Triple-S Event News
Triple-S Invitational Session Report, Day 5
The REAL Triple-S Invitational Day 5 in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina !
2008 Triple-S Invitational sponsored by REAL, Red Bull, Outer Beaches Realty and John Wayne Cancer Foundation.
Day 5 of the Triple-S Wednesday June 4th
At the riders meeting the decision was made to run the Slicks portion of Surfs, Slicks and Sliders. The Venue … the ever popular and infamous Planet of the Apes downwinder, 8 miles of downwind insanity !
Kites were up at twelve noon at mile marker 46, and what followed
was the most progressive groundbreaking down-winder that was ever seen
in the waters off Cape Hatteras.
Winds throughout the day were SW with tops at 25-30+. Air and water temp hovered in the mid 80s, and the kites ranged from 5m to 9m. While the boards ranged form 4’10 strapless surfboard to booted wakeboards.
While most of the riding during the week has focused on sliders and
kickers, Wednesday’s action focused on flat water, open water and
aerial freestyle maneuvers.
This run featured huge airs, massive kite loops, and mental handle
passes and non-stop action from when the riders launched until landing
their kites three hours later.
Many people might question what groundbreaking actually is, but when
you see Ruben Lenten throwing huge 30 foot kite loops, unhooking
mid-air to do a flat three on the way down, that is groundbreaking…
The level of riding of all the competitors in the Triple-S has stepped
up from last year, both in sliders and after Wednesday’s Downwinder of
flat water riding.
The difference in the style and action form the first 3 days to the
4th day was fun and exciting to watch from either the beach or fleet of
boats and jetskis that followed the competitors. One of the best
parts about The Planet downwinder is the canal to canal gaps, man made
docks, gazebo rails and the variety of terrain that exist along the
coastline of the 8 mile run. Many of the recreational riders do the
same downwinder missing these features.
The flat water, canal exploration, canal to canal gaps and other
features found along the coastline are what make this downwinder
arguably the most interesting and sought-after downwind runs in the
world.
The six main locations ridden during the day were the first 2 false
points prior to The Planet Island, followed by The Planet of the Apes
Island itself. Then a long series of canals and slick riding, followed
by several docks and gazebos, and a grand finally session in the slick
Three hours of non-stop action had most of the riders seeking shade,
food and water from 3-7pm. The action came alive from 7pm until dark
behind the REAL Lesion Center in Waves, as all the Triple-S riders
sessioned the REAL Dock Slider and John Wayne Double Wide and they
through down every powered wake-style trick in the book.
All in all this was another picture perfect day on the water, which
added variety in excitement and even more adrenaline to the Triple-S
fire.
Today (Thursday) sees west south west winds and the competitors heading to the “south side†to ride the waves
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Triple-S Invitational Session Report 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNqc7hEUa5I
