Maui Kite & Wing Fest

LOCATION

Kanaha Beach Park, Kahului, Maui

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION

1.Every competitor needs to complete registration in person on Registration night on Tuesday, June 20th. Time and Place TBC, check back soon.

2.Competitors should pre-register online at https://www.mauikitefest.com/register. It is MANDATORY to show up in person on registration night to pick up your official jersey and sign the Participant Disclaimers Form. Riders who don’t show up will be disqualified and will not receive a refund).

3.Early registration fee is $175 and ends on June 19th. The registration fee on June 20th will be $195. There will be no late registration at the event site on June 21st.

4.The Open Extreme Big Air discipline is limited to 48 riders on a first come first serve basis, pre-register online to secure your spot.

5.All other disciplines will be unlimited in competitors.

PARTICIPANT DISCLAIMER

All athletes entering the event will have to read and sign the Participant Disclaimers form at registrations.

EVENT SITE

The official event site will be in front of the old hale downwind from “old man’s beach”. 

BEACH CLEAN UP LED BY SURFRIDER FOUNDATION

Encouraged for all to join, bring friends, bring family and come to help clean up our awesome beach. Trash Bags will be provided; we recommend bringing gloves. The Clean-Up will take place at 9:00 am on Wednesday, June 21st .Let's all show some love and respect for our playground!

RIDERS MEETING

The Mandatory Competitor’s Meeting will be held at 9 am on June 21st at the event site. This is where all the info will be given, the day’s schedule will be set, and the riders will be notified when they go out on the water. First Possible start will be at 11am every day of competition.

MEDIA

1. All riders must tag and mention @MauiKiteandWingFest on all social posts from the event.  To do so Please follow us on IG at @MauiKiteandWingFest and like our FB Page at Maui Kite & Wing Fest
2. All riders must give photo credit to correct photographers for photos provided by the event.

SAFETY AND RIGHT OF WAY

1. 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.
2. Opposite Tack: a) When two kiteboards on 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 on opposite tacks, and equally upwind, the Starboard kiteboard has right of way over the port kiteboard.
3. Starboard kiteboard: should cross-upwind keeping the kite high while the port kiteboard should cross downwind keeping the kite low.
4. Transitions: a) A kiteboard changing tack should keep clear of other kiteboards on a tack. b) Kiteboards doing transition jumps should watch for kiteboards behind them before attempting a transition jump.
5. Kiteboards should stay clear of the competition area when not competing.
6. Kiteboards must not change course to obstruct another kiteboard (blocking).
7. Kiteboards shall not land jumps on the beach and shall stay clear of any natural obstructions near the competition area.
8. 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.
9. In case of 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 Maui Kite Festival Contest Director or Head Judge.
10. 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 break).
11. In the event, if a competitor loses his kite from equipment failure, the competitor will be allowed to replace his kite during the heat only outside of the competition area. 12)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 loses his kite.

OFFICIAL NOTICE BOARD

1. Any changes in the instructions will be posted on the Official Notice Board. All competitors have the responsibility of checking the Official Notice Board periodically for any changes.
2. 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.

COMPETITION LYCRA VEST 

1. Competitors are required to wear the official lycra vest during their heats. The lycra vest must be worn over the harness. Competitors should check in with the beach marshal two heats prior to competing and will receive a colour lycra vest which will identify them to the judges. Competitors not wearing the lycra vest or not wearing the lycra vest 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.
2. The lycra vest should be worn over the harness at all times during the warm up periods / interviews etc.

EQUIPMENT 

1. No limitation. It is the sole responsibility of the rider to choose and use appropriate equipment for his safety and the safety of third-party.
2. The race will be split into two divisions, a wing, pen kite and kite foil fleet. No foils will be allowed in the open kite fleet.

HEATS AND ELIMINATION FORMAT

1. The Contest Director and Head Judge will decide the suitability of the conditions for running heats.
2. The heats will be drawn randomly with the top 12 seeded.
3. The event seeding will be based on various big air/freestyle event results, online videos and on the committee’s decision.
4. The Men’s Extreme Big Air contest will be run in a 48 person ladder.

RED BULL KING OF THE AIR WILDCARD

1. Should the competition be held in proper strong wind the competitor that places 1st in the Men’s Extreme Big Air will be awarded a wildcard entry into the 2022 Red Bull King of the Air in Cape Town, South Africa.
2. The wildcard will only be given should the event be held in proper strong wind (25 Knots plus).
3. The head judge and contest director will be in charge of running the men’s extreme big air in the strongest wind of the weekend.
4. The head judge and contest director will submit the results, event report, and the wind graph for the event period to the Red Bull King of the Air committee. The Red Bull King of the Air committee will determine if the wind during the Maui Kite Festival met the Red Bull King of the Air wildcard requirements and if the wildcard will be valid.

AWARDS CEREMONIES

Competitors who place in the top 4 are required to attend the Official Award Ceremony.

ADVERTISEMENT

Competitors might be required to place, in a visible area of their equipment, two event stickers. Competitors must wear the Official COMPETITION LYCRA VEST at all times when riding during the competition period, as well as on the Podium at the Awards Ceremony

JUDGING – JUDGING PROCEDURE – SCORING

1. Selection of Judges: An attempt shall be made to ensure that no judge has a vested interest. Only the Maui Kite Festival Management Committee will have the power to make appointments and substitutions for the event.
2. Judging Panel Composition: Events shall have an odd number of judges panel, with 3 or 5 judges on per heat plus a head judge.
3. 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 Head Judge.
4. The final judging scores of each judge shall be shown only to competitors in that heat, on their request. The scores of the judges may not be appealed. No scores will be shown during the competition, and no changes to the results will be made.
5. Request’s to see heat scores can be made to the head judge after the event has concluded for the day.

JUDGING CRITERIA: EXTREME BIG AIR and OVERALL IMPRESSION:

1. Judges will look at following categories: Extreme Big Air and Overall Impression.
2. The Overall Impression of the Extreme Big Air performance scores will be determined by combining:
1. 60% Height. Go as hard and high as possible. The height in combination with extreme moves is priority, but we will also take the horizontal distance traveled in account, combined with certain powered moves
2. 40% Extremity. Controlled extreme high moves. Think about extremely powered and/or extremely technical, or ultimately a combination of this as long as it is performed on a proper height
3. No limitation in maximum number of moves/combinations attempts per heat (including crashes) or repetitions for the same jump. – Only the 3 best tricks of the whole performance will be counted and will form part of the final result.
4. Variety within your best 3 moves is a key-factor, as focus is to prize the most complete “Extreme Big Air” rider and will play a big part in your 4th (overall impression score) 
5. A 4th score (unique score) for overall impression of the entire performance will be given at the end of the heat, this score will be determined by considering a combination of different factors as: technical difficulty / style / variety / execution / risk / show / innovation, this will be added to the total score (could make the difference)
6. The average of these 4 scores that weigh evenly will be the final score.
7. Tied competitors’ heat scores shall be broken in favor of the competitor with the highest single score. If the tie remains then it must be broken in favor of the 2nd highest score. In case the tie still remains it shall be broken in favor of the rider who has the higher score of Overall Impression.
8. Explanation of certain judging terms and criteria: The heats during the competition will be judged on the quality of the execution of each individual move, where the judges score every single move, but only the 3 unique highest scoring moves will count towards the final score next to the overall impression score. 
9. Hereby an explanation of some of the terms>

• Grabs. 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.
• Power. The power during the execution of the tricks. Power will be considered as a combination of: a) Speed into and out of the tricks. b) Angle of the kite during the execution of the trick. (example: kite lower as the rider during a loop) c) 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 the best 3 tricks completed during the heat is considered for the final overall impression score.
• 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.

OTHER JUDGING ASPECTS

1. Any handle pass that is finished by pulling the leash to get the bar, will be considered a crash.
2. 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.
3. If a competitor “butt checks” when landing the trick, but keeps momentum and has the board touching the water first followed by the ‘butt’, the judges can still give credit to the trick. (It’s a crash if the competitors’ first land on their back and the board is completely out of the water and then ride on) It’s at the discretion of the head judge to consider if it’s a crash or a butt check, this also depends on the extremity of the trick and the speed at landing. Each judge will consider how much credit he/she will give to the trick. The credit given to a ‘butt check’ landing is directly related to the RISK FACTOR involved in the execution of the trick. For tricks with a high degree of risk factor judges won’t deduct (much) points for a butt check.
4. 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.

START, FINISH, TRANSITIONS

1. FLAGS – Flag sequence for the heats will be explained at the riders meeting and posted on the Official Notice Board
2. HEAT AND TRANSITION DURATION – Heat and Transition Duration shall be posted at least 15 minutes before the heat in question on the Official Notice Board

DISCREPANCIES

1. 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 a heat shall be made before announcing a winner of the heat in question.
2. APPEALS AGAINST JUDGES:  Not considered (No protest allowed) at times, errors of a special nature occur with respect to judging. The Maui Kite Festival Head Judge, along with the Contest Director, the Maui Kite Festival Committee and the Maui Kite Festival event organizer will rule on these special circumstances, case by case.
1. To inquire about a result, see scores, or provide evidence that might change the results one must speak to the head judge only when he is free in between heats or at the end of the day, or you may speak to the race director. However if a competitors intentionally tries to create a scene and whine about their results, or has the intent to interpret the event, interfere with judging or show any signs of unsportsmen like conduct, the competitor will immediately be disqualified and kindly asked to leave the event. 

DISCIPLINES

1. The disciplines and divisions are the following:
• Kite Open Racing - Mens, Womens, Grom
• Kite Foil Racing - Mens, Womens, Grom
• Wing Racing - Mens, Womens, Grom
• Open Extreme Kite Big Air ( Men & Women compete together and the winner receives the KOTA 2022 Wildcard)
• Women's Big Air 
• Groms Big Air 
• Men Wing Freestyle
• Women Wing Freestyle

1. The Men’s Extreme Big Air is the primary discipline and will have priority.
2. All other disciplines and divisions will have equal priority, the contest director and head Judge will determine the event schedule based on the conditions.
3. All big air divisions will have the same judging criteria

JUDGING CRITERIA: FREESTYLE TRICKS

Judges shall not assign numerical values to each trick. They will have a  shorthand notation for taking brief notes of the moves performed on each  tack during the heat. The judges scoring will be awarded and based on  several categories detailed below and from this, an overall impression will  be made of each riders performance in the heat. Judges will then  establish a ranking within each heat to determine which riders progress to  the next round and which riders are eliminated from competition. 

1.TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY: The technical difficulty in relation with  the risk factor of tricks landed during the heat. Tricks landed with  more control and without letting the board touch the water are  rewarded in this category as well as the Execution category. 

Risk factor = The risk factor is directly linked to the power, height, amplitude and  technical difficulty of the jump, but also the commitment of the competitor and  physical challenge during the execution, duration of the critical moment, and energy on  the execution. 

2. EXECUTION: A combination of smoothness, flow and fluidity  during the tricks. The linking of tricks, quality vs quantity and  “wow” factor fall in this category. Power, height and amplitude  are also considered in this category. 

Height and Amplitude = The combination for height and amplitude of the tricks  completed during the heat. As the wind conditions increase, this aspect will  exponentially become more and more into consideration, but only when the height and  amplitude are achieved along with risk factor and technical difficulty. Power = The power during the execution of the tricks. Power will be considered as a  combination of speed into the trick to pop and speed out during the landing, height  and amplitude are also considered during the trick. 

Smoothness/Style = The overall smoothness, fluidity and style during the execution  and landing of tricks completed during the heat. 

3.VARIETY & INNOVATION: Variety of tricks completed during the  heat on both tacks, as well as performing tricks that have never  been landed in competition.

JUDGING CRITERIA: RACE

The Race is about getting out on the water with everyone and riding together around a course. The race is a fun event, and safe riding is the #1 priority. We will score different classes, and you can win the race, but any sort of un-sportsmen actions will result in immediate disqualification.

The Race will follow standard right of way rules with the three key rules being:

1. Port tack gives way to starboard tack, the rider going out to sea with their right arm leading the way has the right of way. If two riders coming in opposite directions are on a collision course the rider on Port (Left arm forward must give way to the rider on Starboard (right arm forward).
2. Windward gives way to leeward: If two riders are approaching each other, and the wind is on the same side of each boat, then sailing rules are that the vessel which is to windward (the direction of the wind aka upwind) must give the right of way to the vessel which is leeward (the opposite direction of the wind aka downwind).
3. When overlapped you must not block a rider coming to round a mark if you are windward of another rider and both are on a course to round a mark you must give the leeward rider room to make it around the mark. Encroaching on the leeward rider is not allowed.
4. AVOID CONTACT. You must avoid contact with other riders, but a right-of-way boat will not be penalized under this rule unless the contact causes damage.
5. CHANGING COURSE. When you change course, you must give the other rider a chance to keep clear
6. ACQUIRING RIGHT OF WAY. When you do something to become the right-of-way rider, you must give the other boat a chance to get away from you
7. Before your Preparatory Signal, and after you finish, don’t interfere with boats that are about to start or are racing.
8. The course will be displayed at the official riders meeting.
9. There are no gear restrictions however there will be different classes and results will be scored by class:
The Race Classes will be: Men’s Wing, Women’s wing, groms wing, Men’s kite Open, Women’s kite Open, groms kite open, mens kite foil, womens kite foil, groms kite foil. Men, women & groms will race together however they will be scored separately.
10. Start Sequence and Flags will be confirmed at the official riders meeting.

CONDUCT RULES

GENERAL ATTITUDE. All riders must, by their actions & general attitude, during the entire event and at all times promote the image of the sport, the sponsors of the event, and themselves in a professional manner. Any failure to do so immediately prior to, during and immediately after the event may result in a warning or disqualification of the event.
COMPETITION AREA VIOLATIONS. Riding in the course/competition area when not competing: Violation under this rule will incur a warning or disqualification from the event or elimination.
INTERFERENCE PENALTY. The head judge may call an interference penalty if;
1. another kiteboard changes course to obstruct another kiteboard.
2. there is deliberate unsportsmanlike action against other competitors in the heat.

INTERFERENCE PENALTY. If an interference penalty is called on a competitor, then the competitor’s final score will be penalized with a loss of 50% of his best scoring trick. If a competitor incurs a second interference penalty during the heat, he must immediately leave the competition area, and he will on longer be scored from this point. In addition, he will lose 100% of his best scoring trick.

SAFETY. Riding in a manner that can be considered to be dangerous or a threat to the safety of other competitors will not be tolerated. All disputes under the rules shall be conducted on this principle. Each competitor, when in a position to do so, must render every possible assistance to a competitor in danger and assist organizers with any rescue information in the event of a rescue being needed. All details on medical and safety plan will be presented to riders during the official rider’s meeting. Responsibility of Competitors: It is the sole responsibility of each competitor to decide whether or not to start or to continue to race and to provide for his/her safety.

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 be disqualified from the even. 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 offense 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 Maui Kite Festival event, the organizers or the sport.