Aaron Hadlows View on the Future of Extreme Kiteboarding

Hadlow is as serious as he looks in this pic, when it comes to winning the Red Bull King of the Air in 2017.

The worlds professional kiteboarders are all in Cape Town, South Africa this month acclimatizing to the strong winds and pushing each others training to new levels. They are there for the Red Bull King of the Air which begins on the 21st January, and according to the reigning champion Aaron Hadlow. The future of kiteboarding is in extreme conditions.

Interviewed by sponsors North this week, Hadlow explains: "I definitely have my vision of extreme kiteboarding and at the moment it works hand in hand with the Red Bull King of the Air. I try to push and do a bit of everything from straight big jumps/rotations, to the biggest most technical kite loop, and finally I have a kite loop handle pass that seems to be a high scorer. I'm of the view that risk is the biggest factor. I know many people are all about the height and I think it is important, but at this level everyone can jump big and I will add it to my heat but focus on other things."

Kite Loop Handle Passes. You heard correctly, they're the big ticket items in this years event. With Hadlow calling for high risk maneuvers instead of floaty airtime, kite loop handlepasses are most definitely on the cards. A few were attempted last year before Lewis Crathern went down hard, ending his competition and the season, but with a years practice and a 3rd title within sight - Hadlow will be the one to watch.

The event window for the Red Bull King of the Air opens on the 21st of January and runs through to the 5th February. Whenever the forecast looks good enough for competition, the pro's will be ready and the 2017 Red Bull King of the Air will be ON!