Few things are as rewarding as sharing an experience that connects people through a shared vision. For Xander Raith, Tom Bridge, and Noe Font, this connection became the foundation of Vortex. With its world premiere in Cape Town’s iconic Labia Theatre, Vortex marked a bold new chapter for kiteboarding cinema. Now, it’s your turn to join the journey. Watch the film on the Knot Future website and experience the story inspiring the next generation of riders!

Sharing an experience with others has to be one of the most rewarding sensations in life. I have grown to strive for the ability to converge through a common perspective and emotional respect. Throughout this past year, I have had the opportunity to experience this convergence, which snowballed into a movie, Vortex, featuring myself, Tom Bridge, and Noe Font.

“Welcome to our vision. The colliding of three worlds and shared pursuit that has spiralled together and flows in distinct harmony. It is our divine privilege to share Vortex. A view from within our bubble and the culmination of our sincerest intentions. Enter our paradigm.”

First and foremost, Tom, Noe, and I would like the film to speak for itself, and for those reading this, if you find yourself interested in watching the movie, please head over to the Knot Future website to view it. For those unfamiliar with the film or its concept, this article can serve as an introduction to the movie’s inception. Here is a brief excerpt from the movie:

For the past year, the three of us (Tom, Noe, and I) have travelled the globe to bring our vision to life and showcase kiteboarding as we see it, conveying it through a film. The movie captures the essence of our individuality, creativity, and the direction in which we are proud to lead. Tom, Xander, and Noe - “Every detail of the film is intentional, and the locations, riding style, cinematic style, music, the crew itself, and the collective process are an opus meant to stand out from the rest.”

Since the release of The Bubble nearly a decade ago, no kite film has rivalled or even followed in the footsteps of the film’s prestigious wake. To capitalise on this lack, the idea to begin filming another movie has been gaining momentum for the past few years, and now, over 12 months later, Vortex has come to fruition. 

One of our goals for Vortex was to illustrate our perspective on kiteboarding and use the film as a vessel to help carry and showcase the culture we wish to share. Since my introduction to the kiteboarding industry, I have always felt that its culture lacked a sense of union that helps inspire the current and proceeding riders responsible for sharing its fundamentals. In my eyes, a large majority of the industry is wearing itself thin, scattering brands and riders into every possible discipline, showcasing repetitious media, and making it more and more difficult for any up-and-coming enthusiast to navigate the chaos. Although we are not providing a solution, we hope Vortex can inspire and give direction to our culture.

During the infancy of Vortex’s initial outline, a premiere accompanied the movie we knew we desired to incorporate. I have been fortunate enough to experience a few premieres throughout my life, and no matter what type of film is being shown or the size of the audience, the experience is electric, and the energy in the room can be felt by everyone present. 

For the world premiere of Vortex, we screened the film in Cape Town, South Africa, one of the most sought-after destinations and a convergence point for many kiteboarders during winter. At 7:30 p.m., viewers began to pour into the Labia, one of Cape Town’s historical theatres, which served as an idealistic host for our film. The theatre was adorned with Vortex mirrors, posters, stickers, Vortex merchandise (available on the Knot Future website), and incredible company. 

“The premiere was sick; it was my first time at the cinema, so it’s funny that I was on the screen. I owe a huge thank you to everyone who came out, and it was good to see so many legends come up.” - Tom Bridge.

“With the exception of kite contests, the only other event in kiteboarding you can attend is a movie premier; it acts as a way to connect and experience a common interest socially. Generally, movies, photos, and videos are experienced in isolation and showcased from behind our digital devices. Going to a premiere allows you to experience, feel, and celebrate alongside your peers, which is nearly impossible to recreate in an insular setting. It is the closest we get to kiteboarding culture, if there is any.” - Noe Font.

Thank you to the brands that helped support the film: Redbull, Duotone, ION, North, and Mystic. Thank you to Isak Petersen for filming the evening and Jason Broderick for photographing the premiere. We truly appreciate the support of those who were able to attend the film’s debut. For those unable to attend, we hope you can get together with your friends, watch Vortex, and gain traction in a blossoming culture.

 

Videos

VORTEX a Kiteboarding Film by Tom Bridge, Xander Raith and Noe Font.
World Premiere of VORTEX in Cape Town, South Africa.
By Xander Raith

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