 British Kite Surfing Association
 kitesurfing
The BKSA was established in 1999 with the primary aim to disseminate safety information about the sport. It has grown quickly to its current membership of 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. Membership of the BKSA is an annual fee of £25 this includes a 3rd party liability insurance to the value of £5m.
 The Hub of the BKSA is the newly revamped website www.kitesurfing.org which has attracted over 250,000 visitors, this site allows anyone to fine out information on associated schools and clubs and the wider kitesurfing world.
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. We are contacted daily by TV and print media for contacts, locations, stories, photos and interviews.
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 the UK.
The BKSA is working towards the development of local clubs to help develop kitesurfing locally. 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.
 We are currently developing dialogue with local councils and beach owners to improve and maintain access to the water as we can see that bans to the sport can be caused by ignorance and miss information.
The BKSA National Training officer has developed instructor training courses which has qualified over well over 100 instructors meeting BKSA and IKO (International Kiteboarding Organisation) standards of instruction. There are currently 20 BKSA training centres in the UK and a growing number throughout the world. As well as running have-a-go days throughout the country for all ages. There is a particularly active junior membership.
 We have been running a national competition series since 2001 and have had many of the top riders competing at an international level, the UK has been particularly effective in international competition and has produced two British world champions and a number of international officials.
In 2005 we are running 5 Grand Prix events across the UK which will cater for both professional, amateur and junior riders. We have secured a White Stuff clothing and Uncle Ho’s flip-flops as brand title sponsors, as well as numerous local sponsors.
There are 3 British bi-monthly magazines about kite surfing, which are available through national newsagents.
There are about 100 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, as the event registrations covers the event costs.
Post
BKSA
PO Box 7871
East Leake
Leicestershire
LE12 6WL
Phone
01509 856500
Hours:
BKSA membership processing, every Tuesday afternoon from 1pm - 5.00pm
BKSA membership queries, every Wednesday afternoon from 1pm - 5.00pm
The BKSA phone line has now changed, the number is 01509 856500. If you want to speak to a BKSA representative, calls will be answered on Wednesday afternoon. All other times, there will be a answer phone, please leave a clear message stating your name, number and your query. The BKSA will endeavour to return your calls on Wednesday afternoons.
Email:
Web: British Kite Surfing Association
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