Ruben Lenten this week has left the Slingshot International team to join Best Kiteboarding. 

After Youri Zoon left Slingshot a few months ago, nobody expected any big changes to follow for Best (who took him on). Then it was Gisela Pulido joining the team, and UK legend Lewis Crathern.

Now, Ruben Lenten adds his name to the list which not only leaves Best with a HUGE international team, but some serious street cred when it comes to high performance equipment. 

Slingshot released a statement today via Facebook, saying: 

“Slingshot has always been a brand that builds both leaders and champions, but we don't buy them. It is an end of a great era - a time when our products and Rubens riding literally took the sport to the highest level possible today. We are now looking forward to kiteboarding's next era of champions to take the sport beyond what is capable today.”

According to Jeff Logosz Slingshot CEO, “Ruben has been a part of our family since he was only thirteen. We have deep seated roots with Ruben as we have watched this kid grown into a man and transform the realm of possibility in our sport. On behalf of the entire global Slingshot family we wish Ruben the best in achieving his dreams.“

With the end of an Era comes a new chapter for kiteboarding with new faces and new possibilities. Slingshot has always had a firm belief that eventually “Youth Serves.” The company is excited about the opportunity to build a new Youth Brigade and support them in their dreams of advancing kiteboarding to the next level.

Slingshot is deeply committed to the Fuel and the hardcore riders that have made this kite a legacy. Over the last 14 years the Slingshot crew has dedicated endless time and effort channeling their passion for Watersports to people throughout the world. Established in 1999, Slingshot Sports LLC has worked diligently to establish a solid reputation in the Kiteboarding, Wakeboarding and Standup Paddle boarding markets by manufacturing high-quality products, setting innovative construction and design standards, and presenting an image that is unique, edgy and young.

The Slingshot vision is steadfast and the company will continue to innovate legendary products for riders who have incredible dreams. Stay tuned – Slingshot's track record of creating champions is unrivaled. You won't want to miss the excitement that is sure to accompany this next era."

Indeed there will be some interesting decisions made by Slingshot in the near future. And what on earth will Ruben do on the new Best GP?! The Red Bull King of the Air is on this week in Capetown, so we'll get to see the new Ruben then!

As the first weekend of the 2013 Redbull King Of The Air gets underway in South Africa BEST Kiteboarding is proud to announce the addition of extreme kiteboarder Ruben Lenten to our international team. Famous for throwing huge air, topped with mega loops guaranteed to set the heart 8of every spectator racing Ruben is acknowledged as the master of extreme kiting.

CEO at BEST Sebastian Heitmann states “BEST Kiteboarding is incredibly proud to make this next step for our sport. With Ruben Lenten we will push extreme kiteboarding to the next level and are happy to partner with such a great sports icon who we know will challenge our R&D team to new heights. LEN10 rides with us so stay tuned because the excitement is just about to start!”

Talking with Ruben before he hit the water he was asked to sum up what this new deal means for him and kiting in general. “All days are good, some are just better. Just like this one. I have found the right partner to push extreme kiteboarding to the next level. Stoked with my new partner in ‘crime’, Best Kiteboarding.

First of all I would like to thank Slingshot for all their support over the past 10 years. It’s been an absolute blast to ride and work with you guys. Thanks for all the experiences that I will never forget and also for helping me explore the limits of kiteboarding.

Now the time has come to move on and continue to follow my vision. My passion for kiteboarding is big, it’s my life and this partnership allows me to raise the bar of extreme kiteboarding even higher.
At the highest level of sports and in the strongest conditions there is a strong demand for high quality products. That’s why LEN10 likes to team up with companies that have a similar vision and want to put the time, effort and money into accomplishing it. Quality is essential to feel safe on the water and in the air. In order to push the limits of your body and sport you need to feel comfortable. This comfort comes from the performance of the kite and all other gear. In my opinion there are very few products that make riders feel comfortable enough to go as big as they would like. Not because they can’t but simply because the products won’t let them. That’s a shame because I feel extreme kiteboarding is the discipline that keeps our sport hardcore and spectacular.

Best Kiteboarding and LEN10 will be working closely together to create the ‘best’ products for the rider that wants to ride hard with us!

I can’t wait to get started and will keep you updated on the progress and testing of our new products.”

www.bestkiteboarding.com/

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