Wind Voyager Triple-S Event Organisers Announce The End Of An Epic Run
Sat 16th Nov, 2019 @ 10:00 am
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The World is Not Ready…
Over the past fourteen years, the Wind Voyager Triple-S Invitational has changed the way we think about kiteboarding and kiteboarding events.
In 2006, the #WindVoyagerTripleS was the first-ever, slider and kicker kiteboarding event. In that year, and many to follow, the Triple-S crowned champions in surf, slicks and sliders, as well as overall, to define the cutting edge of our sport. There was no prize money. The trophies got left behind. The riders themselves judged the event. There were parties in the backyard at “The Slick House”, as well as after-hour ragers we really shouldn’t talk about on the internet. Strapless kitesurfing, kite low powered wakestyle and park riding. The Triple-S put these new riding disciplines on the map.
Starting in 2012, the Triple-S switched to using judges to score the event and introduced prize money. After achieving our goals of changing the direction of kiteboarding competitions, with many following worldwide, our next goal was to provide substantial prize money. Thanks to the generous support of title sponsor Venyu and Wind Voyager, we were able to raise the stakes from bragging rights, to $10,000, to over $70,000 in just seven years. In 2019, the Wind Voyager Triple-S Invitational joined the Cape Hatteras Wave Classic presented by Patagonia, as the first two kiteboarding events in the world to offer EQUAL prize money for men and women.
Competition is key, but the social scene of any good event is what defines the total experience. Whether it be low key gatherings, making new friends from around the world, or going to the best live music performance of your life, it is often these key interactive moments that you remember far longer than the event itself. In 2006, Triple-S rider Davey Blair asked if he could bring his friend “Big Hair” to the event to DJ the awards party. That year, we opened with Red Bull’s DJ Chela and wrapped it with Big Hair, all on the back deck of The Slick House. What followed after that was a string of performances that should go down in action sports live music history, including international superstars Mix Master Mike of the Beastie Boys, DJ Qbert, Kymani Marley, 2Chainz, Future Fambo, Tanya Stephens, The Dubplates, Method Man, Red Man, and The Roots. Let’s say, Saturday morning after the event was over, was the quietest day of the year in our little town called “Waves”.
Triple-S goes Hollywood?! Directly after the 2018 Wind Voyager Triple-S, a Hollywood style movie called “Send It” was filmed onsite at REAL, using the Triple-S as the backdrop theme. Think “Blue Crush”, but instead of surfing and Hawaii’s North Shore as the backdrop, it’s kiteboarding and the Triple-S. Written/produced by Charlie McKinney and directed by Andrew Stephens, Send It is a “boy meets girl”, action/drama with a star-studded cast including Kevin Quinn, Claudia Lee, Patrick Fabian, Denise Richards, 2-Chainz, Richard Branson and more. Look for a future release of Send It to bring kiteboarding and the Triple-S to the mainstream.
While all this may seem impressive, many view the philanthropic arm of the Wind Voyager Triple-S Invitational as being one of the event’s greatest achievements. This was started in 2011 by Sensi Bikini’s Founder Sensi Graves and then handed over to the Triple-S Steering Committee in 2016. Between 2016 and 2019, the Wind Voyager Triple-S raised over $140,000 for the Hatteras Island Youth Education Fund.
“It’s an incredible feeling to redirect the international Triple-S spotlight, and place it on the local youth of our community. Thank you to everyone, including our title sponsor Wind Voyager, who have made these donations possible.” – Trip Forman – Wind Voyager Triple-S Co-Founder
“The Wind Voyager Triple-S could have never achieved what it did without the riders, our sponsors, our incredible event staff, the media who covered the event, the musical performers, and the fans. To each and every one of you, THANK YOU and huge congrats on an incredible run. Together we concocted a piece of kiteboarding history, and a road map of how to go forward with our sport. It’s been an incredible fourteen year journey full of epic memories and friends. The Triple-S family is a solid one. Thanks again to everyone who was a part of it!”
Trip Forman
Jason Slezak
Triple-S Invitational Co-Founders
Q&A
Why is there no Triple-S this year?
The Triple-S started as a grassroots event and grew into the number #1 professional kiteboarding event in the world. We feel we’ve achieved our goals of establishing a solid foundation of how kiteboarding events should be run. From here, we will explore new events and endeavours.
What will happen to the REAL Slider Park?
The REAL Slider Park has enjoyed and continues to enjoy its reputation as the #1 kiteboarding slider park in the world. The REAL Slider Park existed before the Triple-S, and it will continue to exist after. Our current slider park sponsors including Phocus, Duotone, Liquid Force, Core, Wind Voyager and KOA (Kampgrounds of America) will have first right of refusal to renew their sponsorships for the 2020 season and beyond. Access to the REAL Slider Park is free of charge when you stay with us in any of the accommodations at Watermen’s Retreat.
What about the Triple-S sponsors?
The Triple-S sponsors are the best companies in kiteboarding, action sports, tourism and lifestyle. We truly believe in all these brands and look forward to continuing our partnerships in the future.
What about the other events on the 2020 REAL Event Calendar?
We will be moving ahead with all of the other major events on the 2020 REAL Event Calendar including the O’Neill Wave of the Winter, Rock the Cape, Roxy Beach Day, O’Neill East Coast Grom Tour Championships and the Cape Hatteras Wave Classic presented by Patagonia. We will also host a solid schedule of evening events with professional kiters, surfers, foilers and gear designers. Keep an eye on the 2020 REAL Event Schedule dropping this month.
What about music on the waterfront stage? What’s in store for 2020?
The 2020 Sky Blue Summer Concert Series sponsored by Carolina Brewery, Quiksilver, Roxy and Outer Beaches Realty will feature over 100 live waterfront music performances. These shows run from March through November featuring local, regional, national and international acts. Watermen’s Bar and Grill, the superhero hosts of the Triple-S parties, will be serving dinner and drinks throughout all these shows.
Find out more on the REAL Watersports site, right here.
