With social media, we have become spoiled by images and videos of mountain bikers doing incredible things. We don’t always know who the riders are, but we’re wowed by their skill, courage and commitment to pushing the boundaries of human limits. Darkfest, presented by Monster, is the world’s biggest big-jump contest. It’s happening from 11-17 April 2022 and here’s why it matters to South Africa.
By Sean Badenhorst
Only when you ride a mountain bike do you appreciate what it takes to take off, float and land with control and composure. Most South African mountain bikers don’t even try jumping, some will give it a bash when they encounter a small jump on a trail or flow line and a tiny percentage will actually make jumping a major part of their mountain biking life.
Two of those South Africans are Theo Erlangsen and Ike Klaassen, who make up the South African contingent at Darkfest 2022. Darkfest is an annual big-jump contest, sponsored by Monster Energy, that brings many of the world’s best big-jump and slopestyle riders together for a week of big-air steeze!
Englishman, Sam Reynolds, is the kingpin of Darkfest. He’s been involved in the event since its inception in 2013, when it was known as Pure Darkness. It’s evolved to the current version, which takes place in South Africa, at Hellsend Dirt Compound just outside Stellenbosch. Reynolds is always one of the riders at Darkfest and is considered one of the best big-jump riders there is.
Reynolds, his Austrian sidekick, Clemens Kaudela and local dirt-shapers and flow-masters Justin Novella and Duran van Heerden, with assistance from Erlangsen have been preparing Hellsend’s Darkfest lines for the past three weeks. They revived existing jumps and fine-tuned some take-offs and landings and added a new step-up on the Hellsend park lines for warm-up purposes.
Thanks to social media, Darkfest is watched around the world, with millions of combined views on Instagram and YouTube. But that requires a skilled media crew, many of which are South African, including Phoenix Jurgens and Ryan Franklin. Consider too that Hellsend is situated adjacent to Stellenbosch and overlooking the Banhoek Valley. The vista of the valley and mountains is spectacular from almost any angle and is a wonderful advert for South Africa in general and the region in particular.
When there’s a group of the world’s best big-jump riders gathered, a collective energy builds and inspiration to try new tricks begins to flow. Last year, the highlight was probably Spaniard Bienvenido Aguado executing what is recorded as the world’s longest front-flip. The lowlight, sadly, was Klaassen, at 17, probably the youngest ever Darkfest competitor, crashing out spectacularly. He mis-timed a massive backflip and sustained a list of injuries, including a badly broken femur, which took months to heal.
Here’s a summary of the 2021 award-winners:
Monster King of Darkness – Sam Hodgson
Kenda Best Trick – Bienvenido Aguado
NS Stay True Award – Ike Klassen
Adidas 5 Ten Best Style – Szymon Godziek
Helfare Highest Air – Clemens Kaudela
Besides a much bigger field of riders, including the likes of heavy-hitter newcomers like Kade Edwards and Kaos Seagrave, there’s a women’s division! For the first time in the event’s history, women will be in action at Darkfest. Five of the world’s best female dirt-jump/slopestyle riders will be part of the historic edition and will no doubt deliver great inspiration for a generation of young female senders!
Here’s the rider list for Darkfest, presented by Monster, 2022:
MEN
Sam Reynolds, Clemens Kaudela, Sam Hodgeson, Kade Edwards, Kaos Seagrave, Ike Klaassen, Theo Erlangsen, Bienvenido Aguado, Nicholi Rogatkin, Szymon Godziek, Brendan Fairclough, Daniel Ruso, Elias Ruso, Tom Isted, Adolf Silva, Vincent Tupin, Ethan Nell, Matt McDuff, Graham Agassiz, Daryl Brown
WOMEN
Vero Sandler, Casey Brown, Hannah Bergman, Chelsea Kendall, Robin Goomes
So it takes place in South Africa. The course is built mostly by South Africans, the media work is done mostly by South Africans, the local event management is co-ordinated by South Africans and there are two South African riders in the incredible line-up. That’s why Darkfest matters to South Africa.
For more, check out Darkfest on Instagram here or Sam Reynolds’ YouTube channel here .
