Riders announced for Red Bull King of the Air 2018

[mrbig]

I reckon it's a good move to have the contest at Kite Beach rather than at Big Bay.
More space and a better chance of stronger cleaner wind. That said, Big Bay was great for spectators.

[mathieu leheilleix]

Surprised not to see Andries Fourie on the list.
Good call to have the event @ Kite beach rather than big Bay. Conditions in big bay tend to be more gusty

[plummet]

Looks a pretty standard line up. They all seem young and rubbery enough to not die if it turns to shit.

Bring it on.

[Matt Air]

Lewis clearly has the most difficult move

[Toby]

How far are Kite Beach and Big bay apart?

[Hpr]

How far are Kite Beach and Big bay apart?

About 4km straight line. But the conditions can be quite different, with Big bay often being a bit gusty and less wind. But it also is less choppy in the bay, makes for easier landings from big boosts

[Toby]

Ok thx!
Why didn't they go there in the first place?

Same space on the beach or less ?

[mathieu leheilleix]

Big Bay's a better venue as far as spectators are concerned (more parking space and you get an elevated sitting area from the beach to look at the action + loads of restaurants and bars for a bit of fun afterwards). As HPR wrote, Kite Beach has stronger wind generally speaking (probably 5 to 10 knots more relative to Big Bay and far less gusty). However Big Bay is a bit more sheltered as it's surrounded by a rocky formation (less choppy in between set waves = softer landing). Preferably i prefer riding Kite / Dolphin beach over Big Bay but then I don't kite loop in 20 meter + !

[Toby]

Good to know, thx !

Pretty amazing that in only 4 km distance the wind is that much stronger.

Does it get even stronger the further you go north? Or does it drop?

[Lokihel]

Does it get even stronger the further you go north? Or does it drop?

General rule of thumb is it decreases, but it depends on specific spots.


Those thermal winds can be very tricky. A mountain or something in the far distance can affect the wind on the shore.
If you're in Langebaan, you could be sitting with 12kts waiting for the wind to show up in Shark Bay, and meanwhile it is blowing 25kts at Main Beach less than 3km away!