Wait, what?
Didn't Alvaro Onieva win the last comp that Toby was in. It was after a normal PKRA event in Germany back in 2012. It was a one off and they called it a World Championship! Alvaro rode the final in a rubber bull mask to show how lame it was.
https://youtu.be/QdUSoMAds7c
The wake crew are the original king of the air pioneers too, and the top wake tricks and mega loops are simply the highest bar in the sport.
Big floaty safe airs are great for most of us, but its just not what can and has already been done. You call mobe variations and double passes repetitive, spastic and boring. Whats the alternative push ..... Airstyle? WTF!
Youth see right though that shit. They recognize legitimate without your oldmansplaining!
The dumbing down of elite kiteboarding is the biggest tragedy in the sport, not the IOC or World Sailing.
They will have the racing and the racers will welcome it. Elite skill in freestyle and waves will fester underground despite your pessimism.
The next generation of wake style kiters and strapless wave rippers will get their cred in the end, and the future youth will think of them as legend for their commitment.
It will come around again, and the youth will vote with their energy and passion. Despite, cost, video games, school or any other obstacle.
Right now foiling IS the evolution. Us 40+ riders should feel stoked we get something we can keep up with for a bit.
Keep bitching, your part of the problem.