Charles Brodel blazed his way to another hydrofoil world title on Sunday, landing two moves for the first time in competition along the way.
On the final day of the Copa Kitley GKA Kite-Surf and Hydrofoil-Freestyle World Cup combo event it was time to get the big air party started with the foilers!
Reflecting exactly why hydrofoiling is taking off around the world – the riders were sending big tricks in as little as 14 knots at times.
In 14 – 18 knots riders were able to fly 10 – 15 metres high without needing such super strong wind as on a twin-tip. Mixing LEI kites for the kite loops and foil kites for the big floaty airs, this competition had all the technical thrill of freestyle or kite-surf contests, but with a more relaxed, fun atmosphere given the rapid evolution that the discipline is currently experiencing, fuelled by the riders at this event.
While plenty of riders impressed, including Ryan Parsons who introduced us all to front rolls with a wing slide on landing, there is one man who is currently blazing a trail more than most in this discipline, similar to Airton Cozzolino in the early strapless-freestyle days.
Alongside the more floaty spins that are well recognised in hydrofoiling, Charles Brodel is mixing moves into his heat performances that are better associated with hardcore big-air twin-tip riding.
His thrilling mix of power and precision is simply unbeatable.
The Frenchman claimed the GKA Big-Air Hydrofoil World Championship title earlier in the year and brought his A-game to Taiba, too.
Landing kite loop board-offs in each heat (he’s still the only rider able to do so), in his semi-final against Maxime Chabloz, Charles wrote history with the first contra loop front roll board off and back roll kite loop board-offs on a hydrofoil in a competition.
He landed both moves again in the final against Alex Soto and looked as if he could have gone on making unbelievable landings had the heat not come to an end.
