IKO Partners with Organizers of KBC Tour for 2014
18 Feb 2014
The IKO and the organizers of the KBC Cup or sometimes known as the Kiteboarder Cross Tour have joined forces entering into an official partnership that will fuel promotion for the KBC Tour in 2014, open up more possibilities for kiting professionals and riders as well as advance the sport of kiteboarding.
This is the first time the IKO and KBC organizers have teamed up. This partnership opens the door for new promotional opportunities that will yield a global connection for kiteboarders around the world.
A NATURAL PARTNERSHIP IN THE KITING INDUSTRY
“Because our respective organizations have had the same shared core values for years, which are to develop and promote kitesurfing, entering into this partnership was a natural progression within kiting industry,“ said Frederic Bene, IKO CEO and cofounder.“ “Our collaboration will allow both organizations to reap mutual benefits that will not only be passed down to our corresponding members but will also contribute to the advancement of the kiteboarding sport at large.”
ABOUT THE KITEBOARDER CROSS TOUR OR KBC CUP
The KBC Tour is considered the single most eye-catching competitive kite event that produces a fantastic perspective on kitesurfing. It is growing in popularity thereby enhancing international kitesurfing exposure.This is a brand new yet unique competition yielding spectacular entertainment for the general public. The format is easy-to-understand with two categories of competition available, one for professionals and one for amateurs.
Inspired by the winter Olympic sport of Boardercross, the KBC Tour is a global competition open to all levels of kiteboarders where riders compete on the water in heats of four riders around a course of banked turns and jumps. The largest jumping module is two meters high.
Prize money is awarded to the winners. The 2014 Tour will be hosted in France, Spain and Ireland. More hosting destinations will be added so stay tuned. The aim of the KBC is to provide a fun and innovative competition in which everybody kiteboards together.
To learn more, visit www.kiteboardercross.com.
IKO MEMBERS BENEFIT FROM THE PARTNERSHIP
The benefits are extended to both riders and to professionals.
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For the professionals, this event is a fabulous opportunity to advertise and promote the local area as a sought-after kite destination. By hosting an event within the tour, your kiting destination will receive worldwide exposure, promotion and revenue from the registration fees. To host an event, contact Steve Jones at [email protected] or phone him at +33685953334.
- For riders, it is chance to enter into a global competition that will get your kiteboarding skills noticed and possibly discovered by someone who can make something big in kiting happen for you. To enter the competition, visit SNK website.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE COMPETITION?
The event is designed to make it easy for most riders to enter however for safety reasons a minimal level of skill must be attained to be eligible. Entrants must be able to stay upwind, perform a turn and a simple jump in both directions while abiding by the safety rules.
SAFETY IS AT THE CORE OF THE PARTNERSHIP
Competitors of the KBC Tour are required to adhere to the same criteria set forth in the IKO Standards regarding safety. For example, all riders are required to wear a helmet. Because safety is at the core, most riders are eligible to participate. Standard kiteboard equipment with twin tip boards and kites of any brand or model is allowed.
YOUNG KITEBOARDERS CAN COMPETE IN THE JUNIOR CUP
Because safety is a priority, even young kiteboarders between 9-19 years old can compete in the Junior Cup, which is arranged by the same organizers and sponsored by Nicolat Hulot. The 2014 Junior Cup will be in its 10th year running and held on April 17th-21st, in France at the, “Parc naturel regional de la Narbonnaise en Mediterranee.“ Juniors come from all over making this a very well attended event. Many famous kiteboaders such as Youri Soon and Sebastien Garat started with this event.
Riders need to know figures: jump, grabe and handle-pass. Five international judges will focus on style, engagement, height of jump and quality of the landing. For entertainment, there will be kayaking, paddle boarding and wind surfing. Register HERE.
IKO’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE PARTNERSHIP
The IKO possesses the same spirit endorsed at THE KBC Tour when it comes to competition, which is to make the event so safe that it is accessible to most riders and tourists.
The IKO has the world’s largest kiteboarder network and is represented in more than 40 countries. Now that the IKO has joined forces with the organizers of the KBC Tour 2014, the ability to promote the event, and to further advance the sport of kitesurfing will be at its height.
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