Just wondering would there be a chance that Kitesurfers in the South East QLD area could tag along for Slalom windsurfing events held in the area? Perhaps during seperate times using the same course?

I dont really know of any Kitesurfing Slalom events around but I know there are a few Kitesurfers that would be keen to try something a bit different. I am not familiar with Slalom in windsurfing comps I am guessing you would have a triagle shaped course with a bit of downwind and upwind obstacles? I think it might be a new idea for some kitesurfers to try.

Gotta agree with mkseven on this one. 6 to 8 slalom sailors racing on a downwind M course is fast and furious. Its hard enough keeping your place let alone worrying where kiters and their lines are. Most guys that I windsurf with are still pretty unsure with kites around so having them in a race situation would be downright scary.
Sailors entering gybes at 25 knots plus, round a buoy fairly close to one another is fun but fraught with danger.
Toss in just one kite (not 4 or 5) and this adds another dimension. When a sailboard crashes it stops pretty quick, when kites crash there seems to be a board (usually unattached), all that high tensile line and a big teabag at the end flying all over the place. Ive seen guys get dragged thru carparks, over fences and along the beach so add that to a slalom race?? No way.
This is not a flame on kiters but the 2 sports need to exist slightly apart from one another. My 2 cents worth.

Hey I totally understand where the Sailboarders are coming from. I would never suggest the idea of kiters going out at the same time as sailboarders ...thats just a bloody nightmare!!! It just would not be safe. Furthermore I can easily see a group of 4 or more Kitesurfers ending up in tangled Carnage if they all go out the same time. So I was thinking that they may have to go out in different heats perhaps in Pairs and get their times recorded.

I think there is space in the kiting community to expand on kite racing/slalom racing and I thought that for the few Kiters that are keen on starting out maybe they could get tips and advice from the sailboarding clubs/community. Sailboarders have been doing these type of events for years and have it all down pat. Would it also be worthwhile asking any of the yachties for ideas? That formula racing seems interesting I might do a bit more research into that.

I think if Kiteboarding is to eventually gain acceptance into events such as the Commonwealth Games/Olympics it will be through a racing/relay/slalom events. I dont see any other type of Kiting style reaching its way into Competitions like the Commonwealth Games/Olympics.

This might be an opportunity for ex-sailboarding Kitesurfers to use their honed skills in a broader range of wind conditions ie lighter wind days.

Speed record- sailboard 48.7 knots. Kite I think is at 42 knots (GPS unratified), this seems close but windsurf open ocean (44.35)is still above the kite record which was set in a few inches of perfectly flat water. From sailing with kites most would be lucky to see 20 knots.

Kites meal ticket is their ability to do tricks, not racing. Yes racing should be done in a superX style event if at all, WQ do not want to touch and do not have the equipment for this style of format.

I'm not trying to take anything away from kiting, just that racing in Qld generally dosent have the conditions to run events more than a few hours. Currently our race briefings are at 12, on the water by 1 and back in by 4. They try to cram in 6-10 heats with 1 or no break and a few minutes between heats. They need to service the windsurfers first and break up our races into heats if anything: 16-20 racers on 400m figure 8 is alot.

There is an alternative if you are willing to travel, Lake (Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club) races have lots of time to run kites. Same thing start time is about 1 but they only run 3 races. I would rather see kite only heats than mixed heats, provided each class stays well clear of the other at start time and give way rules are evaluated and adjusted to involve kites. That is your best chance of racing, they seem pretty accepting of kites.

How many guys do you run impromtue races with? That is a general indication of how many people are interested and a good way to improve your skills... pick a few marks all start at the same time and go for it.