PKRA 2013 Freestyle Rules

I.REGISTRATION

1. Registration. Competitors planning to participate on a PKRA World Cup event should pre-register for
the event online at the PKRA website at least one week prior to the start of the event. Final registration and
fees due will always be done the day before competition starts. Every competitor needs to complete
registration in person before the official registration period ends. All official registration periods will be posted
on the PKRA website under the corresponding event page.

a) If circumstances beyond a competitor’s control disable the competitor to complete registration for the
event by the published time as per the PKRA website www.pkra.info that competitor must contact the
PKRA Tour Manager via email mau@pkra.info and advise of their delay and gain consent to have their
registration period extended. The competitor must supply the PKRA with evidence to support that the
circumstances were beyond their control. Note: that failing to do the above will prevent a competitor from
participating in the event

2. Mandatory Competitor’s Meeting. The first day of official competition there will be a mandatory
meeting for all competitors at least a half hour before the start of the first heat. The official time and location
for the meeting will be announced to all competitors at registration. Competitors failing to attend, or to show
up on time for the mandatory meeting will be given a warning. After the first offence, competitors will be
given a fine according to the rule 49 fine schedule.

3. Heat Participation. Any registered competitor who does not participate in their assigned heat without
notifying the Contest Director, will be fined according to the rule 49 fine schedule.

II.SAFETY AND RIGHT OF WAY

4. Safety and fair play are the most important aspects of the competition. Unsafe competitors will be
disqualified.
Leeward kiteboards have right of way, therefore Windward kiteboards should not jump when a leeward
kiteboard is close to them.

5. Opposite Tack.
a) When two kiteboards in opposite tacks cross each other, the windward kiteboard should keep his kite
high while a leeward kiteboard should keep his kite down to avoid a tangle.
b) When two kiteboards are in opposite tacks and equally upwind, the Starboard kiteboard has right of
way over the Port kiteboard. Starboard kiteboard should cross-upwind keeping the kite high while the port
kiteboard should cross downwind keeping the kite low.

6. Transitions.
a) A kiteboard changing tack should keep clear of other kiteboards on a tack.
b) When two kiteboards are changing tack at the same time, the kiteboard to windward should stay clear
of the kiteboard to leeward.
c) Kiteboards doing transition jumps should watch for kiteboards behind them before attempting a
transition jump.

7. When a Leeward kiteboard changes course or the position of his kite, he shall give the other kiteboard
room to keep clear.

8. On the same tack.
a) The kiteboard to windward (if overlapped) or clear astern (if not overlapped) must keep clear.

9. Kiteboards must not change course to obstruct another kiteboard (blocking).

10. Kiteboards should stay clear of the competition area when not competing.

11. Kiteboards shall not land jumps on the beach, and shall stay clear of any natural obstructions near the
competition area.

12. A kiteboard is capsized when his kite is in the water, his lines are tangled, or has lost control or has
accidentally become disconnected from his kiteboard.
a) If possible a non-capsized kiteboard shall avoid a capsized kiteboard, a kiteboard that has not regained
control after capsizing or jumping over the lines of a capsized kiteboard.
b) A capsized kiteboard shall not take any action that hinders another kiteboard

13. In case of a dangerous action, tangle or collision, as a result of the infringement on any of the above
rules will result in a warning or disqualification from the heat at the discretion of the Contest Director or Head
Judge.

14. In the case the affected competitor, during a tangle or collision, is not competing against the competitor
at fault and the action penalizes the competitor’s performance limiting his chances of wining the heat, the
affected competitor’s heat will be rerun.

15. During the transition period, a kiteboard entering the competition area to compete has right of way over
a kiteboard returning to the shore. Therefore the standard right-of-way rules do no apply.

III.ASISTANCE

16. Competitors that during their heat end up downwind of the competition area, will be allowed to make
their way back to the competition area by walking upwind on the beach by themselves. If a competitor gets
assistance of another competitor while walking upwind on the beach or bringing the board, the competitor
competing in the heat will not be scored from this point.

17. While competing, a competitor could get assistance to re-launch his kite inside of the competition area
only from a competitor competing in his/her heat. A competitor could get assistance to re-launch his kite only
when the downed kite is out of the competition area. (Example when the kite drifts to the shore brake).

18. Competitors who during their heat get assistance inside the competition area from the rescue boat,
press boat, Jet ski, or any other craft, will be disqualified from that heat. The Contest Director can make
changes to this rule at certain events.

19. In the event if a competitor looses his kite from equipment failure, the competitor will be allowed to
replace his kite during the heat only outside from the competition area. The competitor has to get out from
the competition area by his/her own means. If the competitor is not wearing a leash, he will not be scored
from the point he looses his kite.

IV.OFFICIAL NOTICE BOARD

20. Any changes in the instructions will be posted in the Official Notice Board. All competitors have the
responsibility of checking the official notice board periodically for any changes.

21. Each competitor is responsible for checking his heat number. This will be posted on the Official Notice
Board, at least 15 minutes before the start of the first heat.

V.SPONSOR LYCRAS

22. Competitors are required to wear the official lycra vest during their heats. The lycra must be worn
outside the harness. Competitors should check in with the beach marshal two heats prior to competing and
will receive a color lycra vest which will identify them to the judges. Competitors not wearing the lycra or not
wearing the lycra correctly during their heats will not be scored. After the competitor has completed his heat,
the lycra vest must be returned to the beach marshal when returning to the beach.

23. The lycra shall be worn at all times during the warm up periods.

VI.FREESTYLE EQUIPMENT

24. No limitation.

VII.FRESTYLE HEATS AND ELIMINATION FORMAT

25. The Contest Director, will make the decision about the suitability of the conditions for running heats.
This decision can be disputed only if all competitors competing in the event agree to change it.

26. There will be a qualifier round(s) at the start of the contest if the total number of competitors exceeds 24
men and or 12 women. The qualifier rounds can be run on a dingle or single elimination format depending on
time constrains.

27. The qualifier Freestyle rounds (trials) will be run in a single elimination format. When time allows the
qualifier rounds will be run in Dingle or modified Dingle format. (Competitors eliminated in the qualifier
rounds could still participate in the second discipline).

28. There shall be a double elimination for the freestyle discipline of the main event if conditions are
suitable.

29. The entire single and double elimination ladders will be run using the format below.

a) Competitor’s names shall be entered on the elimination ladder for the first elimination series according
to the event seeding list.
b) “byes”, if any, shall be positioned so that they are allocated to the most highly ranked competitors.
c) Competitors shall compete one against each other in pairs, or in groups of up to 4 determined by the
elimination ladder and at the discretion of the Contest Director.

30. During the single elimination, the men’s results will be considered valid for that event when we reach the
quarterfinals or beyond, and 8 competitors or less are left in the elimination round. For the women the results
will be considered valid for that event when we reach the semifinals or beyond, and 4 competitors or less are
left in the elimination round.

31. If the looser side of the double elimination is partly completed, the results of each completed round or
column of the looser side shall count in combination with the remainder of the winner side.

32. In case the single elimination doesn’t get completed, then 50% of the prize money will be split equally
between all the competitors competing in the main event. The organizer will keep the other 50%.

33. The duration of the heats and the transition period shall be specified by the Contest Director before the
start of the daily competition. If needed this times will be modified at any time. All heats times will be posted
on the official notice board.

34. The Contest Director may postpone a heat before the starting signal for any reason.

35. The Contest Director may abandon a heat:
a) after the starting signal because of insufficient wind, or for other reasons directly affecting the fairness
of the competition. The time limit for such abandonment shall be one minute before the end of the heat.
b) after the starting signal at any time for safety reasons.

VIII.ELIGIBILITY

36. Competitors should be current members of the PKRA and IKA in order to participate in the world cup
events.

IX.WORLD CUP RANKINGS AND RESULTS
37. The points system for the freestyle tour ranking will be calculated as follows:
Place Points Place Points Place Points

38. The current freestyle ranking for the year will be determined by the cumulative adding of the year’s
event points, after discards: Discards will be done in the following way:
• 3 or fewer official event results, 0 discards.
• 4 to 6 official event results, 1 discard.
• 7 to 9 official event results, 2 discards.
• 10 or more official event results, 7 best results will count.

39. Breaking of ties for the world tour rankings after discards will be done in the following way:
• Tied competitors’ event results shall be listed in order of best to worst and at the first point(s) where
there is a difference the tie shall be broken in favor of the competitor with the best results (no
discarded results shall be used).
• If a tie remains, they shall be ranked in order of their results in the last event. Any remaining ties
shall be broken by using the tied competitors results in the next-to-last event and so on until all ties
are broken. These results shall be used even if some are discarded results.

X.SEEDING

40. The 8 top seeded men and 4 top women will be pre-qualified for the next event. (Seeding will be
recalculated after each event).

41. Seeding for the 2012 PKRA event:
1. For the first event, the 2012 PKRA overall rankings will be used.
2. After one valid PKRA 2012 result seeding for the second event will be based as follows:
• 2012 PKRA event result counting for 50% of their score.
• 2011 Overall PKRA Ranking counting for 50% of their score.
3. After two valid PKRA 2012 events, we will count the cumulative rankings of the 2012 PKRA events,
and the 2010 overall PKRA freestyle ranking counting as one of the results.
4. When 4 or more valid 2012 PKRA events, seeding will be determined by the official 2012 PKRA
ranking, without counting the 2011 overall result.

42. In case a pre-qualified competitor doesn’t show up to an event, their place will be given to the next
competitor down on the seeding.

43. After the qualifier rounds results, the top 8 men and top 4 women from the seeding will be seeded
accordingly in positions 9 to 16 for Men and 5 to 8 for Women. The remaining qualified competitors from the
qualifier rounds results will be distributed in the ladder according to the name drawing.

XI.WILDCARDS

44. Event organizers will get 2 wildcards for the men and 1 wildcards for the women to pre-qualify
competitors of their choice.

XII.PRIZE MONEY

45. The prize money distribution will be done according to the following schedule:

If double elimination is completed:

46. The TOUR FINAL PURSE will be distributed as follows:

XIII.AWARDS CEREMONIES

47. Competitors who place on the top 3 of each discipline are required to attend the Official Award
Ceremony of each event. The Penalty for missing the awards ceremony not being justified by a force
majeure circumstance will be a fine equal to their earned prize money for the event.

XIV.FINES

48. Misconduct behavior or disregards for competition procedures will incur fines.

49. Tour fines:
a) First offence: $50.00 or 50,00€
b) Second Offence: $100.00 or 100,00€
c) Third Offence: $500.00 or 500,00€

XV.GRAND SLAM EVENTS

50. The following rules apply only to grand slam events:
a) Competitors will be required to place in a visible area of their board one event sticker, no larger than
700 cm2.

XVI.JUDGING

51. JUDGING PROCEDURE
Selection of Judges. An attempt shall be made to ensure that no judge has a vested interest. Only the
PKRA Management Committee will have the power to make appointments and substitutions
for an event.
Judging Panel Composition. World Cup and Grand Slam events shall have an odd number of judges panel
and the PKRA Head Judge with 5 judges on per heat.
Split Panels. In exceptional circumstances where the chances of finishing an Event are in jeopardy, split 3
judge panels may be used.

52. SCORING
A competitor shall be scored while being in the designated competition area. Whether a competitor is in or
out of the competition area, will be at the discretion of the senior judge on the relevant panel and the Head
Judge.
Judges should be visually separated when possible and it is the responsibility of the Head Judge to see that
the judges do not discuss scores.
Judges will assign numerical scores to tricks performed by the competitors inside the designated competition
area during the heat. The individual trick scoring will be done from 0.1 to 10.0, broken into one-tenth
increments.
The scores of the respective competitors will be tabulated together to get their results from the heat: highest
points wins.
In a 5 judges Judging Panel, the highest and the lowest scores will be withdrawn and the average score of

the other 3 judges will be counted as the final score for each trick by the Computer Scoring System.

The maximum number of trick attempts per competitor during a heat will be 12 and only the best 5 tricks with
the highest individual scores will count towards the final score for men and women’s divisions. If the
maximum number of attempts and counted tricks per heat has to be changed per division, this shall be
decided by the Riders Committee and the PKRA Head Judge and posted in the Official Notice Board before
competition begins.

The maximum number of trick attempts per competitor during a heat will be 12 and only the best 7 tricks with
the highest individual scores will count towards the final score for men and women’s divisions. If the
maximum number of attempts and counted tricks per heat has to be changed per division, this shall be
decided by the Riders Committee and the PKRA Head Judge and posted in the Official Notice Board before
competition begins.
Once a competitor have reached the maximum number of trick attempts per heat including crashes, the
competitor will no longer be scored during the heat.
Crashes will be scored by the Computer Score System as a 0.1 and will be counted as an attempt.
If a competitor has attempted less tricks than the maximum number of tricks that count towards the final heat
score, the remaining tricks will be counted as a 0.0 score by the Computer Score System.
Judges may not change their scores on the Computer Scoring System. In the Event that a mistake has been
made the judge should have the Head Judge make the correction for them.
If a judge misses a trick, or part of the trick, he should place an “M” in the Computer Scoring System and that
score will be given points equal to the average to the nearest tenth of a point (0.05 to be rounded upward) of
the other judges’ scores for that trick
If a judge misses a trick, or part of the trick, he should place an “M” in the Computer Scoring System and that
score will be tabulated as the average of the other judges’ scores for that trick.
Tied competitors’ heat scores shall be listed in order of best to worst individual trick scores and at the first
point where there is a difference the tie shall be broken in favor of the competitor with the best individual trick
score.
Qualifier rounds will be judged based on Overall Impression, therefore the Computer Scoring System do not
apply.
The judging scores of each individual judge shall be shown only to competitors in that heat, on their request.
The scores of the judges may not be appealed.

53. TRICK CATEGORIES

The Freestyle tricks repertoire has been broken up into the following twenty-two tricks categories. The list of
tricks included by category is not extensive, and nor limited to the described tricks below but gives an
indication about how different tricks are being categorized by the judges. The Head Judge has the final say
when categorizing a new trick

None of the above category trick is mandatory, but in order to bring the variety criteria into the Computer
Scoring System, only the highest two scores from different tricks per trick category will count towards the
final heat score from each competitor.
In case a competitor repeats the same trick on the same tack during a heat, only the highest score from the
repeated trick will be counted.
If a competitor has not scored the maximum number of tricks including a maximum of 2 different tricks per
category, then the Computer Scoring System will score the remaining tricks as a 0.0 score.

54. JUDGING CRITERIA
The Freestyle PKRA World Tour will be judged on the quality of the execution of each individual trick. Judges
analyze the following key criteria’s when scoring each trick.
Technical Difficulty – The technical difficulty of a trick completed during the heat.
Note that when executing a “combination of tricks”, the second or third trick out of the combo will be
rewarded with a higher score than a single trick on the Technical Difficulty criteria. However, the final score
of each trick is directly related to the quality of the execution.
Technical difficulty of low tricks is directly related to the speed in and out of the trick and the amount and
quality (lines direction) of the air during the trick execution.
A grabbed trick will be rewarded with a higher score than a non-grabbed trick on the Technical Difficulty
criteria. However, the final score of each trick is directly related to the quality of the execution.
A switch trick from any Trick Category will be rewarded with a higher score on the Technical Difficulty
criteria, only if the Regular Trick from the same Trick category is displayed during the heat. However, the
final score of each trick is directly related to the quality of the execution
Power – The power during the execution of the tricks.
Power will be considered as a combination of:
- Speed into and out of the tricks.
- Kite at 45º or lower during the execution of the trick.
- Height and amplitude of the trick.
Risk factor – is directly linked to the Power (already includes speed in and out, lines direction and amplitude
- height) involved in the execution of the tricks, but also to the commitment of the competitor, technical and
physical challenge during the execution, duration of the critical moment, amount and quality (lines
direction) of the air in the trick, and energy on the execution.
Variety – The variety of tricks completed during the heat is considered in the maximum number of different
tricks to be counted for the final score per trick category.
A switch trick from any Trick Category will be rewarded with a higher score on the Technical Difficulty
criteria, only if the Regular Trick from the same Trick category is displayed during the heat. However, the
final score of each trick is directly related to the quality of the execution.
Height – Height of the trick completed during the heat. This aspect will exponentially come into consideration
as the wind conditions increase, but only when the height is achieved along risk factor and technical
difficulty.
Smoothness – Smoothness and fluidity during the execution of tricks completed during the heat, between
different tricks in a combo and on landings.
Style – The personal flamboyance and attitude of the competitor when executing a trick.
Innovation – Tricks that have never been landed in competition before.
The quality of the execution of the tricks is determined by the power, risk factor and speed in and out of the
tricks for the low tricks.

55. OTHER JUDGING ASPECTS
Any handle pass that is finished by pulling the leash to get the bar, will be considered a crash.
The chicken loop is considered as part of the bar. Grabbing the chicken loop when passing the bar still gives
credit to the trick, although, won’t be considered as a clear pass.
If a competitor “butt checks” when landing the trick and doesn’t loose the board, the judges will still give
some credit to the trick. It’s at the discretion of each judge to consider if it’s a crash or a butt check and to
consider how much credit will give to the trick.
If a competitor lands a trick but did not control the kite throughout the execution of the trick resulting in the
release of the handle bar and/or the crashing of the kite into water after landing the trick, the trick will be
considered as a crash.

XVII.START, FINISH, TRANSITIONS

56. START
Heats shall be started with the following system:
Red flag up Warning Begin of Transition
Red flag removed, yellow flag up Preparatory 1 minutes to the start
Yellow flag remove, green flag up Starting start

57. FINISH
Heats shall be finished with the following system:
Green flag removed Warning 1 minutes to the finish
Red flag up Finish Begin of next Transition

58. HEAT AND TRANSITION DURATION
Heat and Transition Duration shall be posted at least 15 minutes before the heat in question on the Official
Noticeboard

XVIII.DISCREPANCIES

59. RE-RUNNING OF HEATS
The Head Judge has the power to re-run a heat, only when he has witnessed the complete heat and he
firmly believes there is a major discrepancy in the judging scores from each individual judge.
Whenever possible, the decision to re-run heats shall be made before announcing a winner of the heat in
question.

60. APPEALS AGAINST JUDGES
If competitors feel to be disadvantaged by certain judges they shall report this in writing to the PKRA Tour
Manager or Head Judge at the end of the competition day.
At times, errors of a special nature occur with respect to judging. The PKRA Head Judge, along with the
Contest Director, the Riders Committee and the PKRA Tour Manager, will rule on these special
circumstances, case by case.

XIX.CONDUCT RULES

61. GENERAL ATTITUDE
All PKRA members must, by their actions & general attitude, during all events and at all times while within
the precincts of the site of a PKRA recognized or sanctioned event, promote the image of the sport, the
sponsors of the event, the PKRA and themselves in a professional manner.
Any failure to do so immediately prior to, during and immediately after a PKRA event may result in
appropriate fines being levied by the PKRA. More severe cases of bringing the sport into disrepute may
result in the suspension or expulsion of a member from the PKRA after due consideration by the PKRA
management board.

62. OFFICIAL ATTENDANCE
All competitors may be required to attend a post heat/Contest media conference immediately after, or within
15 minutes of the end of heat/Contest, whether he/she is a winner or loser. Members must wear the event
sponsors’ advertising vest or a suitable supplied by the organizer during this conference.
Competitors failing to attend a post heat/Contest media conference or to wear the correct bib/lycra will be
penalized.

63. DISCIPLINARY CODE OF CONDUCT & FINES GENERAL CODE & FINES
The rules set forth under this section apply to the conduct of each competitor while within the precincts of an
event site.
Fines levied for breach of this code are payable to the PKRA and members fined shall not be allowed to
compete further in any event, Contest or heat recognized or sanctioned by the PKRA until the fine is paid.
The PKRA representatives, Head Judge or Contest Director may discipline and fine members. In all cases
the Contest Director &/or Head Judge shall consult with the PKRA representatives before imposing any fines
or penalties under the code.
When imposing a penalty or a fine, the committee involved, will consider the seriousness of the offence, the
current ranking of the competitor and if the rule violation is repetitious.
Competitors will be notified of any fines levied in writing by the PKRA. Any competitor wishing to appeal
against a fine may submit a written appeal to the PKRA. This appeal will be considered by a committee
consisting of the Contest Director, the Head Judge, a PKRA representative and a Management Board
representative.
Failure to obey written or verbal instructions at an event: A member failing to follow clear written or verbal
instructions at an event may be subject to a fine of not more than $500.

64. COMPETITION AREA VIOLATIONS
Riding in the course/competition area when not competing : Violation under this rule will incur a fine per
violation and/or warning or disqualification from the series, event or elimination.

65. LITTERING
Members found to be littering or causing any other environmental damage within the precincts of the event
site will incur a fine per violation.

66. AUDIBLE OBSCENITIES
Any member using an audible obscenity will incur a fine for each violation. For the purpose of this rule,
obscenities are defined as words commonly know and understood to be profane and uttered clearly and
loudly enough to be heard by any officials in the proximity.

67. VISIBLE OBSCENITIES
Any member making an obscene gesture of any kind will incur a fine for each violation and/or disqualification
from the series/event or elimination. For the purpose of this rule, a visible obscenity is defined as the making
of signs or gestures by a competitor using his hand, body, or riding equipment that commonly have an
obscene meaning to a reasonable person.

68. VERBAL ABUSE
Any member heard to be verbally abusive of an official, opponent, spectator, member of the media or any
other person will incur a fine for each violation and/or disqualification from the series, event or elimination.
For the purpose of this rule, verbal abuse is defined as a statement directed at an official, opponent,
spectator, member of the media or any other person that implies dishonesty, or is derogatory, insulting or
otherwise abusive.

69. ABUSE OF EVENT EQUIPMENT
Any member abusing or damaging event equipment, on purpose, will incur a fine for each violation, and/or
disqualification from the series, event or elimination.

70. PHYSICAL ABUSE
Any member found to be physically abusive of an official, opponent, spectator, member of the media or any
other person will incur a fine each violation and/or disqualification from the series, event or elimination. For
the purpose of this rule, physical abuse is the unauthorized touching of an official, opponent, spectator,
member of the media or any other person.

71. UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT
Any members failing to conduct themselves at all times in a sportsmanlike manner and or give due regard to
the authority of officials and the rights of opponents, spectators, members of the media or other persons, will
incur a fine for each violation and/or disqualification from the series, event or elimination. For the purpose of
this rule, unsportsmanlike conduct is defined as any misconduct that is clearly abusive or detrimental to the
sport, but does not fall within the prohibition of any specific on site offence contained in these rules. In
addition, unsportsmanlike conduct shall include but not be limited to the giving, making, issuing, authorizing
or endorsing any public statement having or designed to have an effect prejudicial or detrimental to the best
interests of the PKRA, the event, the organizers or the sport.

72. COACHES, MANAGERS
Members take responsibility for the presence of their coaches, managers and any ancillary staff and the
violation of any of the above rules by any of these will result in the appropriate penalty being applied to the
member.

73. FUTURE DISCIPLINARY ACTION
When the PKRA representatives, Contest Director or Head Judge excludes a competitor from further
participation in an event or takes further disciplinary action against the competitor after a gross breach of
good manners or unsportsmanlike conduct, his action shall be reported to the Management Board, who may
reconsider the matter after further investigation.