Top 10 Best Kiteboarding Movies Guide
Whether you’re searching for a movie to watch with your kite buddies or looking to find some motivation, you can’t go wrong with the classic films that best celebrate the art and beauty of kiteboarding. Watching movies help you understand this extreme water sport better, but there aren’t a lot of kiteboarding films because the industry’s more focused on producing surf movies. However, the ones you’ll find on this list won’t shy away from stoke-inducing kiting styles and maneuvers that’ll make you want to get out to the sea asap and try them on your own. We’ve compiled 10 of the best kiteboarding movies of all time — from franchise series to short documentary films, we’ve got you covered! Top 10 Best Kiteboarding Movies The following are our favorite kiteboarding films (in no particular order) that you should watch at least once in your life. Chapter One: The Kiteboarding Legacy Begins (2016) Upwind Launch of a Sport (2012) Aaron Hadlow TWENTY (2019) Into the Air: A Kiteboarding Experience (2005) The Man that Touched The Sky (2011) The Freeride Project 1, 2, and 3 (2011-2016) The Bubble Film (2017) The Antandroy: The People of the Thorns by F-One (2012) Disguise the Limit by Cobrinha (2015) AutoFocus (2005) 1: Chapter One: The Kiteboarding Legacy Begins (2016) Director: Bob van de Gronde Starring: Richard Branson, Pete Cabrinha, Keahi de Aboitiz Movie Length: 1 hour 24 minutes It took 2 years of filming around the globe and countless memories to produce the first-ever feature-length kitesurfing movie — Chapter One: The Kiteboarding Legacy Begins. When its trailer was released, this movie shot in 4K became one of the most talked about films among kiteboarders and kitesurfers alike. Chapter One follows the stories of different kitesurfing personalities and their journey to becoming legends. In this movie, you’ll get to watch them ride the most dangerous waves and perform the most exciting tricks that will make you hold on to your seat! This film also celebrates the diversity of the sport among different people and shows how it can also be an adventure, as well as a source of meditation for some people who kiteboard in the most beautiful and stoke-inducing locations like Hawaii and Fiji. 2: Upwind Launch of a Sport (2012) Producer: Redbull, Josh Kendrick, Dan Connely Movie Length: 55 minutes If you lean more toward watching documentaries about kiteboarding, then this hour-long film is right up your alley. The Upwind Launch of a Sport is one of the best kite films up to date, and it’s a must-watch for kitesurfers who want to know more about this sport’s history. Produced by Redbull, the Upwind Launch of a Sport is a full-length docu-film that follows the adventure of kiteboarding pioneers as they wander through different big air kiting competitions such as the First King of the Air in 1998 and Kitesurfing World Championship in Maui. It also features the stories of kiteboarding icons like Kai Lenny, Aaron Hadlow, Ruben Lenten, and Robby Naish. In this film, you’ll also learn about the dangers of kiting, including the promising groms to look out for during that time and how they foresee the future of this sport. 3: Aaron Hadlow TWENTY (2019) Director: Laci Kobulsky, Aaron Hadlow Starring: Aaron Hadlow Movie Length: 36 minutes It’s been 20 years since Aaron Hadlow made his mark in the world of kiteboarding, and to celebrate this incredible milestone, he collaborated with Laci Kobulsky to create ‘Twenty’ — a short film documenting his life career in kiteboarding. Twenty gives us a peek at Hadlow’s personal life as an icon. In this movie, you’ll see his achievements, stories alongside friends, and archive footage of him riding the most outrageous waves with his kite leading him. Combined with cool soundtracks and shots in specific locations to cater to his different techniques — Cape Town for Big Air and Brazil for Freestyle — this movie is a feast for all your senses. The concept idea of Twenty is from Aaron himself, and to get live feedback from fans, he premiered this short film in Cape Hatteras, USA, Hayling Island, and the UK before its official release. 4: Into the Air: A Kiteboarding Experience (2005) Director: Marq Morrison, Rachel Janowicz, Blake Robertson Starring: Paul Menta Movie Length: 1 hour ‘Into The Air: A Kiteboarding Experience’ is one of the most beautifully shot films in the world of kiteboarding, that’s why it’s no wonder why this movie was able to bag not one — but three Telly Awards in 2005 and 2006 respectively (‘Best Sports & Recreation Documentary at Art & Tur International Tourism Film Festival’ and ‘Digital Video Awards’ Best Documentary’). This docu-film follows pro-kiteboarder Paul Menta as he leads a group of riders in a week-long kiteboarding session in San Juan and La Parguera, Puerto Rico. Its impressive cinematography of the techniques of kiteboarding combined with these stunning locations will make you want to visit these places someday. Into the Air also includes early interviews and stories of other riders such as Julie Simsar, Andy Hurdman, and Bri Chmel as they share what made them want to try kiteboarding and what it feels like to become hooked on this sport. This film lets you in on their world, and whether you’re a kiteboarder or not, you’ll surely enjoy the hour you’ve spent on this masterpiece. 5: The Man That Touched The Sky (2011) Director: Jonathan Brooks Starring: Lewis Crathern Movie Length: 30 minutes When it comes to movies that’ll inspire you to chase your dreams and literally jump on opportunities, The Man that Touched the Sky is next to no other. In this movie, we see how Lewis Crathern, a phenomenal kitesurfer, made the biggest jump of his life of 50 ft. over the 1,719 ft. long Brighton Pier in the UK. This fun and motivational short film shows how much dedication and intricate planning go into fulfilling someone’s dream. It took two years for Lewis to train physically and prepare his mind for … Read more