I saw all this negativity, was a bit surprised but not that much, in fact I was rather against kiteboarding at the JO ten years ago. Now it is different, kiteboarding is a mature sport, JO won't increase the cost of the freestyle or wave equipment, JO won't reduce the sport to course racing.
By the contrary, JO will help to open/re-open beaches because coaches and competitors will get the support from national sport authorities, JO will give more credibility to our sport, so to all its disciplines, give more visibility so more participants, will allow developing course racing which is currently under-developed in my view. It will reactivate the interest of some kiteboarders who are tired making jumps or surfing. Sail racing is quite fun and interesting; I did it in 420 and 470 classes when young, and do it again a little bit in Laser. I’ll do it kiteboarding if I can find buddies here to train together, sure !
The mutation ISAF is in now is due to the whole sport of sailing threatened from just disappearing from the JO if it doesn’t become more attractive to the medias/general public.
Kiteboarding will certainly be the most attractive sailing discipline at the JO, so we should get a large seat at ISAF in the future.
And by chance Rio is a great place for kitesurfing

Kite racers smoke in 6 knots of wind!! In Rio kites will deliver an awesome show!!

I think some are thinking
What about freestyle?
what about old school air-ballet ?

even though the events will be racing, I guarantee that they will do rider profiles showing video of all the freestyle, wakestyle stuff in tropical locations. They will create conflict, use sex etc.

Absolutely! Kiteboarding is a great and increasingly versatile sport. The more people who enjoy it, the better. (Unless you only care about yourself... then it's best nobody else has access to fun )

Cheers,
James

on facebook?

http://www.facebook.com/groups/ISAFolym ... ng/?ref=ts

need to join but interesting stuff, like a giant global soap opera, but with nuggets of real issues

I will tell you why the negativity. For anyone who follows windsurfing, check out how cool the Pro Formula events and gear are compared to the abomination that they try to race in the Olympics. Maybe we should add centerboards to our raceboards . . .

ISAF will ruin the pretty cool thing that we have going right now. Personally,
I would rather race in a Pro event with announcers and hotties in bikinis with money on the line. Or you can pay an entry fee to some yacht club with snobs and rules about not wearing hats in the building with the prize being some lame ball cap . . .

Finally, the production rule is bad enough. Imagine when it is only one board and kite brand. Ready to pay 4000$ a pop for a board built in China? Ya Olympics . . .

I do not see one valid reason why I should be happier if suddenly 20 guys with boats and huge kites show up at our local launch.

I'm not certain what boats and huge kites have to do with 10 year old kiters.

Regardless, I suggest that more people taking up kiteboarding may make them happy, not necessarily you (unless you're the sort that enjoys seeing others happy).

That's kinda the basis of reasonably democratic civilization. Everyone counts. Not just the selfish ones.

Best regards,
James

One positive thing about course racing gear is that its likely to be used away from the 100m closest to the beach.