The PKRA (Professional kiteboard riders association) has decided to pull the final two events from the world kiteboarding tour - scratching both the Australian and South African events previously scheduled for later this year.

The decision to cancel the event hasn't been kept a secret, in back the PKRA are openly blaming the KSP for stealing funding and deliberately scheduling events to clash with the final stop of the PKRA. The KSP, (Kite Surf Pro) is a new tour which was started early this year, designed to showcase the best wave riding locations with the best riders. Unfortunately, in doing so - the KSP has drawn the much needed funding away from the PKRA events. Both sponsors and government contributions to the former wave tour have been revoked, and are the main reason behind the cancellation of the final two events. 

Last year, the Gold Coast held a well run and very successful competition, acting as the grand final for the year long event. Despite the lack of wind and mediocre conditions, Minotaur and the event organisers managed to showcase our sport to the general public, and in doing so provided a great tourism boost to Queensland. 

Despite the event being cut short - the results would have always been the same. Youri Zoon and Gisela Pulido both amassed enough points to win the tour, a whopping three events early. They could simply sit on the beach at the upcoming New Caledonia stop, and still win the comp, a feat never before seen in the sport of kiteboarding. 

According to the PKRA, they're working on a new format for wave riding, which will hopefully grant them the wave title again. Until then, all PKRA events will be Freestyle only, and the KSP will continue to run the wave events.

Over the next few weeks there's sure to be a whole lot more bickering between the two competition organisers. Stay tuned for the latest, and if you'd like to read the official press release from the PKRA, click here. 

 

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