BKSA 2007 GRAND PRIX SERIES

Rule and Competition Summary

General

Grand Prix rules may be reviewed and updated on an annual basis.

The Grand Prix series can be pre-registered by any rider wishing to compete in the series by contacting the BKSA. Priority will be given to these riders. Registration may also be done event by event on a first come first serve basis. Riders must be a member of the BKSA or another international organisation and hold the relevant insurance. Riders may join the BKSA on the day of competition.

 SAFETY & SPORTSMANSHIP ARE PARAMOUNT

 Race Format

Riders must register on time - no allowances for late arrivals unless prior approval has been made with the Race Director - they must be members of the BKSA and hold 3rdparty liability insurance

Usually - but please check event info

8.30-9am Friday Pro Men and Ladies

8.30-9am Saturday for all other classes 

There is no pre-set event programme and an information meeting will take place every day to inform riders of the programme. The event director and head judge will make the decision as to suitability of the conditions as to whether the competition commences or continues.

The BKSA race committee have the final decision as to which group a rider should compete in.

The BKSA Grand Prix is open to all nationalities.

There are no restrictions as to the type of sponsorship promotion on a rider’s equipment, even if this is competition with the event sponsor. However, all riders must wear/display if required promotion for the event sponsor and must not deface the said item – disciplinary measures will be taken.

All riders must be available for photos calls and interviews during the event. If riders do not comply they may be penalised with scores / prizes/ prize money being withheld.

Rider Responsibility

Riders  must use some kind of safely leash (min suicide leash) on kites and are advised to wear a helmet.

Each rider is responsible for making the decision on whether to start or remain in the competition.

It is there sole responsibility (or there guardian if 16 or under) to take the decision as to compete if they judge conditions to be beyond their skill level.

Each rider is personally liable for any damage to property or injury to a third party, which arises out of their equipment or their actions.

Riders may not enter the competition area, when not competing. If they do so they will receive one warning. A second infringement can  result in the rider being disqualified from the competition.

Each rider will perform as an individual, but may be helped to land and launch on the beach , any rider helped while competing ie relaunch of kite, board recovery will be disqualified from heat while in the competition box. Once outside this area kites may be relaunched , boards recovered and riders assisted by third parties.

Any rider must help another rider if they are in danger and they are capable of doing so. A heat may be re run if it is deemed necessary.

Classes

There will be a maximum of 24 riders in each class.

Grand Prix classes as follows

Pro Fleet, Men, Women

Pro Men and ladies class is completed by riders who compete as professionals; defined as those receiving sponsorship by the industry to compete.

Except- Members of the trade who receive kit as part of there job can be in amateur/ladies as decided by race committee.

Mens and Ladies  Amateurs (Ams 14 - 34)

Can include shop sponsored riders but not industry.

Seniors

Defined as 35 or over ( on the 1/1/07)

Juniors

Defined as 16yrs or under (on the 1/1/07), will compete together. The class is mixed male and female.

Juniors can compete in pro fleet  or amateur fleets as long as they  have there guardians written permission to do so and the Race Director and Head Judge are satisfied with the riders competence level and ability.

The Junior may not compete in another fleet other than the one decided upon.

A minimum of 2 competitors per class is required to run an official  round.

There will be a maximum of 24

Competition

Any rider surfing dangerously or being verbally abusive will face verbal and or written warnings. Depending on the seriousness of the offence they can face disqualification from the heat, round or championships. 

Riders will be informed of specifics, alterations or additions to these rules, at the daily meeting.

All start times; heat durations and flag signals will be covered at the daily briefing meet if in doubt ask the beach marshal

Visual signals may be accompanied by an acoustic signal, but only the visual signal count.

Each rider will compete as indicated on the scoreboard and shall be solely responsible for competing in the right heat at the right time.

If the head judge does not deem a competitor to be up to standard or they are unsafe, they will not be allowed to continue.

A minimum of two riders will take part in each heat and  will be judged by overall impression, taking into consideration:

1.       Technical Difficulty

2.       Height

3.       Smoothness

4.       Power

5.       Style.   

Judges will take the  following taken into account.-

1.  Jumps – jumps on both sides, number of rotations, type of rotation, back, front, off axis, handlepass, kiteloops. Jumps are defined by the airtime and continuing in the same direction.
2.  Tricks –  Low level -one hand, board take offs, handle passes, blindside, switch, grabs, the total fluidity and style of the manoeuvre.
3.  Transitions – a jump or trick will be scored as a transition when the move is started in one direction and landed in another.
4.  Landing : three types.
a)       Perfect landing when the board touches the water first, the jump/trick will score maximum
b)       Water start landing when your bum touches the water and the board is sliding. The jump/trick may only score a potential of 50%.
c)Slam landing when the back of the rider hits the water before the board or the rider sinks and does not plane away. The jump/trick scores 0.
5. Crashed and lost kites/boards are noted as potential tiebreakers.

Riders can only be scored in the competition area, for what the judges see, not for what competitors think they have done.

The rider coming in must move away from the rider coming out from the shore. If neither is going in or out, then the starboard tack rider has priority.

When overtaking kites must be raised or lowered accordingly and the upwind rider move away from the downwind.

In waves, the rider who is at the peak has priority.

Riders may not change course to hinder another rider.

All competitors must keep clear of capsized riders. No penalties will be given against a rider who collides with another rider who capsizes directly in front of them.

Handle Passes

When riders are on the same reach only the rearward downwind rider can pull a handlepass.

This is to avoid complications if the front rider gybes or transitions without looking if another rider is behind him.

When riders are on opposite reaches only the downwind rider can pull a handle pass.

This is to avoid dangerous ridding in front of an oncoming rider.

Riders will be penalised if the judges feel there was not enough room for safe execution of the trick.

Do not pull handle passes in Onshore winds closer than 100M from the judging point

Handle pass leashes must be worn at all times!

Do not handle pass if in doubt – think safety.

There is a no protest rule in place for the BKSA Grand Prix  Series.

All instructions issued by safety crews on water or land must be undertaken immediately.

 Scoring and Prizemoney

The Grand Prix ( Pro fleet ) format will be freestyle, progressed through single eliminator heats. Other competition formats may take place dependant upon conditions and time available these too will count towards your scores.

The Amateur men /ladies and Juniors format will be freestyle , progressed through single elimination or expression type sessions depending on time and conditions.

The empahssis is on fun and time on the water, a more informal competition format may be used.

Pro Mens and Ladies-

There will be an overall champion for the year made up all scores from all rounds ( both freestyle and other comp formats from all tour events ). Only one round of freestyle and one other comp format will be counted at each event.

Amateur mens/ladies , seniors  and Junior

Will be decided on the best 5 results/scores of the Year.

Each individual event will be calculated on all the results at that event and points and prizemoney awarded as follows

In the event of only freestyle taking place all prizemoney will be given to that discipline. In the event of Freestyle and another comp taking place the prize fund will be split 2/3 rd to Freestyle and 1/3rd to the other discipline.

In the event of no freestyle and another comp formats taking place the points will be scored and counted as a second discipline and the  prize fund will be paid to that one discipline

 Reportages may take place if time allows, we want to make sure we complete the rounds. There may be some bys due to insufficient numbers, these will be given to higher ranked riders based on previous results.

Riders can register for events and miss rounds if for a valid reason they cannot make a days of competition, work, family commitments, they will receive max points for the day as long as entry fee is paid in full. If a round has not been started and  they arrive they will be allowed to enter as long as they have pre registered and informed the race crew.

Points will be awarded in the event of no comp taking place according to the number of riders registered – these will count to the overall championships- Therefore if no comp takes place and 13 riders register 452 point will be awarded

In the event of no comp any prize fund after other funds have been paid for (such as best trick comp or registration shortfall)  will be subdivided between pro riders. 

PRIZEGIVING

Approx ½ hour at the end of comps or at time announced/ posted on the official notice board – all riders to attend- usually at Judging tower.

SAFETY & SPORTSMANSHIP ARE PARAMOUNT.