Freestyle
WWA Free Wave Final Round
Wellington
Sat 13 Feb 2010 - Sun 14 Feb 2010
09/10 season final round - check http://wwa.org.nz/ for details
Kiteboarding and kiteboard racing proposal for the 2016 Olympics
As a follow up to the recent meeting with Yachting NZ I pointed out that given the importance of SPARC funding which is based on competitive results, and with the way the Olympics were moving (introduction of snowboarding, mountain biking and BMX etc.) that windsurfing variants such as freestyle and slalom could become very attractive because of their spectator appeal, and that this alone should be a factor in giving windsurfing more focus in the development area. So not surprisingly kiteboarding has now put itself forward as a possible new olympic sport, and why not? This from IKO recently:
Windsurfing options - there are more than you think!
- Techno 293 - the 'junior' Olympic class, the ideal entry for young sailors. The skills learned here will set kids up for any kind of windsurfing, and of course there's always the possibility of yet another Olympic medal
- RS:X Olympic - the current Olympic class board on which Tom Ashley won the Beijing Olympic Gold in 2008
2009 Auckland Freestyle Champs event report
As in the previous year the 2009 Auckland Freestyle Champs was run again on stand by to get the best conditions possible so the stand by period was set for the whole month of May with each Saturday and Sunday being a possible event day.
The weather systems during that time of the year are normally a bit windier and consistent - but what is normal in these days anyway? The first weekend in May had a terrific forecast, 30+ Knots for 4-5 days in a row but it became quickly apparent that the direction was SE, which is the most unreliable of all for the Auckland area. After a bit of gambling the decision was made to postpone the event to the following weekend. As it turned out the wind never arrived for the first weekend – luckily!
Wild Winds Freestyle competition
Day 1: No action today with a disappointing light southerly - tomorrows forecast is similar but a light wind informal event may be held if the winds don't produce.
Freestyle - Acrobatic and Versatile
The most acrobatic and versatile windsurfing discipline. It is the “youth blood” and has been responsible for much of the new talent that has come into the sport in recent years. Winner is who does the most exciting and skilfull maneuvers. The conditions are from flat water in a lake and a slight breeze to stormy winds in Canarian waves. This makes freestyle also practicable for amateurs who do not have the best waves right in front of their houses.
