Overview
“I had my doubts. I was planning for it to be quite small. I didn’t expect so many riders to come from all over Brazil… Big Air is at this tipping point where it’s on the verge of going super massive.”
Held in Tatajuba, Brazil, in 2020, the “Big Air Kite Fest Tatajuba” was the historic inaugural event of the Big Air Kite League (BAKL), which would later evolve into a massive global world tour. Originally planned as a small-scale event to unite the community, put on a show for locals, and draw attention to Tatajuba, it was organized hastily with only a few days of notice. However, it attracted top talents from all over Brazil as well as international pro riders currently based there. As a result, it became a symbolic “tipping point” for the big air scene as it surged into a worldwide boom.
Location and Conditions
The Tatajuba lagoon served as an ideal spectator venue with its expansive, flat blue water, drawing the entire town down to the water’s edge to witness the action. It is a globally rare environment where strong winds suitable for 8m to 9m kite loops blow almost every day during the season. From Friday’s registration through the weekend competition, the essential strong winds for big air delivered perfectly, realizing the ultimate showcase.
Format and Competitors
The competition featured a total of 32 riders, comprised of 25 men and 7 women. Due to limited daylight hours, the organizers had to turn many riders away, a testament to the immense enthusiasm for big air in Brazil.
Notably, the event was built on a true DIY foundation and BAKL’s “rider-first” philosophy. Amid a lack of equipment, locals brought in large microphones in their cars, while volunteers and athletes themselves rushed to set up tents, bringing the event to life through a grassroots community effort. There were absolutely no entry fees, and Sunset Kiteboarding assisted riders with transfers to the remote dune area. Furthermore, with the support of Kite Worldwide Brazil and CORE Kiteboarding, all riders were provided with hammocks for lodging and three meals a day entirely free of charge.
Additionally, the event adopted a format without age categories, where all riders competed in the same heats. A young Josué San Ferreira (Baby Shark) stepped onto this demanding stage, holding his own against world-class professionals.
Highlights and Memorable Moments
The first-ever Big Air Kite League crown went to Poland’s Janek Grzegorzewski, who successfully held off numerous Brazilian top talents to claim the victory. In the women’s division, Germany’s Gina Bihn took the top spot.
Throughout the lead-up and during the event, the sheer passion of local riders pushing each other dramatically elevated the level of every participant. Spurred by this incredible success, Michael Mac Donald and the organizing team set their sights on future goals: expanding into a global world tour and officially becoming a Red Bull King of the Air qualifier.
Search Aliases: BAKL【2020】Tatajuba, Brazil: BAKL TatajubaFest, Brazil:BAKLTatajubaFest