🏄♂️ Join Us in Hood River for BAKL Kiteboarding Adventure! 🪁
When bad weather hit Squamish, we set out on an adventurous journey to Hood River to catch the BAKL Kiteboarding Competition. Our hopes were high, our excitement palpable!
For the first two days in Hood River, the wind played coy, leaving us waiting with baited breath. It was a dance between whisper-light breezes and stillness, putting our kiteboarding plans on hold. Luckily, our Canadian buddies joined us, turning the waiting game into a mix of exhilarating activities. We flowed through yoga poses, practiced martial arts moves, took refreshing river swims, and mastered the art of the barbecue. Shoutout to Chef Matus, who ensured we indulged in three hearty meals a day - the food was simply exceptional.
Our explorations led us to the iconic Stonehenge, treating us to breathtaking views that stretched from Mount Hood to Maryhill Campground and Rufus. While the kites remained grounded, we were gifted a jaw-dropping sunset that painted the skies in hues of orange and pink.
As the wind gods smiled upon us, a remarkable session awaited us in Lyle. With the wind as our accomplice, we unleashed an array of gravity-defying maneuvers - late backrolls, boogie loops, big loops, backroll kiteloops, and powered handdrags. Our skills drew the attention of pros, including Benjamin Lovelady with his breathtaking boogie loop, and Dane, who wowed with his kiteloop boardoff and stylish backroll kiteloop.
During an evening stroll at the Event Site in Hood River, fate had us cross paths with none other than Mike MacDonald - the orchestrator of BAKL. Exciting news unfolded; BAKL might run the next day. Insights from friends Darren and Michal confirmed the reality. Anticipation surged as we prepared for the remote Wells Island, a half-hour upwind journey. With winds roaring at 30 knots, a short session preceded our spellbinding view of the event.
The competition was an awe-inspiring spectacle. Lorenzo Casati, the reigning King of the Air, sent jaws dropping with his triple late backroll boardoffs. Cohan van Dijk stunned with a heart-stopping unhooked megaloop handle pass, while Kimo Verkerk's massive doobieloop boardoff left us in awe. The sheer scale of the action exceeded what TV could convey - it was a firsthand rush of extreme kiteboarding glory.
This experience was a resounding success, with Cohan clinching 1st place, Kimo securing 2nd, and Casati landing in 3rd. Our recommendation? Witnessing BAKL live is an incomparable rush - the intensity, the scale, the sheer energy, it's a sensory feast that transcends screens.
Until the next adventure, homiez! 🤙
4 окт 2024
