A Decade of Darkfest: The 2026 Highlights You Need to See
There are very few people who can look at a 90-foot gap and think, “Yeah, I could probably flip that.” This week, 30-plus legends who think like that just finished up a week of absolute madness at the Hellsend Dirt Compound. Darkfest 2026 wasn’t just another week of pushing limits and progressing the sport; it was the 10th anniversary of the most progressive freeride event on the planet, and by all accounts, it was the biggest and fastest edition to date.
"I am absolutely blown away. To see how far we’ve come in 10 years is insane. This week, the riders took everything we built—the new Rocket, the Falcon Heavy—and absolutely destroyed it. A massive thank you to the Trails Crew for the blood and sweat they put into the dirt, and to our sponsors for believing in this wild dream. We’ve crowned our King and Queen, but honestly, everyone who dropped in this week is a legend. Get ready for the highlights, because you won't believe what these guys and girls pulled off!"
- Sam Reynolds
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A Decade of Defying Gravity
Located on Vuurberg Farm near Stellenbosch, South Africa, the event has spent the last decade evolving from a "wild dream" into the premier showcase for what is possible on two wheels. This year, the riders didn't just ride the course—they dismantled it. Sam Reynolds, the co-founder and general mastermind behind the chaos, noted that the progression seen during this anniversary week was "insane," as riders took on massive new features like the ‘Rocket’ and the ‘Falcon Heavy’.
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Behind every physics-defying jump is a crew of builders who probably haven't slept in weeks. All the jumps for Darkfest 2026 were brought to life by C-dog and the Trails Crew, who hand-packed every lip and landing in the brutal South African heat. Their goal was to provide the ultimate canvas for riders to push the sport’s limits, and looking at the highlights, they definitely delivered.
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The Spirit of the Send
What makes Darkfest special isn’t a podium or a trophy - it’s the collective survival and progression of the group. Local heavy-hitter Théo Erlangsen described the jumps as the most "insane" in the world, noting that the sheer danger forces a unique kind of camaraderie. “You actually work together with everyone that you ride with,” Erlangsen explained. “It’s competitive in a sense, but you’re competing against yourself, not each other”.
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The 2026 Hall of Fame
While everyone who dropped in earned legendary status, a few riders walked away with some extra hardware after a week of absolute carnage:
- King of Darkness: Alessio 'Cornflakes' Tonoli.
- Queen of Darkness: Natasha Bradley.
- Insta360 Best Clip: Matt MacDuff for a mind-melting Candy Bar Flip.
- Muc-Off Filthiest Style: Vero Sandler & Alessio 'Cornflakes' Tonoli.
- Mavrix Moment: Vaea Verbeeck & Alessio 'Cornflakes' Tonoli.
- Kenda Mind Bender: Elias Ruso (Double Flip on Falcon Heavy) and Robin Goomes (Flip Can on the Step-Up).
- DeWalt Best Run: Tom Isted & Natasha Bradley.
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King of Darkness: Alessio 'Cornflakes' Tonoli.
Queen of Darkness: Natasha Bradley.
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Cornflakes and Vero Sandler took home the "Filthiest Style Award"
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As the dust settles in Stellenbosch, it’s clear that freeride mountain biking is in a wild, terrifyingly beautiful place. Darkfest continues to be the barometer for the sport, and if this 10th anniversary was any indication, the next installment is going to be even more unhinged.