Just wondering how many people out there would like to see the Nats and other kite comps take on a different judging format into the future?
I'm thinking of something closer to the WWA (world wake associations) new format where a rider has to perform tricks from separate categories (such as spins, grabs (spin no more than 180), inverts, mobes) in the one run with overall impression and style playing a big factor in deciding a winner at the end of the heat.

I feel the current format of who ever can do the most pullups in one heat doesn't properly showcase kiteboarding in an enjoyable/viewable manner for the public and seems to neglect/score poorly things like Grabs and spins that can often be a lot harder to do than some mobes.

The world wake competitions got to a similar stage to where kiteboarding is at now, people were doing 15 mobes in a run and like kiteboarding is now it got super boring, unstylish and kinda lame. Once they changed to the new format a lot of interest from pros within the sport and outside sponsors was regained and it has no doubt progressed the sport to another level.

As a judge at this years nationals I think the judging criteria is something we need to seriously think about for subsequent competitions.
As a country lets be the leaders in the sport and show everyone how a comp can really be judged, not just another boring follow feller of world tour kiting.

p.s.
This isn't meant to be a post bashing the Nationals, I for one think it was an amazing comp and I thank all the hard work everyone (Gorge, Hook etc.) put into it!!!
I just feel this is something that needs to be talked about and changed.

Rabble!

WTF just happened.

Oh now i see... I just ran out.

For once Rowdy has a point- it was very same same, amazing, but if I didn't kite I wouldn't have stayed long.

A grabbed front roll is more aesthetically pleasing than some of the faster squigglies.

A well thought out proposal Rowds.....I for one definitely agree- Wake Wars in Adelaide was amazing to watch because every run had a variety of tricks.

Wow rowdy I wonder who you were slandering in that post??

andyy said...

Wow rowdy I wonder who you were slandering in that post??

Andy- I watched you in the finals and your riding was incredible, control and skill...you well and truly deserved your title and nobody is arguing that.

I do think that for kite comps to really attract the general public more emphasis needs to be put on style. A big grabbed indy glide like I saw you do while warming up for your heat was more pleasing to watch than than the multiple spin variations in the final.

Just my 2 cents worth, I had alot of respect for the way you rode and the humble way you just went about your business.

It gets pretty interpreative but a list of tricks- handlepasses, grabs etc and then a difficulty rating and style points ? maybe one run round a marker buoy and back in, instead of the timed heats ? maybe some base tricks that must be included ?

I think Rowdy has a point - while he is usually acting the fool this time he is making a pretty solid case backed up with some sort of factual evidence.

I think a new format would be more interesting for spectators.

I had a friend come to watch the event and they knew nothing about kitesurfing but commented on two things.

a) When they saw Andy ride he was clearly ahead of the pack and easily the best rider.
BUT
b) liked the boosts that where done over the course racing buoy more than anything. because they perspective on height and distance.

Now if you can come up with a trick list that is equally as technical in retrospect as the handle passes and make some compulsory then this would satisfy both riders and crowd.

So if you said right best 8 tricks count but one would have to be a board off and another and air trick, then the other the more technical handle passes then it might make it more of a spectator sport.

Or maybe have points for technical and style and showmanship say.

It would work but it would also have to have bye in from the riders.

My two cents.

I have an idea, the format could be the same as the basketball shooting game "DONKEY" but change it to "OUT" So 3 chances instead of 6

Kiters compete in pairs against each other, loser drops "out".
One kiter follows another and has to copy the trick the lead kiter attempts. If it's landed they keep going until a trick is missed. Lead kiter throws a move, follower attempts to match it.

If all is matched, they keep going until someone misses a trick. If the lead kiter throws something and misses it, and the following kiter throws the same move and lands it. The lead kiter gets an "O" and then follows.

The new lead kiter then dictates what trick and leads off with a move, the follower has to match it to avoid a "U".

They keep challenging each other until one gets "OUT".

Just an idea.



The kiter who misses has to follow. The other lands gets a letter for each Kooked trick, three kooked tricks challenged by the lead kiter will result in the rider getting knocked O -U -T. So three chances.
If the lead kiter kooks an attempt, he must relinquish the lead position and follow his competitor and attempt the trick challenged by the lead kiter.

To keep it all bubbling along trick must be attempted from the repertoire of mobes, spins, grabs determined by the judges.

This format can be modified for intermediate or beginner comps by changing the repertire demanded by the judges.

^^^@ hirschausen

Terrible idea, promotes doing the trick safely and landing it at all costs. People will put their kites at 12 and there's no room for innovation.

Also doing boosts/kiteloops/boardoffs/dicktricks because spectators think it is cool is not progressing the sport. Talk to people who do similar board sports (cable and wakeboard in particular but also including skateboarding, snowboarding etc.) and they will tell you that they find the kite low wake stuff much more appealing than spin to win. Comps should be about wowing people with the tricks that are new and haven't been done before (i.e different grabs, more power, different rotation), not performing the same old **** that has been videod a million times and anyone can do.

Take any rider and they will do better stuff freeriding, comps should be rewarding high risk manouveres not safe riding ticking the boxes doing the same old **** a hundred spins to win.

@Kitethrills

So big air (not progressive) and waveriding (not progressive, at least not on a twin tip in crap waves) are going to make up half of your score where as the progressive stuff (freestyle, IMO) makes only a quarter of their score. Don't mix all the styles, it doesn't work.

so is best wave on a twin tip still.. or they gonna run free ride format, or wave heats??
Think alot of people are missing what rowdy is trying to get across.. hard in this sport though with so many different styles and preferences.. Get out the Old rollerblades

Does your head hurt now Chris?

Been awhile since thoughts happened!!!

Be awesome if the AKL could run again, but with sliders at each stop also.
I think some people slightly misunderstood my idea but it's all good, nice to hear other peoples ideas on the subject.
p.s.
Most important part of a comp is having judges that understand and recognise the tricks and how hard they are (all of them) straight off the bat, if you look past this point it doesn't matter how good you make the comp you are going to get a stupid result, especially when it comes to judging a dangle against a powered/grabbed trick.