September 23, 2021 was the day: green light for the Cold Hawaii Big Air during the Cold Hawaii Games in Denmark. After a period of little wind during the event, a storm arose. The wind at sea blew up to 12 Beaufort to the spot Nørre Vorupør where the extreme big air kite surfers were waiting.
Some must have entered the water with their buttocks pinched. It cannot be otherwise in such extreme circumstances.
Speaking of this… As you know I'm still training for the mega run but with such wind and an 8 meter kite on the water I haven't found the guts yet. That is why in this kitesurf blog a collection of reactions and videos of this legendary big air competition that no one will forget.
For 0,0001% of all kite surfers
Just a short sermon. Kitesurfing offers something for everyone. Challenging each other is fun and leads to progression. However, do not be tempted to such extreme big air actions based on this blog and other videos if you are not ready for that. Build up your tricks and experience on the water so that you are comfortable with what you are doing at all times. What the big air kite surfers in Denmark showed is only reserved for the absolute world top. This is perhaps less than 0,0001% of all kite surfers in the world. That was the KitesurfPro.nl sermon, now to the images.
Recap Cold Hawaii Big Air
18 kit surfers were invited of which 6 were invited directly. The remaining 10 were selected after video selection or invited on the basis of a wild card. We have been unable to retrieve any images of Tom Bridge and Valentin Garat.
Impression by Edwin Haighton
We start with a video from Edwin Haigton from the Cold Hawaii games. With that you immediately get the summary and you see how extreme it was. In terms of video and editing, we can only say one thing. Pure enjoyment!
Cold Hawaii Games summary
Then we go to a video from the organization behind Cold Hawaii. The organization thanks everyone and is looking forward to 2022. The video starts a bit mildly in the context of this blog, but you soon see how extreme it has been.
1. Winner Liam Whaley
Now the winner is Liam Whaley. Liam states on his Instagram “Cold Hawaii Games was the wildest event of my life…”
2. Lorenzo Casatic
Lorenzo Casati during his last heat with a 6 meter Duotone Rebel at gusts of 60 knots. This is approximately 120 km/h per hour. Also check us out 105 km / h.
Below are some beautiful extreme big air tricks from Lorenzo. A kiteloop in combination with 3 rotations. So 1080 degrees!
3. Lasse Walker
Our Dutch Lasse Walker reportedly made beautiful loops during Cold Hawaii Big Air. Of course they have given him a nice place 3 on the podium. Below is an image where Lasse is filmed with a drone.
Other participants
We go after the top 3 kite surfers to the rest of the kite surfers. They also summarized the highlights during the Cold Hawaii Games.
Aaron Hadlow - Extreme Big Air
Aaron Hadlow set an altitude record with a jump of a whopping 34.4 meters high. Rightly 'Extreme Big Air Kitesurfing'. He succeeded with his brand new Duotone Dice 2022. He kitesurfed with a 9 meter kite in about 50 knots of wind.
Kevin Langeree
Cold Hawaii Big Air 2021 winner, Kevin Langeree, was of course also present. Kevin is now with kitesurf brand Reedin a real boss and therefore as busy as a boss. Then there is no other way. Yet he was there and, as always, he made a big impression. The photo below says enough as far as we are concerned.
Nick Jacobson
As the founder of kitesurfing during Cold Hawaii, every participant feels a bit like a guest with Nick, who is also one of the best kitesurfers in the world. Very cool to see that our Dutch kitesurf photographer and kitesurfer from the first hour Andy Troy was present and gets a lot of credit from the kite surfers. Awesome Andy! Long time no see!
Jamie Overbeek
As usual, the Dutch Jamie Overbeek presents his own YouTube video and shows how extreme it was. He was there. and shares a very cool video. How cool is that!
Evan Klein
Again a Dutch Extreme Big Air kite surfer. This time Evan Klijn. Below you can see him 'boosting sky high' with his Core kite. What violence!
Julian Huynha
According to Julian, Cold Hawaii was unforgettable but he had expected to perform better. That is why he is looking forward to upcoming kitesurfing competitions.
Joss de Pfyffer
Jos has experienced Cold Hawaii 2021 as the greatest adrenaline rush of his life. He enjoyed the fact that he was able to show his big air skills during the event. The video below starts with a beautiful megaloop. One that I really want to master. 😉
Gil Flew
Another of the Dutch heroes who has stormed to the absolute world top by working hard for it is Giel Vlugt. He recently switched from Core to Ocean Rodeo. I thought this would be a thing at that level. However, the Ocean Rodeos seem to fit Giel like a glove from the start and 'Extreme Big Air' kiteboarding was successful right away. Seen below during Cold Hawaii.
Clement Huoto
France's Clement Huot has been a Reedin team rider since last winter. Clement is a very good and fanatical kite surfer. Unfortunately, he didn't get very far in the competition during Cold Hawaii, but indicates that his win is mainly due to the fact that he has better mastered the competition stress. Best Clement!
Cohan van Dyke
The Dutch Cohan was also present and receives many compliments on his instagram. People have also enjoyed him. Below see a bit dark images but clear why.
Luke Gramstrup
Below again images taken from a drone. Lucas who himself has enjoyed one of the most extreme kitesurfers but is also surprised in a positive sense about how big air kitesurfing has developed. This and other drone images were made by Thomas Rafn Larsen. Well done!
Mikkel hansen
The Danish Mikkel Hansen was also present. With the video below he shows that of course not everything goes well. Quite a crash. I said 'no bomb' like that 😉
Simon Bruhn
Last but not least a beautiful photo of Simon Bruhn during the Cold Hawaii Games. Simon wasn't quite happy with his last lap where the wind picked up in no time. He had to change kites and therefore had too little time to convince the jury.
Upcoming 'Extreme Big Air' competitions
From 9 October is the next big air contest. This Big Air Kite League tour stop will be held during the Lords of Tram event. Then we get the famous Red Bull King of the Air from November off the coast of South Africa.
