The weather window opens this Saturday 30 January – stay tuned for the hottest big-air kite action. The window period for Red Bull King of the Air opens this Saturday, 30 January 2016. The event – widely considered the most extreme big-air kiteboarding competition in the world – will see 24 athletes meet at Bloubergstrand’s Big Bay, to battle it out for the illustrious title. With its origin in Maui, Hawaii in the early 2000’s, the competition first made its way to South African shores in 2013. The predominant Southeasterly wind, most prevalent during the county’s summer months, blowing at speeds in excess of 25 knots allows the perfect opportunity for big boosts and megaloops. The event has also made an impact on the local kiting scene and youngsters like South African freestyle kiteboarding champion, Oswald Smith, are eager to make a name for themselves amongst the most recognisable faces in kiteboarding. Smith, who returns to the competition after missing the event in 2015 due to a shoulder injury has been training hard ahead of the event: “Having guys like defending champ Aaron Hadlow (GBR) and 2013 champ Jesse Richman (USA) come back year-after year, really has gotten the local …