Response to Bruce Kendall on Kiteboarding and the Olympics

Mr. Kendall recently reflected on Kiteboarding being too dangerous for inclusion in the Olympic Sailing Regatta.
While we appreciate and deeply respect his achievements as a world champion windsurfer, Olympic medalist and Olympic coach, we strongly disagree with his clearly skewed view on the dangers of modern-day kiteboarding and it's unworthiness to be included in the Olympics.

Bruce Kendall: Kiteboarding is too dangerous for the Olympics

I have been surprised and shocked by many 'experts' regarding kite-boarding being in the Olympics. In a recent article, the 'ex – pope' of yachting encouraging the decision makers to 'have courage and have a leap of faith and replace windsurfing with kite surfing' tops the lot. They may have been seduced by the high numbers of recreational kite boarders around or kite boarders’ impressive speeds and jumps. In my opinion anyone supporting kite surfing in the Olympic Games is ignoring a number of serious issues relating to the sport.

Olympic Sailing Evolution - Bruce Kendall proposes some changes

Bruce thinks that Olympic sailing formats need evolution to ensure it is attractive to the public and the media. The future of Olympic sailing is under review so maybe its coming down to a choice between the purists and the pragmatists, sailing for the sailors or sailing for the media - does it need to be a choice between one or the other? Read Bruce's analysis ...

The Kendall Cup 2010 - New youth windsurfing trophy announced

A new season championship for youth windsurfers, to be known as the Kendall Cup, was announced today by Dave Mackay of the NZ Techno class association. “Windsurfing is New Zealand’s top Olympic event of the last 25 years, with seven medals from six Games including three Golds” said Mr Mackay. “Yet we don’t always get the profile and participation we’d like. We want to get more kids into the sport, and see them spending more time on the water, to ensure that we have the talent to remain top performers in the world in years to come. That’s what the Kendall Cup is about, and we’re delighted that both Barbara and Bruce Kendall have got in behind this initiative.”

The Malta-Sicily Windsurf Race - 21 years on

"Of all races I've ever done, including the Olympic Games, this one was physically the most difficult. It took me three days to recover." Race winner Bruce Kendall vividly remembers that race...

RS:X / Techno News

Thursday 4th December brought together some of NZ best sailors to promote windsurfing as a sport and to officially launch the six new Techno boards destined for Tauranga. They are courtesy of the Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy and funded by TECT. At $5800 apiece fully kitted out, the boards aren't cheap but spokesman Stuart Pedersen is adamant they'll be a great investment for the sport's future. "Getting these boards is huge - they'll provide a pathway from learning to windsurf through to getting into serious racing without having to commit to buying your own gear," Pedersen said.

Wind week + Techno launch

Thu 3 Dec 2009 - Sun 13 Dec 2009

Tauranga

A series of windsurfing-related events is scheduled for the week-and-a-bit from Thursday 3 December to Sunday 13 December, to announce the arrival of competitive youth windsurfing in Tauranga.

The events, collectively dubbed ‘Wind Week’ follow the purchase of six new Bic Techno racing boards by the Bay of Plenty Sailing Academy, a charitable trust which has been active in developing dinghy sailing in Tauranga since 2004. The boards, generously funded by TECT, are intended to form the core of a regular youth racing fleet alongside the sailing dinghies at the Tauranga Yacht and Power Boat Club. To this end, the Sailing Academy has been promoting a ‘Learn to Windsurf’ course at Kulim Park and 11 budding sailors aged 13 to 16 are about to graduate. Another after school course will be run in term one of next year.

Windsurfing Open Day

Thu 3 Dec 2009

Takapuna

Meet the Legends

Olympic Gold Medallists Barbara Kendall, Tom Ashley and Bruce Kendall
PWA World Champion Scott Fenton

Watch them race and join them on the water!
Find out about our Junior Learn-toWindsurf programme
Become involved in this International Class of Yachting

Come and join the fun!
... and the sausages will be on the BBQ!
Thursday 3rd Decdember 4pm to 7pm
Takapuna Boating Club, Takapuna

Olympics - RS:X day 2 - Ashley and Barbara both improve position.

Highlight was a bullet for Tom Ashley in his fourth race of the series placing him provisionally in 3rd overall.

Bruce Kendall's adventures in Europe

Bruce isn't racing windsurfers now, it's the Olympic class Tornado. This report highlights some of the differences and challenges he faces in travelling around Europe.
"A large part of a Yachting Olympic Campaign is the off the water work and challenges. Some Olympic Classes require more logistics and boat work and finances than others."