Enter a world of magic and mystery, in my own head, where surfing and snowboarding are considered real jobs! Amazing feats of daring and skill are performed every day - and that's just getting the footage onto film!
Media anarchist, film guru, surf addict and web video blogger!
Girls & FMX Bikes are always a great combo! (Photo: Ultimate X/Pierre Marqua)
Now that the dust has settled and we have all recovered from the heat wave that was last Saturday, I can finally put to paper my thoughts on the 2012 Ultimate X. I dont need to get that verbose or even write a whole soliloquy - bottom line is, Ultimate X 2012 was bloody marvelous!
The event has grown every year, but this year saw a massive jump. A large part of this had to do with the new Skate and Bmx park. The levels of riding in the park were simply mind blowing. The best skating and Bmx I have seen in a very long time. (Dont believe me, just take a gander at the video below!) Many of the local riders were a little intimidated by the course, due to the fact that we dont have a park this size in the Cape. This needs to change in order to up the level of riding. Guys like, Greg Illingworth (Bmx Winner), showed that they have been riding overseas in massive parks, with their flow through the course and utilizing different lines on every run.
Big Park meant big tricks! (Photo: Ultimate X/Pierre Marqua)
Instead of having a huge bunch of riders in the FMX, the organizers chose to keep the field tight and had the two best guys in Southern Africa. This was a great decision. Nick de Wit and Alistair Sayers put on an amazing Fmx display that had the crowd eating out of the palm of their hands. Multiple backflips, huge extensions and the showmanship only guys who have performed on the World Stage could bring to the event. Ultimate X brought the best and we were all stoked to see it!
The Huge crowd loved the Fmx. (Photo: Ultimate X/Pierre Marqua)
The Wake boys put on a show, but the Jetski is a problem. The wake slows things down and not having a high extended rope certainly limited the size of airs off of the kicker. Rumor has it that their is going to be a cable system for next year. We can but hope, it would be epic.
There were no huge problems on the day. We witnessed amazing riding and all in all the event was an incredible success. I am really looking forward to seeing what they come up with for next year. Ultimate X in Jozi? (Who knows what could happen...)
Talk about close to the action! (Photo: Ultimate X/Pierre Marqua)
In a word, I am super "Amped", for 2012 and more of Ken Block's antics in his Ford Fiesta Rally Car. The man responsible for the now infamous "Gymkhana" videos and of course DC Shoes, will be taking on the World Rally Cross championship, Rally America, X Games and another Gymkhana World Tour. I am looking good for X Games and hope to meet the man while I am there. Never one to take himself to seriously, Ken launched the new cars with the help of comedian, Nic Swarsdon. Good to know Ken can laugh at himself...
A while ago the net was abuzz with Wingsuit master, Jeb Corliss, crashing on Table Mountain. The video was kept off of the net till now and here it is. What amazes me the most is not the actual crash, but that he managed to control it and actually survive. He ended up with two smashed legs, but it could have easily been his life.
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.”
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!
Jason Hearn's 'The Africa Project'
documents the beauty and potential of the African coastline. For those that missed out on the premiere of The
Africa Project, held in Cape Town at the end of last year, you'll be
stoked to hear that Jason will be bringing the stoke to a town near you
soon.
The Africa Project roadshow kicks off in Mossel Bay on the
28th of February, before drifting up the coast and stopping by most
major towns along the way. (See schedule below for dates that they'll be
in your hood)
The Africa Project is supported by Oakley and
O'Neill and at each of the stops they will be giving away one pair of
Oakley Frogskins Sunnies, as well as a pair of O'Neill Jordy Freak
boardies - so make sure you're there.
DVD copies of the movie
will also be available at each of the venues, and you can grab yourself a
copy of this epic flick for R300.
Look out for the Africa Project Roadshow coming to a town near you:
Mossel Bay – Tuesday 28 February 2012 Venue: Big Blu Tapas Bar - 7:00pm for 7:30pm start Complimentary snack platters will be available Contact Jake Nel on 084 308 1404 for more info Plettenberg Bay – Wednesday 29 February 2012 Venue: Surf Cafe - (2 screenings) 16:30 to 6:00pm and 7:30pm to 9:00pm Contact Blue on 082 807 0895 for more info
Jeffreys Bay - Thursday 1 March 2012 Venue: The Mexican Restaurant - 7:00pm for 7:30pm start Contact Warren Dean on 082 574 7642 for more info
Port Elizabeth - Friday 2 March 2012 Venue: Chingadas Mexican Cantina - R40 entrance includes a plate of Nachos - 6:30pm for 7:00pm start Contact Josh on 083 459 2260 for more info
Port Alfred - Saturday 3 March 2012 Venue: Round Table Clubhouse - Time: 7:00pm Contact Warwick Heny on 082 491 2020 for more info
East London - Sunday 4 March 2012 Venue: Buccaneers Bar and Restaurant - 7:00pm for 7:30pm start contact Harold on 043 743 5171 for more info
Durban - Wednesday 7 March 2012 Venue: To be confirmed
Sacha "Spex" Specker pretty stoked with his first win on the IBA tour. (Photo: IBA/Trouville)
If anyone was ever bothered to ask me about Spex, I would have told you he is one of the greatest waterman I know. Whether dominating on his bodyboard, surfing equally well, diving or swimming for shots, the guy is dam good! (He also dates one of the world's best female surfers.) He is a patriotic Saffer and the nicest guy you will ever meet. So I am very stoked that he took the DK podium at the Pipeline Challenge. The contest had insane waves with huge performances by the world's best. Check the other day's highlights as well!
As the only non-Hawaiian in today’s dropknee final, South African, Sacha Specker, was a clear underdog. He had been in a final twice before but never tasted victory, until today. He sat slightly wide of the Hawaiians and went about picking off waves that were running along the inside reef at Pipe. “It’s an incredible feeling winning this event. It’s a bit of a dream still. I think it’ll kick in tomorrow, when we play the Aussies in cricket”, said Specker.
The Hawaiians, Miles Kauhaahaa, Bud Miyamoto and Kainoa Mcgee, put on great performances in the rounds leading up to the final, weaving their ways through the tricky barrels at Backdoor and Pipe. Kauhaahaa rode the highest scoring wave of the event- a long barrel at Backdoor. Miyamoto had the highest scoring wave of the final-a long deep barrel at Pipe- punctuated with a cutback that threw buckets of spray over the back of the wave. He was unable to find a back up wave and came second to Specker by 3.91 points.
Seems you cant run an American Energy Drink brand these days without doing a sexy Calendar shoot. I brought you the other American brand's shoot earlier this year and it was so popular, I thought I must bring you this one too. Sure to brighten up your Monday morning...
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 16th 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.
With the Ultimate X event coming this Saturday, thats pretty much what we spoke about on the show, with a lot of good tunes for your listening pleasure. I had Dylan - or MR Cape Town - as he is more commonly known, Rupert von T, the commentator on Saturday, Markus from Ultimate X and a short visit by hopeful weather girl, Amy, or Good Guerrilla. Red Bull's Buddy Chellan was supposed to join us, but went missing in action - he probably found a new dirt track line and got distracted.
Really looking forward to the Ultimate X this Saturday and I will have FMX star, "Sick" Nick de Wit in studio next week, for the event wrap up.
