Red Bull Megaloop 2023 – 6 Riders Claim Their Spot via Video Submissions

Sat 25th Mar, 2023 @ 12:00 pm

Kitesurfing News
Red Bull Megaloop 2023 - 6 Riders Claim Their Spot via Video Submissions

When the perfect storm hits the Netherlands, with winds over 35 knots, 16 of the world’s best kiteboarders will be challenged to show their biggest megaloops! With one week to go before the wind window of Red Bull Megaloop opens (on April 1st), the riders list for Red Bull Megaloop 2023 is complete! Six winners have been chosen out of 12 qualitative video entries in the so-called Red Bull Megaloop Qualifier Series video competition. They will be added to the 10 top riders who were already invited for the 2023 edition.

Photo by Jarno Schurgers / Red Bull Content Pool

With the top 10 invited riders already in place, there were six more spots to fill with riders from the video qualifier series. “The level of riding has gone through the roof”, the Red Bull Megaloop judges stated. “A lot of riders are throwing insane combos – including at least one loop combined with board-off manoeuvres and multiple rotations simultaneously. Judging based on video submissions is always challenging, as riders film at different locations and in various conditions. Nonetheless, the following six names stood out.”

The winners of the Red Bull Megaloop Qualifier Series are:

Luca Ceruti (RSA)
Jason van der Spuy (RSA)
Jett Bradshaw (RSA)
Timo Boersema (NED)
Joshua Emanuel (RSA)
Stijn Mul (NED)

Local Hero

As a former winner of Red Bull Megaloop, and with his signature Super Loop, South African Joshua Emanuel (29) seems to be a serious podium contender. All five other riders debut at this event, including local heroes Timo Boersema (18) and Stijn Mul (22).

“These young guns have shown us insane tricks and critical moves that the judges and spectators are going to love. We can’t wait to see them shine in the stormy conditions on the North Sea”, Ruben Lenten, member of the Red Bull Megaloop Sports Committee, mentioned.

Videos were analysed individually by each judge. From that ranking, a group judging session was initiated to make a final ranking which was agreed upon unanimously. The committee judged on extremity, execution and flow and also considered conditions, gear, lines, height, distance, risk, tricks, control and style. All submitted videos can be found here.

“Red Bull Megaloop has always been about seeing who performs the most radical megaloop. It is not the amount of tricks that will get you the win, but how far, high and extreme that one megaloop is. That’s why we wait for the ultimate storm to hit the Dutch shores so that the top 16 riders can break boundaries.” – Ruben Lenten

Red Bull Megaloop will occur at the Spot, Zandvoort Beach, the Netherlands, between April 1st and November 1st when the proper storm hits the Netherlands. That means at least 35 knots, side shore, for at least 5 hours.