TheKiteMag #30 - English

I N S I D E : T H E U LT I M AT E T E S T. 5 4 T W I N T I P S , 3 9 K I T E S , 1 5 F O I L S !

£4.85 ISSUE #30

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THE EASY LIFE

K O TA

UNHOOKED

BIG IN

IN BAJA

2019

TRICK TIPS

BRAZIL

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T H E F E AT U R E S 80 // Big in Brazil You think Brazil is all mirror flat lagoons and perfect 12m weather? Think again. Sam Light led the charge to seek out some serious wind and solid boosting beaches with a select few members of the Slingshot crew…

90 // The Easy Life Awaits It’s winter, it’s cold, it’s hard to motivate yourself to get out of bed, let alone get into your damp wetsuit... If only there was a place where you could head with likeminded kite lovers and live a semi ‘off the grid’ lifestyle with war m wind, endless sessions, and with good tacos. Very good tacos. Brandon Scheid just might know the place…

THE REGULARS 36 // Profile... 2019: The Year of the Boost?

35 // Reflections… From Dakhla 40 // On the List… Peru 42 // I’m On It… Matias Lee 44 // My Beach… Mitu 48 // Interview… GKA with Jörgen Vogt 56 // Gallery… King of the Air 122 // Technique with Steven Akkersdijk 124 // Tell Me About It… Ride Engine 128 // Under the Hood… Cabrinha 134 // Kite Hacks… Trick Tree Part 2 140 // Wrapping up… Kevin Langeree

COVER: Matchu savoring a very special moment somewhere in Indonesia…

P H OTO : Ydwer van der Heide H E R E : Photographer Lukas Pitsch explains that, “This was on a Saturday in January. We went on a spontaneous weekend trip to one of our favorite little freeride and snowkite spots in the mountains as we had had incredible amounts of fresh snow the night before. After some epic freeriding the wind picked up and it was Julian Meister who spotted this little house perfectly aligned with the wind direction. It took us three runs and we got exactly the shot we were aiming for.”

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102 // Undercover Australia It’s one thing saying you’re going ‘off the beaten track’ and entirely another thing literally driving for miles ‘off the beaten track’. The Duotone wave guys did exactly that. They scored some solid solo sessions and had some pretty sketchy moments too.

112 // Tropical Training Ralph Boelen takes himself off to Mauritius to focus 100% on riding a surfboard. You might have heard of one or two of the waves on the island…

So he has that covered. But there are also plenty of options for flatwater riding to work on your strapless game too.

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Editorial

EXCITING TIMES...

W

ell, here we are again… That short patch between the King of the Air, and the start of the competitive freestyle and wave tours…

It doesn’t really feel like the kitesurfing year has truly begun until the King of the Air has done its thing, and we’ve enjoyed the full-power thrills of our sport’s Blue Ribbon event... Then, pretty quickly, we are into the competitive tours (in fact, by the time you read this, the first GKA Kite-Surf event will be kicking off in Cape Verde) and so we’re into another kiteboarding year… Before we know it the brands will be releasing their 2020 lines ups, the boardshorts will be on and you’ll be supping ice cold cervezas as the sun sinks down.

But let’s keep things in the here and now for a minute. First up: “WHAT ABOUT KING OF THE AIR?!” Surely the best yet? The riding was off the scale but what we really liked was the variety – guys with totally different riding styles and totally different game plans going head to head. It made the judge’s lives difficult, but on balance we think they got it pretty much on the money which really kept the event intriguing. There will always be an argument for having more technical or more powered or more x, y or z riding rewarded but the King of the Air always has to be about mind-blowing-crowd-pleasing-heart-stopping action. And this year it delivered that.

Next stop is the ‘new’ world tours. So we now have the GKA taking the reins for both the Wave and Freestyle tours. If the Freestyle tour can now offer the same level of security for riders as the Wave tour has for the last few years then this can only be a good thing. For us the WKC provided some epic events last year – some of the best ever – and we hope that the GKA builds on this and keep the freestyle side of the sport technical enough to keep the riders happy and ensure that it maintains its kudos in the boardsports world.

And if you’re not really into the events and you just want to go and ride with your mates? Well you’re in for a stellar year as well! For our Ultimate Test we rode an insane amount of equipment and we have the results of what was best and what should be on your wish list in there… One thing was for sure: there is a whole lot of great kit out there for you to ride and it’s a great time to be a kiter.

So, whatever you have planned for the year, if you kite then it’s already shaping up to be a good one. We look forward to going through it with you…

Enjoy the issue.

Alex

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HERE: Here’s Keahi en route to winning the final GKA Wave stop of 2018 in Australia.

Will 2019 be the year that he can unseat the Cape Verdeans and take the title?

PHOTO: Ydwer van der Heide

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THEKITEMAG IS… WATER BORN Published by M E D I A in Hayle, Cornwall, United Kingdom.

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THE TEAM: Editor: Alex Hapgood (editor@thekitemag.com) Sub editor: Cai Waggett Art Director: Jody Smith Assistant Art Director: Emma Hegarty

SUBMISSIONS: Online: If you have a clip or would like to get something on the website please send it over to us: media@thekitemag.com.

In the mag: TheKiteMag welcomes both written and photographic submissions.

Photography should be submitted in both RAW and edited format. Please note that the publication of written content is generally dependent on the provision of high quality photography, so in the first instance please send photographic samples and a 150 word synopsis of your writing to: checkmeout@thekitemag.com

YOU CAN FIND THEKITEMAG ON: CONTRIBUTORS: Ydwer van der Heide, Lukas Pitsch, Andre Magarao, James Boulding, Matt Georges, Alex Schwarz, John Carter, Steven Akkersdijk, Paul Smyth, Svetlana Romantsova, Toby Bromwich, Thomas Burblies, José Fazio, Gabriele Rumbolo, Brendan Pieterse, Vincent Bergeron, Joanna Boelen, Christian Rosenbrock.

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This magazine is printed on paper sourced from responsibly managed sources using vegetable based inks. Both the paper used in the production of this brochure and the manufacturing process are FSC® certified. The printers are also accredited to ISO14001, the internationally recognised environmental standard.

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RIDER: BRANDON SCHEID LOCATION: KITE MANSION, BRAZIL Photo: Andre Magarao BS: There is something about sending the kicker that I just love. The speed and amplitude, that moment of weightlessness, and finally that stomping feeling as you reconnect with the water. It’s so fun to have a kicker session with all the boys, the hits go fast, and everyone just keeps pushing each other. I find it’s always good to test yourself, and try completely new things on the water, and the kicker is no different. In this particular case I was trying to really tweak out the Japan grab on my roll to revert. It’s one of those grabs that makes a relatively easy trick extremely technical and hard. Who knew so much fun could be had with some wind and a ramp...

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RIDER: ALEX MAES LOCATION: DIANI BEACH, KENYA Photo: James Boulding AM: It doesn’t get much better than starting the year in Kenya. I have come to Diani with my family to spend New Year for the past eight years so this place holds a special place in my heart. Kenya is a true kiteboarding gem and whether it’s on your foil, twintip or surfboard, there is always something interesting to do on the water.

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RIDER: MITU LOCATION: FLAMEBALLS, MADAGASCAR Photo: Matt Georges TKM: F-ONE returned to Madagascar, the scene of their most epic of trips 10 years ago. If you haven’t checked the new film out then DO IT NOW! And here’s Mitu shredding Flameballs like he hasn’t left the break in 10 years…

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RIDER: LEE HARVEY LOCATION: GWITHIAN, UK Photo: John Carter LH: This shot was from a magic run of swell in December where it was double overhead plus for three weeks straight. The wind on this day was light in the morning, making it perfect for the 7m Neo. Cross off, clean and sunny. What dreams are made of !

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RIDERS: DANIELA MOROZ AND FLORIAN GRUBER LOCATION: TRAUNSEE, AUSTRIA Photo: Alex Schwarz TKM: Here’s a shot that sums up quite well how far kitesurfing has come in the last 20 years… Dani and Flo are cruising around and trucking upwind like it’s the most natural thing in the world, yet there is only around five knots of wind. Imagine that in 1999! Oh, and they’re in the middle of a lake in landlocked Austria…

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RIDER: SANDRA GARCIA FABIAN LOCATION: CAYO VAPOR LAGOON, LOS ROQUES, VENEZUELA Photo: Marcello Balzaretti MB: The shot was taken during our last kite and photo shooting trip while discovering Los Roques Archipelago, its kite spots, its pristine environment and enjoying its unique crystal waters. We highly recommend Los Roques Archipelago to kitesurf in a seemingly endless number of different spots surrounded by a breath-taking environment and friendly people.

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RIDER: ROB KIDNIE LOCATION: INDONESIA Photo: Jason Wolcott RK: Indonesia is made up of more than 7000 islands and is a smorgasbord of left hand reef breaks. For me nothing beats tucking into a nice deep barrel at low tide. But when the tide’s high and waves are fat, hanging the fins out over the lip sure comes in a close second!

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RIDER: ROSS-DILLON PLAYER LOCATION: CAPE TOWN Photo: Steven Akkersdijk SA: I just love it when guys throw the kite way down there. This particular day I was unable to ride due to my ankle injury so I decided to shoot pictures of the CORE riders instead.

Everybody started throwing down on the short lines and Ross really managed to get the kite below him. It’s incredible what a difference line lengths make and I’m super happy to see the riders playing around with it more and more.

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RIDER: VETEA BOERSMA LOCATION: CAUIPE LAGOON Photo: Andre Magarao VB: I have been fortunate enough to attend the World Class Kiteboard Academy for the past four years. I started at WCKA as a freshman in high school, and am about to complete my senior year this May in Sicily. This photo captures just one of many amazing moments my opportunity with the WCKA has provided me. There is nothing like a Brazil night session in Cauipe lagoon. It’s my preferred time to kite due to the empty lagoon and steady wind it provides, and on a couple of visits to Brazil, photographer Andre Magarao spent time shooting some of the WCKA students.

This is from one of those shoots and I am really stoked with how it came out.

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RIDER: BEN HOFFMANN LOCATION: PERTH, AUSTRALIA Photo: Paul Smyth BH: Having seen many places around the world, Woodies in Perth stands out for me due to its consistent winds, clear water and perfect freestyle conditions. I’ve known photographer Paul Smyth for a few years but this was the first time we were shooting with an underwater housing that allowed for great quality and let me get close to the action shots. Coming all the way from Germany, this is clearly the best place to escape the cold winter for some awesome sessions with the friendly people down under!

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RIDER: JEROME CLOETENS LOCATION: AKYAKA, TURKEY Photo: Svetlana Romantsova JC: Akyaka is not a massively well-known spot, but it is 100% on my top list of kite spots on the planet! There are two big beautiful mountains which make the wind super clean inbetween, then there is a sandbank upwind of where we ride, which makes it perfectly flat. I mean, can this magic valley get any better for a kiteboarder?

I would describe Akyaka as the Tarifa of Turkey. People over there have the same vibe we have in Tarifa, as the town is small and a big part of the town lives off kite tourism. There is no rush. No shoes needed. Good wind and good parties!

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from riding with friends. Having Toby behind the lens to capture the moment is a bonus!

NF: We were shooting later in the afternoon which was the perfect occasion to bring out the flash and get some sick shots! After a couple of gnarly crashes on the beach we managed to get the results we wanted. For perfect conditions, Tarifa delivers like clockwork and we get inspiration and motivation

RIDER: NICO FRANCO LOCATION: TARIFA Photo: Toby Bromwich

RIDER: ADEURI CORNIEL LOCATION: BRAZIL Photo: Svetlana Romantsova TKM: It’s tough being a teamrider. When a new kite arrives or your brand want some extra promo about something in their line up, you need to go and play ball. It may not be what you usually ride but you’ve got to turn it on and make the most of it. On brand new kit. In the sun. Yup, it’s tough…

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Dakhla Cai WaggetT

W

ith each visit I enjoy getting more familiar with my arrival into Dak hla, the deser t province on the edge of the Sahara that is north western A fr ica’s foremost k it ing frontier, made famous by epic downwinders, a reputable world tour stop, as well as enjoying sublime photo conditions and high-grade and reliable wind, year round. I enjoy the process of arrival here as much as I enjoy the place itself, savoring the contrast as I leave my life in cold Northern Europe for a short time.

It generally kicks in with my face pressed against the cabin window of the plane like a kid, heading in at night, seeing the intermittent lights 30,000 ft below gradually thin into the occasional solitary beacon in the desert darkness. Slipping into our final approach over the crooked finger of peninsula that hooks out into the mid-Atlantic, we land.

I exit the plane, feeling strung out by airport transfers and airplane food… and then the warm north wind hits me, and I welcome it like an old friend.

And then from the airport to wherever it is I’m staying (on this last visit it was the aptly titled Dakhla Spirit camp – they exude it in spades), the familiar growl of a desert camp 4x4 pitches up and we load in and leave the dim sodium streetlight glow of the airport car park and onward into town, past the garish but charming neon-festooned roundabout,

the shining marble pavements, and on into the dark night, the pungent smell of the sea wafting in through my open window, as we make our way north, through occasional police checkpoints, to the famous Dakhla tidal lagoon on our right, and the pockets of kite camps that punctuate its shores.

We arrive, and the wind is strong. I’m shown to my cabin and it’s straight to bed to hurry along the promise of the morning. In the darkness, the creak and groan of the wind through the cracks is lulling. In somewhat of a half sleep as my body acclimatizes to the change in temperature, I dream I’m at sea.

Lying there at the edge of an endless desert on one side and the great Atlantic on the other, I might as well be.

With dawn comes the most spectacular of sunrises, something I’ve missed in my absence and I’m reminded just how sublime a desert sunrise can be. As it emerges from the horizon, sunlight explodes from the vast arid world to the east. I rise to watch it, every morning, drink my coffee, gauge the strength of the day’s wind by how franticly the deep red Moroccan flag whips in the dawn breeze.

Breakfast is served in the communal eating area: pastries, fruit, eggs and more coffee.

Listening to the excitable chatter of the desert finches perched in the rafters, patiently awaiting their own breakfast opportunities,

Rhino, the camp dog, follows me as I scramble up onto the rocky plateau above the cabins – gingerly breaking in my soft winter feet on the rough rocks – so I can refresh my bearings and set a plan for the day. The serpentine Dakhla lagoon twists away below me, its scales are a growing southerly flowing chop that is already alive with early-rising kiteboarders. I’m too excited already. I’m back and I need to get on the water. I scramble down quicker than I scrambled up, and Rhino shadows me on the descent.

Geared up in the sports center by Sami, the resident kite coach, and I’m good to go. Lines are attached, kite is in the air. I walk with purpose across the soft sand to the foreshore, navigate my way through the myriad shells scattered over the intertidal range that recently housed cockles and razor clams and (oh so tasty) oysters, on to the lapping edge of the lagoon. I sit myself down in the warm shallows, breath in deep, send my kite, and off I slide…

I coast downwind, Dragon Island on my periphery, the sun overhead, Africa to my left and the Atlantic, although out of view, to my right. A world away from what I’m used to, I smile hard. This is the edge of the Sahara, where the wind doesn’t seem to stop. And every time the desert siren of Dakhla sings her beguiling song, this is where I’ll be returning.

is another familiar morning ritual in Dakhla that I embrace fully.

REFLECTIONS

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2019: T

he

f the year o

boost?

Ross taking in the view.

It’s early days but 2019 is already looking like it could be the year when kiting, literally, takes things to the next level. The 30 meter mark has been broken, and not just by a few centimeters but by a full two meters. Could 35 meters be on the cards? We catch up with the two guys at the top of the WOO leaderboard right now, Maarten Haeger and Ross-Dillon Player, and find out about their recent jumps and about what they think is possible…

Photos: Thomas Burblies

First up can you talk us through the conditions on the day that you made your jump?

MH: The wind was perfect, between 40 and 50 knots with some of the best kickers I experienced in my life. Also because of the dense wind in Cape Town, it feels stronger than the same wind speed in other countries. There were waves of around 4-5 meters, perfectly upright with the tip almost breaking, just perfect for boosting. Cape Town was, like they say, “delivering” that day.

RDP: It was really smooth and predictable wind with medium to large size waves. The wind was averaging around 30 knots, gusting 35.

Did you realize that it was going be a good day for breaking records?!

MH: We were driving towards Misty Cliffs and the closer we got the windier it got (the dust was just blowing over the road sometimes). When we arrived at Misty Cliffs I saw all the 40+ knots white caps and some guys already going absolutely huge. That was the moment when it really hit me: this session is my best opportunity to jump a new personal record during this visit to Cape Town, which was my goal.

RDP: Not at all, I thought it would just be an average day but as soon as I did my first jump I knew I was already going high!

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Did you sense that that jump was a big one?

MH: Absolutely. In that session I had about 20 jumps over 20 meters, a couple of those 25+. I immediately feel the difference between a 20 and a 25 meter jump, even before landing. On this one I also immediately felt that it was bigger. A split second after the pop of a big kicker I was hit by a massive gust. That is the ideal scenario because all the force that the kite generates is then directed vertically up. The gust cannot cause you to lose your edge anymore and if it punches in early in the jump, then your vertical acceleration is a lot faster. A couple of pro riders came to me on the beach straight after I left the water, they said that it looked like the jump was 30+. Of course when I downloaded the WOO score and saw that it was 32m, that was a sweet moment!

RDP: Definitely! I knew straight away that I was over 30m. I did two jumps over 30, and I remember both of them so clearly, like it was yesterday…

give me a little more of a comfortable feeling…

RDP: 8m XR5, 24m lines and a 142 CORE Bolt.

A lot of record breaking riders seem to be on CORE kites at the moment – what is it about the kites (and the XR5 in particular) that is so good at boosting?

MH: I love the XR5 because the kite is very quick, but steady. I never feel like I can’t control the kite anymore. The kite has no frontstall, no backstall and the depower is very linear and well balanced. Also I think CORE did a really good job in taking away a bit of the bar pressure for the latest one. With less bar pressure you can hold the kite better in stronger winds, so at the end you can boost a bit higher.

RDP: The kite is a boosting machine! There is a reason that the only kite to jump over 30 is the XR5…

The kite is a boosting machine!

What is the closest you have come to the record since then?

MH: That was 27.7 meters which I jumped at Wijk aan Zee in Holland, one of my favorite spots at home.

RDP: I jumped 29m being quite underpowered earlier this month. I know that 35m is coming soon…

What was your set up for the day?

MH: I was fully powered on my 8 meter XR5, while using 22 meter lines. The 8m is a good size because it steers up fast and always gives you a lot of control in the air. And for the lines, sometimes I take 24s when boosting and sometimes 22s. To be honest, I’m still not sure what the better choice is. The 22s are faster but the 24s have greater leverage. When the conditions are wild I tend to pick 22s because they

How has the WOO changed the kiteboarding scene do you think?

MH: I think Big Air was already on its way to becoming the most popular kite discipline, but since the introduction of WOO it is growing even faster. It’s just such a fun way of pushing yourself to the limits, I truly think I would have been pushing myself less if the WOO did not exist.

RDP: I think it’s really helped the social scene so you can jump and compete with your friends and at the end of the day there is no disputing who has made the biggest jump that day!

Has it changed the way you ride?

MH: Sometimes it’s a tough choice whether I go boosting on the XR or training my megaloops on the GTS because I want to do both. But for boosting I can say that it has been an electronic coach for me. It

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“rewards” perfect timing and aggressive pop and by doing so it helps me to focus on continuous progression in that area.

RDP: It’s definitely made me want to push myself more in stronger winds and I think it has really taken the whole Big Air riding scene to the next level.

Maarten heading up

What is your perfect day for Big Air in Cape Town?

MH: When the table cloth is already pushed over Table Mountain in the morning, and the wind really starts building around 2pm, then you know the conditions are going to be serious towards the evening. Sometimes it gets so strong that only a few people are left on the water. When I’m fully powered on my 8 or 9 meter then there is lots of space on the water, that’s when it’s perfect for me.

RDP: 45 knots, 6ft swell and smooth wind.

Do you think you can go bigger this season? And where do you think the next big milestone is for Big Air?!

MH: The winter in Holland is coming to an end and soon I can really start training again, can’t wait! In Holland it will be very difficult to jump 32+ meters because the waves and wind aren’t as perfect as they are in Cape Town. But I will give it all I’ve got anyways. Also without any records or milestones, I still enjoy each and every session as something special.

In my opinion the next milestone in Big Air will be 35+ meters. That will be hard to achieve but it can be done.

40 meters is not achievable at this stage in my opinion.

But when you look at the development of specialized high performance kites that are dedicated for boosting, I can see 40 meters being reached somewhere in the future.

RDP: I definitely believe I will go bigger. It’s just a matter of when the wind comes! I think 35m is possible, and perhaps even higher in the future!

I still enjoy each and every session as something special

So, what turns a normal kite into a boosting machine? We asked Frank Ilfrich, CORE’s kite designer and the man behind the XR series, exactly what the secret is.

What characteristics does a kite need to be good at boosting?

There are several important design criteria that make a good boosting kite. It needs a very good high wind ability as well as the ability to be able to control it in strong winds. For this, plenty of depower, a stable airfoil and a ridged frame are necessary. A 5-strut frame like the XR brings all these attributes combined with loads of power and hangtime due to the higher aspect ratio and wide arc which results in a high projected area. But like everything in life, it’s not always that simple! High AR kites tend to have good hangtime but not the highest boost, whereas C-kites boost very explosively and high, but with no hangtime and a technically difficult

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Ross-Dillon Player

Maarten Haeger Photo: Thomas Burblies

Ross straightening out the tablecloth...

jumping technique. To find something that boosts explosive but still maintains a decent and safe hangtime is the key to the success of the XR. It is easy to control, easy to jump and is super stable. This gives the advantage to ride fully in control and boost high.

until I think one is ready, then we usually give it to our SA riders to put through its paces. And we have some Big Air specialists here in Germany as well. The WOO actually helps a lot in getting jumping and boosting data and make prototypes even more comparable.

How has the XR series of kites evolved into such a boosting machine?

Mainly through continuous development and testing. The outstanding point on the XR is that it is a perfectly balanced performance freeride kite everybody can enjoy in normal conditions, but it can transform into a skyrocket in high winds without losing its comfort zone. We test proto kites together with the team riders, and I do several generations

Are you working on the next generation?

Yes, the XR6 is in production now and I have started doing some design studies and protos for the XR7 already! The XR has a history of constant improvement and the XR6 is again a step up. The kite doesn’t need any drastic changes because if you are out there to break a world record, the XR is a pretty good option it seems!

Maarten, Big Air’s new hero, giving himself a long run back upwind...

PROFILE

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TheKiteMag.com BEN

Paracas, about a four hour drive south of Lima, bears comparison to Langebaan in South Africa. Conditions are regularly 16+ knots, and the set up is similar in that it’s a cross shore launch from a sizeable beach into a huge lagoon, with a town to your right and a coastline that sweeps around to catch you a few miles downwind.

Water is relatively flat, depending mostly on depth, and if you head out on a long tack upwind you’ll find deep, flat water sheltered by the land, without too much disturbance to the wind. As a result, Paracas is good for freestyle, often good for big air, and always good for foiling, with the only obstacle to this last discipline being the absurd number of jellyfish. Despite being numerous, and often impressively large, these jellyfish deliver only a mild sting, and won’t get through your wetsuits anyway.

PIE

DAMP

This tremendous coastline means myriad opportunities for ocean sports enthusiasts to get amongst it. Surfing is well established here, with Brazilian surfers migrating seasonally to world class spots in Peru, including the world’s longest left: Chicama.

GERMANY

Fernweh

More recently, enterprising kitesurfers have established infrastructure in spots up and down the coastline which score regular wind, and it’s becoming easier and easier to take advantage of the prime flat water and wave conditions offered here. Not only that, but the relative infancy of the sport here means that crowds are almost unheard of, and V the potential for exploration O EN N in the places youSvisit and first rides is sky high. Similarly, Peru is not a country where the local economy is E MA D S WO LL dominated by kitesurfing tourism, and so you can expect a relatively authentic taste of Peruvian culture in most of the places you’re likely to visit.

GILLES

For waves, it doesn’t get much better than Pacasmayo. Not far from Chicama, the wave at Pacasmayo is similarly impressive, and frequently referred to as the world’s longest kiteable lefthander. Rides here can be a phenomenal 2.5 kilometers long, and it’s able to hold much bigger waves than its better known little brother.

Kitesurfing has grown in popularity here as visitors clocked on to the regular cross offshore afternoon breeze.

Wind is normally light and you’re likely get the most use out of your 12, but 7 and 9m days are not uncommon.

An hour’s drive from Paracas, through a stunning national park which, with its red, rocky terrain, feels like a drive across Mars, brings you to Laguna Grande. The best part of this lagoon is best avoided for fear of conflict with the local fishermen, but the scenery is spectacular and the kitesurfing similar to Paracas. It’s not worth the drive every day just for the kiteboarding, but is definitely an awesome adventure when that’s what you’re after.

PERU

BY

PERU

When we talk about kitesurfing in South America, we tend to think of one place: Brazil. And - while it’s true that Brazil offers some of the best kitesurfing in the world year round, it turns out the rest of South America has plenty to offer. Peru takes up a decent portion of the west coast of South America, bordered by Ecuador and Columbia, Brazil, Bolivia and Chile to the north, east, southeast and south respectively, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west.

ON THE LIST | PERU

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IN THE BAG: Bring it all! There is a huge diversity of conditions here. For Pacasmayo, bring your bigger wave kites and a dedicated wave board, not your strapless freestyle board. For Paracas, a twintip and foil should be your priorities, with 9-14m being the kites you’re likely to use the most on the twintip.

STAYING THERE: Paracas has hostels, Airbnbs and hotels. Pacasmayo has hotels, including El Faro resort which is as close as you can get to the launch, and is where you’ll land at the end of the day. Otherwise, there are hostels in town, a few minutes drive away.

luxurious sleeper bus from Lima for the 11 hour journey up the coast. Alternatively, there’s a small airport at Trujillo which is just a two hour drive away from your destination. For first rides, hire a 4x4 in Lima and head in either direction along the coast.

GETTING THERE: For Paracas, drive four hours south from Lima. For Pacasmayo, perhaps your best option is to take the

Ben would like to thank World Class Kiteboarding Academy students, Vetea Boersma and Elias Ochner, for their contribution to the article.

LEAST LIKELY TO HEAR: Ceviche? I wouldn’t bother…

MOST LIKELY TO HEAR: Did you see how long that wave was? Did you see how long that jellyfish was?

BEER: $4 | €4.50 | £3

OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD BRING: A surfboard, a camera, and some company. If you bring the right gear, you’ll be on the water every day, and if you’re going to break a spot in it’s nice to do it with a buddy and have some pictures to remember it by!

RUBBER: 3/2 long and 3/2 shorty. The sun is hot so boardshort sessions aren’t out of the question, but the water is chilly so to be out all day a little neoprene goes a long way.

Before you make the journey to either of these destinations, be sure to check out Lima. With the city perched on the coast atop a cliff, you might easily find yourself taking a paragliding flight for a better view, or checking out the surf. In the city, great architecture, a vibrant cultural scene and good food make a couple of days here a worthwhile investment.

The surfing season and the windy season don’t overlap particularly well, but out of season swells are not uncommon and for most of us the length of the wave and the perfect wind direction are the novelty here, with size a welcome bonus if and when it happens. Despite generally harmonious relationships between the various water users here, dangers include the zodiacs taking the wealthier surfers out to avoid the savage northerly rip, and the fishing nets that are occasionally placed where the wave breaks.

FLYSURFER’S ARGENTINIAN TEAM RIDER, MATIAS LEE, TAKES US THROUGH HIS WEAPON OF CHOICE FOR SOUTH AMERICAN SHRED FESTS… Photos: José Fazio

BOARD: FLYSURFER RADICAL6 | DIMENSIONS: 138 X 42.5 | WEIGHT: 64KG | HEIGHT: 173CM TheKiteMag.com

I joined the Flysurfer family three years ago and since then I have tried all the models of the RADICAL. The RADICAL6 is a freeride board, though I think that it now also has excellent freestyle performance. The graphic design has improved too in my opinion, and overall it has a more refined design than the previous versions.

I thought that the previous version of the RADICAL had a little too much flex, for the RADICAL6 this has been stiffened up which has significantly improved its freestyle performance.

I ride both the 133 and the 138… The 133 is super fun and playful for chill sessions, then I find the 138 better for my riding style while freestyling. The size is just perfect and it is perfect for comfortable pops and landings.

I ride the RADICAL6 with 40mm fins which I find good for hard landings. I do also mix it up and try smaller sets of fins or no fins at all. It depends on the kind of session I like to have at the time.

I usually ride the RADICAL with boots and the RADICAL can withstand freestyling with boots for sure.

I have had some big impacts and it can always take way more. It’s okay to ride with boots if you are at the right level.

I learned this the hard way back when I was younger as I was learning the Blind Judge and I was catching a lot of back edges. As I was riding in boots, the hit would be 10 times stronger and more painful! So I would say wait until you are definitely ready before making the transition…

The RADICAL6’s asymmetric outline is fun to play with and it’s interesting to feel how the board cuts the water on the different edges. In chill sessions you can enjoy secure and fast toeside changes and a smooth flow through the water.

I usually ride the Stoke in waves and freestyle. But with the release of the Soul and new Boost, I have been switching it up with these as well. In low wind conditions, when the tube kites are not enough, I like to ride the Soul 10 with short lines for generating more slack. If the wind is on then for riding Big Air I have been using both the Stoke and the Boost.

Flysurfer’s kite and board line up works for all riders and it is great to be able to switch between kites and feel really comfortably and know exactly what to expect.

I find my home spots in Argentina super attractive to kite. Besides the kitesurfing conditions of them, Mar del Plata and Mar Chiquita have a beautiful mystique. I guess as well it is the feeling of being so connected to them because of my many sessions there. But I think every spot has something amazing to present. Away from home, I would say that Coche in Venezuela is my favorite freestyle spot, and Lobitos in Peru is my favorite wave spot.

I ’ M O N I T - M AT I A S L E E

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PONTA PRETA, SAL, CAPE VERDE

By Mitu Monteiro Photos: Gabriele Rumbolo

TheKiteMag.com

The Cape Verdean who blazed a trail for an entire generation of world class riders takes us through the spot where it all began for him…

WHAT ARE YOUR FIRST RECOLLECTIONS OF THE BEACH?

Ponta Preta has always been part of my life.

Since childhood, I was going there just to picnic with family and friends, then it became the ‘red flag’ spot when I started surfing, the spot where I first took part in an international competition, and also the place where I got married! A part of me is always there...

CAN YOU REMEMBER ANY OF YOUR FIRST SESSIONS?

Oh yes, I can! I guess I was eight or nine years old. I took a bag of stolen bread, a bottle of water

and my bodyboard and headed off to Ponta Preta by foot. Everybody was excited about the big swell that was hitting the island... Oh my God, almost 30 years have passed since that day but I can still vividly remember how hard I was holding onto the leash of my bodyboard, praying not to die! I was so inexperienced and I was in the middle of some huge bombs. I was carried off by the current and I nearly drowned trying to get closer in to the shore to get out. But, at least once I got out, I had my bread and my water!

WHO ELSE DID YOU RIDE THERE WITH?

All the locals: Djo, Airton, Matchu, Titik, Ro, Luis, just to name a few.

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ABOVE: The kind of wave you draw as a doodle...

INSET: Back in the day...

ABOVE RIGHT: The next generation.

FAR RIGHT: Always. Smiling.

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CAN YOU TALK US THROUGH THE TYPICAL CONDITIONS - WHAT IS IT LIKE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AND HOW DOES IT CHANGE THROUGH THE DAY? Ponta Preta is known worldwide as a hard spot. The wind blows side-off, and the rocks are there waiting for you. The wave is fast and does not allow hesitation. Usually, early in the morning the spot is home to local surfers, while at around 9am, when the wind starts to pick up, it is the time of the kitesurfer and the windsurfer. When it’s big it is never very crowded… natural selection!

HAS THE SET UP AT THE BEACH CHANGED OVER THE YEARS?

Absolutely yes, it has. I remember going there as a kid just to run over the immense sand dunes that have always existed there. They were so big, a real mountain of sand for the eyes of a small kid. From the pier, let’s say at about a five kilometer distance, we could see if there were waves or not. 30 years later, those immense dunes are just two piles of sand between two mega resorts. And from the pier the only thing you can see is all the concrete of the hotels that have grown there over the years… Of course, the wind has also suffered because of this change of landscape. Now, riding Ponta Preta can be tricky due to the lack of wind caused by all the construction nearby.

WHAT WOULD BE YOUR PERFECT DAY THERE?

Side-off wind, three meter wave, enough wind for my 8m Bandit kite, a good breakfast and ride until the sunset!

TALK US THROUGH ONE SESSION THAT STANDS OUT FOR YOU THERE?

Actually every single session at Ponta is memorable.

It doesn’t work so many times a year, and when it does, all the island is in a flurry. We used to say that Ponta Preta is magic… I guess that is the reason that so much energy has gathered there. On the big days the left peak also works, which is so huge and it’s there that I have had some of my deepest barrels.

WHERE'S YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT AFTER A SESSION?

Go to Mitu&Djo restaurant and have a Mitu&Djo plate and a big ginger and orange juice to refill energy!

DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD HAVE GOT TO WHERE YOU ARE TODAY IF THAT HADN'T BEEN SUCH A FAMILIAR SPOT?

The reason why I am where I am is because of Sal, my beautiful island. It is the perfect gym for nautical sports.

In less than 30 kilometers, you have so many different conditions to train. Left and right hand waves, onshore and offshore wind, small and big waves, flat water to train in strapless, secret spots or crowded ones to have company, deep and shallow water… I love my island!

WHEN DID YOU LAST RIDE THERE, HOW WAS IT?!

Two days ago, and it was a really hard session actually.

The wind was really offshore but I spent most of it testing some boards and I got some great barrels.

IF YOU HAD TO CHOOSE ANOTHER SPOT THAT YOU LOVE BUT THAT IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT, WHERE WOULD IT BE?

Kite Beach! Head just across the island, four kilometers away, and you have the perfect spot for freestyle strapless!

M Y B E A C H : P O N TA P R E TA , S A L , C A P E V E R D E

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JÖRGEN VOGT, GKA

2019

SEES ANOTHER SHAKE UP IN THE COMPETITIVE SIDE

OF KITEBOARDING, WITH BOTH WORLD CUP TOURS – KITE-SURF AS WELL AS FREESTYLE – NOW MANAGED BY THE GKA. WHEREAS PREVIOUS NEWS OF ‘NEW MANAGEMENT’ MAY HAVE SEEN YOUR EYES ROLLING, THE GKA HAVE UNDOUBTEDLY DONE A GREAT JOB OF CREATING A SUSTAINABLE WAVE RIDING TOUR, SO IF THEY CAN TRANSFER THAT TO THE FREESTYLE SIDE AND PROVIDE SOME CONSISTENCY THEN IT SHOULD BE ALL GOOD. THEKITEMAG’S ANJA FUCHS CAUGHT UP WITH GENERAL SECRETARY OF THE GKA, JÖRGEN VOGT, TO FIND OUT MORE…

TheKiteMag.com

FOR ANYONE NOT UP TO DATE WITH THE SPORT, COULD

WHICH TOURS WILL THE GKA BE TAKING CHARGE OF

YOU EXPLAIN TO US WHAT THE GKA IS AND WHO THE

FOR 2019 AND HOW WILL THIS BE DIFFERENT TO 2018?

MEMBERS ARE?

From now on there will only be the GKA Kite World Tour which consists of two disciplines: on the one hand, Wave and Strapless Freestyle within the Kite-Surf World Tour, which has existed since 2015 and which will maintain unchanged. On the other hand Freestyle and Big Air where you’ll find some bigger changes. The WKC tour and the Air Games which took place in 2018 have been merged to one tour under the auspices of the GKA: the new GKA Freestyle World Tour. WKC (World Kiteboarding Championships) and Air Games as names are history.

The Global Kitesports Association (GKA), which was founded in 2014, acts as an association for kite and board producers. Our members consist of all the important companies in the kitesport industry. As an association we pursue the following key objectives: firstly, to ensure that beaches remain open for kiting – we all know that nowadays this is a recurrent issue. Secondly, we want to make the sport safer through an internationally valid, obligatory minimum standard concerning product safety. Therefore there will be the first ISO standard for QR and safety (the release mechanism) which should be published around the middle of 2019. This has required about three years of intense work including experts from all over the world – all in all an extensive and complex process! A further focus of the GKA is the promotion of the youth and women’s side of the sport which is one of the reasons for the ISO standard, as women and children usually have less body weight which plays a role when handling the safety system. Thirdly, we deal with issues like environmental protection and ecological footprints which is a topic that also affects the industry. And our fourth focus is the professional part of the sport which includes the GKA Kite World Tour for which we are sole rights owner for execution and implementation of all “performance” disciplines.

HOW IS GKA RELATED TO WORLD SAILING AND THE IKA?

World Sailing is the world governing body for wind-watersports which is officially recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as well as by the national sailing federations of IKA and GKA. National federations have agreed the rights for execution of events for sailing sports are held by World Sailing. So, for example, if you want to organize an event on a Brazilian beach, this has to be registered at the national sailing federation, which in turn is a member of World Sailing. Rights assignment through World Sailing took place in 2016 and is as follows: the IKA and GKA coexist as independent associations. The IKA (International Kiteboarding Association) is in charge of all disciplines including a start and finish line, which means races. Exclusive rights for all performance-oriented disciplines (Wave, Strapless Freestyle, Big Air, Wakestyle) are held by the GKA which organizes particular tours for Wave and Strapless Freestyle as well as for Twintip Freestyle. Furthermore, the GKA owns the rights for Park (which means sliding and jumping over sliders and kickers) as this also belongs to performance disciplines. However, there’s an agreement between the GKA and the Kite Park League (KPL) that says that they execute their contests on their own account. The only thing is that they are not allowed to neither call their events “World Cup”, nor the tour “World Tour” or their winner “World Champion”, because this would require the execution of the events under way more complex rules, like the acceptance of the rulebook through the GKA and World Sailing, as well as a certain composition of the judging panel in order to ensure independence. This would impact the inherent flexibility and ‘carefreeness’ of the KPL!

HOW MANY FREESTYLE EVENTS DO YOU HOPE TO HOLD?

We hope to execute six world cups for both disciplines.

WILL THE FREESTYLE EVENTS BE JUDGED ON THE SAME CRITERIA AS THE 2018 EVENTS (RUN BY THE WKC) OR MORE LIKE THE AIR GAMES EVENTS?

There’s a new rulebook for the GKA Freestyle Tour – drafted in cooperation with representatives of the KRU (Kite Riders United) – which includes three main judging criteria. The aim is to select the best and most complete twintip rider as a world champion. Judging criteria have been adjusted a bit for the new format: up to mid-20 knots the judging focus will be on pure Wake/Freestyle, as it was at the WKC comps. From mid-20 up to mid-30 knots the WKC format will be complemented by Big Air elements, which means Wakestyle and Freestyle in the classical sense. When the wind is stronger than 35 knots the scoring emphasis shifts to Big Air (with similar criteria to the King of the Air).

WILL THIS BE THE CASE FOR 2019?

Not entirely, for the World Tour there will be an exception for 2019: four out of six events will be ‘pure’ Freestyle events, regardless of weather conditions. The reason for this is that we want to provide a transition period and a winning chance for riders whose focus during the past years had been largely on Freestyle. There’s the possibility to skip two events of choice – which means that only the four best events will count. But this is only valid for the World Tour, not for any national or continental contests or youth championships using the GKA rulebook. All of our rulebooks and decisions are a product of collaboration with the Freestyle riders, including the former WKC riders.

DO YOU HOPE TO HAVE THE LIVE SCORING AND THE LIVE VIDEO PRODUCTION THAT THE WKC HAD IN 2018?

Yes, we’ll have live scoring for sure. We want to provide live videos for both tours for as many events as possible, insofar as it’s financially viable. In general we have classified all GKA World Cups in categories – there are five, four and three star events. An event with five stars will have live streaming, international TV coverage and prize money of at least €30,000. The first Kite-Surf World Tour stop in Sal at Ponta Preta is one of these five star events and we will definitely have live streaming there.

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COOL, AND WHICH SURF EVENTS ARE CONFIRMED HERE FOR 2019 SO FAR?

Venues are as follows: Sal, Dakhla, Tarifa, Mauritius, Germany and Australia. And maybe there will also be events in Brazil and Maui.

THIS TOUR IS NOW INTO ITS FOURTH YEAR AND HAS BECOME WELL ESTABLISHED NOW. WILL THERE BE ANY CHANGES FOR 2019?

We are increasingly attempting to run the events of the Kite-Surf World Tour at dedicated wave spots. Of course it’s way easier to find a flat water spot for Strapless Freestyle – which we’ll continue to do as well – but we are aiming for balance. Furthermore we are seeking wave spots with wind from both directions. It’s tricky to find this combination, but we will work towards it. Also, for events on pure wave spots the scoring will be 100% focused on wave riding.

Mixed spots like the North Sea will have a mixed scoring (Wave and Strapless Freestyle) and flat water spots like Tarifa will solely be scored in Strapless Freestyle.

HOW DO YOU WORK WITH THE RIDERS TO ENSURE THAT THEY ARE HAPPY AND ABLE TO FEED IN TO THE TOUR? AND CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA OF THE PRIZE MONEY THAT WILL BE OFFERED TO RIDERS FOR 2019?

There will be a rider’s committee for both tours, consisting of men and women. Every decision concerning rulebooks etc. will be taken jointly with the riders. For example, last time it was about the question

as to whether board wax should still be allowed for Strapless Freestyle.

The riders decided to permit it for waveriding, but not for freestyle.

Such decisions are then implemented in our rulebook. Regarding the prize money, there’s a pot for each event which is basically €30,000.

Ten percent of this amount is withheld each time until the end of the tour, for the overall top three men and women. There are also events with less prize money but nevertheless they will take place. There will be a percentage subdivision of the prize pot which follows exactly the amount of male and female participants. So if there is an event with 50% men, 50% women the money will be shared fifty-fifty. If the ratio of men and women is different, the percentages will be adjusted.

IT HAS BEEN A PRETTY INSANE RIDE FOR YOUNG FREESTYLE RIDERS WHO HAVE STRUGGLED TO BUILD THEIR CAREERS WITH THE DIFFICULTIES OF THE COMPETITIVE SCENE OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS – DO YOU THINK THE TOUR WILL NOW BE ‘STABLE’ FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE?

Yes, definitely! We will guarantee this for everyone involved, but in particular the young riders pursuing a professional career, a safe tour which will remain stable in this format for the foreseeable future. Of course factors like the rulebook will be further developed at some point, but the rights for these events are protected for many years (until far into the future). The GKA has a great interest in organizing a long-term, predictable and sustainable tour and providing a professional framework for the riders.

PHOTO: THE GKA COMMITTEE MEETING IN CAPE TOWN AFTER THE KOTA.

Left to right: Klaus Warkentin, North; Till Eberle, Duotone; Richard Meyerscough, Ocean Rodeo; Mark Shinn, Shinnworld; Clinton Filen, Airush; Roberto Ricci, RRD; Raphaël Salles, F-ONE; Max Blom, Mystic; Jörgen Vogt, GKA; Dave Kay (independent consultant on ISO matters); Alex Vliege, RRD.

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~ GALLERY ~

RED BULL KING OF THE AIR 2019 WORDS: THEKITEMAG // PHOTOS: BRENDAN PIETERSE

T

here can be few other events in the sporting world that manage to build up as much tension as the King of the Air. Firstly the waiting period. By competition standards it’s a long window to have for the event. For the riders they have had the first day of the waiting period (this year the 29th January) bouncing around their head for months. So they’re in Cape Town and good to go. But the event rarely starts that early – so there is the sense of tension that comes from just watching Windguru. And waiting…

TheKiteMag.com

When the event does finally get the green light, the riders head to the beach, see the cameras and the crowds, really appreciate how massive the event is, and then... More waiting. Usually until later afternoon when the wind really kicks in….

With all this in mind it is pretty incredible that the riders manage to even get on the water at all, let alone perform at their best, lay down their biggest tricks, and in some cases bring entirely new tricks to the table…

So by the time the first heat is on the water you can see the nervous tension that the riders have written in their faces, and then the relief when they hit that first kicker and get that first score on the board. And this year, as with previous years, the event was run over two days so riders who had navigated the perilous early rounds then had another nervous few days to wait until finals day.

But they did.

And this year – by pretty much unanimous consensus – was the best yet. Every rider put everything on the line and there were some truly heroic performances. What really stood out this year more than most was the distinct riding styles. There was no ‘right’ way to ride, no move that would guarantee you a top score… If you rode well you were rewarded. And a lot of riders rode well.

This is where it happens. Where careers can be made, and where career threatening injuries regularly occur.

It’s a high stakes arena and everybody feels it.

Had you heard of Posito Martinez this time last year? Probably not. Yet he put some eye catching performance in on the GKA tour, and continued at the KOTA, showing that – when it comes to Big Air – he’s one of the new guys to watch out for.

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The crowd play a massive part in the event. So many riders were saying that hearing the crowd roar on the beach pushed them harder and helped them to turn their riding up a notch.

TheKiteMag.com

Sometimes it’s just not your year. Aaron damaged his ribs during the early rounds and was out of the event.

If you ever wonder just how much this event means to the riders then this shot says it all…

Local hero Ozzie Smith got a last minute call up to the event. It seemed a little like he hadn’t had time to read the ‘riding in competitions’ advice booklet as he just went mentally big as soon as the horn sounded and didn’t let up until the end of each heat. The crowd were loving his performance and – on another day – it could easily have seen him progress to the finals, but there were just too many crashes. Hopefully, on this performance, we’ll see him straight into the main event next year.

TheKiteMag.com

Josh Emmanuel knows the set up here as well as anyone and it showed. His performance was up there with those of the very best but he was riding with a rib injury and a crash saw him pull out before the 4th round.

He was stoked with his performance though, and no doubt he’ll be back next year.

GALLERY: RED BULL KING OF THE AIR 2019

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Liam Whaley proved – once again – that he’s not ‘just’ a freest yle rider. His Big Air game was top class and he was at the top of the pile of the more technical riders in this year’s event. In the end the guys going bigger got the top slots, but Liam’s st yle of riding was one of the most impressive to watch.

Marc Jacobs had been training hard for the event and it showed. As a right foot forward rider he was hitting the kickers on his ‘bad’ side so at an immediate disadvantage to the regular guys. But his st yle and fluidit y was insane and he was a favorite amongst the rest of the riders who appreciated the technicalit y of his performance.

TheKiteMag.com

There was such a variet y of riding st yles at this year’s event. Ross-Dillon Player was ticking the short-lineMegaloop box. And he was killing it‌

New team mates, semi-final match ups, best of pals off the water. Nick Jacobsen and Jesse Richman have had a busy few months, but when it came to their heat, they were all smiles beforehand and even managed a high-five half way through.

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There are a few of these big Northern European riders who seem to have the ‘fear’ gene bred out of them, and Lasse Walker was flying the flag for them at this year’s event. As ever his plan was to go as big as he could, and then go a bit more… It nearly worked for him until he came up just short against Liam in a super tight heat in the semis.

If this was a kung fu contest then there would only have been one winner: Nick Jacobsen. Unfortunately for him it wasn’t, but he still very very nearly made it through to the final and was clearly stoked to be back riding hard and to be having a lot of fun with his pals.

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Aurélien Pétreau was a clear ‘one to watch’ from round one. He has been training hard and working on his own game plan and it showed. Fresh new moves and fearless performances almost saw him put in the biggest upset of the event in his semi-final against Kevin Langeree, but it wasn’t meant to be this year…

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Jesse taking a moment to compose himself before one of the biggest heats of his momentous career.

From round one a lot of the sensible money was on this man to take home his third KOTA crown. He just looks like he was born to ride in this event, and like he could probably do it every day... Always innovating but still always going super big – Kevin Langeree is Mr KOTA and it really showed this year.

GALLERY: RED BULL KING OF THE AIR 2019

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Jesse Richman rode full-power with technical prowess and with clinical precision. But you can tell that he was probably just as stoked when he nailed his first back roll many years ago as he is nowadays when he’s being hauled through the sky in front of hundreds of people. The fact is: Jesse Richman just loves to kite.

The Hawaiian against the European, the top t wo spots on the podium, and probably the most spectacular King of the Air to date‌ And all smiles at the end.

TheKiteMag.com

It’s a wrap for 2019.

An incredible final and insane performances wherever you looked.

The only complaint? We have to wait another 12 months to do it all again‌

TheKiteMag.com

STUFF We like the look of...

2.

1.

4.

3.

1. RRD Ace 5’2

2. ION APEX 7

3. Slingshot RPM

4. Cabrinha Cutlass

Recently hitting the ground as part of RRD’s surfboard release, the Ace 5’2 is the kind of board that any waverider should have in their quiver.

Perfect for days when the surf is sub-prime and you need some extra float to ensure you’re still smashing the lip even if the waves lack power, and – if it is flat – just the stick to get you going on some strapless trickery and airborne rotations… Pictured here the super-light BLKRBN edition.

The APEX is part of ION’s top end harness line and doesn’t hold back in terms of next level harness tech. For 2019 ION are giving their harnesses a ‘flex index’ rating between 1 and 20. The APEX 7 is, unsurprisingly, rated 7!

It is stiff in the center section with more flex towards the sides, so it provides excellent comfort and then plenty of support and stiffness when you turn things on…

When historians look back in millennia to come and decide which were the most iconic kites of their era, the RPM will be a true standout. It wins world titles (lots of them), it’s not a scary kite to fly and it delivers all of the qualities that pretty much every freeride and freestyle rider needs from their kite. For 2019 there have been some genuine changes too. You can find out how it fared in our Ultimate Test in the supplement…

All new for 2019, the Cabrinha Cutlass fulfils the needs of a growing sector of the market; riders who ride in sloppy surf – where the wider entry point and flatter rocker mean that you can still be kicking up head high spray in waist high slop – but also want to take to the air when the mood takes them…

TheKiteMag.com

STUFF We like the look of...

5.

6.

7.

8.

5. CrazyFly Binary Bindings

6. AXIS Freeride Foil

7. Naish Monarch

8. F-ONE Breeze V.2

There seems to be no stopping CrazyFly right now – they can build most of their equipment ‘in house’ so the innovation dial seems to have been turned up to 11.

The latest addition is their Binary Bindings which have a slightly narrower design for riders who prefer to push their toes up when edging or jumping, and with plenty of adjustability to ensure the straps aren’t maxed out even when you’re squeezing in your 6mm boots….

AXIS have long been respected for the quality and innovation of their twintip range which always demonstrates a truly thoughtful mind-set toward R&D. This ethos has been transferred to their developments of foils which – it is fair to say – has been very successful! The performance is insane, the price point is impressive, and the only problem you might have is finding somewhere that still has some in stock!

We could just not write any words about the Monarch and instead just have a shot of Kevin Langeree winning the King of the Air on it. Again.

But here are some of the features of the board that have helped it to attain its almost mythical status: Flex Torsion Control channels; Double Basalt Fiber, and Naish’s bespoke Freestyle Rocker.

And maybe Kevin Langeree does a little bit too…

Are you already dreaming of those sunny days lying on the beach waiting for the sea breeze to kick in? If so then it’s time to start getting prepared.

The mono-strut sector of the kite market has exploded over the last few years. The Breeze is F-ONE’s impressive offering to help you maximize your efficiency on the water whether you’re foiling, or just looking for light-kite cruising when the sun’s out…

TheKiteMag.com

TheKiteMag.com

in brazil Shooting in Brazil is a tried and tested formula, but this year – with Sam Light at the helm – the plan was to move away from the standard lagoon action to head north where the wind blows stronger and Brazilian Big Air riding is on… words:

Sam Light //

photos:

Andre Magarao

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TheKiteMag.com

F

or this year’s main trip we were keen to find some solid wind and to get some nice Big Air footage. Alex Fox and myself were weighing up the pros and cons of a whole host of different spots; we scoured the map and checked out lots of options. Cape Town would be good, but the season hadn’t started yet, and nowhere else really jumped out. Plus Bebe’s passport had expired, so we decided to explore some of Brazil we hadn’t been to before.

Most of the media we consume from Brazil comes from the famous flat water lagoons, with big kites and top notch unhooked freestyle. However there is much of Brazil that gets strong wind and waves, and the further north you go the windier it gets. We wanted to roll the dice and do something different with this shoot, we had the new RPM which has been transformed into a Big Air machine, and our goal was to test its capabilities.

The last few shoots in Brazil we have posted up in one spot for the whole time, so we wanted to change it up and explore more this time and to be mobile to find the best locations for Big Air: the ‘run and gun’ approach with greater risk but the potential for greater reward. We assembled an all-star streamlined team that needs no introductions, with Karolina Winkowska, Alex Fox, Carlos Mario and myself riding, and with Andre Magarao on photos and Patrick Wieland on video.

I was in Brazil at the time, and Alex Fox gave me the reigns to organize the shoot myself.

I was excited about this task, as it was my first time organizing a shoot for the team and I knew I could do a good job. The year before we were all squeezed into one tiny 4x4, so top of my priority list was to have two decent off-road trucks so we could fit in the gear, plus being able to go off-road really opens up your options. As I was in Brazil already, I tried to extract as much information off the locals as possible as to where to find the strongest wind, so that we were ready to hit the road and to find the best that Brazil had to offer for boosting.

BIG IN BRAZIL

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T H E W I N DY C I T Y The whole team flew into Fortaleza, most flights arrive late in the evening, and we headed four hours north towards Jericoacoara, otherwise known as ‘Jeri’. We spent a night in Cumbuco, the ‘Tarifa of Brazil’, as we didn’t want to drive through the night straight after flying in. Cumbuco is only about 30 minutes from the airport and a great place to spend the first few days of your trip. We woke early and started the drive north. The roads were good for the first three hours, but as we turned off towards Jeri, the road conditions deteriorated and our pace slowed quickly…

Jeri is the home of strong wind in Brazil, and is also a magnet for Brazilian holidaymakers, as well as plenty of windsurfers. The town is built amongst sand dunes and the only way to access it is by driving 30 minutes along the beach. The town has this really cool touristy, hippy vibe and it would be the ideal place to take your non-kiting friends and family as there are plenty of cool restaurants and shops. There is also a lagoon where you’ll see windsurfers and occasionally some kitesurfers. The lagoon is downwind of the town, so the wind was gusty. It fills up at high tide and was quite small when we were there and, although we did stop for one session for photos as the backdrop was so nice, the wind wasn’t good enough to do any decent tricks.

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B E H I N D T H E WA L L S The problem with Jeri is that you’re not allowed to drive your car into the center because of the narrow sandy streets. Only locals can drive into the town… So we would have had to park outside and walk all the gear into the town every night which is not what you want to do after being on the water all day! It would be fine if we were on holiday, but as we have so much equipment for the shoot it just didn’t make sense for us on this trip. So we decided it was time to move on and to the next option – a town that kept coming up in my research: Prea.

Prea is about three hours’ drive from Fortaleza, and the wind is just as strong as anywhere in Brazil but there’s no lagoon... All my research indicated that this area was our best option if we wanted the strongest wind and access to the biggest variety of locations to kite. I had lucked out and found a new ‘boutique’ pousada where we could drive the trucks into the compound every night, so no unloading was necessary. We actually had the entire place to ourselves which was really nice for the photoshoot. The owner, Cedric, runs several places in the area. He also runs downwinders and was a very helpful chap.

We only had six days and there were a few different spots we wanted to check out, so we started with the easiest ones. Firstly, straight off the beach in Prea itself. It’s a little choppy but it gets flatter, and at low tide there are a few small waves, and then there are kickers at high tide. We had a few sessions around Prea during our stay, and we found a really cool spot behind some big rocks that created nice flat water and clean waves, plus the big rocks provided a great backdrop for shots. Prea itself has a really nice seaside beach town vibe and there are some really nice beach restaurants which had amazing locally caught fish. We also found an Acai spot – we always religiously go for Acai every day on photoshoots in Brazil. It’s essential!

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THE LAND OF D OW N W I N D E R S During our days on the beach we would see constant streams of kitesurfers meandering their way downwind, enjoying the small waves and strong wind. Downwinders are part of the Brazil experience, and you get so much more out of your session: 1) You don’t have to worry about getting back upwind, making it the ultimate way to improve your riding as you can do so many more tricks or just ride more and improve.

2) You experience a variety of conditions throughout your session, and 3) There is just something really special about completing

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a journey, and to do it with your kite just makes it more special.

Prea is the perfect place to start your downwinder in Brazil and there are so many schools, buggies and locals helping to accommodate that unique experience. You can start your downwinder in Prea, kitesurf about 10 kilometers to Jeri for lunch, ride waves all the way down for another 10 kilometers and finish off in Tatajuba’s flat water lagoon. Surely that is the ultimate day’s kitesurfing?!

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STRESS FREE The great thing about Brazil is that you don’t need to stress about the wind. We scored at least 25 knots every day on the trip and we didn’t even bother to check the forecast: it is just windy every day. And the further north you head the windier it gets!

Our plan was to get the new RPM in the strongest wind possible and test what the new ‘fly-line’ bridle was all about. The new bridle is a combination of the existing bungee bridle and the pulley bridle seen on previous versions of the RPM. We were really impressed with the results. We had asked Tony and the design team about getting more boost out of the kite, and that is what they have delivered. An RPM that doesn’t sacrifice what we love about the RPM but is more powerful than ever before, with significantly better hangtime, faster kiteloops and generally more beans!

As the trip began to wind up, we headed to one of our favorite locations from the shoot. Tatjuba’s rivermouth lagoon is a 30 kilometer drive on the beach from Prea, which takes about 45 minutes in a 4x4 or a buggy, or a few hours downwind on the water. To get to the main spot at Tatjuba you have to cross the river on a tiny pontoon that’s only just big enough to fit your car. As you approach the river there are five pontoon ferries waiting to take you across, the operators wave to try and coax you onto their raft to get your business and it’s tricky to choose as they all offer the same service! It was quite disconcerting driving onto the tiny pontoon, but it did the job and within five minutes we were across the 50 meter stretch of river. I was confused as to why we didn’t pay on the way across but Brazilian photographer Andre explained that we would pay on the way back as there is literally no other way out. It’s just sand dunes as far as you can see from here on out! The lagoon there is just perfect – with flat water and perfect wind all day long. We scored some great shots and had a great session which pretty much summed up the trip and proved to us that Brazil really does have it all when it comes to the perfect kite trip…

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Easy Life - THE -

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What would you do to get the inside line on one of kitesurfing’s true “Mecca” spots? Information on scoring the best conditions, eating the best food and ensuring that you have the best kite trip of your life? That kind of information is priceless, so we would probably do quite a lot… But thankfully we won’t have to as Brandon Scheid has selflessly coughed up all of the essential info on Baja for us. He’s just that kind of a guy…

PHOTOS: Vincent Bergeron

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For many years in the US, west coast surfers and kiteboarders have been looking for a warm windy place to spend their long cold winters.

And it wasn’t long before stories of long point breaks, windy bays, and warm, welcoming people began to trickle north out of Baja. dventurous souls would load up their 4x4s with food, water, boards and beers and begin to drive south in search of the next epic destination. The Baja road trip began as a surfer’s pilgrimage, however it was quickly adopted in the windsurfing community. This meant that not only were new surf breaks getting discovered up and down the 1000 mile peninsula, but also all those spots were being assessed for wind sport usage. San Carlos, Baja’s premiere wave sailing spot was one of the first to be put on the map as a world-class destination during the 90s. As kiteboarding began to come onto the scene in the 2000s, riders began to look for a great place to practice the sport, and with a little luck they came across the sleepy fishing village of La Ventana. F

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A true kiteboarding oasis at the tip of Baja.

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La Ventana, translated, means “the window”, referring to the amazing view “window” of the Gulf of California formed by the nearby island of Cerralvo and Punta Arena.

The village was originally settled in the 1940s by Salome Leon, a local pearl diver from the nearby town of La Paz. Thanks to its wind conditions, La Ventana quickly became a wind sport destination for west coast kiteboarders and windsurfers. It’s often referred to as “Hood River South”, as many local Pacific Northwest kiteboarders spend their winter months enjoying the comforts of easy Baja living.

The days are warm and the nights are cool, the food is amazing and affordable, beer is cheap, and life is generally pretty easy down south in the Mexican desert. Additionally, the wind blows almost every day from November to

collateral for our 2019 line of boards, accessories, and a few of our new kites, the NV V9 and P1. I assembled my Mexican dream team comprising designer Julien Fillion, ripper Sensi Graves, legend Jason Slezak, and photo ninja Vincent Bergeron. And so it was that we all met at Mexico’s SJD airport and took off into the desert.

April, making it an ideal spot for Northern Hemisphere kiteboarders to winter over. A true kiteboarding oasis at the tip of Baja.

So it goes without saying that I have made the trip down to La Ventana a few different times and have always had great success. When Gary Siskar, Liquid Force Kites Brand Manager, told me we needed a place to do some winter photo shooting, I knew just the spot. The town and its surrounding areas offer a ton of great backdrops, shooting locations, and the best of all from a brand perspective is that it is really affordable. This allows us to make a strategic strike and really capitalize on a spot that is just in our backyard. I was tasked with gathering marketing

Working on a photo/video shoot is not as glamorous as you would imagine. Yeah, we get to kiteboard a lot.

However, the sessions are long and often we are kiting in spots that are better for their photo composition than their riding conditions. Not only that, we are not freeriding out there. We are usually repeating the same trick over and over until we hear Vince say he’s got it, then it’s on to the next one for ten to twenty minutes. The days are extremely long, and then the nights are filled with sorting and editing all the thousands of shots you collected that day. Productive shoots are extremely busy, it seems like you are always gearing up for the next session. It becomes really important that you have plenty of days with wind, and that is why we chose to come to Baja. Thanks to the wonderful geography and climate of the area, the island of Cerralvo and the mainland make a Venturi-like canal that funnels the thermally enhanced wind, and you can expect rideable conditions almost every single day. There is a ton of large, safe beaches to launch from, and the wind blows sideshore from around 11am - 7pm each day. If you’re willing to do a little driving then you can catch the wind earlier at the top of the bay, making the available ‘on water’ hours go even higher. F

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we had a lot of fun, and we ate more tacos than I can remember…

Additionally, having a bit of variety in the riding is really important for a successful shoot. Between the top of the bay and the bottom there is a plethora of backdrops and riding conditions. From the beautiful turquoise waters and cactus filled desert of the hot springs, through all the various little points and breaks in town, down to the salty slider filled waters of Choco Lake, one can find a different session almost every day. Combine all that with a two-and-a-half hour drive to the Pacific side for proper wave riding, and we weren’t short of things to do during our two week trip.

The off water scene in La Ventana is really eclectic and quite fun. The grand mix of different people adds a really interesting dynamic to the town. There are rich CEOs vacationing from the Bay Area, gypsy campers living off shoestring budgets, retired windsurfers, Mexican gauchos, and kiters of all ages and skill levels. Most nights there is a special at one of the many taco stands, beach bars, or campgrounds making for a fun round of weekly outings where you can chat about the day’s sessions and enjoy some amazing asada tacos. Crime is extremely low and the town feels safer than most people’s home towns, adding to the overall amazing vibe of the town. The town as a whole has embraced kiteboarding and windsurfing tourism as their main source of income, and have slowly adapted their sleepy fishing village to the modern times. There is now an ATM, gas station, coffee shop, bike trails, quicker internet, a plethora of amazing restaurants, and lots of great accommodation options. While some may say this takes away from the true Baja experience of camping in the middle of the desert, I think some of the added comfort has made the town a much easier place for the average kiteboarder to enjoy on holiday.

Our main goal being in Baja was to collect amazing imagery for our 2019 product cycle, as well as produce two videos, one for each of the new kites. It is not easy trying to tackle both photo and video productions in a short two week trip, and we often found ourselves trying to choose between the two. Our production crew is pretty small, if you aren’t riding, then you are helping to fly the drone, launching and landing kites, holding light reflectors or flashes, or being the group cheerleader. It’s not easy keeping the stoke and energy levels up throughout the day, so it is important to have someone in charge of water, food, and trying to keep everyone laughing and having a good time. As I said, the days are long, and it takes a special kind of person to be able to balance all the jobs while on a shoot like this. I was so happy to have such a great team around me, to help achieve our collective goals. It really feels good when you set out to accomplish a task and you knock it out of the park. This year Baja was an absolute home run! We came away from the trip with a ton of great media, we had a lot of fun, and we ate more tacos than I can remember… F

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The traditional way to get to La Ventana is by 4x4 vehicle down the 101 south. I think this is the absolute best way to experience Baja in all its glory. There are so many surf and kite spots up and down the peninsula, driving is really the only way to see them all. Many world class spots lie at the end of a long, adventurous dirt road. However glamorous all that sounds, Baja is really something you need to be prepared for. If you’re planning on going off grid, you need water, food, and power, not to mention some good maps and a hearty taste for the unknown. While most small towns in Baja are relatively safe, there are plenty of horror stories from the road south. Drive safe, be smart and you will avoid the issues. The best way to do this trip by car is to go with someone who has previously done the drive, the experience comes in handy. The 101 south is definitely something worth experiencing in a lifetime, maybe even twice.

You can also choose to fly to Mexico. Certainly a much easier option for most people. You can fly into Cabo San Lucas (SJD) which is about 2.5 hours away from La Ventana, or to La Paz (LAP) which is only an hour away. Cabo is generally easier and cheaper to fly into.

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Most countries’ residents are allowed to enter Mexico with no visa for up to 180 days, making travel easy, cheap, and pain free. Make sure you bring your passport and you should be good to go!

MON E Y The currency of Mexico is the peso and as of this moment it is pegged at 18.55/1 with the USD. Usually for the kite tourist coming to Mexico this means that cost of living is cheap.

I suggest getting money at the airport, as the cash machines are not always working in La Ventana. In the past, you would have to drive an hour to La Paz to get money and gas. So make sure you stay flush with pesos. Some restaurants, lodging, and the two grocery stores will take credit cards but most will require cash, so be prepared.

L A N GU A GE Spanish is the national language of Mexico, however most people in the town are fluent in English. This means no stress on the language barrier, but some general knowledge of Spanish may come in handy.

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There are several car rental outfits at the Cabo airport. Rental prices are often advertised at a very cheap rate, but there is a high mandatory insurance fee not mentioned. Rental cars end up being rather pricey, and there is really no way around it. Some of the lodging in LV offer airport pickups, which helps keep costs low for the budget traveler. Once in LV you don’t really need a car, but it definitely is helpful. If you want to explore all the town and surrounding areas have to offer it will be essential you have a car, and a 4x4 is a plus.

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As you could expect from the middle of the desert, the internet and cell coverage is not great.

That being said, we were able to find great Wi-Fi at several of the bars and businesses in town. Additionally, our cell devices – once enabled for international use – worked well all throughout town. However, the service and internet often go down, and it doesn’t love heavy file transfers, high quality streaming, or other taxing use. I would say you still could ‘work’ from LV, but I wouldn’t set high expectations on the speed and quality of the connections.

But you’re on vacation, so maybe it shouldn’t be a high priority. F

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Baja Joes. The original windsurf hotel and bar in La Ventana. Great drinks, rooms, and launch.

Campground. Great for people looking for a more affordable way to stay long term.

The climate is perfect for camping and it is the choice for most people. There are several campgrounds in the town that offer a wide range of amenities.

Gypsy it. Drive down, bring a tent and pitch it in one of the many canyons throughout town. There are no services, but if you are prepared it can be cheap and amazing.

Airbnb. Renting a house is really the best way to enjoy the town. A quick search online will yield a ton of amazing options littered throughout the town. If you see listings for El Sarjento, don’t be confused, it’s just the name for the north end of the town. There has been a building boom in the town, mostly fueled by kiteboarders looking for an amazing retirement, or winter vacation home. This means there is a ton of beautiful houses to choose from, making it really easy for a traveler to book accommodation.

Palapas Ventana. One of the best places to stay in the whole town. Enjoy an easy launch, amazing food, great rooms, and great times with the owner Tim. He has given more back to the local community than anyone else in town, and is a wealth of information about the area. If you’re not staying here, make sure you at least go to the bar for a Baja Fog and a chat with Tim.

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While there is a ton of restaurants up and down the bay, for me there is one clear winner. Best of all it doesn’t even have a name. Look for it on the west side of the road, between Baja Joe’s and Playa Central. If you go around 7pm you can’t miss it, as it will be filled with gringos looking for the best tacos in town. Order one kilo of adobada (pork taco) and enjoy one of the best meals of your life.

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You can expect daily wind from about 11 am - 7pm. The wind can be thermally generated and be on the lighter side. Or fueled by an El Norte weather system and howling. Most people bring a 7, 9 and a 12m and a hydrofoil. On the windy days there can be breaking waves up and down the bay, so a surfboard is ideal. On the lighter days, the deep water and steady wind make it an ideal hydrofoil spot. It’s a place you want a lot of toys, hence why so many people make the long drive. Surfboards, mountain bikes, motocross, kites, foils, twintips, and even spearfishing gear can all be used daily. It is important that you bring a wetsuit, after all it is winter. Most people ride in a shorty during the hottest hours of the day and a 3/2 in the evenings. Because the town is essentially a desert, expect nigh-ttime temperatures to drop…

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It's a place you want a lot of toys

The wind season is November – April. January is the busiest month of the winter.

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Always with one eye on the next epic session, the Duotone wave crew decided to have an extended layover in Perth on their way to the GKA stop on the other side of Australia in Melbourne... They succeeded in scoring a few top quality West Oz sessions and, thankfully, managed to avoid the numerous things looking to eat you in that part of the world...

WORDS: Matchu Lopes // PHOTOS: Toby Bromwich

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Last November during the GKA tour stop in Prea Brazil, I was sitting in a nice café on the beach with my compatriot Airton and local riders Pedro Matos and Sebastian Ribeiro. The discussion on the table was kind of a serious one for people like us: to find a solid destination for wave riding and get some epic photos together.

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he schedule was set (just after the last heat in Prea), but we were not able to agree about where to go. Everyone had a different proposal and, to be honest, each of them sounded great, still none of us wanted to give up his own idea.

In that moment James Carew showed up at the table, delivering a proposal nobody was able to refuse: “Easy shot, mates! Let's go home, let's go to Australia!”

It wasn’t long before each of us was busy planning unlikely flight connections for a journey that brought us, a few days later, to the other side of the planet (maybe even further, considering that I traveled east to reach Australia). When we arrived in Perth, we met the film crew and the Duotone manager with great news: Mercedes Benz had decided to support our crazy idea with four brand new 4x4s to explore the wild waves of Western Australia!

Everybody was super excited and the following morning at 5.30am we were already on the trucks heading to the north. As we spotted some kangaroos on the way, we started shouting and hopped excitedly out of the car to take some pictures. Australia-born James, though, was not very impressed, as he explained to us, “For me, it is as about surprising as it is for you guys to see a goat in Cape Verde!”

After two days’ drive through the breath-taking scenery of the Australian bush, we reached the legendary spot of Gnaraloo.

Although the swell hitting the coast was a little smaller than we had expected, we were rewarded for the long trip by some super fun waves and kitesurfing on a beach which hosted lots of kangaroos, colorful parrots and other native wildlife. F

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hree days later we went back to Perth, where we enjoyed the local flair of the city and had some great sunset sessions on the main beach, and while the sun was spreading unreal flaming colors through the sky, we were shredding a beach break that seemed to be designed for crazy aerials and massive turns. On top of this, we were kiting alone on the whole beach, and every evening we stayed until the sun went down and it was impossible to see our kites, each of us pushing to get the best photo in the dark.

Our next stop was Margaret River, a name that conjures up epic thoughts in every surfer's mind. It's difficult to describe the emotions I felt when we arrived at the main break where, every year, one of the most challenging tour stops of the WSL takes place. For our purposes, the wind seemed to be a bit too light, so we decided to hire a local guide to explore the most remote and secret spots of the area.

Although ‘Margaret’s’ had always been in my dreams since I was a kid, I was still surprised to find the enormous amount of quality point breaks placed so close to each other (mostly less than 15 minutes’ drive from the town). Our local guide was showing us the area’s full potential and many times we had to leave a really perfect wave just because the tidal and wind conditions were making the next wave around the corner even more perfect! F

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Through the bush O

ur best session was in a secret spot, hidden by thick bush and protected by difficult off road tracks, where we risked getting stuck several times. On the way we passed various signs referring to the great amount of dangerous animals populating the area. The signs of warned about more than 180 different deadly species! I don't know if they were just there to scare people, but I can assure you they were definitely scaring me‌ The most dangerous animal you can find on Sal, the island I come from, are the goats James was referring to above!

All my worries, though, were wiped away as soon as we managed to reach the beach. The bush covered hills were just the sweetest frame to an unbelievable slab breaking in the middle of the bay. Oblivious of all dangers, we rushed to our kites, set up quickly, and flew into the water to score some sick barrels.

While we were busy with this gnarly slab, a few minutes before sunset Airton and Sebastian decided to have a look at the next bay. After a short downwinder, they discovered another hidden treasure: a perfect left beach break, which alternated hollow sections and steep walls for radical turns.

The quality of the wave was written on the the smiles shining on their faces when they came back.

The following day we returned to Perth as it was time to prepare for the last GKA tour stop in Melbourne that was going to start on the following weekend. Everybody sat silent and grateful in the car, our hearts full of memories of the unforgettable experience we had had the opportunity to share. I left Australia more conscious of the immensity of this land, and feeling thirstier than ever to explore this endless wave paradise again. F

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"I can assure you they were definitely scaring me‌"

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Seb’s stolen session…

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ur Australia trip was about three things: friendship, fun, and searching. After driving three hours along the west coast we stopped in the middle of nowhere at a small local hotel. Right beside the hotel was a typical Australian bar and here we saw the best and the worst sides of Australia. There were photos of really sick waves, but also pictures and bones of huge sharks… We tried not to think about it and to focus on the shooting… The next day we got to our planned destination.

A beautiful small beach with a killer shore break and an outer reef slab with a lot of potential.

Unfortunately the swell direction wasn’t so good, but we saw some nice ones and decided to go out and try. After 45 minutes

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the boys started to come in, and it was just Airton, myself and Ry with Toby on the jet ski in the water. I talked to Airton as we wanted so bad to get something, anything… Toby was also pushing to get some more shots. After a couple minutes of frustration, Ry said, “Maybe the other side of the bay is working…” So we headed down to check it out. When we got there Airton and I couldn’t believe our eyes. It was a beautiful beach with white sand, green water and a sick left with cross off wind. I remember we were so full of stoke. It really was a dream, a really fun session.

The session then ended with one of the scariest times of my life; going back upwind to the spot when it was almost dark with the wind getting light and super shaky. Then as soon as we landed the kites, the wind just dropped to zero… 

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Tropical training Ralph Boelen is a massively respected rider on the KiteSurf World Tour, who has shown incredible commitment to the waveriding cause, as well as being ‘up there’ when it comes to his strapless game. To get to this level, you need to put in plenty of hours on the water, and if you’re going to do that then the best plan is to head off to somewhere where you can be sure those hours are going to count…. words:

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Ralph Boelen //

photos:

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Mauritius has always been the place I need to hit every year. There are not many other places offering so much quality for kitesurfing. It is a place for everyone, of every level, and no matter whether you are more into surfing, wakestyle, or just freeriding: all the conditions are waiting for you there. The great thing about it is that it has a long period of wind and waves from June until November, so it offers a great window to plan a trip there.

As I compete for the Kite-Surf World Tour I need to give myself some serious training aside from competition; somewhere I can combine disciplines depending on the conditions and whether it is best to go waveriding, or to work on my strapless freestyle. Aside from the training, the environment is always fantastic. From the massive expanses of blue water through to the great green mountains, Mauritius is always a great place to create amazing photos and videos.

Once I’m there, the deal is that if the weather offers conditions for a nice swell, then I will go and catch those waves over the reefs for as long as they are there, and for the rest of the time when the waves aren’t great, I can then take that period of time to focus on freestyle strapless in the lagoon. That’s what I love about strapless: whatever conditions you get, you can always find your fun time!

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The perfection of those waves almost seems unreal

Most of the time I’ve been riding at Le Morne on the southwest of the island, obviously the main one that everyone goes to, with the famous One Eye. It’s the first spot I check when starting the day, and then depending on the wind or swell direction, I decide whether or not I’ll check somewhere else. The south coast has quite a lot of options for finding nice wave spots, but they’re not always secure and safe for kiting, so when you are planning your adventure for the day, it is recommended to not go alone in case of trouble, and be sure to have good enough skills, because there won’t be a boat to fish you out like at Le Morne...

Riding in Mauritius, there are a few factors you need to pay attention to, like the low tide. If you’re going to chase waves then the reef can be too shallow to ride above, and

on big days the current can be very strong in the lagoons.

Keep an eye on the clouds too, which indicate that the weather could change very quickly. If they become too black or wide then there is a good chance that the wind will die pretty quickly. Wherever I am riding, I always make a Plan B in case of trouble…

But once you are all set up and out there, it’s time to enjoy yourself ! The perfection of those waves almost seems unreal for those of us living in northern Europe where waves are more often than not super messy. Sometimes just riding and watching those shapes can hypnotize you and put you in a trance, like you are watching TV, but you had better switch off before it breaks on you because the perfect glassy water will make you feel like you just had the sofa roll on top of you!

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The good thing is that the waves break in such a predictable way, the waves can be easy to ride if you’re not looking too much for the super steep radical section, as obviously the closer you get to the lip, the bigger the chance for you to be eaten! So choose your section wisely depending on how much risk you want to take. The higher your level, the more you are going to want to smash, and the more you’re going to find yourself in the ‘don’t try this at home’ zone!

When it’s been time to shoot wave-riding, it is not so easy as most of the reefs are quite far away from the beach, which means you need a super expensive long lens for the camera… Which I don’t have. So, with my wife, we have been looking for spots where the reef is as close as we could find, so of course it has to be a place with a very shallow reef… no risk no fun! The place doesn’t work all the time though so you need quite a lot of patience. Filming has been a bit tougher for

the closer you get to the lip, the bigger the chance for you to be eaten!

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my wife than for me as, like every man I guess, we all like our tech toys but unfortunately when it’s about actually using them, for us it often gets a little more complicated… Thankfully she was happy using the housing in the water and in the end it has really paid off as we were really pleased with how the shots and the video came out.

Regarding the wave training, I’ve been focusing quite a lot on being barrelled, as on competitions that counts for a lot of points. It’s really a case of timing to understand when and where you should place yourself to just fit in the barrel, because the first mistake is often to be too fast and to end up missing the barrel, and then in braking too much and not making it out. So it is really about the position, timing and speed for that perfect barrel. That’s what I am working on and there is nowhere better than Mauritius to be for that…

TROPICAL TRAINING

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Strapless Beach Start Rider: Steven Akkersdijk Photo: Christian Rosenbrock

the steps

Keep the powerline between your index and middle finger for maximum kite control, and hold the board on the rail about a third of the way down.

Keep your kite at 45 degrees and start running into the wind at an angle of 45 degrees. You will notice straight away that

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The Move When the conditions are ON I always want to hit the water as quick as possible. This does the trick and makes you look cool whilst doing it!

There are a few things to bear in mind before performing this trick or entry.

the lines tension up and you can slowly run more at a 70 degree angle into the wind.

Steer your kite up towards 11:30 and prepare to take a big jump. As you jump it is very important to pull the bar down and push off slightly into the wind.

Watch your fins on the landing as landing shallow can break your fins or fin boxes.

Check there’s nothing sharp on the beach so you don’t cut your foot.

When failing to land this you might not look that cool and you are right on the beach with plenty of people watching…

As you jump it’s important to start steering the kite back down in the riding direction. Do this with the bar pulled in.

Be sure to stay small and compact so it doesn’t cost too much energy to place the board under you. Pull up the legs

and position the board under your feet.

Spot your landing and prepare for it by letting go of your board and pushing it down towards the water with your feet.

Absorb the impact on landing and ride away happy.

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RIDE ENGINE

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You can’t always pinpoint exactly why, but some brands are just pretty damn cool... Ride Engine are one of those brands, and give you that extra bit of kudos before you even get in the water. Their new harness and wetsuit collection is on the shelves right now – Alex Fox takes us through what’s new…

So can you take us through the headline news from the 2019 Ride Engine collection?

Absolutely. As always we aim for: Lighter, Stronger and Better in everything that we do! The industry’s first hard shell harnesses return with an all new construction that has a multitude of new benefits for the kiteboarder. We also have new neoprene accessories to accompany a completely new wetsuit range for both men and women!

So looking at the harness line up, can you take us through what you’re offering for 2019?

We have introduced a new harness series called the Prime Shell series. The Prime Shell line will replace the previous HexCore model as the most accessible harness that we offer. Our premium hard shell harness, the Elite series, returns stronger, lighter, and more badass than ever.

You guys (and Coleman!) pioneered the hard shell harness. The concept has now been adopted by several other companies. Is a Ride Engine harness still the number one option?!

Ha, would we tell you otherwise?! Of course, it’s the number one option. We have the most time in development and familiarity with this technology. It’s one thing to adopt a technology and add some glitter to it, it’s completely different to really understand the technology and improve upon it. There are obviously lots of imitators out there and in a lot of cases we think they are making a product that falls short of the original because they are missing the most magical and essential element of it. The Ride Engine harnesses are shaped to your body’s natural curves. Your back isn’t flat, so why would your harness be flat? Our harnesses are not only ergonomically designed from left to right, but also top to bottom. This prevents the harness from riding up your torso for one, but also prevents it from twisting as well. This makes a Ride Engine harness unique…

:CARBON INFRARED

:CARBON SEA GREEN

:CARBON WHITE

:PRIME COAST

:PRIME DEEP SEA

:PRIME SUNSET

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How have you seen the technology here evolve over the last few years?

Our technology has evolved through user input and this year we have an all new Shell Construction technology that we have dubbed “Shell Skin”. Shell Skin is a unique laminating process that makes our shell stronger and lighter than any previous models. What’s cool about this technology though is it gives us the ability to taper and segment the flex and ergonomics of the shell. In the Prime Shell series, you will note flex where you want it and stiffness where you need it. In our Elite Series you will appreciate the pinnacle of hard shell harness performance…

:NEO PARKA MENS

:NEO PARKA WOMENS

Do the harnesses fit the needs of all riders or do you find that they are more popular with certain disciplines?

Our harnesses fit the needs of 100% of the kiteboarders on this earth, whatever your riding style. The beauty of our harness is it stays where you want it. It’s the best foundation you can ask for and provides you with the most comfortable and efficient connection to the kite. You can customize your harness to your preferred riding style by swapping out your spreader bar. We have three options; a Fixed Hook for Big Air and freestyle, a Slider Bar for premium wave performance and range of motion, and a windsurf hook in case you are living in the dark ages but want the future of harnesses!

Your new wetsuit range has also just landed. Can you take us through what is on offer?

We have a full range of amazing wetsuits and accessories for everyone. This year we reengineered our entire suits from top to bottom while still using our ultra-plush, warm, and stretchy limestone based neoprene. This stuff is the real deal and we won’t deviate from it until we find something superior. We have then added a new Thermolux Fleece liner for our colder water suits. We also reimagined our seam layout for more comfort and mobility and, joining these new features, we have also introduced our neoprene jackets for both men and women. The layover Hoodie and Lago Parka are built for on the water, or après session comfort; they’re warm, stretchy, and perfect for having a beer and chatting with your mates at the end of a great day on the water.

A decent wetsuit is an essential bit of kit to get you through the winter – can you take us through your R&D process and what are the main technologies and attributes of a RE wetsuit?

We’re based on the Pacific. It’s cold, it’s rough, and there are some really big fish. The big fish don’t really matter but it really paints a picture of how gnarly the California coast is! We test our suits the one way they should be tested: in the water, kiteboarding and surfing. The main goal of a RE product is to make you forget about the product that you are using and focus on enjoying your session. You don’t kiteboard to use gear, you use gear to kiteboard. That’s our brand ethos.

You’re also moving into the surf foil market with Ride Engine, how are you finding the uptake in the US and beyond and what do you think is the potential here?

We think there is large potential in the surf foil market. It opens up so many more days for surfing and makes more days fun. It’s just always been about getting on the water. The foil is a tool to get surfers out on the water where they may not have gone before and makes surfing small waves totally doable. Where will it go? How big will it get? Time will tell, but we are in a great position with amazing foils and wings for any wave, any style of riding, and any condition, so we’re excited about the future.

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“You don’t kiteboard to use gear, you use gear to kiteboard.

That’s our brand ethos.”

:APOC FRONT

:APOC BACK

TELL ME ABOUT IT

:ELERA FRONT

:ELERA BACK 127

THE PEOPLE WHO MAKE IT HAPPEN...

UNDER THE HOOD WITH CABRINHA

Cabrinha have some exciting new products lined up for their mid-season launch – we’ll have more on that next time round – but for this issue we thought it would be a great opportunity to catch up with some of the main players behind the products and designs, and to f ind out how their creativity feeds into the products at one of kiting’s truly original brands. So we have Patrick Dunne (Chief Designer), Pete Cabrinha (no intro required!), and new Chief Kite Designer, Dudu Mazzocato.

P H OTO S : J A M E S B O U L D I N G

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Patrick, you have a pretty artistic side. Can you tell us a bit about the kind of drawing and painting you are into and your background in this?

I was very fortunate to attend the Rhode Island School of Design way back when. While there I majored in illustration, with a focus on painting. The level of skill and talent there was unbelievable, both with the teachers and the students. That environment pushed me to learn as much as I could, and to experiment as much as I could, and to not be afraid of failure. To this day I use those lessons in my day job as a graphic designer and my personal work as a fine artist.

For my personal work, I have a few distinct styles that I am always bouncing around. I love to paint more traditional landscapes, seascapes and cityscapes. I love using color and compositions that are not quite traditional or predictable. I also have a more pop-art style, using these cartoonish alien creatures called Thumbheads in various make believe environments. I also really like mixed media collage stuff too. Using photography and the computer to play with imagery and textures that I find or make. More than anything, I just really like making art. It is my therapy and my passion. And it is always changing and evolving, just like my life. And how does this transfer to graphic design and to working on kites, boards and marketing materials?

Everything I do at Cabrinha, from kite graphics to magazine ads, comes back to the things I learned in art school. Composition, color theory, typography, visual story-telling, it all comes down to fundamentals. After school I landed some great jobs that taught me all the other stuff, like designing on the computer (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign (and Quark before that)). Some of the stuff we do in the kite industry HAS to be learned on the job. It is such a specific and niche world. But the basic principles of aesthetics apply to everything we make.

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How much artistic license do you have and how do you approach a new collection? It must be a pretty daunting task?!

It can be daunting at times, but to be honest it is also super fun.

If you aren’t a little scared or nervous, you probably aren’t trying hard enough. Cabrinha is made up of an insanely talented group of people, and it is always a team effort here. As far as artistic license goes, some projects allow for more freedom than others.

Working with Pete and the rest of the team makes my job so much easier. We are all passionate about what we do. This year will mark my fifteenth season of designing product graphics and marketing materials for the kiting industry, and I must say it gets better every year. At the end of the day I love what I do and I hope it shows in my work.

Pete, you also enjoy your art and music – what have you been working on most recently?

In the interest of balance I try to keep a lot of sideline pursuits in play at all times. Art, music, and generally all things outdoors with my family are enough to keep me entertained. I have been working on some art projects for a gallery show which is now open to the public. Even though my approach to art is very different from my day-to-day work for Cabrinha, it’s hard not to feel that the art is just an extension of our brand culture.

Musically you are also pretty active – who have you been jamming with recently?

Recently I have mostly been playing music with my daughter Tahiti and my staff. Tahiti is cultivating a really nice style of her own and it’s fun to accompany her once in a while. Meanwhile, some of the guys at work (Dave, Patrick, and I) have guitars and ukuleles hanging next to our desks and we pick them up at least once a day.

You seem to have a lot of creative people working with you. Is this intentional, and do you think it feeds into the ethos and products at Cabrinha?

I think it’s just the nature of the work that we are in. We are creating high performance tools and toys for a subset of the surf culture. Creativity is a requirement in order to solve complex design challenges and creativity is a much needed element to connect these products with the people who use them. I think our brand’s reputation for this has grown naturally over time. The right people gravitate to us because they understand this mindset and they are confident that they can make a difference in this sport.

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You’ve been involved with the sport of kiting since its inception – it seems to be an exciting time for kitesurfing right now with a solid competitive scene finally in place, the Olympics, and pretty consistent growth across the sport. How do you feel the sport is developing right now and what do you see for the future?

You’re right about the sport being exciting right now. We have taken some significant steps in the past year to unlock the development potential of our brand. With the sport being on a certain trajectory for the past 20 years we have built up a solid knowledge base of design and manufacturing. We have just recalibrated parts of our development team in order to parlay this incredible knowledge base into the next era of kiting and surfing.

Whether it’s because of… or in spite of… the confusing industry movements, it all feels really fresh right now! I’m really positive about where we are headed. The next few months are going to be great but in reality we are taking the long view. We are taking steps now so that our customers will have a steady stream of interesting, innovative products for years to come.

In the past year, you have moved the Cabrinha headquarters from Hong Kong back to Maui.

What were the reasons for this move and how are the headquarters set up now?

The Cabrinha brand was founded in Maui, Hawaii and our headquarters have been located in Maui ever since. Over the years we have placed some of our staff in Hong Kong in order to be close to our factory and the Pryde Group management. But the elements which drive the brand; such as product design and marketing have always been in Maui. This past year we have brought all of the elements and staff (except for our product liaison to the factory) back to Maui to be under one roof. This has been a game changer as it allows us to fire all of our cylinders in unison.

With Dudu Mazzocato as your new kite designer, you hired an industry expert with over 20 years experience. How do you imagine the future of Cabrinha’s kites with Dudu at the helm?

I hate to make bold statements about the future of kitesurfing. However, I am extremely excited about bringing Dudu into the team as our new chief Kite Designer. With the skill set and open mind that Dudu brings to the table, we are able to aggressively pursue innovative concepts. We have a long list of concepts that we are developing and this will help us to keep the sport moving forward with some exciting new developments...

Pete punting...

Heading out for a wave session.

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Dudu, you have a very long history in the sport. Can you take us through your first experiences with kite design?

Back in 1998 when I was working with Don Montague (Robby Naish’s sail designer) developing sails and sail design software, we had Manu Bertin visit our shop with one of Bruno Legaignoux’s early kites. Don was immediately interested and I started writing the first computer program to model and calculate the 3D kite geometry and panels to assemble it. From there it was constant evolution, With lots of work, and with many prototypes and tests made. We had help from Bruno to tell us the particular details in kite geometry, then we applied our knowledge of aviation and aerodynamics, and concepts like aspect ratio, angle of attack, stability, structure and airfoils to this.

And what are your plans at Cabrinha – the brand has an enviable range of kites with a dedicated following so is it a case of ‘if it ain’t broke...’ or are you planning to shake things up with the designs?

One thing I really like is to learn every day. At Cabrinha I am working together with a great team, where I am already learning a lot and sharing my opinions. I don’t feel like shaking things up, but more like contributing with what I

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have learned in the past and my technical knowledge. I want to listen to the riders, distributors and make sure whatever we do is useful for the final consumer. Whatever works we will always focus on improving. At the same time, we are constantly thinking about new innovation or a new product that will fit the market’s needs. Cabrinha has always stood for innovation so that’s why it’s a really exciting chapter for me to have the freedom to work on designs that can have an effect on the future of the sport.

What do you see being the biggest sector in the sport at the moment in terms of growth?

I see hydrofoiling as the new thing. I feel there is a need for kites dedicated to hydrofoil riding, be it for racing or for fun. Since the forces to pull a hydrofoil are different, there is the need for kites that match those parameters. Then I imagine new riding styles following that, which will bring more changes. And there’s nothing better than actually going out there and riding with the team to discuss everyone’s different ideas and concepts and then moving forward in a chosen direction.

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TRICK TREE #2. UNHOOKED PROGRESSION

By Laci Kobulsky Following on from last issue’s ‘entry level’ top trick tips, this issue sees Laci Kobulsky help you to turn your riding up a notch. Time to unhook and take your riding to the next level (with a few slams along the way, no doubt…)

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HERE ARE LACI’S ESSENTIAL TIPS FOR BEGINNING YOUR CHARGE TO THE TOP OF THE PODIUM… #1 KEEP YOUR KITE LOW FOR MAXIMUM SLACK ‘Slack’ is the short-term gap in the kite pull that you need in order to pass the bar in the air easily. While some kites (especially pure C shapes) can have better slack than others, it is still something that you as a kiter have to create. In order to slack the kite you have to send the kite low and pull the bar before the handlepass. This line is so commonly used in tutorials, that you might actually filter it out (I did!). But really, 90% of your difficulty in passing the bar is down to the fact that your kite is just too high. When you pop, you can be steering the kite slightly up to get more air, but as soon as you leave the water start slowly pulling on your front hand, so the kite starts flying down. Before the pass, steer the kite down even more aggressively and pull the bar to your hips. In a perfect world your kite should be super close to the water as you land for maximum kudos.

#2 WATCH THOSE FINGERS Is your kite looping when you try to land blind, make a pass or a grab? If so, then place the hand that will pass the bar in the middle of the bar, so the power lines are between your index and middle finger. It will take some getting used to, but afterwards you will become a much better kiteboarder with a super steady kite.

#3 KEEP IT REPETITIVE You have to be fully focused on your tricks and limit distractions. Rather than jumping randomly all over the place, choose a spot and always jump there. This way you will be more focused on your trick and not what’s around you. Also cooperate with other riders, most people jump in the same spot so give them space before their jump and they’ll be more likely to do the same for you afterwards.

#4 POP HARD! The harder you edge against the kite, the faster you will spring towards it with extra slack.

It’s always easier and safer to learn your tricks with smaller kites and maximum pop. Get up to full speed, make sure you bear off downwind before the pop, then edge hard with all your weight (but try to create a smooth input of power, not just putting in all the weight at the same time). Check your spray after the pop, this will tell you how good it was.

#5 TWEAK YOUR SET UP A few tweaks on your gear can make your progress that little bit easier while you are starting out. So set your kite to a slower mode by attaching steering lines closer to the middle of the kite (hard bar feel), get shorter lines (around 20m), and get or set up your bar for a shorter size. You can also use smaller 20mm fins and, finally, make sure you have a very strong leash so your kite won’t fly away after the crash…

#6 LAND FACING DOWNWIND Land your tricks riding downwind. A common mistake is that you lean against the kite after landing, which gives power to the kite and makes you more likely to crash. For example, if you go for a Railey to Blind, make sure you land on your heelside edge, so you go downwind with the kite. Keep going downwind until you regain control of your kite, then hook back in and ride off like a legend.

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LEVEL #5

BLIND JUDGE 7

LEVEL #4

BLIND JUDGE 5

LEVEL #3

THE UNHOOKED TRICK TREE

BLIND JUDGE 3

BLIND JUDGE REWIND

LEVEL #1

LEVEL #2

BLIND JUDGE

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180 backside rotation with handlepass in the air

KGB7

DOUBLE BACKMOBE LOWMOBE LATE MOBE HINTERBERG 7 7 7 MOBE

KGB5

BACKMOBE LOWMOBE HINTERBERG LATE MOBE 5 5 MOBE 5 5

KGB

BACKMOBE LOWMOBE

KGB 1

Backroll to Blind with handlepass in the air

BACKROLL TO BLIND

RAILEY TO BLIND

BACKROLL 540

POP TO BLIND

BACKROLL

Landing toeside

HINTERBERG LATE MOBE MOBE

BACKROLL TO WRAPPED

319

317

313 REWIND

315

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360 frontside rotation with handlepass in the air

RAILEY TO WRAPPED

S1

S-Bend to Blind with handlepass in the air

DOUBLE S3

S-MOBE 7

SLIM CHANCE 7

DOUBLE S1

S-MOBE 5

SLIM CHANCE 5

DOUBLE S-BEND TO BLIND

S-MOBE

or NIS (Non Inverted Slim)

S-BEND TO BLIND

SLIM CHANCE

FRONTROLL TO BLIND

S-BEND

RAILEY TO TOESIDE (CRYPT) FRONTROLL RAILEY 137

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PHOTO: Ydwer van der Heide / Red Bull Content Pool

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KEVIN LANGEREE It’s hard to overstate just how good this year’s KOTA was – it really did seem to have it all in terms of moves, match-ups and a truly epic final. To use a well worked cliché, there could only be one winner though, and this year it was Kevin Langeree. Again.

We caught up with him the day after the event...

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PHOTO: Brendan Pieterse

Did you pull all of the moves that you hoped to during the event?

Yes I did! It was quite scary. I had the kite loop front roll board off in my head for quite some time but never found the guts to pull it off. But I knew if I wanted to win I had to do this in the final. I managed to land it first try! I was so stoked on that.

Could you have gone bigger or done anything else? You didn’t wake up the following day with any regrets?!

I feel like I did more than I thought I was capable of. The competition pressure always helps me push myself into the next gear. So I’m really happy with my riding.

You must feel pretty comfortable riding in Cape Town now – how different is it to the other places that you ride?

Yes I do. I’ve been coming here for over 15 years.

So I know the wind and the ocean inside out. This place is just so magical. And, due to the strong wind and good waves, I feel that here you can just jump bigger than any other place in the world…

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DURING THE FINAL DAY, THE NERVES REALLY GET TO YOU SO IT’S IMPORTANT TO KEEP YOUR HEAD COOL. BUT THERE’S NO HOLDING BACK...

How did the first day of the event compare to finals day?

The first day went really well for me. I won my first heat which put me into Round 4 right away.

Round 4 was good and that’s where I felt I was getting into rhythm. During the final day, the nerves really get to you so it’s important to keep your head cool. But there’s no holding back.

What set up were you on?

I used my 9m Naish Pivot and my 132 Monarch.

Do you have the Pivot on the stock settings?

Yes I do. Together with Damien the kite designer, we have got the Pivot to where it is now, so I’m comfortable on it and so will most people be. It’s an easy kite to fly and jump big if you leave it on the stock settings!

What qualities does the Pivot have that help you get to the top of the podium?

It’s an easy kite to fly. So I can focus more on my trick and I know that my kite is going to be exactly where I want it to be. I really feel super comfy on the kite – it never does weird things…

What kind of training do you put in for the event?

I’ve spent lots of time on the water, not just kiting but also surfing, foiling and SUPing. I really feel like it helps doing all these different sports. I came to Cape Town in mid-November, so I had a lot of sessions before the event.

The quality of the riding at this year’s KOTA seemed to be a level higher. Did you think so, and who were you most impressed by?

It’s just crazy how the level increases every year. All 18 riders are very hungry for that win and I feel like all 18 of them have what it takes to win. I’ve been really impressed by all the riders and I can’t wait to see where it’s going to take us next year…

Do you have enough room in your trophy cabinet for this one?!

I’ll make sure this gets a very space place…

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