Having read the windsurfing and kitesurfing committees decision which basically want to take kids on a schoolcamp to Olympics instead of inviting them to fight for medals, just like athletes in other well respected individual sports, I feel the urge to give a deeper insight view on the windsurfing versus kitesurfing discussion now being held at the ISAF meeting in Ireland.
One thing in advance, I am not against kitesurfing. I do think it's a great sport which for now belongs at the X-games and not at the Olympics. Perhaps kitesurfing could be allowed to enter the Olympics in a few years time when safety issues have been solved, but for sure not just yet.
I will try to be as short, but also precise as possible, so I need a few pages, a few pages that include 35 years of eating, drinking and dreaming boardsports. I feel in the latest windsurfing and kiteboarding committee discussion important points have been left aside which should have been taken up in it. I will give my view on the way the kite lobby has seemingly manipulated the vote, the vested interest of former windsurfers, the relation between kitesurfing and windsurfing, the relationship between board sports and traditional sailing, the (mortal) threats of kitesurfing and the possible consequences for the boardsports community if the sport would be taken up in the Olympic family at this stage, the threats related to the path for youngsters starting kiting too early, the differences between traditional sailing and the boardsports now discussed, the potential effects on sailing in general in relation to the change of mind in the world now taking place and the chances lying ahead to use the board sports as a promotion for the Olympics. As a separate point I would like to make a plead for the RSX class which now is being pinpointed as a sour loser. I do feel their voice should be taken more seriously by the ISAF. I also have got an idea to overcome potential future debates on the board of choice for the Olympics.
Initial vote between kite and windsurfing and follow up procedures
Over time it has gotten clear that those which had to vote, didn't realize they were voting between kitesurfing and windsurfing. Amongst others Joao Rodrigues seemingly felt misled. There has been a strong lobby for kite surfing but it's also gotten clear this lobby hasn't fought from a moral perspective but did all they could to misled people. They might have been cleverer in the approach when looking from one side or one could argue that they have been shrewder. I am Dutch and English isn't my native language, but to me there is a fine line between being shrewd and fraudulent. The question is if this line has been crossed and if the decision would be turned back, I feel a committee should be installed questioning those in charge of initiating the voting process. Based on open comments available it at least looks like people were double crossed with misleading information. Because of that and also because of language barriers, the kite surfing lobby just succeeded in getting kite surfing installed for the next Olympics.
Furthermore it's gotten clear, with support from former windsurfers and windsurf representatives with vested interests in kite surfing, a lobby has been set-up to help turn around National Authorities and make them look into the direction of the next Olympics, even before the final voting round, which is now in process, would be held. The most disturbing example has been the scandalous kite presentation during the Olympic Windsurfing prize giving. It seems as if windsurfing candidates have been promised support by the National Authorities and have been misled by those within the Authorities that have vested interest in kitesurfing. One of the important questions to me is if they have been attracted to the sport for personal enrichment and short term profits? Anyone can argue against this point and I do realize this cannot be presented as a fact, but to me it's a point which is well worth to be investigated from a deeper perspective.
Kitesurfing versus Windsurfing
Kitesurfing relates itself to windsurfing like snowboarding to skiing. In snowboarding and skiing, the slope is used differently which creates dangerous situations. In kitesurfing the long lines and high jumps cause fear amongst windsurfers. In many countries kitesurfing is restricted to areas especially created for the sport, just like you see in powerboating or jetskiing. This has been done with a reason. I will come back to that aspect later when writing about the potential threats related to the sport. The Olympics could help kitesurfing to become more mainstream, which seen from one side would be great. Obviously the kitesurfing market would be thrilled and why, one could argue, could windsurfers and kite surfers simply not live together like snowboarders and skiers? In theory yes, it should be possible but there is one very important point which is being forgotten.
Boardsports versus traditional sailing
I have been raised with sailing and my parents over time have owned several traditional Dutch sailboats. I was also drawn to windsurfing at a young age and never quit. The main difference I see between traditional sailing and board sports from a more philosophical perspective is the fact sailor nearly always go somewhere on the water and windsurfers and kiters are somewhere. The places we sail are called spots, and with a reason. We basically sail back and forth starting from a beach. Depending on the conditions we do tricks or go fast. Then there is this smaller group which is basing itself on traditional sailing. Kids learn the rules and learn to sail in a tactical way. This is how the "old" windsurfers like me learned to windsurf. Nowadays and with support of modern day gear there is a huge gap in experience between both sports. This is also why most windsurfers didn't and still don't really care about the fact windsurfing would be lost for the Olympics. I do care, even though the tactical game I took part in as well, is lying well behind me. I also do care because I want us to take the right choice and I do love the sport and honor the Olympic thought.
The common "ground" is water. The starting point can be either a harbor or a beach, the point where we really come together is the pleasure we derive from being active on the water. This is where to me huge chances are lying in front of us. As the financial crisis is taking its toll, also in the sailboat market, the accessible board sports could hand out a huge chance to the International sailing community and attract the youngsters to the water. The question now lying in front of us is the following: should we forward kitesurfing as Olympic discipline to invite the youth to strengthen their connection with water and wind?
The (mortal) threats of kite surfing
This weekend I was informing kids in a windsurfing shop on my fins. As the owner of a small brand I could potentially sell loads of kitesurfing race fins when the sport would become Olympic. There is a huge market (relatively speaking) lying in front of me. Still, I am pleading strongly against kite surfing. The biggest reason is safety. After my presentation in which I initially was looked at as being an old fart riding a board (which is true and I am proud of it), I had an interesting talk on kite surfing. I explained I love the sport and told them I am seriously considering to learn it myself as well in future. We talked about the Olympics (boring to them....). I explained the importance of the Olympics for the youth and I asked about the safety issues. Obviously I know the stories but it was nearly heart breaking to hear the stories about young kids who died so far
Out of respect for the victims I won't go into detail here but anyone having seen an animated 3D film with a monster throwing around a person as if it were a little ball can get a picture of the "other" face of kitesurfing. A kite in some cases is nothing less than the ugliest and meanest monster mankind has invented over time. It's not only that death is close when it comes down to kite surfing; it's also that the imminent threat related to kite surfing could endanger others. Lines can be tangled and the threat doubles up. Talk to any experienced kitesurfer and ask him if he knows of a story and I am 100% sure they will come up with one. It's not only that death is near, it's also that death when it occurs is mostly grueling.
Imagine if people would film an accident like this. What would be the response if an outsider was hurt? Safety in kitesurfing is getting better and nowadays kites can be depowered by pushing the bar (the steering mechanism) away from one's body, but this is an unnatural movement and when in fear a mistake is easily made. This is proven by the deaths described and other fatal accidents that still happen and will happen over time. The sport is simply not evolved enough to go for the Olympics just yet and I dare to question whether it will ever be suited for the Olympics also for the following reason:
As kites need a given minimum amount of wind theoretically at given venues the discipline couldn't even be held during the Olympics.
I feel the ISAF wants to embrace kite surfing as a means to create a sexier image for sailing. However much I understand and also applaud this idea, I do feel we already have a safe, healthy and grown up discipline that could be in the forefront: windsurfing.
Youngsters and kite surfing
Like explained the natural path of windsurfing and kitesurfing is to go back and forth with some tricks and turns in between. Kiteracing is a discipline which requires a different stance and type of board. The biggest difference lies in the fact switches need to be made with the feet. While tacking and gibing a kite surfer is forced to get his/her feet out of the straps. This movement could cause serious crashes against the material but also against boats or other kite surfers surrounding them. The unnatural path required for kite racing is based on extremely deep angles upwind and downwind which makes the racers who are training for their races unpredictable for other water sport lovers ( see ski/snowboard example). I can see big clashes coming when kite racing would become a widespread phenomenon, not only between windsurfers and kite surfers, but also between kite surfers and boats.
Furthermore young kids don't have the weight to cope with the power of a kite nor the needed experience in life to seriously consider the threats they are imposing on others with their actions. The threats are imminent and true as time will for sure tell if the concept is built even further.
For kitesurfing there are many light wind solutions and as the weight of the kite itself is the limiting factor (a minimum windspeed is required), without Olympic support kiteracing will stay a marginal sport as other solutions which are more fun to do and easier to carry will make sure a kiteracing board is not needed . I really feel this is the way it should be. So, don't send the wrong signal to the kids and let them follow the natural path which is clearly safer (relatively speaking). With the natural path I mean riding back and forth. Ninety percent of the riders will use a board that won't impose a change of stance on them and they can stay in the straps regardless of the direction they are taking. A modern kite board doesn't have a front and aft side. It can be sailed both ways and this is an extremely important safety margin within the concept.
Kite racing is something that is wanted by the market and looked at as a means to promote kiesurfing. Threats are neglected and the sport is pushed thought the throat of youngsters eager to train in the discipline they love. Dorian van Rijsselberge is the best example in this respect. He doesn't like the RSX all that much, thinks it's old fashioned and rather goes kiting or windsurfing on a funboard. Still he loves the physical and mental challenge and he loves being on the water. So logically he chooses kiteracing as his discipline of choice for his hopefully next Olympic success story. Kitesurfing is a young and fresh sport and just like snowboarding it attracts those that want something new and thrilling, only in this case the threats are way more serious and they should be considered by those in charge.
Olympic chances
The RSX class is being the one that gets the blame for defending their position. I applaud them for standing firm! I have got a very simple and effective solution. Re-install windsurfing for the Olympics with the truth as our guide.
People have been misled. Rules are there for people, not the other way around. Always keep an open mind, that's my motto. In this case a mother giving birth to a child has been killed to save the life of an unborn child. That's medieval practice. This might sound like an exaggeration, but to those breathing our beautiful sport it feels like we are stabbed in the back. Listen to those that have got a heart for both sports. Kite surfing is a great new and thrilling sport but it has to be guided to maturity. Don't support the death trap that has been pushed through our throats. It will not only kill innocent kids, but it will potentially also kill the innocence of board sports as it endangers outsiders.
In reality board sports might be the future of sailing. Look for chances in countries hosting the Olympics and allow windsurfing to sail at venues where windsurfers frequent the beaches for the reason why this board sport is still popular: planing. Why not, it's done in other disciplines during the Olympics and with internet support, one could capture the feeling surrounding the sport. The feeling that was shown in a super charming way by the supposedly last Olympic Windsurfing champion: Dorian van Rijselberge.
Weymouth was blessed with wind and great shots of planing windsurfers having fun. Dorian was the dreamt ambassador for our sport who was pulled away from it within weeks and actually even before the massive windsurfing promotion took place. This is a mistake, a potential huge and fatal mistake. Windsurfing is only just starting again after a radical era in which the gear changed from longboards to extreme shortboards which made it virtually impossible for people to learn the sport.. It's now back with accessible and safe kit as opposed to the dangerous kite lines that could literally slid a throat at a crowded beach when the bar would be in the hands of an inexperienced rider.
In this harsh economical times and times in which people realize family life is more important than status, sports like windsurfing, but for sure also kite surfing could get people to the water. Surfing, windsurfing, kite surfing are all exponents of a new generation. Windsurfers and kite surfers are seen as sailors but if sailors and board riders are realistic none of them really sees the other as one of their own kind. Again, the common "ground" is wind and water, but don't try to sit on the chair of those who do know about the sport and please listen to those who are in this discussion from the heart and not from a commercial perspective.
The windsurfing generation which grew up after the roaring sixties is now mature and old farts like me, or even older guys like my good friend John Overmeer who is 68 years old, can beat young kids in a physical sport. John Overmeer is the World's fastest board rider in the World in his age- but also weight class. With the world wide focus shifting towards living a more healthy life, hardly any sport is as clean and healthy for spirit and body as boardsports.
Imagine the impact of our little sport in the Olympic sailing discipline in a couple of years time, when all of us do take windsurfing for what it is: a super accessible and mature sport for wind and water lovers. Let those morally in charge of the sport objectively inform a committee if kite surfing has also become mature enough to get the Olympic status as well. From my perspective I would strongly advice the ISAF not to allow kite surfing as a new "sailing" discipline for the Olympics in 2016. Yes, it is a sexy, but also dangerous sport and potentially the format used in Olympics is not the right format for kite surfing.
I would advice to set-up a village as kite- and windsurfing promotion. Let the big brands fly in their big freestyle names as a promotion during the days it's windy. Attract the youth of Rio de Janeiro and follow-up cities that organize the Olympics and just simply shoot great and sexy pictures that show wind-water sports are fun and accessible. I predict the atmosphere, which is getting more and more an important factor in the Olympics will be incredible and it will become a huge advertisement for modern day sailing.
In regards to the RSX dispute the following: outline the board-, mast- and sail specifications (including materials that are allowed) of the RSX set and allow multiple manufacturers to commercially fight each other and come up with the best, possibly cheapest and thus accessible solution. The top riders will ride the best gear but others might buy the cheaper version which will come available. It's been done with Tornado and otherf classes so nothing new for the ISAF. When following this route the Olympics will be embraced by the whole windsurfing and kite surfing market and the discussion about the class itself will evaporate before you know it. I do not know if Neil Pryde would allow to do so, but when looking at it from a wider perspective and as a means to promote windsurfing as opposed to fighting eachother in a shrinking market for the little bucks to be earned, I feel the proposed solution above could be well worth investigating.
Implementing all of these ideas might be too wild for now, but you may give them a good thought. I think it's worth it. The World is changing and the time span people are interested has gone from the 15 minutes of Warhol fame to 15 seconds of youtube fame. People don't really care if that fame is related to the death of a child that is captured live on an Iphone. The time cannot be turned back, neither can a bad decision be turned back after Saturday's final General Assembly meeting.
Best regards,
Martin van Meurs
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