Big Air Strike Mission
Issue 83 / Thu 15th Oct, 2020
After dominating the podium at the King Of The Air event, the North Big Air Team of Jesse Richman, Marc Jacobs, Nick Jacobsen, Graham Howes and Tom Bridge go in search of secret spots in South Africa. Check them out boosting to the moon!
North Kiteboarding Big Air riders; Jesse Richman, Nick Jacobsen, Graham Howes, Tom Bridge and Marc Jacobs, met up after Red Bull's 2020 King of the Air (where Jesse claimed the crown!) for their 2021 photoshoot.
In this feature, we got a chance to catch up with them, ask them about the shoot, the crew dynamics and North Kiteboarding’s 2021 line up.
Nick, tell us what it was like having the whole Big Air team together at one spot, fuelling off the energy from King of the Air?
NJ: When King of the Air ends, it's always a relief for all of us! We are super focused during the build-up, but when that is over, we are drained, yet relaxed! As an extreme sports athlete, it is in our nature to search for the next big 'thing' to happen, and in this case, it was North Kiteboarding's 2021 photoshoot.
North made quite the appearance on the podium at the event, so that put us in an extremely positive mindset, and enabled us to do something extraordinary for the shoot. It was a real pleasure riding with the guys on an entirely different level. No competition, no need to prove oneself; just focusing on freeriding and getting the shots.
Marc is there an element of competitiveness between the teammates, or is it always fun and games, the way it looks from the outside?!
MJ: Of course, we are all competitive riders, and we don't get many chances to ride together. I am used to having to motivate myself living in New Zealand; as there aren't other pro riders around to encourage and push me. So, riding with other pro riders amps me up a lot, but it's always a healthy balance of having fun on the water together and pushing yourself!
Jesse, talk us through the 2021 Orbit! What significant changes have you noticed this year?
JR: The Orbit has proven itself to be THE kite for Big Air and freeride kiteboarding. From day one, the Orbit has set a new standard, and every evolution of this kite has stepped up the potential for Big Air kiteboarding. The Orbit has always been extremely stable and can boost to the moon (it got me on the King of the Air podium two years in a row!) and now we have the most refined version of the kite, yet.
The 2021 Orbit got lighter, quicker, and more responsive. The North design team utilised new materials on the kite to reduce the kite's weight, making it faster through the air. They also reduced the leading edge diameter and created a new low drag bridle that gives the kite an unparalleled response time while maintaining a light bar pressure.
To go out in crazy conditions and put it all on the line, I need to trust my kite implicitly, and this is precisely what I get with the Orbit.
Tom, what was it like shooting in South Africa with the North Kiteboarding crew? Are they as mental as they seem
TB: Yes, it was good fun! The team got along really well, and we were all in a similar mindset. We had a few sessions where we were all on the water at once, that was pretty mental! I feel like we all rode better together.
Graham, being the only South African local, did you have specific responsibilities during the shoot? What are some of your favourite Big Air kite spots around South Africa?
GH: My primary responsibilities were to make sure I chose the best, empty spots; which was tricky as it was a few days after King of the Air and every pro was in Cape Town, shooting. I also had to make sure everyone had the best time! I think I managed both; the spots were epic, (top secret, but all within 1 hours' drive of Blouberg) and it was one of the most fun shoots I'd ever been on; all in my back yard!
Jesse, what were the highs of the shoot?
JR: Shooting with our Big Air team was unbelievable as we have the most incredible group of riders. We had numerous sessions that were so badass, with everyone going ballistic! When it's gusting up to 50 knots, the sessions can be quite terrifying, and one can quickly decide to play it safe, but looking up and seeing a buddy go full-send, turns that all around.
Seeing my friends go huge gives me the push I need to pull the trigger on a giant loop. Having the team altogether and on the water, pushing each other takes everything to the next level.
Marc, what were the lows of the shoot?
MJ: The shoot went well. We got 4/5 days with good conditions. I'd say the only low was that it was a bit tricky finding uncrowded spots to ride with stronger wind.
Nick, What's your quiver of choice in North Kiteboarding's 2021 line up?
NJ: My quiver in the North line up is: 8,9,10 Orbit, 12m Reach, 138 Atmos Carbon and 45-50 Navigator
Marc, King of the Air 2021, do you see it happening with all the new COVID regulations?
MJ: I'm going to be positive like always and say yes! With South Africa opening their borders in October, things are starting to look good.
Graham, Marc, and Jesse, we'd like the three of you to answer this on! Could you share with us one thing about one of your teammates that only you would know?!
GH: Jesse doesn't like to break the rules! We snuck two extra people into one spot one day, and we had to pass security, Jesse refused to hide in the back of the car under the kites, so he drove the van, and Nick and I (being two fat guys) had to hide together in the roof!
MJ: Tom eats way more Nutella than everyone thinks!
JR: Marc shaves his legs, and Tom doesn't know why... I think it's the secret to what makes him so aerodynamic!
Tom, were there any gnarly-crash stories during the shoot you can share with us?
TB: No, luckily, there was nothing too hectic. I was the only one crashing out there; that's what I was known for! We had one session at Cape Point where I was trying to unhook in waves after looping, and it didn't end too well.
Jesse, unfortunately, it might be a while until the whole team is reunited again. What have you been up to during these crazy times? We've got to ask, what's it like being a new dad?!
JR: This year has been quite the ride! I'm creating a new life for myself and my family. We are growing together in the most magical of ways. My priorities have shifted, and so have my motivating factors. I still love pushing the limits of kiteboarding and pushing my boundaries, I don't believe that will ever change, and it's the reasons that I'm now a father.
I found the most amazing girl in the world, and we decided to send it and have a child, start a family, and create a life together. We are going full speed and loving every second of it. This journey has been testing us in ways that we could never imagine before.
I feel so much more compassion and love for humanity; we are all in this together, and what a wild ride it is. I'm the luckiest man on the planet! So, to answer your question, being a new father has blown my mind!
Nick, once things settle in this post-COVID world, where do you see North Kiteboarding taking the crew for a photoshoot next year?
NJ: When the pandemic is over, I'd personally like to go somewhere cold with icebergs; just to switch it up. Honestly, you can take the team anywhere; it's not the location; it's the energy between the riders that delivers the outcome.
Graham, what's the vibe been like in South Africa since the pandemic? How do you see it all playing out?
GH: Us South Africans are a very tough breed, (you can tell from our Springboks Rugby Team) we have been through a lot worse, and we always come out stronger. The borders are already open, and summer has started. I have no doubt I will be seeing all the familiar faces on the water this season, and if not, well then we'll have the world's best Big Air spot... all to ourselves!
Tom, any exciting projects in the pipeline this winter you can share with us?
TB: Yes, although I don't want to say too much! I've been working on something since the start of the year, all being filmed in the UK. It should be done by the end of the year, and I'm already pretty stoked about how it's looking at the moment!
Thanks, guys! It's been a pleasure!
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By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.
