One of the most promising new names on the Big Air scene, joins Ocean Rodeo…
It’s official! Today we are stoked to announce that rising Big Air superstar Giel Vlugt joins us as the latest addition to our growing team of international riders, becoming the highest profile member in our developing Big Air squadron. We are proud to be supporting such a truly dedicated athlete, who has proved himself as the most exciting up-and-coming rider on the scene.
Riding Ocean Rodeo’s ALUULA powered kite series, Giel will be taking on all the major Big Air kiteboarding stops around the globe, including the Red Bull King of the Air and all Big Air Kite League events.
Giel is currently in Brazil with his Ocean Rodeo quiver, kicking things off in style with the Tatajuba Big Air Kitefest, and we have high hopes for our new rider, as his commitment and addiction to Big Air make him THE one to watch as the popularity of the discipline continues to explode… In Giel’s own words: “It’s the only thing I can think of. I fall asleep and wake up to it!”
At only 26, Giel has already achieved 1st place at the Big Air Fly event in Egypt, 2nd in the BAKL Full Power Tarifa Big Air contest and has secured his place at the premier event of the year: Red Bull’s King of the Air. We cannot wait to see him in action in Cape Town.
Richard Myerscough, CEO and founder of Ocean Rodeo, best sums up the excitement shared across the brand with this new signing: “We've been working hard over the past few years on our Big Air kite program, in partnership with ALUULA Composites. To truly be a leader in this discipline we really needed to work with a rider who could push both our design team and ALUULA's technology to the max. Who better than Giel Vlugt! Giel's power and technical Big Air riding style are already at the next level. Combine this with kites that are half the weight, stronger and many times more responsive, and we hope this collaboration will bring kiteboarding quite literally to another exciting new level.”
Asked how he felt to be part of the Ocean Rodeo team, Giel replied “It’s incredibly exciting. Everyone at the brand is so stoked about their gear and are inspiring me to ride harder and to push the limits of what is achievable with Big Air.”
