esignoretti wrote: ↑Mon Jan 15, 2024 9:12 am
I'm really sad to read about this setback, this guy was instrumental in building all the hype about Big Air and this new generation of riders. I really hope he will find new ways to bting back BAKL on top.
Yes, sad news. i am going to CT this weekend for a few weeks and was expecting to see some BAKL action.
Unluckily, the new generation is not supporting his huge efforts to run well organized comps around the world. Just Giel and Cohan (currently injured) were following the tour. At least for the CT stop, the top guys were no attending, making it more difficult for the organization to collect the founds sponsors wise to run the competition. The BAKL was left behind by the riders as a second tier comp, and most of them just compete if they have nothing better to do, and it is not far away from them.
In last week's kitesurf365 podcast, Mike, speaks about this. They can't offer good price money, because they don't have the top riders, and the top riders don't attend, because there is no good money.
With GKA, BAKL, KOTA (and fly-to events), Cold Hawaii and Megaloop Challenge the calendar is full of events, most of them ran in the second half of the year. BAKL and GKA big air should merge in one tour in my opinion, making a more interesting and sustainable schedule.