KiteFinder developer made a small peak in the revalidation of Youri Zoon

History Youri & KiteFinder
Youri Zoon and KiteFinder developer Stef de Jong (left) are going a long way back. As a youngster Youri would be the next talent in the Philips Coolskin team with riders like Ruben Lenten, Gianni Aragno and Cesar Portas. Stef ( team coach ) was responsible for the scouting and training programs. We always looked for riders with a good kitefeel and exceptional locomotion. Youri was one of those guys. But this international team quit end of 2004 (Philips stopped).
As we know now  talents always float to the surface. and Youri became 2 times PKRA World champion.

How is Youri's Revalidation doing?
Like a real sportsman Youri has a great motivation to get well. He's around 10 weeks in his revalidation and it looks pretty good. Trains and revalidate every day. His Sports Physiotherapist Leon Meijer (right) also a fanatical kitesurfer said: "You always have to earn the trust of a sportsmen body, we see progress every week.
Youri is physical & mentally focused on recovery!"
Well it's great to see a real sportsman finding his way back on track!

Revalidation with Stand Up paddle
Youri had a shoulder luxation during the PKRA competition in Germany beginning of August. Undergo a fast operation to restore the damage and prevent more luxations. Leon Meijer controls his recovery progress and it was time to start with some functional training of the shoulder joint! SUP is a great active way to do so and ... water contact again!
So Youri (the golden boy) is back on the water with a paddle in his hand.

Go Youri, keep up the good spirit!

1 Hour kite races, a new kitesurfing concept?

What is the concept?

• one beautiful day @ the surfclub with
• 1 hour kite races 
• choose your own starting moments
• multiple runs
• who sails the most miles in 1 hour
• big ranking board with real time updates

Development of kitesurfing

Kitesurfing is getting bigger & more global every year. More people starting to follow a kite. The sport also became more diverse. Freestyle, race, wave, airstyle all great disciplines with athletes showing their best, setting the standards higher every year.
But in this race to develop higher skills we widen the gap to the recreational riders. Making them viewers instead of participants. That's why we want to bring this new 1 hour race concept to your mind.

 

GPS 1 hour race concept

1 day @ a surfclub, 1 hour kitesurfing races and the one with the most sailed miles is highest on the ranking. This changes during the day when riders can start when ever they like ( between a certain time, for example 10.00 - 18.00). The field can be open so long tracks are possible (have to be back on time) or set up by buoys.

Rules

• Choose your own start moments
• bring back the GPS in 15 minuts after your 1 hour race
• you have to wait minimal 30 minutes before your next attempt

Ingredients

• 1 beach/surf club
• gps readers
• personal mobile phone (safety)
• judge table @ the beach
• lots of enthusiastic kitesurfers
• score board with updates of the latest rankings

Boost the recreational riders!

During this day the ranking will change, participants will try again to sail more miles to climb up in the ranking. Aside of the competitive elements we will see a a lot of rumour on the beach. Riders will talk about technics & material. Weather will be a issue. No level or equipment will be excluded, every rider with its own equipment can participate. The organisation can add special rankings for twin tips/ directionals or male/female/seniors/kids or maybe a team ranking. So this 1 hour race concept can be a great value for surf & beach clubs to address all members.

Good fun and please share your product experience