IKA SNAFU

[madworld]

Dear Kiteracing community,

It is with regret we would like to inform you that the International Kiteboarding Association has rejected our application for the registration of the Bullet 6 and the re-registration of the Bullet 3.

This has occurred because Mikeslab is not willing to disclose certain information that we consider our intellectual property and part of our proprietary processes. We feel that disclosing such information puts our competitive advantage in producing the worlds best foils at risk and therefore our livelihood.

We feel what IKA is asking goes beyond what is actually needed to guarantee availability, repeatability and quality, considering IKA will have actual pieces for qualitative and quantitative comparison. Unfortunately we have not been able to come to a resolution where we feel comfortable in continuing with the registration process.

This is an unfortunate outcome for athletes that enjoy using our products, the sport as a whole, and for us as we have invested considerable time and resources in the last year and a half scaling up with our third party manufacturer.

For the last four years Mikeslab has been the industry leader in foil innovation and race results with the majority of top racers on our foils. We are proud of our part in helping this sport grow to where it is today and will continue to be avid supporters of the sport and the individual competitors.

We wish the IKA, manufacturers, and athletes all the best as they continue on their Olympic track to Paris 2024.

Mikeslab will continue to develop our open class racing foils and give the quality of service and support we are known for.

As the Bullet 6 will now be for open class racing only, we invite all clients on our waiting list to either confirm or cancel their order by emailing orders@mikeslab.com.

We would also like to remind everyone that the Bullet 3 can be raced at all IKA events through December 2021. (IKA Formula Kite Class Rules B.1.4 d).

-mike and stef

[grigorib]

What all are they asking for?

[madworld]

What all are they asking for?

My comprehension of the news release is that mikeslab would have to release proprietary trade secrets Information that a industry competitor could use to an unfair business advantage.

[TomW]

Well, from what read, and reading somewhat between the lines, and coming from design/ product development background, Mike's lab would have to tell the competitors about the manufacturing and potentially the design tools/ methods they use. They have invested a lot of time developing these methods and don't want to give them away.
Giving them away to competitors wouldn't constitute unfair business practices on either part. If they shared the info without duress, it's called open innovation or collaboration Stealing them would be unfair and illegal business practices.

[Toby]

Don’t understand why they have to show their production.

Then they should offer one design.

[blythe]

Well you don't know much then do you turdy. IKA is just a puppet for the big brands to leverage power against the smaller ones. They are obviously pushing it as far as they can to not only restrict competition, but also get free innovation all the way down from product specifications with cad drawings... to now manufacturing techniques. I mean the Olympics are involved, ffs it should be all obvious at that point.

[longwhitecloud]

Why did anyone think it was a good idea to give the hard work of pioneers and grass roots ridersto another sport (IKA/World Sailing)?

By kiteboarders for kiteboarders was the only direction this should have taken. Kiteboarders will still squabble over money but it doesn't have the conflicts of interests with regards to 2 different sports fighting over how things should be done and most importantly where $ is spent. Also is decisions about equipment affordability, safety, and who can/ and cannot become part of the old boys club (the "in" brands).

The old boys club mentality always existed in sailing, not in kiting, but now it has reared its ugly head in our sport by proxy.

Sad, kiteboarding was an amazing accessible sport, not cheap, but also not too expensive - no lift passes, wake boat gas bills, track fees, club fees. So much performance per $. But now aspiring kiters that may want to get involved in kite racing, they just laugh when they see the prices of the the supposedly cheaper - limited equipment racing format of kiteboarding.

[madworld]

IKA wanted to tour his manufacturing facility and film his production process.

[NYKiter]

wow...thats a ridiculous demand.....

[Toby]

Agreed, it is.

But why? What’s the purpose to do so?
What do they gain from that knowledge rather than just stealing ?