Kitesurfing

Kitesurfer off the coast of Mizu no Kuni

Kitesurfing (often referred to as kite sailing or kitesailing) is a popular sporting activity most well known in the coastal countries that border the Eastern Oceans. The term kitesurfing technically refers to the use of a water or sand based board in combination with a parachute style kite that is used to power movement. The term can also refer to the many sporting or racing activities that many kitesurfing teams partake in, the largest and most popular of which is Namikyū.

History

Kitesurfing, originally called kitesailing, was first invented in the early 1940's by a woman named Chen Biyu. It was primarily used as a means of transportation for small boats along the coasts of Mizu no Kuni. Though this means was effective for smaller craft for a time, it was quickly outpaced by other means of sailing and did not catch on. Sometime near the turn of the 21st century, Kaze no Kuni adapted the kitesail for lightweight sand vehicles made to travel across the desert sands. This method of transportation was much more popular than the original as the methods of traversing the sand were much more limited than the methods to traverse water. In addition, the proficiency with wind ninjutsu caused the mode to be much more efficient for the hidden village of Sunagakure no Sato. Though in these days it is not often used, there are some caravans or traders who travel the sands of Kaze no Kuni or Mizu no Kuni by way of kitesail.

Popularity & Competition

Kitesurfing is most popular in the countries with large bodies of water. Arrakis, Hotarunoshi, and Avalon are all considered to be kitesurfing hot spots and each has their own individual team that competes. Competition takes many forms, with the most popular being the team based game of Namikyū . In addition to a Namikyū team many of the larger kitesurfing teams have racing divisions that compete in short and long distance events.

• Arrakis Falcons
• Hotarunoshi Lotus
• Avalon Vipers

Namikyū

Namikyū (literally "Wave Ball") is a sport played on water or sand in which two teams of five. The teams compete to score points by throwing a ball through a goal posts across two halves that last 20 minutes each. The largest league and the only one recognized internationally is the Namikyū International Play Association, or NIPA for short. NIPA is the league in which all international teams play. The organization has branches in each country and handles all professional organized play.

Rules of Namikyū

Namikyū is played on an oval "field" measuring 140 meters long and 100 meters across. The field is marked with a set of twelve buoys held in place by multiple tethers to keep them from drifting. A game lasts two halfs, each of which is twenty minutes long. Points are scored by throwing the ball through the opponent's goal post that is located on their end of the field. Regulation posts are circular hoops 1.2 meters in diameter and 2.6 meters off the surface of the water. Each post has a base that is 6 meters in diameter.

One of the most difficult portions of Namikyū is controlling your kite with one hand. This is necissary when a player has the ball, and is the major portion that keeps the sport competitive. Having access to both hands allows players to maneuver quicker and is core to the strategy of the game.

• If the ball touches the water, the team who last was determined to "have control" of the ball forfeits it to the other team.
• A player may only hold a ball for 18 seconds. A player that does not shoot or pass the ball in 18 seconds forfeits the ball to the other team.
• Players are not allowed to make "rough contact" with each other. Rough Contact (RC) is defined as any contact that exceeds small collisions or impacts.
• A player must hold the ball in a single hand when they have it. A player is not allowed to hold the ball anywhere but the hand.
• If at any time a player or their board comes in contact with the top portion of the Goal Base (Referred to as the Goal Zone), a foul is called and the opposing team is given one free Passing Shot.

• A 'Passing Shot' is when a player of a team is given the ball and allowed to make a pass at the enemy hoop without interference. They must attack the goal from within the Shot Zone. They may only pass through the Shot Zone once and if they do not throw the ball from the zone the shot is forfeited.
• Free Passing Shots are awarded for many other fouls, including Rough Contact.

• The use of chakra based attacks is strictly prohibited by NIPA and may result in suspension from games. At high ends this could result in lifetime bans.

NIPA Standard Namikyū Field

NIPA Regulations

• Field Size: 140 Meter x 100 Meter Oval
• Goal Diameter: 1.2 Meters
• Goal Height: 2.6 Meters (Bottom of Goal)
• Goal Base Diameter: 6 Meters
• Shot Zone Size: 5 Meters x 5 Meters
• Shot Zone Placement: 15 Meters from Goal
• Ball Diameter: 20 Centimeters
• Ball Weight: 550 grams
• Ball Material: Rough Leather
• Half Time: 20 Minutes

Namikyū Trivia

• Shot Zones are most often marked with underwater lighting on professional fields. On lower regulation fields they may not be marked at all and up to the referee to determine.
• Namikyū goals are often raised or lowered depending on tide as many national fields are posted in the ocean.
• All NIPA Worlds matches are played on controlled oval shaped pools.

Racing

WIP