Overview
A Super Loop is a megaloop performed using exceptionally short lines (e.g., 9m to 12m) rather than the standard 20m-24m. Its most defining characteristic is that, due to the short line length, the rider’s altitude at the apex often exceeds the kite’s height, causing the kite to loop below the rider’s body.
The kite rotates at an impossible angle for standard long lines, completely eliminating upward lift and throwing the rider into a terrifying pure free-fall.
Mechanics and Difficulty
The physics of short lines demand a completely different set of skills and pure courage compared to standard big air.
- Below-the-Body Looping & Free-fall: Because the kite loops below the rider, all line tension supporting their weight vanishes, throwing them into a massive state of free-fall.
- Hyper-Reactive Steering: The kite’s response to bar input is violently fast, resulting in an explosive yank that flings the rider forward instantly.
- Unforgiving Catch: While the kite climbs back up quickly after the loop, the sheer speed of the rider’s descent and their proximity to the water mean that even a fraction of a second’s delay in the catch will result in a devastating crash.
Iconic Riders and Moments
Born in the howling gales of Cape Town, South Africa, this extreme style has been pushed to the absolute limits by a select group of fearless riders.
- Joshua Emanuel: The pioneer of the super loop. He was the first to introduce extreme short-line big air to the scene and was crowned the Red Bull Megaloop Challenge 2017 Champion.
- Jason van der Spuy: Often hailed as the new king of the super loop. This South African rider reached the Top 4 at the 2023 Red Bull King of the Air, shocking the world with his insane short-line loops.
- Jett Bradshaw: Alongside Joshua and Jason, Jett is another powerhouse who continues to push the absolute limits of short-line extreme loops.