Overview
“It was a decision based on creativity. We took a whole year off from competitions to focus purely on riding and expressing how the sport should be seen in that era.”
“The FreeRide Project” is a feature-length kiteboarding video whose production began in Australia in 2011. Spearheaded by Tom Court, this monumental film eventually became a series spanning four installments and sparked a massive movement in the kiteboarding community.
Background and Synopsis
Back in 2011, winning on the world tour was considered the only path to a professional riding career. However, seeking creativity and true athletic expression, they decided to completely step away from competitions for a full year and traveled to Australia. They immersed themselves in pure riding, dedicating their time to capturing the raw essence of kiteboarding they truly wanted to show the world.
Featured Riders
The film features four of the UK’s top riders of that era:
– Tom Court
– Aaron Hadlow
– Sam Light
– James Boulding
Impact on the Scene
By breaking free from the competitive framework and simply enjoying the sport with friends, the film was highly acclaimed as “one of the best kiteboarding videos of all time.” It played a crucial role in popularizing wake-style riding with boots and park riding, injecting massive energy into the scene. Furthermore, their ability to establish professional careers through video production rather than relying on contest results was a deeply trailblazing event in the industry at the time.
Search Aliases: The FreeRide Project, TheFreeRideProject