Len10 Megaloop Challenge 2012

[Toby]

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What is the Len10 Megaloop Challenge?

The Len10 Megaloop Challenge is set to be one of the most extreme kiteboarding events of the year!

Every summer Ruben Lenten (NED), professional Kiteboarder and King of the Megaloop, descends on Cape Town for the prime summer and wind conditions.

This year sees Ruben challenge 24 amateur kiteboarders in Cape Town to take part in the LEN10 Megaloop Challenge with them as the judges.

Big air equals a big score
The competition, will take place in Big Bay and a window period from the 16th to the 26th February has been secured to ensure optimal wind conditions for the competition which requires wind speeds upwards of 30 knots.

The judges will gauge the style, height, length, enthusiasm and speed each kiteboarder completes their Megaloop with. The winner on the day will take home R10,000 and a photo shoot with renowned Red Bull photographer Craig Kolesky. In true kiteboarding tradition the best wipeout will be also rewarded.

Eager challengers are encouraged to post a video of their best Megaloop on Ruben Lenten’s Facebook page to stand a chance to be invited to compete in the event . Alternatively, you can register for the trials event on www.redbull.co.za that’ll take place on the 11th or 12th of February 2012 at Blouberg Beach (depending on wind conditions).

[Toby]

More about Ruben Lenten

Ruben Lenten (NED) was just twelve years old when he took up the sport of Kiteboarding. With no kiting schools around in the early days of the sport, Ruben had to learn the hard way – taking four long months of crashing and swimming back to shore to get up (and stay up on the board). Once he got the hang of it he knew that this would be a way to express himself and started riding as much as he could.

Soon, at the age of 14, a coach (Former Dutch National champion, Steph de Jong) and a sponsor recognised Ruben’s talent. This gave him the opportunity to start travelling and developing skills faster. Within three years he competed on the highest level and was the Number 2 Kiteboarder in the world – second only to one of his now best friends, Aaron Hadlow.

In 2005, Ruben took top honours in Red Bull King of the Air in Maui, Hawaii where he competed in the big air format against his legendary watersports athlete Robbie Naish, and defeating Robbie right on his home turf.

Right before the start of the 2006 World Tour, Ruben had a serious crash leaving him injured and unable to compete in the first few events of the tour. With him unable to score points to keep his ranking, he decided not to compete but rather focus on freeriding and finding new challenges.

Since then his focus has remained on, as he puts it, “doing some pretty gnarly tricks with my kite”. He’s all about big air and loves riding in the strongest winds. “I’m pretty stoked to have kiteboarding as my job. The ocean is my playground, what more could I ask for?”

Ruben is dedicated to pushing the sport and developing kiteboarding gear as much as possible, all while doing some pretty extreme stuff on his kiteboard.