Slingshot Australia is upping it’s presence in Australia again so Freedom Kite Mag caught up with one of the men behind the new movement…
Josh getting ready for a long and active Slingshot summer across Australia
Who are you… And what do you do?
Josh van Brederode, I work for Capital International Pty. Ltd. as the rep for Slingshot, Ride Engine & LKI Watersports. I have had plenty of experience in Kiting having run my own school for plenty of years and always loved wakeboarding and any sort of watersports. The guys at Captial International who own ProWake, Tige Boats Australia, Wetsounds Australia, LKI Watersports Licence and have been the distributors of Slingshot Wake for the past few years invited me onboard. I’ve known these guys for several years and always watch the amazing job they have done with there brands and expeically marketing. So when they demanded I come and meet with them about and this opportunity and then continued to tell me that they have a motorhome and a job for me to travel the country spreading the stoke on Slingshot gear, what could I possible say.
Ready for the road…
So there seems to be some exciting things on the boil for Slingshot in Australia coming up this summer? Can you give us the run down?
The deal we have with Slingshot USA is more of a partnership than anything. Slingshot has had some fickle years in Australia so we worked hard to sort out a deal which was a partnership allowing us to get plenty of product into the stores while also being able to fund some super cool marketing initiatives.
We aim to improve the supply, service, support and overall stoke of Slingshot in Australia. This coming season we are hitting the road for 5 months on our ‘Slingshot Field Trip’ across Australia. We’ve loaded up a massive motor-home with all the 2016 Kite, Wake & SUP gear and are heading down to all of our dealers and beaches. Where we will be hosting demo & progression sessions, downwinders, tech talks and BBQ’s. So come down, have a shred with us at your local and join us for a coldie afterwards.
Victor Hayes with the 2016 Rally Kite & Misfit – Pic Jason Lee
Slingshot used to be pretty strong in Australia but over the past few years they have almost disappeared in Australia why is that?
Yeah in the early days Slingshot was “the” brand in Australia. When Andy was involved Slingy had the best team, best vibe and best product. Since then the supply hasn’t been as strong in Australia and the support for the brand had dropped a bit. The product itself has continued to charge forward though and its still leading the industry all over the world, but it’s just been the supply in Australia that has let itself down. We plan on fixing that this year. Our team back at the Gold Coast HQ is renowned for premium customer service and product supply so those who have always loved Slingshot will have no problem getting it this year and the tour will bring all the Slingshot riders together to dominate local spots as we travel around Australia. We are really excited about bringing back the old Slingshot vibe.
Can you give us some hints as to who is on the team?
James Bedford from Stonker in Torquay has just been signed. We have a few more potentials coming through the pipeline.
James Bedford made the cut for the Slingshot national team.
Are you still looking for talent?
We are always on the lookout for up and coming shredders. The best way to get onboard is to get in touch with your local shop and tag any pics & videos with #slingshotaustralia
If someone wants to have a shot to join the tour how can they apply?
You mean become a gypsy with me? Just keep an eye on the Slingshot Australia website and Facebook for dates and come and hook up. The more the merrier and throughout the year we will have special guests and team riders along with us. Lets do it, it’s going to be an insane year.
Slingshot has always been known to make solid kite gear… Whats the new Slingshot kite gear like this season?
The kites are bombproof, our new WAVE SST kite is going to radically reinvent what you think of as a surf kite. As always, all of our boards have a wood core which is ecologically made in the USA. 2016 is looking to be our strongest lineup yet. Wait til you get a ride on the new Sam Light ‘Refraction’ which is the perfect kite crossover cable board.
When are you releasing the tour dates?
Tour dates will be online on Slingshot Australia’s facebook, Instagram @slingshotaustralia and at www.slingshotaustralia.com.au
Will any international riders be joining the tour?
Let’s just say our WA tour in November is going to get pretty wild