Pipeline Challenge Final Day - Sacha Spex retains Dk Title

Spex throwing down for Team Saffa and retaining his Pipe DK Title.

The Dropknee division featured a hotly contested final, taken out by South African Sacha Specker, defeating Hawaiian wave wizard and multiple DK World Champion, Dave Hubbard in second, Australia's multi talent Dave Winchester in third and Peruvian powerhouse and 2010 DK World Champion, Cesar Bauer in fourth to claim his second IBA Pipeline Pro DK victory.

Specker had a solid lead early in the final, but Hubbard and Winchester managed to find some excellent barrel rides to keep them in contention. Although Bauer never really found his rhythm during the final, he put on a show-stopping performance, pulling into big barrel over the shallow backdoor reef, keeping the beach spectators cheering on the edge of their seats. Hubbard made a last ditch effort in the last five minutes of the final, but it was speaker who managed to hold onto poll position.

Ben Player (AUS) has taken out the 2013 IBA GoPro Pipe Challenge in pumping 8-10 foot waves at the Banzai Pipeline today, defeating defending champion, Jeff Hubbard (HAW) in second, Pierre-Louis (FRA) in third and multi talented Dave Hubbard (HAW) in fourth in the dying minutes of the final. Player posted an excellent score of 8.75 early in the final for a deep set wave barrel on a left and finished it off with a looping roll. Hubbard answered back with a 7.75 and a 7.2 for two deep back to back barrels on draining left handers. The Frenchman and Dave Hubbard both managed to post a good score each 7.38 and 6.25 respectively, but were unable to lock in substantial second scoring rides. With only two minutes remaining, Player was searching for a 6.21 or better to take out the final. Scooping into a heaving Pipe set wave, the Australian negotiated his way through a long barrel and topped the wave off by launching an invert off the closeout to earn himself 7.38 out of a possible 10 points, rocketing him into first place as the buzzer sounded the end of the 2013 IBA GoPro Pipeline Pro. Victorious, Player was carried up the beach to the podium by good friends and past Pipe Champions, Ryan Hardy and Andrew Lester, accompanied by a cheering crowd of Australian supporters. Player has been competing in this pipe event for the past 19 years, claimed two world titles, and has several grand slam victories under his belt, but until today has never been able to claim a victory at the infamous Banzai Pipeline. 

IBA GoPro Pipeline Challenge 2013 Teaser

After the huge disappointment of hearing that the current economic downturn had caused the Pipeline Challenge to be cancelled due to no sponsorship, it was a great relief to find out that thanks to the social media campaign by the Bodyboarders, GoPro have signed on to save the event. So lock and load your internet and get ready for the most iconic event on the IBA Calendar, its gonna be huge! (Well done GoPro!) Frothing to see Jared and Spex cane the competition.

30th Edition of the Pipeline Challenge is go for 2013

There have been some crazy moments over the years at the Pipeline Challenge. Some of the biggest days ever surfed out there, South Africans charging and winning and of course some gruesome wipeouts. Next year sees the 30th edition of this iconic Bodyboard event and of course SA kingpin, Sacha Specker defending his DK title.

The Friday Mix - IBA Arica Challenge, Red Bull Enduro, Bikini Surfers & 10 Biggest Jumps...

Welcome to this week's Friday Mix with me, Captain Kai. This week we start with the teasers for 2 live events in the IBA Bodyboard World Tour's Arica Challenge, from Chile, which starts today and you can watch the live webcasts on the IBA Website. Then you should definitely check out the world's toughest Enduro event, the Red Bull Hare Scramble, which you can watch live via the web on Red Bull's Website. Before we get there though, enjoy a tropical surf trip with the Rip Curl ladies, as they put their new bikinis to the test, with Alana Blanchard, Bethany Hamilton, Tyler Wright and Pauline Ado. We finish off with the "Top 10" jumps of all time - could be some debate over these - but a pretty inspiring video all the same! Enjoy your weekend and make sure you get out there and ride...

 

 

 

LenTen Megaloop Challenge - The Video

Lewis Crathern wowed the judges to win the first ever LEN10 Megaloop Challenge (Photo: Red Bull/Kolesky)

The first ever Len10 Megaloop Challenge went down last Friday at Big Bay. I was there and the kite guys were busting big Megaloops. Red Bull always put on a good show and definitely know how to host the guys watching. Check the video and press release below. NB - Ruben went out for a demo just before the final and on his first jump had one of the biggest wipes I have ever seen!! Check the video!

Brit pulls out all the stops to win ‘Mega’ kiteboarding event in Big Bay, Cape Town 

The wind was pumping and kites were flying high as Lewis Crathern wowed the judges to win the first ever LEN10 Megaloop Challenge in Cape Town. Crathern, from Worthing in the UK, went up against Sam Light (UK) and Gianni Aragno (ESP) in the final. “I was just stoked to have been in the final with two of my best friends. A megaloop isn’t the easiest trick because you have to try and get height while trying to get your kite as horizontal as possible. I’ve been coming to Cape Town to kiteboard for the last six years and I love it here. The people are friendly and the weather and wind conditions are perfect here,” he commented. Brainchild of Red Bull Athlete and ‘King of the Megaloop’ Ruben Lenten (NED), the LEN10 Megaloop Challenge saw 24 participants compete in a format new to kiteboarding competitions. Ruben remarked: “All the riders and spectators were excited about the format which gives the guys time to pull their best moves and score high. I’m happy that such a big crowd came down to see the guys pull some gnarly tricks and see some pretty epic wipeouts too – which is just as much part of kiteboarding as landing the trick.” Participants were scored on the height, technique and the style in which they executed the megaloop with. LEN10 Megaloop Challenge winner, Crathern and the other finalists had decided before they went out for the final to split the prize money – it wasn’t about the prize but rather spending a good day out doing what they love. He does, however, walk away with a one-of-a-kind trophy and a photo shoot with renowned South African action sports photographer, Craig Kolesky. Ruben Lenten is keen to bring the competition back even bigger in 2013 and throw himself into the mix. “We’re going to push the limits of kiteboarding even more.”

Captain Kai's World on 2OV Fm - Show 25 Podcast

It was an action packed weekend in cape Town, starting with the Red Bull Len10 Megaloop Challenge on Friday. Ruben Lenten joined us in studio to talk about the successful first time event. Saturday saw the best X festival in the history of our dear South Africa, with the Ultimate X 2012. The best of our nation's FMX, Skate, Wake and BMX stars entertained the crowd for a massive prize purse and I had Red Bull Athletes Buddy Chellan and Jean Marc in studio to chat about the event. Dustin from Skull Candy joined me in grilling the boys!

Download the Podcast here - Captain Kai's World Show 25
(Right click and Save As)

Len10 MegaLoop Challenge - Waiting Period starts today!

Ruben Lenten showing the plebs how to MegaLoop (Photo: Kolesky/Nikon/Lexar)

Every summer Ruben Lenten (NED), professional Kiteboarder and King of the MegaLoop, descends on Cape Town for the prime summer and wind conditions. This year sees Ruben, together with his friend and fellow Kiteboarder Aaron Hadlow, challenge 24 amateur kiteboarders to compete in the LEN10 MegaLoop Challenge in Big Bay, Blouberg .  

Big air equals a big score.

 

“A megaloop is when you go full circle with the kite – right through the power zone. As judges, Aaron and I will be looking at the style, height, length, enthusiasm and speed each kiteboarder executes their MegaLoop with”, says Ruben.  

In true kiteboarding tradition the best wipeout will be also rewarded. As the competition requires wind speeds upwards of 30 knots a window period from the 16^th to the 26th February 2012 has been secured to ensure optimal wind conditions. (

The Captain's Tip - conditions look amazing for Friday 17th!)

The winner on the day will take home R10,000 and a photo shoot with renowned action sports photographer Craig Kolesky. 

 

Eager challengers are encouraged to head to www.redbull.co.za for more information.

 

Ruben Lenten (NED) was just twelve years old when he took up the sport of Kiteboarding. With no kiting schools around in the early days of the sport, Ruben had to learn the hard way – taking four long months of crashing and swimming back to shore to get up (and stay up on the board). Once he got the hang of it he knew that this would be a way to express himself and started riding as much as he could. Soon, at the age of 14, a coach (Former Dutch National champion, Steph de Jong) and a sponsor recognised Ruben’s talent. This gave him the opportunity to start travelling and developing skills faster. Within three years he competed on the highest level and was the Number 2 Kiteboarder in the world – second only to one of his now best friends, Aaron Hadlow. In 2005, Ruben took top honours in Red Bull King of the Air in Maui, Hawaii where he competed in the big air format against his legendary watersports athlete Robbie Naish, and defeating Robbie right on his home turf. Right before the start of the 2006 World Tour, Ruben had a serious crash leaving him injured and unable to compete in the first few events of the tour. With him unable to score points to keep his ranking, he decided not to compete but rather focus on freeriding and finding new challenges. Since then his focus has remained on, as he puts it, “doing some pretty gnarly tricks with my kite”. He’s all about big air and loves riding in the strongest winds. “I’m pretty stoked to have kiteboarding as my job. The ocean is my playground, what more could I ask for?” Ruben is dedicated to pushing the sport and developing kiteboarding gear as much as possible, all while doing some pretty extreme stuff on his kiteboard. 

Follow Ruben Lenten on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RubenLEN10 and on 

Twitter: www.twitter.com/RubenLEN10. 

His new website www.rubenlenten.com will be live soon with more crazy action, stay tuned!