Kiteboarding Taking Steps Toward Olympic Inclusion

 The recipient of a medical degree from the University of California, Davis, Dr. Nathan Gunn is a healthcare consultant who spent three years in a leadership role with Valence Health. Having since left Valence Health, Dr. Nathan Gunn enjoys kiteboarding in his free time.

The International Kiteboarding Association (IKA) is pushing for the inclusion of kiteboarding as an Olympic sport. An important step has been taken toward this goal, as it will be featured at the Youth Olympic Games. In 2015, the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Executive Board confirmed the sport as one of four sailing events to be part of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. With an emphasis on growing the sport, it will also be part of the program at the 2019 World Beach Games.

IKA President Mirco Babini said the sport's selection by the ISAF and IOC gives young athletes serious goals to strive toward. The 2018 Youth Olympics kiteboarding event will include preliminary heat races leading up to a winner-takes-all final. In total, 24 participants (12 male and 12 female) between the ages of 15 and 18 will represent their home countries.