“The Megaloop is the perfect blend of fear and adrenaline. Once you pull that bar, there is no going back. You just have to trust your kite and yank it all the way.”
Overview and Composition
The Kiteloop is one of the most iconic and extreme trick families in Big Air kiteboarding. Before reaching the apex of a standard jump, the rider pulls hard on the back hand of the bar, sending the kite into a full rotation deep through the power zone. This generates a massive horizontal pull (yank) and explosive acceleration, giving the rider the sensation of being catapulted forward through the air.
Mechanics and Tips
The key to a successful Kiteloop lies in precise timing and maintaining line tension.
- Enter with ample speed and slowly steer the kite towards 12 o’clock while edging hard upwind.
- Wait until just before reaching the apex of the jump, keeping the body compact in the air.
- Pull aggressively on the back hand to loop the kite.
- A tighter loop radius generates less power, while a wider arc creates an intense yank and horizontal displacement.
- Once the kite completes its rotation and the leading edge points upward again, sheet out the bar slightly to let the kite climb quickly and soften the landing impact.
- Land pointing completely downwind and ride away while maintaining line tension.
- Crucially, riders must possess the judgment to abort the loop on the way up if wind conditions or gusts make it unsafe.
Derivatives and Variations
The Kiteloop serves as the foundation for countless variations.
- Megaloop: An extreme maneuver performed from an exceptionally high altitude, steering the kite lower than the rider’s own position.
- Contra Loop / Dirty Loop: Pulling the front hand instead of the back hand, rotating the kite in the opposite direction.
- Boogie Loop: A combination of a single front roll paired with a Kiteloop.
- Doobie Loop: A complex trick combining a double front roll with a Megaloop.
- S-loop: Reversing the bar input mid-loop to alter the kite’s trajectory, tracing an “S” shape in the air.
- Double Loop: A cutting-edge extreme trick where the kite rotates twice in the air, demanding tremendous height and hangtime.
Notable Riders and Iconic Moments
Ruben Lenten, renowned as one of the pioneers of the Megaloop, once showcased loops with devastating yank against the backdrop of South Africa’s Table Mountain. The extraordinary distance of his jumps was described as “flying from England and landing in France,” sending shockwaves through the Big Air scene.
In recent years, young athletes like Lorenzo Casati have pushed the boundaries with highly technical variations such as double loops and S loops to secure top scores, while Edgar Ulrich is highly regarded for his signature Contra Loop. Furthermore, with the introduction of complex freestyle fusions like the “Megaloop KGB” that Aaron Hadlow used to shock the competitive scene, top riders continue to expand the possibilities and techniques of the Kiteloop every day.
Search Aliases: Kiteloop