= 9. Ross Williams (Tabou / Gaastra)

 

= 9. Julien Taboulet (F2 / Naish)

 

= 9. Vidar Jensen (North)

 

= 9. Josh Angulo

 

You can review the event at www.pwaworldtour.com to check the elimination ladders, daily news summaries, results and browse the sensational photo galleries.

Brazil Kiteboard Comp Kicks Off

PKRA's KiteXtreme draws some of the world's top kiteboarders.
by Kiteblogs.com

Discuss this article in the Kiteboarding Forum

The biggest kiteboarding competition in Brazil kicked off to another great year with the start of the KiteXtreme Brazil 2007 in Coqueiro beach located in Luнs Correia, Parnaнba – some 450 km away from Fortaleza. Located on the northeast coast of Brazil, Coqueiro will be the home of some of the world's best kiteboarders for five days which will run until the 23rd of September, 2007.

Saintes Maries delivered good conditions

Saintes Maries/France, 06-01-2008
text:mos/pic: Ingrid Franchi

The best conditions of the day were at the beginning of the session from 11am until 1pm with winds of 35-knots with higher gusts of 40-knots and a good angle of 125. The 'big' winds that were predicted throughout the weather circles for the later afternoon unfortunately did not materialize and the normally fluid southeast was tempestuous and moody with wide scopes of change in the wind strength measured at the start, middle and finish by the race crew.

This made getting the right moment difficult. Hats off to Antoine Albeau for a very good performance and for being in the right place at the right time. His speed of 47.69 is the third fastest of all time. Record holder Finian Maynard had an off day as he was unable to find the right tuning, gust or pick the right gear in the constantly changing conditions.

Personal bests were attained by David Garrel (45.96), Cedric Bordes (45.94), Thomas Gaudiot (42.71), Markus Poeltenstein (40.40) and Valerie Ghibaudo (39.93). Congratulations.

"I beat my own record today" explains Antoine "the angle of wind was better than our last attempt. We simply missed still a little wind. I think that I can still go faster even if it is really not easy to gain 0,5 knots at this speed."

Text: mastersofspeed.com

Saintes Maries delivered good conditions

Saintes Maries/France, 06-01-2008
text:mos/pic: Ingrid Franchi

The best conditions of the day were at the beginning of the session from 11am until 1pm with winds of 35-knots with higher gusts of 40-knots and a good angle of 125. The 'big' winds that were predicted throughout the weather circles for the later afternoon unfortunately did not materialize and the normally fluid southeast was tempestuous and moody with wide scopes of change in the wind strength measured at the start, middle and finish by the race crew.

This made getting the right moment difficult. Hats off to Antoine Albeau for a very good performance and for being in the right place at the right time. His speed of 47.69 is the third fastest of all time. Record holder Finian Maynard had an off day as he was unable to find the right tuning, gust or pick the right gear in the constantly changing conditions.

Personal bests were attained by David Garrel (45.96), Cedric Bordes (45.94), Thomas Gaudiot (42.71), Markus Poeltenstein (40.40) and Valerie Ghibaudo (39.93). Congratulations.

"I beat my own record today" explains Antoine "the angle of wind was better than our last attempt. We simply missed still a little wind. I think that I can still go faster even if it is really not easy to gain 0,5 knots at this speed."

Text: mastersofspeed.com

MauiSails agrees to Kevin Pritchard Departure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE;

MauiSails agrees to Kevin Pritchard Departure
(Maui, Hawaii, USA - January, 2008)

Phil McGain, President of the company, commented on the new direction for his sailing partner of the past fifteen years; "We wish Kevin the best of luck. We have all enjoyed working with him over the years. It's always challenging to end long partnerships, but sometimes change is invaluable and must be accepted with gratitude and appreciation."

Designer, Barry Spanier commented, "Working with Kevin and helping him to become a World Champion has been very satisfying and personally rewarding. His participation will be missed. But sometimes it's like Yogi Berra once said, `If there's a fork in the road, you have to take it.' I certainly wish him the best in his new circumstances."

MauiSails would also like to announce and welcome Norio Asano (J-25) of Led Iron, our new Japanese distributor. We are excited to develop our relationship with Norio, and look forward to years of his high level performance. Norio is the current slalom racing national champion and is a very accomplished wave sailor.

We are also happy to continue working with Martin Van Meurs, who will be our dedicated speed master, and we expect him to follow his amazing fifty knot GPS speed with higher levels of achievement and possible World Records. Martin will continue to administer the online Speed forum.

MauiSails is a windsurfing rig component brand. The MauiSails Team designs, builds and markets windsurfing sails, masts, carbon and aluminum booms, plus accessories. With global reach in over thirty countries world-wide, the company provides information on all things related to the sport at http://www.mauisails.com/forum

Masters of Speed 2007

Saintes Maries de la Mer in southern france will open its Speed Canal again. The chase for records and the 50knots barrier will take place with a selection of competitors on a 1000M canal in Les Saintes Maries de la Mer, France. The event is slated to take place throughout the entire winter months of 2007/08 for a period of 5-months. This is the ideal time to harness the energy generated by the famous South-East and Mistral winds and the location is proven with eight outright world records in the past 20 years.

 

THE CANAL
The 'Canal', as it is known to the sailors, is the unmistakable location where today's windsurfing technology has the potential to explore the unknown depths of speed. The trench itself is 1,100 meters long with a width of 30 meters.
There are three overlapping, 500 M courses on each side accommodating the four quadrant wind directions. NW, N/NE, SW & SE. The two most favourable directions are the widely known 'Mistral', which blows from a N/NE direction and the 'Le Marin', which blows from the SE. This particular wind carries enormous potential to deliver on a grand scale.
The Canal will be moulded and cared for by Christophe Simian and Fabrice David, who are very experienced collaborating record attempts in Stes. Maries and all potentially fast times will be officially ratified by the WSSRC, who will have an observer on hand.

 

THE RIDERS
Finian Maynard (11): two-time outright world record holder, fastest current speed of 48.70-knots
Karin Jaggi (14): former outright world record holder, slalom world champion, Best personal speed 41,25 knots
Patrik Diethelm (ITA120): production speed world champion). Best personal speed 43,09 knots
Valerie Ghibaudo(444): speed world champion, Best personal speed 39,02 knots
David Garrel(22): former French record holder, Best personal speed 45,51 knots
Cedric Bordes (91): Best personal speed 39,78 knots
Marion Raisi
John Smalley(K42): Best personal speed 40,75 knots
Farrel O´Shea (K81): Best personal speed 39,07 knots
Andrea Baldini (ITA223): Best personal speed 36,64 knots
Francesco d´Urso (62): Best personal speed 39,55 knots
Markus Pöltenstein: Best personal speed 39,08 knots
Henrik Klagges (111): Best personal speed 37,88 knots
Thomas Gaudiot

 

Interview by F2.com
Pascal Maka (Organiser):
"Masters of speed is on again!! This year our motivation has been really activated since kite riders have done good times in Namibia.
In mid of October we have started the hard work part with our excavator pilot to re shape perfectly the new streamlined banks of the canal, it is very important to get perfect wind in the bottom of competitors sails and also to have the right water level for a flatter water surface. Christophe and Fabrice have tuned the timing system. Our goal this time is to break the 50 knots barrier.
When I watch the video tape for the hundredth time Finian and Karin's world record runs on April 10th 2006, I can tell you now 2007-2008 MOS competitors have a wide range to break new world records: more than 50 knots for Men and more than 45 knots for Women...
We have extended the world record attempt to 5 months to get more chances to score the right wind conditions during the winter time.
Let's hope we make it again - but this time 50 Knots +!"

 

Finian Maynard (Outright Speed World Record Holder):
"I am very excited to come back to the Canal in France which is a location with a proven track record in the chase for higher speeds and ultimately the 50-knot barrier. This winter we are all putting in a very big effort in the form of a 5-month period and I hope we get the perfect day in which to realize windsurfing's true potential on the speed course. F2 is fielding a strong team for this challenge and we are after many different records! I hope we can achieve what we set out to do. Stay tuned."

 

Karin Jaggi (F2 Team Manager, Female Windsurf Speed World Record Holder):
"Just a few weeks ago I lost the outright women speed record to Sjoukje Bredenkamp, a female kiter. Many people asked me how I felt... All I can say is that I am soooooo much looking forward to a windy day on the canal! I always stated that the two days of record conditions I experienced at the "ditch" are some of my favorite windsurfing memories I have from 15-years touring the world. The beauty and force of nature – the raging elements – a team of friends gathering around the "ditch" – ready to brave the elements together in the pursuit of theirs dreams – I am getting excited every time I even think about it! And I finally have a goal and reason to be there again – thanks to Sjoukje!"

 

All the latest speed news, pictures and more at Mastersofspeed.com