Sports 1 Link Directory for Kite Surfing
British Kite Surfing Association
 kitesurfing
The BKSA was established in 1999 with the primary aim to disseminate
safety information about the sport. It quickly grew through year
2000 to a point where we held the first Annual General Meeting in
November 2001.
In 2002, we started paying membership and have currently 868 members
paying £25 per annum. Membership includes a 3rd party liability
insurance to the value of £5m. We also have family and associate
membership for people not wishing to have the insurance element.
The BKSA is driven through a website www.kitesurfing.org which
has attracted over 250,000 visitors and has a very active discussion
forum. Over 5,500 people have registered with the website for a
free e-newsletter.
 In
2003, we are looking to increase membership to over 2,000. The BKSA
is currently the world’s largest national kite surfing Association,
as is being used as a model for other national kitesurfing associations.
The BKSA is recognised by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA),
Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI), HM Coastguard, International
Kiteboarding Association (IKO), Power Kite Sports Federation (PKSF),
Professional Kite Riders Association and all other European and
International Kitesurfing national associations as the only governing
body for kitesurfing in Britain.
In 2003, the BKSA will develop a more regular dialogue with local
councils, Harbour masters and beach owners to maintain safety and
accessibility to kite surfing for all. Otherwise the sport could
get banned by ignorant locals.
The BKSA supports the development of local clubs to help develop
the scene locally and have dialogue with local councils, beach owners
and coast guards etc. The BKSA gives clubs a discount on BKSA membership
so that local club member can join their club and get BKSA membership
and hence liability insurance all for a reasonable price. The BKSA
is contacted daily by TV and print media for contacts, locations,
stories, photos and interviews. Kitesurfing was recently featured
on Blue Peter, as Simon Thomas went kitesurfing in Morocco as part
of their summer holidays. Image Wizard TV have produced programmes
of this year British Kite Surfing championships which will be aired
on Water Sports World on Extreme Channel on 31st December, Wild
Spirits, Eurosport, Sky Sports and Channel 5.
 The
BKSA has a National Training officer who has developed instructor
training courses which has qualified over 70 instructors meeting
BKSA and IKO (International Kiteboarding Organisation) standards
of instruction. We have sanctioned 5 BKSA training centres. We have
run have-a-go days throughout the country for all ages.
At one Junior day in August we had 49 juniors (under 16) turn up
for just 22 places. We are looking on running more Junior and senior
have-a-go days throughout 2003.
In 2002, we ran seven three day competitions as part of the British
Kite Surfing Association Championships with the best 5 scores counting
from the seven rounds.
In 2001 we ran 5 events in the series. In 2003 we are looking at
running 4 Grand Prix events with £5,000 prize money and at
least 5 regional events for amateurs and novices. We are seeking
a consumer brand as title sponsors.
 Through
the website we now receive about 100 email a day which are all answered
by members of the committee. We have answered over 2,000 enquiry
emails so far this year.
The Association has received a small amount of in-industry sponsorship.
In 2003 we are looking for funding from associative sports and through
consumer brands.
There are 3 British bi-monthly magazines about kite surfing which
are available through national newsagents.
There are over 50 retailers of kite surfing kites, boards and accessories
in Britain ranging from windsurf shops to specialist kite retailers.
The BKSA requires funding to support it's administration and liaison
functions in the future. The BKSA generates a small revenue per
annum through membership dues and event registrations which needs
to be supplemented to deliver the members and affiliates expectations
for 2003.
British Kite Surfing Association
P.O Box 101
Keynsham
Bristol
BS31 1TZ
Email: Info@kitesurfing.org
Web: www.kitesurfing.org
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