History Repeats Itself… In more ways than one - KOTA 2024

Kiteboarding might be a young sport, but its history is packed with unforgettable moments. This year’s Red Bull King of the Air wasn’t just about going extreme —it was also a chance to reflect on where the sport started and how far it’s come. Rou Chater, who’s been in the game for 25 years, shares his unique take on KOTA’s evolution, from its roots in Maui to the groundbreaking inclusion of a women’s division this year. Get ready for a deep dive into the event’s history, the highs and lows, and what makes it such a massive part of the kiteboarding culture.

Issue 81

Articles
Issue 81

Competition

Airush have just launched the all-new Lift, a new freeride and big air kite set to change the way you kitesurf, and we have a 10m to give away to one lucky subscriber! Click here!

5 years ago

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Editorial

As the kitesurfing industry emerges from a state of flux, it’s great that the passion to be on the water is stronger now more than ever. Our sport may have been on pause, but now it’s running rampant at the beaches! Rou Chater waxes lyrical once again.

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Is Kiteboarding Dangerous?

Kiteboarding was deemed too dangerous and extreme to be allowed during the lockdown, so just how dangerous is it? Rou Chater dissects a recent study from some Dutch scientists exploring the injury rate in the sport. Is kiteboarding dangerous? Find out right here!

5 years ago

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Same Questions - F-ONE

This issue F-ONE get issued with the same questions, but as ever the answers are always different. Find out what makes the brand tick and where their ethos lies right here!

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Moments In Time

James Carew heads to Mauritius for the GKA to beat Airton Cozzolino, while one dream got crushed he discovers another magical moment just around the corner he wasn’t expecting that puts everything in perspective… What’s your best kiting moment in time?

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Technique

Christian and Karine are back once again with an impressive line up of tricks for you to learn, and we can get out and actually try them on the water this issue! They’ve got some flashy moves for the pros and some simple ones for the beginners out there too!

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The Interview - Ruben Lenten

Ruben Lenten is one of the superstars of our sport, but his career has been peppered with setbacks, from injuries at 16, through to life-changing cancer and his terrible crash in Barcelona last year. We catch up with him and ask him how he manages to remain so positive in the face of so much adversity.

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Tried and Tested

The test team were unleashed a few weeks ago in the UK, it’s not full testing as usual, but at least we managed to get wet! We’ve got kites from Liquid Force, Core and Ozone, foils from CrazyFly Duotone and Liquid Force and a couple of twin tips too including a light wind split board from Kitelement! Check them out right here!

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Profile - Camdyn Kellet

Camdyn Kellet has arguably scored the youngest cover shot we’ve ever run, the South African is just starting his career but if the early signs are anything to go by the future is going to be bright! Find out what makes the young man tick right here!

5 years ago

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Lightroom

More incredible images with no place to call home, check them out!

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The Photo Shoot Challenge

Ewan Jaspan takes on the Naish team orders in South Africa to deliver the goods under the shadow of Table Mountain. Find out what it takes to get a video and photoshoot done when the wind is nuking, the riders are frothing, and the sand is destroying everything.

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Insight - The North Girls

This issue we chat to Grace Seeley and Holley Butler who head up the North Kiteboarding marketing team. It was no small task last year to relaunch the brand, and they should be seen as inspirational figures within the sport. Jen Tyler chats to them and finds out where they came from and where they are headed...

5 years ago

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Tech Focus - Core Kiteboarding

Core have just launched the Sensor 3 bar, and it’s a sublime bit of kit, Sukie Huntley Robertson speaks to Philip Schinnagel and Rick Jensen about the creation of a masterpiece and how simplicity ran to the very core of the product. Click here to check it out!

5 years ago

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