It‘s already a few years ago that some active Blokart pilots wanted to create an association on a European scale. The main purpose was to get the sport of Blokart sailing better organized.
It was decided during the Blokart Worlds 2008 to go ahead with the creation of the eba – the European Blokart Association.

Main purpose of the eba is to give the pilots from different European countries a platform where they can contact each other or contact their national representative if they have any questions, proposals or exchange experiences concerning any aspect of Blokart sailing.
The eba will also provide a structure on any aspect of Blokart racing. Putting up a European race calendar, allocate races (National and Europeans) to individuals or clubs, setting the racing rules etc.
The eba will promote the sport in all its forms (recreational or competition) regardless of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.

It was the intention to have the revised set of IBRA rules ready by the end of last year! As you will have noticed this hasn't worked out yet...
It became clear that their are major differences between Europe and New Zealand (Australia). The racing fleets downunder are almost all performance and in Europe probably only around 40%. This means that the equipment rules have a much bigger impact on pilots in Europe than downunder! The proposed rules where to allow ultracarbon with the 5.5, no ratchet block and no batten tensioners in the production class...
It was quickly agreed to allow the ratchet block as sailing with the 5.5 is hard without a ratchet block and it also narrows down the difference between youth and adults (power to sheet in and hold the sail).
The use of carbon was a much bigger discussion, but finally we agreed not to allow carbon in production (it is to expensive and really performance enhancing!).
Although it was agreed during the IBRA meeting after the worlds in 2007 to allow batten tensioners the IBRA has decided to come back on that decision... The EBA does not support that decision because the difference between the old sails (straps) and the new sails (bungee) is to big. Also some European events are only for production class. This means that a performance sailor who has batten tensioners in his sail cannot participate in that event or has to buy a new set of battens... The poll is to find out how European pilots feel on this matter but the EBA will not come back on the decision to allow batten tensioners in production!
Soon we will have the IBRA rules online. We will add an amendment with the difference that apply in Europe!

Yours sincerely,

 
Nicolas Boel 
Chairman of the EBA