Yes, I can explain. There is no difference when it comes to quality of riding standards, but unfortunately some riders are spreading misinformation about the KSP.

"And to follow that [that no one on the KSP had ever ridden on or been part of an ASP surf event] they made their rules guide based on the “sailing competition rules book”, Are you joking? Is this a surf tour our a sailing tour?"

As I recently corrected a well-known rider's understanding of the KSP's judging criteria, over on ("kindergarden" aka. the scoop de kite), the KSP is not judged by "sailing" criteria.

I'm not quite sure where he got that sailing reference from, perhaps because the sport of kiting is governed by the ISAF (international sailing federation), but I can assure you that the judging criteria used were pretty much identical to that of the ASP. One of the judges in fact judges for the ASP if I'm not mistaken, and some others have judged pro level surf comps too. The criteria were essentially a blend of surf criteria synthesized with progressive kite surfing standards.

All of the KSP judges were required to become ISA certified, making them capable of judging professional surf comps. I underwent the training as well, as part of my research for writing articles for kite mags around the world. The ISA is the world governing body of the sport of surfing. Here's a quote from head judge of the KSP, which is running in my "Kite Surfing's Crown Jewel" article in the latest issue of SBC:

“Ideally, the judges are looking for a steep takeoff into the wave, with a flowing U-shaped bottom turn or transition, projecting straight up the face of the wave, then cracking the lip as hard as possible, setting up for re-entry. The judges want a variety of maneuvers, all performed within the critical section of the wave. The more versatile a rider is, the better their chances are of winning. The rider should not be jerked by the kite or using the kite to pull him or herself back into the wave. The kite should be an extension of the rider’s surfing. If everything is flowing, and the rider is one with the kite and the board—it just looks good. The bottom line is the judges are looking for radical, controlled manoeuvres in the critical section of the wave, [performed] with power, speed and flow.” —Brad Price, KSP Head Judge

If you look at the ASP judging criteria, you'll find they are nearly identical to that of the KSP: aspworldtour.com/press-room/judging-criteria

As JB said in his facebook status, the Pipe Masters started with a card table and some pieces of paper. Working with him in Mauritius at the KSP's One Eye Pro, I recall him saying how great it was for him to witness the birth of the KSP's first contest, as it reminded him of being part of the first Pipe Masters event.

If you ask me, it's sad that so many reputable pro kite surfers are bashing and slandering the KSP, as they largely have no clue what it's all about.

Maybe they are so negative because they have a lot to lose by being judged?

Much nicer to get paid with no bar of measurement for performance

Thx wheels, that is what I thought and heard.

We should be happy to have the KSP for those who like to compete.
No one has to, that is fine, they can push their own way, e.g. Like Ian Alldrege, who pushes in a nice strapless direction as well, BWS rider!

Agreed! Both paths do great things for the sport.

definitely, but it doesn't really validate critique of someone who is actually trying to make something happen. Especially if the critique is not factually correct. I don;t know enough about it to judge whether or not the critique is correct, but I do think it is important in a beginning phase to support most initiatives.

Personally making changes in any direction is probably much easier from inside the system, which means you have to participate.

On the otherhand, doing their own thing is fine...if you can get someone else to foot that bill, great you got it made...for a while. But if I was a brand owner I would ask riders to participate.

Why did i read 5 pages of crap abot a guy i don't care about not entering a comp i wont watch?

i think i've gone slightly mad.

i bought ben's smack video years ago where he was stiff as a board talking, dumb video but i still like watching surf and kite. i still watch his youtube videos now. thanks for pushing the surf side of the sport. you are probably better than the ksp but not better than felix, different styles though.

ksp is a bunch of kooks except a few riders. kiters r posers who didnt grow up being great at surfing. they r kiters trying to surf but i appreciate that. and i enjoy watching all styles: tech out geek danglers, wannabe wakestylers with stupid jerseys, circus acrobatics pkra goons, its all good.

ben will never be as cool and good loooking as asp pros. you will never be 'modern collective' caliber. pkra cant compete with pro wakeboarders. im talking smack about kiters but im not saying they're doing a bad job, they r great in their own style...i love watching it. and i just dont expect ksp to be asp level surfers or vice versa. and i dont think its cool for ben to say 'im too good for ksp', bens just jealous! people say kelly slater sucks but they cant beat him...duh, conditions change and u can only ride whats there. id like to see ben compete with these guys in the same conditions.

real surfers can tell who's surfing and who's getting towed. kooks who dont surf wont understand surf, and most kiters dont come from a surfing background.

i love watching the ksp. dont talk smack about how it should be done, go show them hows its done. they r doing a great job at creating a kite surf tour, please keep it up but dont make it about branding...be fair on choosing who makes the tour and who wins.

subjective vs objective judging dooms the competition to the point it is in the same category, or has too much in common with: pro FIGURE SKATERS ON ICE.
yikes...
I am with mauijim-love to watch it all, appreciate the difficulty involved of any kiter ripping in any discipline.
beating the clock in a race is money, beating your competitor by human judgment is inherently flawed and should be shunned by all.
except FIGURE SKATERS ON ICE,of course...

"Perhaps because the sport of kiting is governed by the ISAF (international sailing federation)"
That is kind of a fundamental bad start I reckon lol They don't govern sh1t!

BW has a huge amount of respect from so many riders. There are some fundamental issues here before people start getting carried away with new made up facts (too late lol) I'm not going to some comp where i could be strapless and meet someone else on straps in same heat - just absolute naivety to have even educated the thought in the first place IMO.

"But I can assure you that the judging criteria used were pretty much identical to that of the ASP"
That's not right, it was proven failure in a comp that took place here a few years ago due to the issues of airs and footstraps

These r real constructive issues, not I surf better that you ner ner ner ner lol! Loving the cyclone swell, it's been sooo sick.

lwc: few years ago wasn't KSP, so I guess that comment has no value.
Go now, and see the difference, I am sure there is.

Ben doesn't need to compete, he should do what he likes and go his way, that is fine and wanted!
No need to defend himself why not.
Everyone is free to decide on whatever one does, and that is the best thing ever!

Enjoy!!!