Next Gen Shines at the BOTG and Blowout

F-One & Manera are proud sponsors of the Bridge of the Gods Kite & Wing Festival; the longest running amateur kiteboarding event in North America. They have successfully added Wing Foiling Freestyle to the event and it is a huge success. BOTG has been a springboard for launching many amateurs into the rank of professional Wind Sportsmen. For those who don’t know, Bridge of the Gods is actually the name of the bridge crossing from Oregon to Washington in Stevenson, WA. Hood River is 17 miles upriver.

The Blowout is a 17-mile Downwind Race from Stevenson, WA to the Marina in Hood River, OR. With roughly 90 watermen all launching and racing together, it makes an incredible spectacle full of team building and comradery. All donations are given directly to the riders as prizes and awards.  It is our duty to support the next generation of kiteboarders and wingers, and this event is the perfect venue for this mission.

Testimonials From Our Next Gen and Podium Winners

Patrick Kissinger

“Bridge of the gods is one of the competition I look forward to the most every year. Having some of the best competition yet I was super exited. I got first place in my first heat, sending me strait to the finals. Having great wind for the finals I was able to land all the tricks I wanted to. Overall it was a super sick competition with great conditions, and I couldn’t be more stoked to take first place in the pro division.”

Patrick Kissinger taking 1st in the pro class
Kissinger in 1st, Ostermann taking 2nd

Lily Buden

“It was a great day and the wind was really good compared to last year. I was able to advance to the finals after my first heat which was great. I was super excited for the finals especially to go up against Nia. The wind got pretty light during the final heat but i was on my 3.5 Strike so i was able to make it work. I am super happy with getting 2nd place and it was great to get to hang out with all of the girls yesterday and it was a great event!”

Buden & Trudeau taking 2nd & 3rd

Zoe Trudeau

“In the weeks leading up to the competition, I was working some difficult wing freestyle tricks like 360s, combos, and backflips knowing the competition was going to include some strong freestyle riders.  I was quite nervous for my first heat and it got to me on the water.  I struggled to land my tricks and I came off the water disappointed, not automatically advancing to the finals.  But I had a “last chance” heat to prove that I deserved to be there.  So I cleared my head during my break and in the next heat I landed my 360s and my jump to 360 combos earning enough points to advance.  I was very excited to be in the final heat with my teammate Lily Buden, from Maui. as well as world champion Nia Suardiaz from Spain.”

Trudeau taking 3rd

“As the final heat neared, the wind conditions were lightening, so I quickly landed some tricks early in the finals, knowing the wind was not going to last.  Overall, I was very excited with my 3rd place overall finish for womens wing freestyle division.  In the ladies freestyle kiteboarding event I landed several unhooked tricks that I have been working on this year on my F-One Bandit.  I had such a good time this year at BOTG.  I am looking forward to continuing to work on my wing and kite tricks and improve for next year.”

Zoe Trudeau, the only female kiter!

Morgan Ostermann

“Competing at the Bridge of The Gods freestyle competition and blowout race was a blast! First we had the freestyle competition with some of the best kids in the world. I unfortunately lost the first round to Leo Suardiaz who pulled out some insane tricks like back to back combo and tack backflip. Thankfully I managed to win the second round securing my spot in the finals. With the help of my DIY boom made by Noe Mercier and Gonzague back in Lanzarote, I performed one of my best heats ever and secured 2nd place. Overall a fantastic time competing in freestyle against my competitors, but also my friends. Congrats to Patrick Kissinger for getting first place.”

Morgan Ostermann in the pro class

“Then, for the long downwind race the next day called the Blowout, I decided I needed to go big or go home. In 20-25 knot conditions, I went out on a 7m CWC Aluula and the 430 Escape focusing solely on speed and power. The 7 meter performed way better than I expected, blasting through the light areas and keeping power and stability in the powered areas. This insanely fast combo of wing + foil is the reason I was able to secure 6th in overall ranking and 3rd in the wing category behind Johnny Heineken and Christopher Macdonald. I am overall extremely happy with my standings in both events and am looking forward to training to get even better the next time around. Thanks to F-One, Manera, my parents, the Macdonald family, Noe Mercier and Gonzague and all others that helped me along the way!”

Morgan Ostermann

Christopher MacDonald

“I arrived home the 26th one day before the BOTG. Tom , Aleks, and I volunteered to judge the wing pro division . Judging is 10x harder than it looks . Patrick ended up taking the win in a close final with morgan coming in 2nd. The next day was the blow out . The forecast looked good but we still rigged big wing . I was the 4’4 rocket carbon and the escape 430. After we started the race it was a battle till the end . I had a good start and was leading the wing division until around Viento . Johnny caught up to and then from there we were crossing till the end . I would gain a few seconds then he would . It was challenging maneuvering through the gusts . I ended up having a great run through the hatch and had a bit of a lead . Johnny ended up going down at the white salmon bride . So I ended up winning the wing race and becoming 4th overall . This was super fun !! My final time was 48 minutes . Thanks Fone America for this opportunity!”

Christopher MacDonald in the super pro event
@botgfestival

Another huge congratulations to our Next Gen groms, and to the BOTG team! We can’t wait for next year!