2011 saw eight of the most talented dance crews in South Africa, specialising in genres ranging from Pantsula, iSbhujwa, Krump, Hip Hop and breaking, handpicked to showcase their talent in a closely fought final in Johannesburg.

This year we travelled to Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban and Port Elizabeth and auditioned 114 crews in the qualifying rounds to find the seven best crews that will go up against defending champions, Artistic Intelligence. Stay tuned to www.redbullbeatbattle.co.za and the press for the crew announcement!

The eight crews will have to perfect their routines, making sure every movement is on beat and no foot is out of place. On May 26, they’ll go up against each other in the ultimate dance-off at Bassline in Newtown, Johannesburg, for the title of Red Bull Beat Battle Champions 2012.

Artistic intelligence, Hlaks, Ninja Turtles, Phly Nation, Real Actions Juniors, Reptilez, Soulistic Fusion, V.I.N.T.A.G.E make up out Top 8 crews for 2012!

WHEN: 26th of May 2012
TIME: 20:00
PLACE: Bassline, 10 Henry Nxumalo Street, Newtown, Johannesburg 2001

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Check out http://www.cape-epic.com/live/ for more info.

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The wind was pumping and kites were flying high as Lewis Crathern wowed the judges to win the first ever LEN10 Megaloop Challenge in Cape Town.

Crathern, from Worthing in the UK, went up against Sam Light (UK) and Gianni Aragno (ESP) in the final. “I was just stoked to have been in the final with two of my best friends. A megaloop isn’t the easiest trick because you have to try and get height while trying to get your kite as horizontal as possible. I’ve been coming to Cape Town to kiteboard for the last six years and I love it here. The people are friendly and the weather and wind conditions are perfect here,” he commented.

Brainchild of Red Bull Athlete and ‘King of the Megaloop’ Ruben Lenten (NED), the LEN10 Megaloop Challenge saw 24 participants compete in a format new to kiteboarding competitions.  Ruben remarked: “All the riders and spectators were excited about the format which gives the guys time to pull their best moves and score high. I’m happy that such a big crowd came down to see the guys  pull some gnarly tricks and see some pretty epic wipeouts too – which is just as much part of kiteboarding as landing the trick.”

Participants were scored on the height, technique and the style in which they executed the megaloop with.

LEN10 Megaloop Challenge winner, Crathern and the other finalists had decided before they went out for the final to split the prize money – it wasn’t about the prize but rather spending a good day out doing what they love.  He does, however, walk away with a one-of-a-kind trophy and a photo shoot with renowned South African action sports photographer, Craig Kolesky.

Ruben Lenten is keen to bring the competition back even bigger in 2013 and throw himself into the mix. “We’re going to push the limits of kiteboarding even more.”

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