Rules
KING OF KITE - CYPRUS KITESURFING CHAMPIONSHIP 2024
GENERAL RULES
• All competitors must complete their registration online at www.kahunasurfhouse.eu/king-of-kite before the official registration period ends.
• Online registrations must be completed by Thursday, 1st of August 2024.
• Competitors registering on spot must check the King of Kite schedule for registration times and dates.
• Competitor's vest, payment and briefings will be handled on spot. Check time and date on King Of Kite schedule.
• Any changes will be posted on the official notice board on the day of the event. Competitors must periodically check the board for updates.
• Each competitor must check their heat number on the official notice board at least 15 minutes before the start of the first heat.
• Each competitor is responsible for setting up their own equipment, including pumping the kite and attaching the lines.
• Kahuna Surfhouse, Larnaca Kitesurfing Club and the King of Kite competition are not responsible for damaged, stolen, or lost equipment, or for any inability to compete due to issues like twisted lines at kite launch.
• Competitors must set up their equipment, launch and land at Kahuna Surfhouse under the supervision of staff.
• Launching from any part of the beach other than Kahuna Surfhouse will result in disqualification.
• Regularly check the official notice board for any changes or important information.
• Ensure you know your heat number by checking the notice board at least 15 minutes before the start of your heat.
COMPETITION LYCRA VEST RULES
• Competitors must wear the official lycra vest during their heats, and it must be worn outside the harness. Competitors not wearing the vest correctly will not be scored.
• The lycra vest should be worn over the harness at all times during the warm up periods, award ceremony, interviews etc.
EQUIPMENT RULES
• No limitation. (no raceboards allowed). It is the sole responsibility of the rider to choose and use appropriate equipment for his safety and the safety of third-party as the rules state.
• A functional safety leash must be used at all times.
• Use of impact vest is highly recommended to all riders/competitors.
TECHNICAL EXPLANATION OF KING OF KITE
• A rider can compete in as many disciplines as he/she wish.
• Trophies and prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in all competitions
• To be crowned the King of Kite (men category) / Queen of Kite (women category), you must compete in both the freestyle and big air competitions to earn points. The kitesurfer with the highest total points across both disciplines will receive the title of King of Kite / Queen of Kite.
1.FREESTYLE
• Freestyle competition will commence from 15 knots.
HEAT START SYSTEM:
• Red Flag Down: 2 minutes to the start of the heat.
• Yellow Flag Down: 1 minute to the start of the heat.
• Green Flag Down: Start of the heat.
CATEGORIES:
• Men
• Women
COMPETITION FORMAT:
• Each rider has 5 attempts in the Red Bull box; the best 3 will be judged with points out of 10.
•.A maximum of 4 tacks close to the box is allowed for each trick.
• Only 1 rider is permitted in the box at a time.
• All rules, scoring criteria and disqualification conditions will be explained at the briefing by Maxime Chabloz.
• All riders will receive a ranking.
JUDGING CRITERIA:
• Maxime Chabloz will be judging power, risk factor (impressiveness) and amplitude (distance traveled during a trick).
• Wakestyle tricks, low kite and powerful moves will score higher.
• Variety in your best 3 moves is crucial to being recognized as the most complete freestyle rider.
• Maxime Chabloz will be judging and his decision is final.
2.RACE
• Race competition will commence from 10 knots.
HEAT START SYSTEM:
• Red flag down: 10 minutes to the start of the heat.
• Yellow flag down: 3 minutes to the start of the heat.
• Green flag down & jet ski run through course: Start of the heat.
CATEGORIES:
• Mix foilboard race
• Mix wingfoil race
• Women open board race
• Men surfboard race
• Men twintip board race
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
• During one race/heat/run only one board and one kite/rigging combination shall be used.
• Riders can prepare as many kite sizes as needed in the launch area, following safety guidelines.
• Only boards with one-piece hulls are permitted.
• Boards must have a minimum beam of 150 mm.
• Any number of fins and/or retractable fins are allowed. No other hull appendages are permitted and the shortest distance between the outermost point of the hull appendage and the bottom of the hull must not exceed 250 mm.
• Raceboards are not permitted.
• The course layout will be displayed on the official notice board.
• The slalom buoy must be on the left side of the kiteboard when passing.
• Marshalls on boats or jet skis will monitor compliance with the rules. Failure to follow the course guidelines is subject to the discretion of the marshall and cannot be questioned.
• Kiteboards that start before the green flag is raised will be disqualified.
• False starts will be monitored by the marshall, and the race will be rerun if necessary.
• The race ends between two buoys indicated on the course map. The completion time will be recorded when the rider passes through the buoys.
• Riders must clearly and visibly display their number on their lycra to the slalom marshall on the beach.
FOILBOARD & WINGFOIL RACES:
• Foilboard Race and Wingfoil Race have different courses, each tailored to the specific dynamics of its respective sport.
FOILBOARD RACE:
• The race consists of two laps of the course, repeated three times over the course of the event, depending on wind conditions.
• The winner of the Foilboard Race is the rider who completes the best of three races.
• The winner is the rider with the fewest points. First place earns 1 point, second place earns 2 points and so on. The best of three races will be used to determine the final standings to eliminate ties.
WINGFOIL RACE:
• The race consists of two laps of the course. It is one race and the winner is the rider that passes first between the two buoys on the second lap.
• The race ends between two buoys indicated on the course map. The completion time will be recorded when the rider passes through the buoys.
• Riders must clearly and visibly display their number on their lycra to the slalom marshall on the beach
3. BIG AIR
• Big Air competition will commence from 15 knots.
HEAT START SYSTEM:
• Red Flag Down: 2 minutes to the start of the heat.
• Yellow Flag Down: 1 minute to the start of the heat.
• Green Flag Down: Start of the heat.
CATEGORIES:
• Men
• Women
COMPETITION FORMAT:
• Each rider has 5 attempts in the Red Bull box; the best 3 will be judged with points out of 10.
•.A maximum of 4 tacks close to the box is allowed for each trick.
• Only 1 rider is permitted in the box at a time.
• All rules, scoring criteria and disqualification conditions will be explained at the briefing by Maxime Chabloz.
• All riders will receive a ranking.
JUDGING CRITERIA:
• Maxime Chabloz will evaluate based on extreme big air and overall impression.
• The score will be determined by: 70% Height: Emphasis on achieving maximum height combined with extreme moves. Horizontal distance traveled and certain powered moves are also considered. 30% Extremity: Focus on controlled, high-risk moves that are either extremely powered, extremely technical, or a combination of both, performed at significant height.
• Variety in your best 3 moves is crucial to being recognized as the most complete Big Air rider.
• Addition of grabs are scored higher than non-grabbed tricks in terms of technical difficulty. However, the quality of execution ultimately determines the final score.
• Power is assessed based on: Speed into and out of the tricks, Kite angle during the trick (e.g., kite lower than the rider during a loop), Height and amplitude of the trick.
• Risk factor scores higher and includes speed, lines direction, amplitude (height), commitment, technical and physical challenge, duration of the critical moment, air quality (lines direction), and energy during execution.
• Variety in the best 3 tricks completed during the heat is considered for the overall impression score.
• Height of the tricks, especially as wind conditions increase. Height is considered along with risk factor and technical difficulty.
• Smoothness and fluidity during the execution of tricks, transitions between tricks in a combo and landings.
• Personal flair and attitude of the competitor when executing tricks.
• New tricks that have never been landed in competition before.
4. JUNIORS FREE AIR
• Big Air competition will commence from 15 knots.
HEAT START SYSTEM:
• Red Flag Down: 2 minutes to the start of the heat.
• Yellow Flag Down: 1 minute to the start of the heat.
• Green Flag Down: Start of the heat.
GENERAL GUIDELINES:
• Each rider has 5 attempts in the Red Bull box; the best 3 will be judged with points out of 10.
•.A maximum of 4 tacks close to the box is allowed for each trick.
• Only 1 rider is permitted in the box at a time.
• All rules, scoring criteria and disqualification conditions will be explained at the briefing by Maxime Chabloz.
• All riders will receive a ranking.
• Up to 17 years of age.
• Mixed category.
SAFETY AND RIGHT OF WAY
• Safety and fair play are the most important aspects of the competition. Unsafe competitors will be disqualified. Leeward kiteboards have right of way, therefore windward kiteboards should not jump when a leeward kiteboard is close to them.
• Each competitor enters the competition trick area in turn. Once the trick is completed kiteboarder must ride out of competition area to allow for next rider.
• Kiteboarders doing transition jumps should watch for kiteboarders behind them before attempting a transition jump.
• Kiteboarders should stay clear of the competition area when not competing.
• Kiteboarders must not change course to obstruct another kiteboarder (blocking).
• Kiteboarders shall not land jumps on the beach and shall stay clear of any natural obstructions near the competition area.
• In case of a dangerous action, tangle or collision, as a result of the infringement on any of the above rules will result in a warning or disqualification from the heat at the discretion of the King of Kite judges.
• A competitor could get assistance to re-launch his kite only when it is out of the competition area.
• In the event if a competitor looses his kite from equipment failure, the competitor will be allowed to replace his kite during the heat only outside from the competition area. The competitor has to get out from the competition area by his/her own means. If the competitor is not wearing a leash, he will not be scored from the point he looses his kite.