A couple of well known South Florida riders, Andy Hurdman and Sean Reyngoudt go on the road with the first USA TV series devoted to kiting. They end up shooting in exotic locales ranging from the Florida Keys back country to the fiords of Alaska!
Andy and Sean appear below after finishing a grueling 60 mile distance race off the Central Florida coast. I first met Andy at the Islamorada Kiteboarding Invasion in 2002 and Sean at the first collegiate kiteboarding competition in Key West in 2007. Both are talented core riders. I can recall Andy effectively going blind during a 60 mile race down to Ft. Lauderdale and being encouraged and helped by Demian Thomas to keep riding. I think Andy won that race. Sean has been coming on hard in recent years winning the 60 mile Central Florida kite race in high wind and seas against some stiff competion.
The guys join with Travis Swanson producer for Hydrus Underwater Productions and create some varied and intriguing imagery of kiting in both well known and "emerging" venues. Hydrus is noted for creating startling imagery for the Discovery Channel's "Shark Week."
Riding by an ice floe in Prince William Sound, Alaska
The locations for the episodes appear below:
1. Florida Keys (Pilot Episode)
2. Hood River, Oregon
3. Windy Bay, Alaska
4. Prince William Sound, Alaska
5. Pacific Coast, Oregon
6. Utah and Desert Lake, Bonneville Salt Flats
Complete descriptions of the episodes are reproduced at the bottom of this post. IF VIEWERSHIP supports it, a bunch more episodes will be produced and aired. So, show your support for our boys and tune in! Episodes will be repeated at various times on this Discovery cable channel.
CLICK to see preview of the pilot episode set in the Florida Keys.
Discovery HD Theater Schedule for Catchin' Air (CLICK)
More video previews for all six episodes are on the Facebook page along with still images and related information. (CLICK)
Sean rips along in the gorge sans exposure gear
"Episode Descriptions:
1. Florida Keys (Pilot Episode)- Follow our team as they head out to a remote offshore reef in the Atlantic Ocean to conquer the large ocean swells as they break over the shallow coral. Then, follow the adventure as the team explores a 30-mile section of a remote area know as the backcountry. Powered only by mother-nature what wildlife will the team run across, what equipment will break, and will fatigue cut the adventure short?
2. Hood River, Oregon- The beginning of the sport all started in the Columbia River Gorge at the small town of Hood River so it makes sense that the longest running kite boarding competition is held in this area. The competition called “Bridge Of the Gods” is not only unique in name but also unique is style. We will head out to Hood River as one of our riders enters the competition. See what happens when the weather throws the competition a curve ball and how the team adapts to the unusual conditions.
3. Windy Bay, Alaska- On the southern end of the Kenai Peninsula lies an area exposed to the raging force of the Gulf of Alaska. The only access to this remote territory is by boat or crossing the rugged mountains on foot. This area has never seen or even heard of Kiteboarding and we will use the unique geography that creates extreme wind to ride an area that most think is impossible. Join us as we head out on a 70-mile journey by boat to Windy Bay where we will camp in Bear country as we wait for the weather to cooperate and attempt to ride the Gulf Of Alaska.
4. Prince William Sound, Alaska- Alaska is a harsh an unpredictable world full of extreme conditions and breathtaking scenery. The wind generated from glaciers and ice fields is perfect for Kiteboarding but these winds can be unpredictable and extremely dangerous. See what it takes to gear up as we head out on a 60-mile adventure through glacier fjords towards the massive Columbia ice field. Join us as we run into amazing wildlife, camp on an uninhabited island surrounded by ice with the ultimate goal, riding through the floating ice pack of the Columbia Glacier.
5. Pacific Coast, Oregon- The coast of the Pacific Northwest is brutal and unforgiving yet the shear beauty masks the danger is posses. Massive swells frequently roll in off the Pacific Ocean and pound this stretch of coast. Join us as the team starts in the little town of Manzanita and dives into the heart of the Oregon Coast. Feel the tension as the team encounters a large predator that frequents these waters. Experience the thrill of tackling Oregon’s Sand dunes while trying a dangerous stunt and on a remote stretch of coast, see the insanity as the team gets blown off the water.
6. Utah and Desert Lake, Bonneville Salt Flats- Join us as head out on a road trip across northern California, through the desserts of Northern Nevada ending up at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. See the adventure unfold as the crew rides the breaking swells of the Pacific Ocean, experiences the natural beauty of the Redwood Forest and the unique features of an active Volcano, ending up at the world famous Bonneville Salt Flats. The goal is to strap on a modified skateboard and see how fast the riders can go, powered only by the wind."
Andy cruises along in Windy Bay, Alaska
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