World Record 19m / 63ft ! Largest Wave Ever Kitesurfed

[LiquidXtasy]

I don't know. The sequences I'm seeing are very incomplete, but at one point the wake shows that he has ridden directly down the face of the wave, pretty much the same at a tow-in surfer. Yes, he ends up well in front of the breaking part of the wave, but that seems to be the only way to avoid getting caught by the wave as it's moving so fast. All the surfers do the same thing, or ride up high so that they can kick out the side - when they don't, they end up being caught by the wave.

The guy just made 1 tack, back and forth.





Let that sink in for a minute...

Not being a wave guy i don't know for sure but i imagine it's a similar scenario/argument that occurs on here with kota.... when the risk becomes so huge the pressure not to f*** up can make basic skills become a lot more difficult. Look at the Russian nuts hanging off buildings and bridges with one arm taking selfies for example, simple to do ground level but different story up there. Even if i had the ability to outrun that wave, one glance behind and i know i'd shit it, get a speed wobble and stack it

I don't have any respect for those guys hanging off of buildings either. What they're doing really takes no skill and is just stupid. Anyone can do that, I'm sure if anyone of us had a gun pointed at our heads we would do it.

Sorry but that guy riding the big wave isn't doing anything spectacular, he's just risking his life to show that he's risking his life, which anyone can do.

[andylc]

I’ve not tried riding any big waves but it seems quite ridiculous to me to suggest it doesn’t take a good amount of skill, not to mention cojones. I’m guessing most of the idiots criticising it have not done anything even close to this themselves.

[Toby]

I think the skills riding it are not that high...just need to handle speed runs very well, rest could be more or less basic.
BUT, only few have the balls to do it...and this is where respect is due. HUGE respect !!!

[DWX]

Sorry to disagree Toby! It takes a huge amount of skill, planning & knowledge of the spot. You call it balls, but it takes a lot more than that. It’s really a core passion of existence when you do it right... these guys are no kooks. Even hanging from buildings can be a passion if you are not just showing off, but developing a skill methodically & giving your life meaning in the process... Life on this rock would be unbearable without passion, so who am I to judge...

[knotwindy]

Everyone has their own idea of what is a fun way to spend their time.
If you don’t like it, don’t watch. Still not a reason to slag on them. Just as you want the freedom to say and do what you want without others giving you grief, try to extend that same courtesy to others.

[Toby]

Planning and knowledge is something different than riding skills.

A normal rider with huge balls can do it rather than a very skilled rider without balls.

A very good rider with balls will easily do it, like Stru did

[alfredo68]

The guy is using a board leash? Is that a good idea? Whatever , it s not a good idea getting washed infront of that monster with or without leash

[Toby]

Yeah, crashing with or without wouldn't make a difference...that wouldn't be the problem at all

Breathing and the lines I assume would

[DWX]

Planning and knowledge is something different than riding skills.

A normal rider with huge balls can do it rather than a very skilled rider without balls.

A very good rider with balls will easily do it, like Stru did

Okay Toby, let me see you make it thru a set of this monster’s little baby sisters at Lower Trestles in California and then let’s talk about skill Skill isn’t just what you do! Sorry, but you are being unreasonable

[plummet]

Planning and knowledge is something different than riding skills.

A normal rider with huge balls can do it rather than a very skilled rider without balls.

A very good rider with balls will easily do it, like Stru did

You are wrong Toby. Riding monster lumpy waves takes years of skill. It is not an obvious skill set like learning a new trick. It's refing the wave riding skills to an elite level. It's knowing where to ride on the wave, how to negotiate the lumpy cross swell on the face at warp speed. How to ride back out through the sets. You can't just go out and ride this stuff with flat water skill. No way in hell.

If you tried to ride that wave quite simply you would die. Even though you are a highly skilled rider.

Rest assured these guys are highly skilled.