It’s the heartland of Hawaiian surfing, where the surfers usually reign supreme… that’s until Red Bull King of the Air returns to the wind-whipped North Shore of Ho’okipa Beach in Maui, from 9-16th October!As one of the most prestigious and recognised kiteboarding events of its kind, Red Bull King of the Air will take place for the seventh and very final year, with an international list of riders competing for this highly sought after title. In a battle of established talent versus ‘new blood’, legendary windsurfer turned kiteboarder Rooby Naish will be competing alongside 16yr old and current World Champion – the UK’s Aaron Hadlow.
As kiteboarding grows and evolves, the sport"s progression is going in a variety of directions. What distinguish kiteboarding from other self propelled sports is the incredible height, distance and creative manoeuvres performed in the air. And the platform for Red Bull King of the Air is about proving who can do it all!
With only a handful of competitors pre-seeded to the finals, the rest of the kitesurfing world will be eager to win the qualifying rounds, taking place throughout the next few months in; Romania, Netherlands, Mexico and Texas.
Those already through to the finals in Ho’okpia beach include; Aaron Hadlow (UK), Robby Naish (Hawaii) Adam Koch (USA), Tuterai Montaron (Bora Bora), Antoine Jaubert (France/Dominican Republic) and Charles Deleau in the Men’s. Whilst Susi Mai (Dominican Republic) Yuri Drexler (Japan/Hawaii) and Julie Simsar (France/Dominican Republic) will be representing the women.
Reaching 40-60 feet high, and flying more than 100 feet in distance, competitors will pull off spectacular moves such as ‘kite loops’, ‘board off’s’ and ‘huge grab’s’ - in what is widely regarded as the birthplace of kitesurfing.
The competition will see four riders in the water together, two of which will compete head-to-head, in eight minute rounds. Each judge will give each rider a score of 1st or 2nd place based on their overall impression of how the rider used his/her time in the heat. The first place finisher will advance to the next round and so forth.
Showcasing 32 of the world"s most progressive kiteboarders is no easy feat to referee - judges will be looking out for ‘big air’ and clean landings, the ability to utilise the given conditions, creativity and a variety of manoeuvres, mixed in with a rider"s ability to perform technical manoeuvres and utilise the waves.
Pushing the sport to its limits, the most progressive rider of the event will be chosen by participating kiters and awarded $1,000 in addition to the $22,000 prize purse up for grabs for the men’s’ and women’s freestyle competition.
