Video entries are officially open for Red Bull King of the Air, the world’s most prestigious big air kiteboarding competition. Riders from around the globe now have the opportunity to showcase their most extreme aerial maneuvers and earn a coveted spot in the 2025 edition of this legendary competition that will return to Cape Town’s iconic Bloubergstrand beach.
Since its start in 2000, the competition has grown into the sport’s most prestigious event, attracting riders who push the limits with extreme stunts, wild loops, and massive jumps. The event has become synonymous with kiteboarding progression, where new tricks are debuted and the sport’s future is shaped.
The 2024 event drew over 7,000 people per day, and over 30,000 tuned in to the live stream on Red Bull TV across the globe, making it one of the most spectacular sporting events in South Africa.
“We’re witnessing the sport evolve before our eyes,” said Sportive Director, Sergio Cantagalli. “The 2024 Women’s Division was a game-changer – Francesca Maini’s combinations set a new standard. For 2025, we’re anticipating riders in both the Open and Women’s divisions will push even higher and attempt tricks we’ve never seen before. The level of progression happening right now is extraordinary.”
Video Entry Guidelines
To enter the Open Division, riders can submit a 60-second clip showcasing their top 5 tricks until October 10th. The Red Bull King of the Air Judging Panel will evaluate these videos using the same criteria as during the live event. The submission process democratizes access to the competition, allowing talented riders from any location to demonstrate their skills and potentially earn their place alongside the world’s elite — they will join the finalists from 2024 as well as the winners of the King of the Air Qualifiers.
The judging criteria mirrors the live competition standards, focusing on:
Height + Extremity: The altitude of jumps combined with the risk and difficulty of maneuvers
Variety: Demonstrating a diverse range of technical skills and tricks
Execution: Clean landings, control, and overall performance quality
Overall Impression: Creativity, style, and showmanship
Competition Details
Red Bull King of the Air 2025 will take place at Kite Beach, Bloubergstrand, during optimal wind and swell conditions between November 22 and December 7th, 2025. The competition format will feature knockout rounds starting with initial heats and progressing through quarterfinals, semifinals, and the grand final. Each heat will showcase three riders competing for advancement, with winners earning the right to skip rounds while others must prove themselves in additional heats.
How to Enter
Video entries are now open and will remain available until October 10th, 2025. Interested riders should visit redbullkingoftheair.com for complete submission guidelines, technical requirements, and entry procedures.
Submissions must feature original footage recorded within the past 12 months, with no previous Red Bull King of the Air competition footage permitted. There is no limit to the number of videos a rider may submit.
The selected video contestants will be announced at the end of October, with the final field of competitors determined through a combination of 2024 finalists, video submissions, qualifying event winners, and wildcards.
