GIEL VLUGT
THE OMAN MISSION
In preparation for the Big Air competition season, doubles master Giel Vlugt set off on a mission to the mythical realms of the Arabian Peninsula. Blessed with strong and consistent winds, warm waters, and boundless desert backdrops, the Sultanate of Oman delivered sessions to remember.
Powered by the latest Big Air machine, the Flite A-Series, Giel took center stage in a true Big Air expo, captured by photographer Ahmed Alfudhili, and enjoyed by the curious local crowd who had never seen anything quite like it before…
We caught up with Giel after the shoot for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of this tale from the desert lands.
Tell us a little about the shoot. Where did it take place?
The shoot was done in Masirah Island in Oman. A beautiful place if you want wind, beach, sun and no distractions. I was shooting with Ahmed Mohammed Alfudhili, who’s an Omani photographer and a legend!
What were the conditions like that day? Had you planned to hit it when the conditions were good?
To be honest, we had a strong wind for at least two weeks straight. I think we had at least 25/30 knots every day, which is special for any place. You just see wind on the forecast every day so we planned the shoot more according to the clouds than the wind.
Is Oman the new Big Air hotspot?
I’m not sure if Oman is the new Big Air hotspot. If you just want to kite all day and every day then yes, absolutely. You can drive a 4WD to the beach and start from there so every day is an adventure. But there are no real luxuries. To us, that’s exactly what we wanted, but that’s probably not for everyone.
What was your gear set-up during the shoot?
I was riding my 8-meter Flite A-Series during the shoot. I got really addicted to this kite because it gave me a boost and hangtime I never had. I was mainly riding my Pilot bar 46cm with 22 meter lines, but took out the 12 meter lines for one session as well.
You say you’re addicted to the new 5-strut Flite and you’ve chosen the Flite as your Big Air weapon in recent competitions.. Tell us what makes it so special for you?
I’ve just not had that amount of time in the air for a while. This now allows me to think of adding rotations or board flips where before I just really had to concentrate on making it down safe. And in Oman I was riding an 8 meter in 20 knots and having a good time… I mean if you know me and you know that I’m about 88 kilos, that must say a lot!
Anywhere else on the bucket list you want to head?
Of course, I have so many ideas of places I want to go to but right now I’m 100% focused on competing and nothing else. So in terms of where I want to go next: to the top of the podium of course!
After a very solid 3rd place in the recent Full Power Tarifa competition (despite a rib injury), we have no doubt that another top spot on the podium awaits... So get ready for an action packed Big Air season ahead.
GIEL VLUGT
THE OMAN MISSION
In preparation for the Big Air competition season, doubles master Giel Vlugt set off on a mission to the mythical realms of the Arabian Peninsula. Blessed with strong and consistent winds, warm waters, and boundless desert backdrops, the Sultanate of Oman delivered sessions to remember.
Powered by the latest Big Air machine, the Flite A-Series, Giel took center stage in a true Big Air expo, captured by photographer Ahmed Alfudhili, and enjoyed by the curious local crowd who had never seen anything quite like it before…
We caught up with Giel after the shoot for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of this tale from the desert lands.
Tell us a little about the shoot. Where did it take place?
The shoot was done in Masirah Island in Oman. A beautiful place if you want wind, beach, sun and no distractions. I was shooting with Ahmed Mohammed Alfudhili, who’s an Omani photographer and a legend!
What were the conditions like that day? Had you planned to hit it when the conditions were good?
To be honest, we had a strong wind for at least two weeks straight. I think we had at least 25/30 knots every day, which is special for any place. You just see wind on the forecast every day so we planned the shoot more according to the clouds than the wind.
Is Oman the new Big Air hotspot?
I’m not sure if Oman is the new Big Air hotspot. If you just want to kite all day and every day then yes, absolutely. You can drive a 4WD to the beach and start from there so every day is an adventure. But there are no real luxuries. To us, that’s exactly what we wanted, but that’s probably not for everyone.
What was your gear set-up during the shoot?
I was riding my 8-meter Flite A-Series during the shoot. I got really addicted to this kite because it gave me a boost and hangtime I never had. I was mainly riding my Pilot bar 46cm with 22 meter lines, but took out the 12 meter lines for one session as well.
You say you’re addicted to the new 5-strut Flite and you’ve chosen the Flite as your Big Air weapon in recent competitions. Tell us what makes it so special for you?
I’ve just not had that amount of time in the air for a while. This now allows me to think of adding rotations or board flips where before I just really had to concentrate on making it down safe. And in Oman I was riding an 8 meter in 20 knots and having a good time… I mean if you know me and you know that I’m about 88 kilos, that must say a lot!
Anywhere else on the bucket list you want to head?
Of course, I have so many ideas of places I want to go to but right now I’m 100% focused on competing and nothing else. So in terms of where I want to go next: to the top of the podium of course!
After a very solid 3rd place in the recent Full Power Tarifa competition (despite a rib injury), we have no doubt that another top spot on the podium awaits... So get ready for an action packed Big Air season ahead.
DISCOVER THE
FliteA-Series
Insane boosting and hangtime. Massive vertical lift…
This is the new 5-strut A-Series Flite.
Featuring a full-ALUULA airframe, the new Flite is the lightest 5-strut kite in the world, and a dream for any Big Air rider. With less aggressive performance than the Rise, the Flite suits riders who want to “send it” without looking to perform extreme megaloop moves.
So get your boosting machine now. The 5-strut Flite 7m - 9m arrive in shops in October - just in time for the Big Air season!
DISCOVER THE
FLITE A-SERIES
Insane boosting and hangtime. Massive vertical lift…
This is the new 5-strut A-Series Flite.
Featuring a full-ALUULA airframe, the new Flite is the lightest 5-strut kite in the world, and a dream for any Big Air rider. With less aggressive performance than the Rise, the Flite suits riders who want to “send it” without looking to perform extreme megaloop moves.
So get your boosting machine now. The 5-strut Flite 7m - 9m arrive in shops in October - just in time for the Big Air season!
GIEL VLUGT
THE OMAN MISSION
In preparation for the Big Air competition season, doubles master Giel Vlugt set off on a mission to the mythical realms of the Arabian Peninsula. Blessed with strong and consistent winds, warm waters, and boundless desert backdrops, the Sultanate of Oman delivered sessions to remember.
Powered by the latest Big Air machine, the Flite A-Series, Giel took center stage in a true Big Air expo, captured by photographer Ahmed Alfudhili, and enjoyed by the curious local crowd who had never seen anything quite like it before…
We caught up with Giel after the shoot for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of this tale from the desert lands.
Tell us a little about the shoot. Where did it take place?
The shoot was done in Masirah Island in Oman. A beautiful place if you want wind, beach, sun and no distractions. I was shooting with Ahmed Mohammed Alfudhili, who’s an Omani photographer and a legend!
What were the conditions like that day? Had you planned to hit it when the conditions were good?
To be honest, we had a strong wind for at least two weeks straight. I think we had at least 25/30 knots every day, which is special for any place. You just see wind on the forecast every day so we planned the shoot more according to the clouds than the wind.
Is Oman the new Big Air hotspot?
I’m not sure if Oman is the new Big Air hotspot. If you just want to kite all day and every day then yes, absolutely. You can drive a 4WD to the beach and start from there so every day is an adventure. But there are no real luxuries. To us, that’s exactly what we wanted, but that’s probably not for everyone.
What was your gear set-up during the shoot?
I was riding my 8-meter Flite A-Series during the shoot. I got really addicted to this kite because it gave me a boost and hangtime I never had. I was mainly riding my Pilot bar 46cm with 22 meter lines, but took out the 12 meter lines for one session as well.
You say you’re addicted to the new 5-strut Flite and you’ve chosen the Flite as your Big Air weapon in recent competitions. Tell us what makes it so special for you?
I’ve just not had that amount of time in the air for a while. This now allows me to think of adding rotations or board flips where before I just really had to concentrate on making it down safe. And in Oman I was riding an 8 meter in 20 knots and having a good time… I mean if you know me and you know that I’m about 88 kilos, that must say a lot!
Anywhere else on the bucket list you want to head?
Of course, I have so many ideas of places I want to go to but right now I’m 100% focused on competing and nothing else. So in terms of where I want to go next: to the top of the podium of course!
After a very solid 3rd place in the recent Full Power Tarifa competition (despite a rib injury), we have no doubt that another top spot on the podium awaits... So get ready for an action packed Big Air season ahead.
DISCOVER THE
FLITE A-SERIES
Insane boosting and hangtime. Massive vertical lift… This is the new 5-strut A-Series Flite.
Featuring a full-ALUULA airframe, the new Flite is the lightest 5-strut kite in the world, and a dream for any Big Air rider. With less aggressive performance than the Rise, the Flite suits riders who want to “send it” without looking to perform extreme megaloop moves.
So get your boosting machine now. The 5-strut Flite 7m - 9m arrive in shops in October - just in time for the Big Air season!