Here is an update on what rules will apply for any equipment used in Course Racing Competition.
The main idea is to make competition fair, which requires that every competitor can go in a shop and buy competitive equipment from the shelf. So, no more custom made boards or prototype kites. All equipment needs to be registered by the manufacturers and can then be found on a list on the IKA website. Only when the equipment is listed on this list it is allowed to be raced in international competitions.
National Associations may make different arrangements and allow older custom mades or non-registered equipment for an interim period to grow kiteboard racing locally, but for international competition these are the rules:
Every competitor has to register his equipment at the registration day of the event, chosing one board and a certain number of kites for the competition. There is currently a discussion about the number of kites allowed, varying between 3 kites (as at the moment in the production division) and an unlimited number. Realistcly, it will be something in between and will be announced as soon as possible.
Once this equipment is registered, it must be used throughout the whole competition, so it is important to make a wise decision when chosing especially the kite sizes.
Boards have to be on the production equipment list, with a maximum size of 190x70 cm, fins shall not be longer than 50 cm. We will also publish a FAQ in the next days which will clarify what competitors may change on their equipment and what they cant change.
Kites must be also production and registered on the equipment list, it looks like there will be no maximum size anymore as this seems to be not needed anymore. But again - no prototypes. The FAQ mentioned above will also clraify questions about custom bars, lines etc.