Blouberg riders push limit in global kiteboarding
Some of the world’s best kiteboarders descended on Cape Town City Hall on Friday night for the 2024 Qatar Airways Global Kiteboarding Awards where the top riders were honoured for their exceptional achievements throughout the year.
Among the nominees were a handful of Cape Town’s finest, including Blouberg's Luca Ceruti, whose presence on the global stage was a testament to his dedication to the sport.
Although he didn’t take home a trophy, being nominated three times in this prestigious event was a huge achievement for Ceruti.
He was shortlisted for Rider of the Year, Video of the Year, and Photo of the Year, an impressive feat in such a competitive field.
For Ceruti, simply being nominated alongside the best in the world speaks volumes about the hard work he’s put into kiteboarding.
“I put a lot of effort into my training and mental side of things,” said Ceruti .
“When you’re coming down at 100km/h, you can't mess up. If you do, you’ll wreck bones. That part of the sport is really interesting to me, and I’ve been pushing the limits.”
Ceruti, who finished third in the King of the Air event just a month ago, said competing in front of his home crowd in Blouberg, during King of the Air was one of his proudest moments. “Competing in front of my home crowd is very special and hearing your name being cheered is super special,” he said.
Looking ahead, Ceruti is optimistic about the future of kiteboarding in Cape Town and South Africa, predicting even higher jumps and more incredible feats on the water.
“Cape Town is the best place to kite. We have the winds and everything we need here.”
For Jett Bradshaw, also from Blouberg, kiteboarding has been a journey of adrenaline and personal growth. “The coolest thing about kiteboarding is the adrenaline and the feeling you get from it,” said Bradshaw who has been in the sport for six years.
“I’m never satisfied and my goals are endless."
Being nominated alongside some of the world’s best riders was a major career highlight and for Bradshaw, as it symbolises being at the pinnacle of the sport.
Jason van der Spuy, a 20-year Blouberg veteran, has a different focus, he’s determined to push the sport into the spotlight and get more people involved, especially the youth.
“The sport continues to grow in leaps and bounds and getting more youth involved can only be good for the sport going forward,” said Van der Spuy.
“I’ve broken a couple of bones along the way but that’s just who I am. I push myself to the limits,” he said.
Van der Spuy also aims to climb higher in the world rankings but stresses that his true passion lies in promoting kiteboarding to the next generation.
"I want to make this sport a top priority for many youths and be the one leading from the front.
"I want to bring everyone along on this journey," he said.
Josh Gillit, another Blouberg-based rider, shared similar aspirations. Introduced to kiteboarding by his father at the age of seven, Gillit is now looking to represent South Africa on the international stage, with eyes set on competing in France in April.
“I’m really excited to fly the South African flag high and get more international events under my belt,” Gillit said.
The night wasn’t just about the local heroes. The Global Kiteboarding Awards also saw global champions being crowned, with Brazilian rider Bruna Kajiya taking home the Female Rider of the Year and Female Freestyle of the Year awards. Lorenzo Casati from Spain claimed the Male Rider of the Year title.
As Cape Town continues to make a name for itself as a premier kiteboarding destination, hosting the international awards only solidifies the city’s reputation.