Hi guys,
I haven't really delved into the the racing or competing scene, but I just found out that out of the +/-70 kitebrands worldwide, there are only 11 brands with IKA registered kites.
This means that for any IKA sanctioned course racing events competitors are only allowed to use kites from this list:
internationalkiteboarding.org/images/documents/etc/registered%20kites.pdf
I'm curious if / how this impacts any events here in Australia - does anyone know if there are any IKA events in Australia? Does anyone ride a race set-up thats not on the list?
Sail melbourne is on in December and will most likely be the first event in Australia where the sanctioned list will be used.
It dont really mater anyway, anyone wanting to race that dont have the good gear will simply not be competitive, so the thought of using your freestyle or wave kites to race wont cut it at the top level.
If your serious and buying a race board then I am sure you would get a good set of kites as well 
But the local comps that will start up i imagine will not stick to the list and will happily allow any kiter to participate on just about any gear to get a good fun racing scene happening.
Ozone 2012 weren't registered? Might be a bad week to tell the mrs I'm buying another 2 kites. Surely that's a mistake from them? How would the 2011 and 2013 be registered but not the 2012?
Isn't there a grandfather clause? The registration only started at the start of last year , equiptment older than that is allowed to be used under that clause?
For state , national and international events i would say make sure you have registered gear , for local racing I don't think anyone is going to complain if you turn up on whatever you have.
Thanks Steve, I thought as much that they had to be registered on some way as its what Johnny is using. Well was using All last year. Now to chose just 3 kites. Time to call in the weather guru's.
Dyno LTD!
New North Race kite coming shortly.. Pretty sure it be ready in time for Sail Melbourne event :)
No Flysurfer's in the list?
Whats Tunafish?
DYNO for sure.
once its 20knots+ something comfortable is the go.
REBEL, i reckon or whatever is fast, points high and your used too.
let the fun begin
From what I have heard Sail Melbourne will more than likely be an open event
I will keep you posted
Interesting stuff!
Hey Kitepower you're probably right, not sure exactly how many kite brands are around globally but there seems to be a lot!
Looks like some of you are riding Ozone or North kites for racing.
One of the brands/models on the approved list is Peter Lynn, who have introduced a couple of inflatable tube kites to their line-up, including the 'Fury' and 'Fury Lite' (which comes in standard sizes 15m and 17m, and also 19m on special order).
www.peterlynnkiteboarding.com
There's been a few pretty darn good reviews on seabreeze already for Peter Lynn's inflatable kites, check it out if you're curious:
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Review/Peter-Lynn-kites/?page=2
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Review/Peter-Lynn-Escape-2012-Kite-review/
www.seabreeze.com.au/forums/Kitesurfing/Review/Peter-Lynn-Escape-2112/
Cheers! 
Hi guys had representatives from Yachting Victoria at my information night for Syc Kite racing information night on Friday.
CEO of Yachting Victoria confirmed that kiters are now covered by the silver card, personal accident insurance.
Event organiser for Sail Melbourne, said at the moment Sail Mlebourne is looking like being an open event because they would prefer the numbers to be up rather than getting caught up on the technicalities of IKA approved gear. For example people on sector style (transition race boards) will be able to enter. Not sure about twin tips, they might have a seperate division.
Thats all i know so far
If anyone is in Melbourne on a friday night between now and nov 30th come for a race at Sandringham yacht club, 5.30 starts until daaylight savings then 6pm starts
season entry $60, one day entry $10, FREE to all sandringham yacht club members
I wonder if also being a member of aksa or the new KA will also give us the same cover as I think it will be under the YA umbrella?
Stress not kite warriors... all kites made in and before 2011 are ok to use, provided they are production kites, ie - off the shelf without canopy modifications etc.
Check the first line of the pdf on the IKA page. The other kite companies will be getting on board as we speak for the 2013 models.
I don't think you'll need to meet the specs for local racing groups, I think they would be stoked to have you involved, and if you like it then you might consider getting a race board down the track to be real competitive in the upwind legs.
