Kitesurfing
Now, learn more about some of the pivotal characters in the sport.
01
HISTORY
The very first Red Bull King of The Air ran at the hallowed windsurfing spot, Ho’okipa, on the Hawaiian islands of Maui in 2000. Back then the kites were raw, powerful, and relatively dangerous and the riders were all about throwing the biggest airs. As the equipment developed and became readily available to the public, kiteboarding was excitedly hailed as the ‘fastest growing watersport in the world’.
For five years Red Bull King Of The Air staged the biggest one-off annual event at a phenomenal spot, but in truth in its latter years at Ho'okipa the event had become a little same-old-same-old as kitesurfing went through its growing pains and pro riders moved away from big air.
New equipment made it an easier discipline and the sport's elite focused on the cutting edge of style and technicality, which ironically saw them performing their tricks closer and closer to the water, more like wakeboarders, or unstrapped in waves like surfers...
Around 2007/08, jaded with current kitesurfing competition formats, riders like Ruben Lenten began experimenting by going out in stronger and stronger 'storm force' winds on special equipment and seeing initially how high and how far they could go. As they became more comfortable in previously 'unride-able' winds, they began throwing 'mega loops' (sending the kite on a huge loop - often underneath them in the sky, often 40 feet up - and bringing it back round above their head to hopefully catch them before they land).
And so in 2012 in association with Ruben Lenten the 'Red Bull Len10 Megaloop Challenge' took place at Big Bay with Lewis Crathern from the UK coming out on top.
It paved the way for the return of Red Bull King Of The Air after an eight-year hiatus.
Red Bull King of the Air 2013 saw 24 of the world's best and most extreme big air specialists converge at Big Bay. In front of a thrilled crowd Hawaiian Jesse Richman emerge on top after eight action packed hours of competition.
Kitesurfing had rocked back to its roots and many believed it had rediscovered the essence of what made it so special in the first place.
In 2014 Cape Town’s Big Bay again played host to 24 of the world’s best kiteboarders as they went head-to-head in a unique ‘flag out’ competition format.
Dutchman Kevin Langeree managed to edge out his compatriots Ruben Lenten (second) and Steven Akkersdijk (third) in the final to become Red Bull King of the Air 2014 champion in front of a 12 000-strong crowd.
Red Bull King of the Air 2015 was a tale of three days. After waiting out the traditional two week window period – which saw enough wind to complete rounds 1 through 3, split over two separate days – the official weather window was extended by a day. That day saw the ‘Cape Doctor’ (south-easterly) gust to the required knots and the final saw past champions Jesse Richman (USA) and Kevin Langeree (NED) up against Jerrie van de Kop (NED) and multiple world champ Aaron Hadlow (GBR). Hadlow put together the performance of the day, landing two massive Megaloop KGBs twice during the semis and finals to claim the top spot on the podium.
The epic 2016 event was something of a game of thrones, as the 2015 defending champ, Hadlow out-gunned previous champions, Hawaiian Jesse Richman (2013); Kevin Langeree from the Netherlands (2014) and first-time finalist Reno Remeu to claim back-to-back wins.
2016 was somewhat a game of thrones, as the 2015 defending champ, Hadlow out-gunned previous champions, Hawaiian Jesse Richman (2013); Kevin Langeree from the Netherlands (2014) and first-time finalist Reno Remeu to claim back-to-back wins.
After years of consistency, Nick Jacobsen was finally rewarded with his first ever Red Bull King of the Air title in 2017 and broke Aaron Hadlow’s winning streak in the competition.
In 2018 – the first time the event was stage at Kite Beach – Dutchman Kevin Langeree out-classed Spanish young gun Liam Whaley and Lewis Crathern to win his second Red Bull King of the Air title.
In 2019 Kevin Langeree won a closely-contested three-man final battle at Kite Beach in Cape Town on Wednesday 6 February, to retain his title. Langeree outgunned Hawaiian Jesse Richman (2013 Red Bull King of the Air champ) and Liam Whaley (Spain) in 30-knot 'Cape Doctor' conditions during the 13-minute final. This was the Dutchman's third win, making him the winningest big air rider on African soil.
In 2020 Hawaiian powerhouse Jesse Richman won his second title. It was a 'day of days' at Kite Beach in Cape Town, with the world's finest big air kiteboard specialists pushing the limits. When the final siren went after 34 heats and some seven hours of competition Hawaiian Jesse Richman ascended to the top step, claiming his second victory since winning the first coveted African Mask 'crown' in 2013.
02
LEGENDS
Now, learn more about some of the pivotal characters in the sport:
Robby Naish
A pioneer kiteboarding and a world record setter, Robby Naish is internationally renowned as the first person to have gained long-lasting fame in the sport. At a young age, his father, Rick Naish, moved the family from California to Kailua, Oahu. It was there, at the age of 11 that Robby took up the then fledgling sport of windsurfing – claiming his very first world championship win at the age of 13, a feat that remains unbroken to this day. The guy is windsurfing royalty.
Susi Mai
Susi grew up living the life of a true beach girl, having moved to the Dominican Republic at the age of five. After graduating from high school in 2002, Susi placed 2nd at her very first international PKRA competition. Things got bigger and better for Susi, with one of the highlights of her career being her very first win of the King of The Air, in Maui, which she claimed another two more times! Today, Susi is considered one of the most inspirational female kiteboarders in the world – she’s a legend!
Flash Austin
Flash started kitesurfing in 1995 when he decided that it would be a good idea to strap himself to a kite and surf on his skim board, needless to say that he loved it! Through the late nineties and early noughties Flash ruled the kitesurfing competition scene and racking up titles. Today, Flash still hasn’t lost and inch of his enthusiasm for flying high. Saying “Don't worry about being too technical and comparing yourself to how others kite. The mastery of your true self is your own self-expression.” Wise words.
Aaron Hadlow
Hailing from the UK and firmly believes in experiencing as much as one can whilst having the most fun possible. Kiting has been a major focus for Aaron since 2000 and at age 14 he found himself competing against the top guys in the sport; winning his first championship in 2004. For five years, Aaron was at the top of his game, constantly innovating tricks that were previously only dreamt about by his competitors. Years on he still competes and owns his own brand HADLOW by Flexifoil.
Ruben Lenten
Born in Noorwijk in The Netherlands, Ruben is a household name in the kiteboarding world. He’s one of those guys who take things in his stride, focusing on enjoying life to the fullest. The “Master of extreme” pushes kiteboarding to the absolute limits; ending up second overall on the PKRA world tour in 2005 winning King of The Air in Maui. These days his focus has shifted to promoting the extreme side of kiteboarding - “I just like going big and flying!” says Ruben, and who are we to argue?
Jesse Richman
Jesse Richman was born on July 22, 1992, in Maui, Hawaii, to Joel and Elaine Richman. Growing up with his older brother by 3 years Shawn and his younger sister by 4 years Eva. Jesse was always physically active, pushing the limits from an early age, He was especially drawn to the ocean. Starting out in the water surfing and then to windsurfing Jesse couldn't get enough. While he would wait for his dad to take him to the beach Shawn and he would build ramps and jumps out of various items in the back yard and jump them with bicycles and skate boards. Shortly before Jesse turned 10 he got an offer from an old time family friend, Joe Koehl (pronounced Joe Cool) an iconic windsurf and kitesurf pioneer, to come fly a new kite of his. After Jesse had nearly flown away and felt out the kite Joe Told Joel and Elaine that he was a natural born Kitesurfer and would one day be world champion.
In 2008 Jesse decided to try out his first ever European event in France. This was the first stop on the Kite Board Pro World Tour (KPWT). He was not sure what to expect and wanted to do the whole tour but was leaving this decision up to how he did in France. Sure enough… He won the event. With his eyes focused on a world title Jesse set out that year and competed on the World Tour, having stops in places like: Greece, Turkey, Italy, Brazil, Morocco and more.
At the end of the year Jesse was crowned kitesurfing's Overall World Champion.
Jesse then went on to win the title once more in 2009. As well as winning the newly formed International Kiteboarding Association's (IKA) Overall World Title that was sanctioned by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).
In 2013 this all-round waterman (he’s been known to surf the infamous big wave known as ‘Jaws/ Peahi’ on Maui) won the 2013 Red Bull King of the Air and set the world record for longest hang time time on a kiteboard - having been towed up to 722 feet (220m) and then flying down.
In 2020 he did it again.
Kevin Langeree
Dutchman Kevin Langeree is the winningest rider in Red Bull King of the Air history with three titles and various podium finishes.
Hailing from Noordwijk, The Netherlands, he has been kiteboarding since 2000.
