Kitesoul Magazine #5 English edition

Page 1

ITW Colleen Carroll Roberto Ricci EVENTS Red Bull King of the air 2015 TRIPS Fx Cabrinha in Oz


LIVING FOR THE LIGHTER DAYS L I G H T W I N D

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F R E E R I D E

THE NEW JUICE SIZES

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R E L AT E D F R E E R I D E / L I G H T W I N D B OA R D S

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NUGGET

SPIKE TEXTREME

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N O R T H K I T E B OA R D I N G .C O M – MMXIV – ›CRAFTED WITH PRIDE‹

# N O R T H K I T E B OA R D I N G


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FO LL OW US ON:

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SIZE

AR

WIND RANGE

5 6 7 9 10.5 12 13.5 15

4,3 4,3 4,3 4,3 4,3 4,3 4,3 4,3

19/35 18/30 16/28 14/24 12/22 10/20 9/16 7/14


The RRD Obsession is our iconic kite that embodies power/de-power ability/ fast turning speed and huge hang-time, all in one package. It’s been our best selling kite since day one, mainly for its versatile range of use and its fun factor, spontaneously sportive feeling in your hands thanks to a light bar feeling and a very quick response to any bar input. It jumps great, keeping you in the air longer than you could expect, and still keeps its easy de-power feel when a stronger wind gust hits the kite. The Obsession is also highly appreciated by riders who use strapless surfboards to do freestyle tricks or jumps on flat water. Its special wide range of use and behavior come from the moderate aspect ratio and swept back tip design, creating a very constant amount of power even in very gusty conditions. Its “Sheet-and-go” power delivery makes it also a perfect light wind machine, with great freeride performance potential, reaching top speed runs and great upwind legs. This year we have slightly changed the foil profile of the Obsession and made it a bit flatter throughout the tip area, enabling the kite to turn faster and also to fly more efficiently into the wind window. Every panel of the inflatable sections , from the struts to the leading edge, is built with a special heavy duty stitching system. The stitching areas are internally reinforced with a stripe of adhesive dacron, creating a solid base for durability. All the exposed areas, like tip ends and leading edge seams that are subject to abrasion, are reinforced with a woven Kevlar/PU fabric to prevent wear. Our single pump inflating system tube is covered with a soft PVC protection to prevent possible damage from plastic parts while folding the kite, and the inflating tubes are fixed to the kite through a neoprene sock, locked into place with velcro. A dacron leech reinforcement progressively widening from the center strut towards the tips, follows the fatigue line, being higher on the tips, and also reduces potential fluttering after long time use. The triangle tip ends for the attachment points of the back lines spread their load avoiding tip distortion, keeping the right bar pressure feel and increasing the lifetime of the kite. All the bridle attachment points are reinforced with a soft PVC external protection and internal double adhesive dacron patch, to increase durability. The new bridle pulleys are now fully made with marine grade stainless steel and can each stand a load of 400 Kgs. The Obsession MKVII offers an unsurpassed level of performance in the largest variety of use.

info @ r o b er to r icc id e si gn s .com ROBERTORICCIDESIGNS.COM

FREESTYLE/BIG AIR/FREERIDE




Editor Roberta Pala roberta.pala@kitesoul.com Wave Thecnique Editor Mitu Monteiro Freestyle Thecnique Editor Alberto Rondina Thecnical Expert Renato Casati Photo & Video Maurizio Cinti Design Giuseppe Esposito

APRIL 2015 - MAY 2015 TWO-MONTHLY

Texsts James Boulding, Renato Casati, Niccolò de Simone, Nicole Gaudimier, Tuva Jansen, Alberto Rondina, Reo Stevens, Federico Sugoni Photos Vincent Bergeron, James Boulding,Toby Bromwich, Sara Buzzelli, Tommaso Caldani, John Carter, Quincy Dein, Greg Hinsdale, Manuela Jungo, Craig Kolesky/ Red Bull Content Pool, Tracy Kraft Leboe, Nick Muzik/Red Bull Content Pool, Gabriele Rumbolo, Sam Schofield, Dan Sweeney, Hugo Valente, Ydwer van der Heide / Red Bull Content Pool, Dave White, Jason Wolcott Cover: Rider: Aaron Hadlow - King of The Air 2015 Photo: Craig Kolesky /Red Bull Content Pool Publisher and advertising VISU Media Via Cavour, 20 24030 Ambivere (BG) Amministratore Unico Federico Sugoni fs@kitesoul.com

FEDERICO SUGONI Publisher

ROBERTA PALA Editor

He’s a manager and a businessman. He fell in love with kiteboarding almost 10 years ago in the wild and amazing North Shore of Oahu (Hawaii). Aside from kiteboarding there is only one other important thing in his life: his baby daughter. He’s responsible for the 2014 launching of KiteSoul Magazine.

Sports photographer since 1997, kiteboarder since 2001, she has worked for the most exponential kite magazines for the last 15 years. A free and wild soul, she has left the luxuries of town living for a life in contact with nature: a sea and wave lover. Nowadays you can find her on the shores of Capo Mannu, Sardinia, one of the most beautiful spots of the Mediterranean Sea.

Registration Tribunale di Bergamo n°10/2014 del 15/04/2014. Periodicità bimestrale Copyright Kitesoul Magazine All content is copyright of Kitesoul Magazine / Visu Media Srl.

MAURIZIO CINTI Film-maker Movie buff and keen photographer. He’s a skater, snowboarder and wakeboarder, but he actually burns with passion for kiteboarding. He started off with freestyle a few years ago, but nowadays he’s more into chasing big and powerful waves. This is what he loves the most.

GIUSEPPE ESPOSITO Art director Kiter since he was in the baby pram, he is a rider for RRD Italia and he have a Bachelor in Comunciation Design at Politecnico di Milano. With this assignment, he finally has been able to put together his two passions: kite and design.


KITESOUL MAGAZINE Feel The Flow

MITU MONTEIRO Technical Editor-Wave Riding

ALBERTO RONDINA Technical Editor-Freestyle

RENATO “DR. KITE” CASATI Technical Expert

He comes from Sal. Official F-one and Manera rider. 2008 KPWT World Champion and three-time Vice World Champion. He started to surf and windsurf as a kid and but he definitively fell in love with kitesurf as soon as he discovered it.

He’s the best Italian rider of the competitive kiting world. Cabrinha, Neil Pryde and GoPro official team rider and four-time Italian Champion. Alberto has won the 2001 edition of the European Championship and third place in the 2012 PKRA World Championship.

RRD Wave team rider. Kiteboarder since 2000, he has been PKRA athlete and judge. He’s a professional sportswriter for several technical magazines. He lives between Como Lake and Sardinia, but he spends every winter in the waves of Cabo-Verde.

ELENA FOICO Professional translator Professional translator and Kiteboarder since 2001. In 2004 she decided to leave her career in the UK to teach kitesurfing full time. Throughout the years she has translated several kitesurfing manuals, teaching aids and articles. Born in the mountains but passionate about the sea, she has found the perfect tool to have fun pretty much everywhere!


Rider e Photo: Nuno ‘stru’ Figueiredo


EDITORIAL Here we are again with Kitesoul Magazine’s fifth

And again in our Girl Power dedicated section,

issue. After our first winter spent together, we

you will find a long interview to free spirit and ki-

have finally reached spring, which for most of our

te-park queen Colleen Carrol, a girl who has de-

water lovers coincides with their reawakening,

cided to spend her life doing what she likes the

whilst others are making the most of the last

most: riding!

snow... This is the case of our friends from Roc-

Last but not least you will find spectacular ima-

caraso who have hosted the first World Snowkite

ges of Tuva Jansen and Bertrand Fleury in Indo-

Contest GPS Formula and have proven to all of

nesia and the first Australian trip of the recently

us that kiteboarding can be practiced 365 days a

released FX kite from Cabrinha. Alby as usual will

year even in the northern hemisphere.

impress you with his technical lessons, whilst Reo

However it was in the midst of winter that we

Stevens will talk to you about strapless freesty-

decided to migrate towards the southern hemi-

le. You will also find our brand new kite reviews

sphere, specifically to Cape Town, to catch some

and a special interview to Christophe Martin, pa-

wind and strong emotions at the most awaited

raplegic rider, who has used his passion for water

event of the year: The Red Bull King of the Air. Our

sports to design and develop specific equipment

cover, in fact, is dedicated to Aaron Hadlow, the

and aids for other paraplegic riders. Once again

new king for this year.

we can say that when your soul and passion are

Aaron, the most awarded freestyle rider, has

present, nothing is impossible.

made his comeback big “air” style this year, stealing the crown from Kevin Langeree, last year’s champion. During this amazing trip we have been able to gather exceptional video footage of the competition; make our first video-test of the 2015 North Neo as well as several exclusive interviews to the Big of the kitesurfing world, available for you to watch on our YouTube channel under the section “The Kite Souls”. South Africa is also the winter home of RRD’s boss Roberto Ricci. In his extensive interview, Roberto, talks to us about his debut and how much his passion and total commitment towards his goals, has turned a small home project into one of the most successful international water sport brands.

Roberta Pala Federico Sugoni


SUMMARY

Portfolio

Eventi:

Trip:

Fx Cabrinha trip in Oz

Itw:

Red Bull King of the Air 2015

Collen Carroll

Camp:

Strapless moves:

Indo kite camp

Snowkite:

World snowkiting contest Altosangro 2015 GPS Formula

180 Pop Shove it 180 Shove it con ole

Itw:

Roberto Ricci


SUMMARY

Freestyle moves: Shifity 3

Handikite:

Cristopher Martin

Camp:

Mitu Monteiro wave clinc in Cabo Verde

Test:

Cabrinha, Fx North, Neo RRD, Obsession Pro

Tecnica:

Genesis and life cycle of a wave


14 PORTFOLIO

Niccolò Porcella

RIDER: Niccolò Porcella PHOTO: Tracy Kraft Leboe



16 PORTFOLIO

Guilly Brandao

RIDER: Guilly Brandao PHOTO: Hugo Valente



18 PORTFOLIO Giangi Chiesura

RIDER: Giangi Chiesura PHOTO: Courtesy Photodream.it/Advance Kites/Underwave



20 PORTFOLIO

Damien Girardin

RIDER: Damien Girardin PHOTO: Quincy Dein



22

EVENTI Aaron Hadlow Red Bull King of the Air 2015

photos Craig Kolesky/Red Bull Content Pool Nick Muzik/Red Bull Content Pool



24 EVENTI Aaron Hadlow Red Bull King of the Air 2015



26 EVENTI Aaron Hadlow Red Bull King of the Air 2015

wind,

undiscussed

protago-

nist in South Africa during the first few months of the year, has disappeared off a few days before the start of the competition waiting period. The surprising thing has been the sudden change in weather forecast. During the first few days in Cape Town, athletes were able to train with decent (although very different from previous years) wind conditions. Aaron Hadlow produced an 18 metre-jump during training, so everybody was really looking forward to what was supposed to be a very spectacular event; the wind forecasts for the week of the event were also very promising. Unfortunately these conditions never materialised and the riders had just about enough wind to navigate. On Wednesday of the final week, Sergio Cantagalli finally decided to begin the event thanks to promising weather forecast of 28knots of our beloved wind. The Red Bull organization team was very swift at setting up the live video stream

of an event followed by 27.000

ample Tom Hebert disputed his

enthusiastic people around the

heat with a 14sqm vs. the 7sqm

globe. Unfortunately it wasn’t

of his competitor Van de Kop.

until 17:00 that the 1st round

Nevertheless the qualifiers for

of the competition was disput-

the quarter finals were selected.

ed due to several wind direc-

The forecasts did not improve

tion changes. After the riders’

and on Saturday, last supposed

meeting and a test of the com-

day of the event, both riders

petition zone the event finally

and organizers started to fear

took off with very gusty winds

the idea of an unfinished event.

and difficult water conditions,

Heat competition time was also

which made it difficult for rid-

shortened in the hope of saving

ers to perform megaloops and

valuable time, but the wind did

audacious manoeuvres. Great

not come to the rescue.

confusion also reigned over the choice of equipment: riders of same weight with 8sqm vs. 11sqm in the same heat; for ex-



28 EVENTI Aaron Hadlow Red Bull King of the Air 2015

took a turn for the better on Sunday. This

time,

unfortu-

nately, without the Red Bull live stream, due to the extensive delay in the event. Round 2 was finally disputed at 18:00 hours, quickly followed by the quarter finals. The wind was around 24-25 knots, so the jumps were not as spectacular as one would have

expected;

however

it

would have been too dangerous for riders to pull off huge megaloops and HP at such a low height. A bit more audacious were the few lucky light riders such as Jesse Richman. Ruben Lenten and Kevin Langeree also pulled off their show; perhaps, for the latter, not his best ever performance. Van den Kop instead surprised the community with powerful megaloops, clean landings, and a discreet height. The semi-finals favoured the light Jesse Richman who pulled off some spectacular manoeuvres but the heat was cancelled as the second semi-final could not be disputed due to low wind conditions and night approaching. The Red Bull organization

therefore decided to extend the competition and dispute the finals the following day. Some riders and part of the organization had to change their return flight to bring the event to an end, amongst not such great disappointment‌ The last day started off pretty early. Unfortunately the great and certainly in top shape, Ruben Lenten dislocated his hand, leaving the ground to Jesse Richman (USA), Kevin Langeree (NED), Jerrie van de Kop (NED) and Aaron Hadlow (GBR). The British rider was very relent-


less, motivated and determined

Megaloops. No other rider can

throughout the whole event,

loop his kite so low!! Richman,

stealing the crown to Ruben

despite

Lenten (who fought hard de-

year, took several risks amusing

spite 8 stitches on his hand) with

the public with breath-taking

two impressive Megaloop KGB.

manoeuvres. Kevin Langaree,

Jerrie van de Kop, conquered a

winner of last year’s edition,

well-deserved third place. Jes-

showed impressive control re-

se Richman conquered fourth

maining very solid and flexible

place, surprising everyone with

at the same time. There was

his huge board off tricks.

actually a visible difference,

getting

injured

last

in terms of timing and jump During the three days of com-

preparation,

petition more than 17.000 peo-

who train at Big Bay and those

ple gathered on the beach to

who were not used to the spot.

witness the event. Wake-style

Amongst locals, the native star

riders showed off their best

Luke McGillewie, encouraged

Megaloops whilst other riders

and supported by a cheering

pulled off some spectacular old

stadium throughout the whole

school tricks including some

event.

massive board off manoeuvres. Ruben Lenten, responsible for the new competition format (let’s remember that the event was conceived by Robbie Naish in 2000 and disputed in Hawaii), impressed everyone with his

between

riders


30 EVENTI Aaron Hadlow Red Bull King of the Air 2015



32 EVENTI Aaron Hadlow Re alla Red Bull King of the Air 2015


invested a discreet budget in the event this year, but unfortunately the weather conditions did

not

meet

expectations.

Amongst the novelties of this edition, we can mention the technological support of WOO: a technology able to measure the height of boosts and hang-time of riders, born by the passion of two engineers for this wonderful sport. WOO tracked the 18-metre-jump of Aaron Hadlow during training, which made everyone hope for a new record. Unfortunately the weather only consented athletes to perform jumps around 10 metres, with a peak of 13.5 metres for Kevin Langaree in the final stages of the comp.

A special thanks goes to the sportive director Sergio Cantagalli who literally performed a miracle, bringing to a close an event which seemed doomed. Thanks

to

the

riders

who

showed off despite the weather, giving their best despite incurring some injury. This year’s king, Aaron Hadlow is delighted to go home with the so desired trophy: a Kwa-Zulu Natal mask, worn by kings or future kings only!!


34 EVENTI Aaron Hadlow Red Bull King of the Air 2015



36 EVENTI Aaron Hadlow Re alla Red Bull King of the Air 2015



38 CAMP Indo Kite Camp

INDO KITE C Coming back to Europe after 5 months at our remote island in Indonesia is always a bit of a chock. The cold weather, stress, spending time inside, always things to do, having to go to the store to get food, people to see, so many option of things to do, and always being online again... But a change is always good and I guess it is the same for all the people who come to visit us on the camp, just the other way around.

text Tuva Jansen photo Jason Wolcott


AMP


40 CAMP Indo Kite Camp

S

ometimes it takes a couple of days for people to get into the “chill out� mood that you have to have here in Indonesia.

It is not much stuff that is happening except right in front of the house- the ocean. So we wake up early in the morning, lift our heads to check out the waves, if it is good we go surf and SUP, if not we sleep in or go spear fishing to catch some fresh food for lunch. Then we chill out, eat, hang out and wait fro the wind to pick up. Then we kite, hang at the beach for sunset and drink beers, and then we eat, watch the footage from the day and then go early to bed. And that is what we do everyday. All the same. For us it is heaven because we love the ocean and to spend time with people, but for others I guess it sounds pretty dam boring! We get people from all around the world with complete different kite experience, age and life stories. I find it so interesting to meet all this people and to hear about all the different things you can do in life! In the recent years it has been more or less only guys, but this year we got a bunch of girls too and they were charing! So for me it was nice to see that more and more girls are getting in to wave riding as well and pushing it further. This year was for sure the most consistent year



42 CAMP Indo Kite Camp


“Being able to share that with only a few people in the water and to sit down at the end of the day with a cold Bintang while the sky is turing red and look at the video from that day, is just perfect.�


44 CAMP Indo Kite Camp

we have ever had for waves, it was swell after

from that day, is just perfect.

swell, not always big, but always some waves to

We teamed up with F-one this year, and we have

play around with. The wind kicked in a bit later in

been so happy with our gear in the waves here.

the season this year, but then it was on and we

The kites are super stable and you can just park

had so many unreal sessions. Being able to share

it and ride the wave with out having to worry that

that with only a few people in the water and to sit

it will fall down. We also had some extra kites,bo-

down at the end of the day with a cold Bintang

ards and SUP for our costumers try out and we

while the sky is turing red and look at the video

got great feedbacks on the gear.


“Since everything is just right in front of the house,we don’t need to waist time or energy to wonder if it might be good now or not and to go and check, and that is what I love the most.”

Since everything is just right in front of the hou-

have taken plenty and actually ridden them. To

se,we don’t need to waist time or energy to won-

see how fast people improve their riding here, is

der if it might be good now or not and to go and

so much fun, because they get so stoked, and

check, and that is what I love the most.

when people are stoked everyone around gets

The waves here are so perfect with side shore

stoked too!

wind that is makes it so easy to ride the waves.

If you want to come and ride and hang out with

There are customers who have never ridden a

us check out www.infokitecamp.com for more

wave before, and after just a session here they

info or fins us on FB!


124 EVENTI 46 EVENTS Aaron snowkiting World Hadlow conquista contestilAltosangro titolo di Re2015 alla Red - GPS Bull Formula King of- the Something Air 2015 different

foto Craig Kolesky/Red Bull Content Pool Nick Muzik/Red Bull Content Pool


World snowkiting contest

Altosangro 2015 GPS Formula Something different The World Snowkite Contest was disputed in Abruzzo, on the beautiful plateau of Alto Sangro, in the near of Roccaraso. The locals Niccolò de Simone and Tommaso Caldani, have organised a unique event: six days of competition, four days of snowkite riding in extreme conditions over five different spots.

text Niccolò de Simone photos Sara Buzzelli e Tommaso Caldani


48 EVENTS World snowkiting contest Altosangro 2015 - GPS Formula - Something different

T

he main novelty of this event has been the use of GPS technology, a novelty very well received by riders who were free to choose their own path, also thanks to a detailed map of the area. This format is certainly a great starting point for future snowkiting competitions, everybody will probably learn from this new experience. Another novelty was the ability for non-pro-riders to try the excitement of a real world cup, with the same rules and strategies of a GPS formula race. The first day riders competed on the Aremogna plateau; they then faced each other, on the second day, over a path of 5 miles, close to the ski resort of Monte Pratello. The third day of competition riders were surprised by an actual storm (over 30 knots on the Toppe del Tesoro Mountains) which put to the test riders as well as their equip-

ment. The veteran Dominik Zim-

have given the possibility to the

merman, Ozone rider, won the

organisers to visualise the live

ski category whilst Reinhold

GPS data.

Gehrer, Flysurfer rider, won the

We have asked one of the or-

snowboard category.

ganisers of the event, Niccolò

The GPS technology, provided

de Simone, to explain this new

by Kitetracker, and the new ac-

GPS format to us.

tion camera Virb from Garmin



50 EVENTS World snowkiting contest Altosangro 2015 - GPS Formula - Something different


Niccolò de Simone

Something different The third dimension (height and configuration of the land) makes snowkiting quite similar to kitesurfing. With this conviction,

snowkiteroccaraso

proposed an absolutely new scoring system... Regardless of how it went, we know that an important demonstration of innovation and creativity from the school snowkiteroccaraso.com has been achieved.

structure a competition: narrow

which it is practiced. The wind

it, provide obligatory passage

flowing over the sea meeting

points to measure the athletes.

the coast is more predictable

None of these were taken into

and allows you to schedule a

consideration for the format of

race with the same external

Roccaraso!

The contest used

conditions, in the mountains

sophisticated tools to detect

unfortunately, or fortunately,

the objective data of the path.

this possibility does not exist.

Why impose a point of arriv-

We have tried to turn this limit

al and intermediate points in a

into a possibility and enhance

mountain where conditions vary

the capacity of athletes: there is

constantly? Why not find a race

no established route, the riders

format in which the protagonist

have to make their own.

is the rider’s ability to find the best path, in order to achieve

World snowkiting contest Altosangro 2015 GPS Formula

the best performance? It was

The peculiarity of the contest

tional format could not express

consisted in the possibility for the riders, to choose their own path, interpreting themselves the conditions of the external environment. We are used to receiving information on how to

with this in mind, and from our daily practice of snowkiting that we realized that a tradiand enhance the environmental variability that dominates this sport and much of our beloved

kitesurfing.

Kitesurfing

has many elements similar to snowkiting but is essentially different because of the soil in


52

EVENTS World snowkiting contest Altosangro 2015 - GPS Formula - Something different


“I come from Switzerland, where we have some very good mountains but I have to say that Roccaraso has been a nice discovery, wherever you look t here’s a perfect snowkiting spot.” Romain Luppi


54 EVENTS World snowkiting contest Altosangro 2015 - GPS Formula - Something different

The path of an idea How could we judge objectively and instantly the difference between an athlete who travelled the same route many times and one who was going to discover a new territory? How could we distinguish a track from anoth-

er without the intervention of a human subjective judgment? After much

deliberation we

chose a parameter which initially seemed rather complex and difficult to calculate. Despite the difficulties we remain convinced of the correctness of our choice:


the outer perimeter of the track. We needed an algorithm to distinguish an athlete who run over the same tracks and one that preferred to run his skis on new snow every-time. It’s been a bet we believed in, despite the difficulties and perplexities.

Outcome In the end the strongest athletes won against those better equipped. Surely the companies Flysurfer and Ozone have demonstrated a clear supremacy, however, any rider had plenty of opportunities to do better.


56 EVENTS World snowkiting contest Altosangro 2015 - GPS Formula - Something different


“Great contest location and even when we couldn’t ride on the plateau on top we were able to ride down in the flat Val de Fredo and had an amazing session there. The event was very well organized with free accommodation for all the riders and lift tickets. The GPS Formula contest is very new and this was the first contest of this kind, so a lot to learn for the organizers and riders. The spot is really amazing and perfect location for snow kiting and that kind of event format. Italy is always a nice place to go to, with great people and good food” Dominik Zimmermann


58 EVENTS World snowkiting contest Altosangro 2015 - GPS Formula - Something different

Rules of the race: 1) Scoring System: Parameters for the scoring system of the Snowkite World contest: - Distance x 1 - Changes in altitude x 10 - Perimeter of the track x 5 For Example Didier Botta 2014: Red line is the perimeter, blue line is the distance.

sions as well as for other sports.

some risks involved with the

The platform automatically cal-

race. For this reason it is advis-

culates your parameter settings

able to study the spot and test

when the data is uploaded. For

the field a few days before the

this reason we have decided to

race whenever possible. It’s ab-

strengthen a collaboration with

solutely necessary for partici-

them, which started last year.

pants to bring active and pas-

Kitetracker also allows us to

sive safety devices, telephone

load restricted areas, visible in

and radio to keep in touch with

real time in the areas covered

the organization staff.

by Internet.

We have decided not to assign

3) The competition

a score for the surface area cov-

4) Athlete’s selection

ered, because on the basis of

In order to have the strongest

tests carried out, it would have

rider we have chosen the fol-

obliged riders, due to the char-

lowing selection criteria:

acteristics of the spot, to always

The main companies (Ozone,

navigate at the edge of the spot

Flysurfer, Ripace, Elf Kite, Kitech,

and this created a safety prob-

Aeros) selected their best riders

lem. This ratio of multipliers al-

whilst Ozone Snowkite Masters,

lowed us to assign more or less

snowkitemaster and kitetrack-

the same score value to speed

er had the opportunity to send

(distance covered over a time

their own athletes.

unit), to climb (altitude changes)

5) Security

and to interpret the surround-

The competition did not have a

ing territory (perimeter).

predetermined route and each

We uploaded maps delimiting

rider decided, according to his

the spot, excluding any danger-

possibilities, which way to go.

ous area.The riders could see

For this reason, the organiza-

these areas through Kitetracker

tion did not limit the spot but

to avoid incurring penalties.

indicated some major dangers,

2) System analysis of GPS data

although it was not possible

Kitetracker.com is the reference

to mark every single danger

platform for the analysis of GPS

around spot. Each rider must

data during snowkiting ses-

be aware that there could be

Despite the difficulties and perplexities we believe that every idea should be brought to completion: the dispute over the scoring system was helpful to the overall improvement of the format. We have to learn from our mistakes and all the tips we have received to create a new race... finally for athletes. Next year 40 riders will train for a similar race but we will put in place a few more rules to ensure transparency... see you in Altosangro (Italy) 24th January, 2016... no discount! info@snowkiteroccaraso.com



60 EVENTS World snowkiting contest Altosangro 2015 - GPS Formula - Something different


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62 TRIP FX Cabrinha in OZ


text James Boulding photos James Boulding, Manuela Jungo, Sam Schofield, Dan Sweeney


64 TRIP FX Cabrinha in OZ

RELATIVELY

SPEAKING

THE

tion of some of the best riders

they never get to really explore

WEST COAST OF OZ, offers seri-

on the planet trading their usual

other parts of the country. Even

ous bang for your buck when it

winter training grounds in Cape

seeing all the good spots the

comes to wind stats during the

Town and opting for the slightly

west coast has to offer will take

ozzie summer, so this tends to

tamer conditions Perth offers.

a good few months of road trip-

be the place where you’ll find a

For most kiters, the pure dis-

ping. The size of Australia real-

lot of the serious european wind

tance of at least a 4 hour flight

ly is monsterously big and the

hunters. This year saw a migra-

to the next major city means

amount of kite spots must be


near on endless. On my trips

over East but with an opportu-

there had always been so much

nity to head on a whirlwind trip

to keep busy in Perth and with

around some of the major cities

the wind cranking it was hard to

would definitely gave me the

move elsewhere but this year

taste I was looking for.

was going to be different. In hindsight I defiantely would have liked to spend more time


66 TRIP FX Cabrinha in OZ



68 TRIP FX Cabrinha in OZ

HOOKING UP WITH FELLOW CABRINHA TEAM MATE LIAM WHALEY we embarked on a trip to travel that

would take in Melbourne, Sydney & Brisbane and meet up with the local cabrinha talent and turn it into a road trip with the focus on promoting the new Cabrinha FX kite. I say road trip in the loosest sense of the way, most of our miles were actually air miles between the major cities to save time but we definitely racked up some mileage in the rental van. I suppose the capital was as good a place as anywhere to start off. Sydney doesn’t always get the best reputation for wind stats but upon arrival


we were met with a warm weekend breeze and

champion who now calls St Kilda his home and

a great local kite community that were eager to

runs Go Kite school. With the wind up we got the

show us their spot and enjoy a beer to keep cool

low down on spots and hit up the harbor to wel-

in the heat. With such a curvy coastline Sydney

come in Australia Day with a session. As city back-

really has some special beaches. Not all catch the

drops go this one has to be up there amongst the

wind but it’s a place that if you want to be in the

best. With Triple J playing it’s famous Australia

water riding a board, be it surf, SUP or kite it’s an

Day top 100 we rigged up kites and hit the water.

amazing place to enjoy the beachlife whilst being

The temperature in Melbourne is a little colder

by a major city. With Australia day approaching

but armed with a shorty and the sun shining it’s

and time to move on we headed to the airport,

definitely a place you want to have high on your

which funnily enough is upwind of the kite spot.

kiting to-do list. The vibe in Australia is different

An hours flight and we landed in Melbourne early

to a lot of places I’ve travelled to kite. Life isn’t

in the morning on the day all Australians look for-

just about the hustle and bustle of work. Healthy

ward to. St Kilda is the place to be in Melbourne,

living and the beach culture comes high up on

with kite schools/shops and a long coastline that

peoples agenda. Experiencing this first hand was

offers up conditions ideal for beginners through

thrilling and with the buzz of Australia day in full

to advanced it has a good local kite community.

force we rode into the evening.

Here we hooked up with Dan Sweeney, UK british


70

TRIP FX Cabrinha in OZ



72

TRIP FX Cabrinha in OZ

AS THE SUN SET we refreshed

nowadays consists of being at

with a cold beer and went to

the top level there are also oth-

sleep with the promise of a

er factors that play a big part in

good forecast. With a few more

a riders success story. Keeping

days in Melbourne we opted to

a constant supply of pictures

check out a few more kite spots

and video for social media is in-

around the Melbourne area.

creasingly adding to an athletes

One aim for this trip was to

worth and being able to get ‘the

bring together a group of riders

shot’ during photo and video

of mixed abilities, styles, speci-

shoots helps a great deal when

alities and ages and come to-

it comes to brands promoting

gether to learn and share. Liam

their team riders. Sometimes

Whaley, freestyle vice world

this comes naturally and oth-

champion is at the forefront

ers it has to be worked on but

of

kiteboarding

it’s something that goes a long

and it’s plain to see when he’s

way when it comes to making

on the water. The ferocity and

waves in an industry saturated

power he unleashes during a

with thirsty young talent on the

kite session is quite astonishing

lookout for a sponsorship deal.

competitive

and definitely has a positive influence on any rider looking at progressing their level. Teaming up with fellow Australian riders Luke Smith and Alec Sheather it was clear to see their level and thirst for learning new tricks rise. As much as being a pro



74

TRIP FX Cabrinha in OZ

WITH THIS AT THE FOREFRONT of our minds we

checked out a great kite spot called Altona. Within 45 minutes of Melbourne there is a good selection of spots worth experiencing and this one I would highly recommend. There is a huge long area of beach which is perfect for kiteboarding, miles of space and on a high tide offers up some very nice flat water riding. Keen to test our new FX kites freestyle capabilities we pumped up and headed out onto the water. As we pumped up, the clouds started to dissipate and light rays started beaming through, this was the perfect chance to bank some video material and grab some shots. Taking off for the next adventure up north we welcomed in the thought of some slightly warmer riding and looked forward to the next part of our journey in and around Brisbane. Starting of in Clontarf, straight off the plane we were met with a sea breeze and a fun day hanging out with the local crew. One thing Australia does so well is beach BBQ’s, the council cleans and maintains BBQ’s on the beach all along the coastline and to finish a session and fire up the electric BBQ knowing you don’t even have to clean it is a mouth watering prospect. Toasting our first day of riding in Brisbane at the beach with some new friends was as warm a welcome as we could have hoped for.



76

TRIP FX Cabrinha in OZ

HITTING THE ROAD NORTH we headed for Coloun-

dra on the sunshine coast. This coastline must be some of the most beautiful I’ve travelled to and is definately one I will return to when I have a bit more time. Met with lighter winds we fired up our big kites and headed to a beautiful spot on the river. With a grassy rigging area this spot can work in hardly any wind due to the current.


Perfect for light wind days when the current can

Last but by no means least we headed south for

add up to 5 knots due to its movement it’s a crazy

our last stopping point at the gold coast. Famous

little kite spot set in the heart of one of the cool-

for it’s high rises and worldclass surf breaks it

est surfy towns on the sunshine coast. I’d urge

was like we had arrived in Las Vegas, but with a

anyone keen to rock out on a surf or kite board to

beachy twist! A seemingly endless golden sand

journey along this coastline, with endless spots

beach it’s almost impossible to feel like you are

and places of beauty it’s another roadtrip you

anywhere other than Australia. Paddling out for

need on your tick list.

an early morning surf with the guys and team from Surf FX the view back towards the beach is a memorable one. A very different feel from some of the other spots it felt like we would be finishing our trip at a very iconic location. Quickly grabbing some food and hydration we headed to the Surfers Paradise kite spot and rigged up kites for a busy Saturday at the beach. Being our last stopping point before our flight back west it was time to let our hair down and make the most of things. Met with perfect 9m wind, flat water and another breathtaking city skyline in the background we rode until our bellies were rumbling and our limbs ached. With wind at each spot we travelled to I was incredibly grateful to have been able to experience kiteboarding in so many beautiful locations. Kiteboarding is well and truly alive in Australia and I must say if I lived in any of these locations I would be on the water every day the wind blew. Even when it doesn’t the waves and general beach living is too good to not be apart of daily life.


78

TRIP FX Cabrinha in OZ

BOARDING THE PLANE BACK TO PERTH I was grate-

ful for this opportunity to meet so many new kiteboarders, friends and experience Australian living in a variety of cities. Arriving back in Perth it felt like I was coming home, a whirlwind trip taking in some of Australia’s classic locations then a 5 hour return flight, and we were still in the same country! In typical Perth style it was windy, easterly wind which means kiteboarding on the Swan River, one of the prettiest spots you’ll ever experience, this river winds its way from the coast through Perth city centre offering a few inland kite spots. Given the right direction, the wind is clean and an hour after landing we were rigging up again to crown our return with a session. Perth really is a great place to kite, the wind is some of the best you’ll experience and if you’re goal is to just kite then it really is the place to be. If you’re looking to experience that something extra then it’s defiantely taking the time and making the effort to go and explore some of the amazing cities Australia has to offer, you won’t be disappointed.



80 ITW Colleen Carroll

COLLEEN

CARROLL Name: Colleen Carroll D.O.B.: 06/09/87 Home spot: Hood River, Oregon Sponsors: North Kiteboarding, ION, Sensi Graves Bikinis Years kiting: 7 Favourite spot: Hatteras, North Carolina Other sports: Wakeboarding, Snowboarding, Mountain Biking, Yoga, SUP, Surfing, pretty much anything I can get my hands on.

ITW Roberta Pala | Photo Vincent Bergeron, Toby Bromwich, Greg Hinsdale, Jason Wolcott



82 ITW Colleen Carroll

“There’s no right or wrong in k different ways to kiteboard and see from a who

Photo Vincent Bergeron


kiteboarding. There’s so many d amazing places in the world to ole new angle�


84 ITW Colleen Carroll


KS_Tell us about you…

KS_What’s your dream trip… and why?

CC_I love to keep moving. Whether that’s within

CC_An all girls trip to somewhere insanely be-

my communities at home or worldwide, I love to

autiful with consistent winds and delicious food.

see new places and get to know the land, cultu-

Because what could sound better than that?

re, food, history, the people and everything else I can absorb while I’m visiting a new place. It may sound contradictory but I’m also a total homebody. I have an amazing family and community that supports me back home and I love spending time in the Northwest (USA). It’s the most beautiful place on earth.

KS_How is your relationship with North, how do you feel with the products and your team mates? What’s your favourite gear? CC_I truly couldn’t have asked for a better and more supportive sponsor. The gear, the people behind the products, the team, the open-mindedness and creative collaboration, I couldn’t be

KS_Why kiteboarding?

more stoked than to be working with the best

CC_Because it’s the most fun and freeing thing

company in the industry.

I know how to do. There’s no right or wrong in

KS_What is your favourite spot and why?

kiteboarding. There’s so many different ways to kiteboard and amazing places in the world to see from a whole new angle. Not to mention I love being in the water and have had a board on my feet as long as I can remember so for me, it’s the perfect combo.

CC_I have two. The first is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina (USA) and even more particularly The Real Slick with the entire Real Slider Park setup. The water is mirror flat and usually with SW wind the 9m is perfect for me. There’s always tons of awesome people

KS_This year is the tenth anniversary of TripleS. How are you going to approach it? And who do you think will be your fiercest opponent for this edition of TripleS that promises to be explosive?

on the water and it’s easy to feed off the energy.

CC_My approach is usually to get there a bit be-

Hood River would likely include at least one kite

fore the event starts and ride as much as possi-

session followed by a mountain bike ride, berry

ble and then have as much fun as possible during

picking adventure, wine tasting tour, and/or wa-

the event. Friends from around the world come

terfall hike topped off with live music over locally

together to ride together, relax together, and par-

harvested food.

ty! I’m guessing that we’ll see some new faces in the line up this year for the Triple-S so really it’s hard to say who will be the biggest opponent, guess we’ll just have to wait and see…

The second is Hood River, Oregon (USA). While the kiting isn’t quite as perfect as Cape Hatteras, the lifestyle is hands down unbeatable. A day in


86 ITW Colleen Carroll


KS_Your projects for 2015? CC_I’m really excited about a snowkite trip I’ll be joining this April to Norway. I grew up living and breathing snowboarding so this is a bit of a dream come true for me. We also have a few trips in the works with the NKB crew that are going to be epic…you’ll just have to wait and see there… and then for sure you’ll see me in Cape Hatteras riding with friends and competing in the Triple-S. I also plan to spend some time in Hood River, South America, and possibly hop across the pond to Europe around the time of the Rail Masters event. I’d also love to make my dream girls trip come true! KS_Sports and love… given you are traveling so much… CC_To me, they go hand in hand. I feel so lucky to share my passion for our sport with my boyfriend and teammate, Craig Cunningham. We’ve been able to travel the world together, grow together and push each other in the sport. Wouldn’t have it any other way! KS_Colleen and Makulo Project. CC_Good question! Makulo is a new company that is connecting brands with real athletes worldwide and creates crowd sourced content for social media and other ad campaigns. It may look just like a facebook app that tracks sessions but in fact this is simply one of the tools used to build an athlete’s profile that will be shared with brands when pitching campaigns. I was lucky to be put in contact with Makulo from the beginning and have already had the opportunity to work on some cool projects. We did a house in St. Peter Ording last summer and also a house in Brazil this fall where we worked with brands like Mercedes, Nivea, Tesa and Kind.


88 ITW Colleen Carroll

KS_You and Sensi Graves: a friend, a kiter, bikinis designer and one of your sponsors. Tell me about your affinity with her… CC_Sensi is one of my absolute favourite people and of course makes my favourite bikinis of all time. She’s one of the hardest working people in the industry and I’m in constant admiration of her desire to better herself and her brand.

The girl

never stops! Whether it’s kiting, mountain biking, public speaking, designing, teaching, cooking, etc the girl has an unquenched thirst for learning and for life. I think this is one of the main reasons we have such a blast together and I always love to travel and kite with her. KS_A day in the life of Colleen rider. What do you love doing when you’re not riding? CC_The day usually starts with a yoga session and a cup of coffee, I am from Seattle after all… coffee capital, then it’s either straight to the water or to the computer for a bit of writing, emailing, etc. From there it’s usually eat, kite and repeat. If there’s no wind, I like to go for a run or do something else to get some exercise and check out the sites of wherever we are.

I also love

to spend time with friends and if I’m in a place where there’s lots of people around I love to host gatherings with a big BBQ or group dinner. If I’m in a quieter place I can spend an entire evening reading if I have the time. KS_How do you see yourself in 20 years? CC_In 20 years, I hope to have a family and a nice home in Hood River, Oregon. I would expect that I’ll still be very active kiting, biking, exploring, SUPing, etc as much as possible and that I’ve carved out a position for myself in the industry where I can contribute to the future of our sport.



90 ITW Colleen Carroll

KS_Our magazine is called Kitesoul, because we are sure that our soul has been somewhat filled up by this sport. What’s your feeling while you are in the ocean, during a competition or during a sunset session? CC_Well I don’t do too many competitions, so that one a bit of a strange feeling for me. If it’s during the Triple-S my feelings are usually total excitement, adrenaline and enjoyment because I’m surrounded by friends in my favourite place, riding the best slider park in the world. If it’s a freestyle competition I’d say I get a bit nervous because I never practice for this but I usually stay pretty laid back about it, do my best and enjoy the event. As for sunset sessions, these are my favourite. I love a beautiful sunset session with a few friends in a good flat water spot. Often this is the time when I feel I ride my best because it’s so easy to just be in the moment and feed off the other riders’ energy around you.


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92

STRAPLESS MOVES 180 Pop Shove-it

180 POP S The 180 Pop Shove-it is a great baseline trick to learn as you can expand it into a variety of moves. By landing with your fins first, it gives you the option to spin out of it riding toe side by “ole-ing� the bar, or simply letting the fins catch and letting the nose correct itself and point forward again.. At this point you can both continue to ride toe side, switch your feet, or because you feet are already switched, jibe and turn around to head in the other direction.

Text and Photo Courtesy Reo Stevens


SHOVE-IT


94 STRAPLESS MOVES 180 Pop Shove-it

180 POP SHOVE-IT

1.

Like any jump, whether it’s strapped or strapless, to leave the water you must load

up the kite and board by setting a rail and edging

3.

As you leave the water, keep you kite at a 45-degree angle and use your toe pressure

to angle the bottom of the board into the wind.

against the kite. This creates added tension in the

The board will push back against the bottom of

lines that you will use to lift you off the water.

your feet and you can use this resistance to initiate the spin of the board.

2.

You will start with slow to medium speed, just enough to finish the move with some

forward momentum to ride away. If possible, time your take off with a ‘kicker’ such as a small wave or chop to help you initiate your jump.

4.

Keep your eyes down, watching the board. You must spin the board only 180 degrees

and the amount “kick” that you use to spin the board depends on how fast and how high you are.


T BY REO STEVENS

5.

Before you land make sure your feet are positioned further towards the nose of the

board (the new “back” of the board) and you have your knees bent for landing.

6.

Keep your eyes down and spot your landing, hopefully your feet are still in the cor-

rect spot as you land the trick.

TIPS 1.

You don’t need to be going fast to do this

2.

Don’t wear a surf leash because the pos-

3.

Watch for the possibility of your board lan-

trick

sibility of your board “bouncing back” can

create a very dangerous situation.

ding fins up. To avoid injuries from sharp

fins, watch the rotation of the board and if you’re landing fins up, then tuck you feet up and continue to send the kite in the opposite direction to get away from your board.


96 STRAPLESS MOVES 180 pop shove - it with OLE

180 POP

SHOV Text and photo Courtesy Reo Stevens


VWEI T-H IO LTE At this point in time you have just landed a “180 Pop Shove-it” and you are riding your board fins first. So now what? A simple finish to this move is to “Ole” the bar as you spin out of the maneuver.


98 STRAPLESS MOVES 180 pop shove - it with OLE

1.

The entire spin is led by your head, so to initiate the spin, look back in the direction

you want to go.

2.

As you spin, keep your knees bent and continue to look where you want to go. Be

prepared for a possible sudden catch of the fins as the board comes around.


3.

Don’t forget to keep the bar in front of you throughout the spin

4.

Ride away


100 ITW Roberto Ricci

ITW Federico Sugoni | Photo Dave White, John Carter and Courtesy RRD


ITW

+ROBERTO

RICCI


102 ITW Roberto Ricci

+

ks_why did you choose south africa?

as I was in Italy. So, little by little, as soon as the company grew I was able to travel there more; then as you know I ended up having a family and

RR_I discovered South Africa back in 1988 with

kids, and I thought South Africa could be a gre-

Cesare Cantagalli. He was a really famous wind-

at place to move to with my family as well. Here

surfer here in South Africa as he was the first guy

I have found a lot of peace and stimulation for

who actually did the first front loop, side rota-

my business as well. A place which could go well

tion called a “Cheese-Roll” at Big Bay, right next

with the growth of my business and family life.

to the house over here. Since that time I had a

Today South Africa is really my second home, we

strong feeling for South Africa: I felt it was like

spend quite a lot of time here in the winter, from

the African Hawaii, as there were many similari-

December to March every season. The kids go to

ties. For me Hawaii has always represented the

school over here and when we go back they finish

real hub of all water sports as this is really where

the last semester in Italy. In the end I am able to

all the water sports have originated. Today Hawaii

work much more efficiently: I can keep going out

still represents the icon of the so-called water-

in the water to test the equipment with the riders

man and it is very true. Because of its historical

and spend some good valuable time with them,

background, geographical position and the heri-

also my designers always come to visit me to feel

tage of the people living there. Hawaii has always

what’s going on, so we have a good moment du-

been used as a symbol and a comparison: people

ring the year when we get altogether, stop, freeze

always compare the size of a wave to that of a

the time and talk about what’s going on, what we

Hawaiian wave, or the skills of someone to that of

are going to be doing and what is currently being

a Hawaiian rider, the shape of a board etc. Hawaii

developed. I am able to spend valuable time with

has always had this charismatic profile. And to me

them in the water, so all in all it’s something I

South Africa was very interesting because of this

cannot really do without, it completes the whole

travelling I was always doing between Italy and

package of the company structure today.

Hawaii, so for me it was a kind of mix between the

+

two in a way. It was reminding me of my European roots, despite I was moving to another con-

tinent, but at the same time there were the wild

roots of the African culture which somehow were

ks_how important is the world of kiteboarding for rrd?

reminding me of the Hawaiian culture represen-

ted by the Polynesians in general. There were a

RR_Kiteboarding has been a real turning point

lot of similarities but most of all when I was going

in the company. As you know the company was

to South Africa I was always finding myself at pe-

born with windsurfing and I was brought by na-

ace. I didn’t need to travel all the way to Hawaii

ture to consider windsurfing as the only sport I

but at the same time I wasn’t feeling as stressed

would have loved to do in the water. I wasn’t



104 ITW Roberto Ricci

+to

me south because of doing betwe it was a ki way.

even aware of the existence of kiteboarding. It all

was it, everything was in his bag. And I thought

started in 1995 thanks to Manu Bertin that called

wow! However at that time I was so involved with

up one night saying to me: “Hey we have a new

windsurfing: I just started off my own company, I

sport, can you make me a board to actually push

had no money and a huge loan to pay back to the

this sport forward?”. So one day he came over

bank every month, so my main worry was just to

with a small snowboard bag which he took out of

make it to the next month. Then Manu came to

his car and I asked: “So where is the rest?” and he

me with lots of ideas, and I could see phenome-

replied that there was no other equipment: that

nal possibilities in there but it was just too early.


h africa was very interesting this travelling i was always een italy and hawaii, so for me ind of mix between the two in a

In 1995 nobody really understood what this sport

showed to the other riders what kitesurfing could

was all about; nevertheless I deeply got involved

be. I remember then, that in 1996, he left me one

in developing some boards for him and I helped

of his kites which I flew a bit; but it wasn’t un-

him out, in the very beginning, to move around

til 1998 that I actually started kitesurfing myself,

the world, from Brasil to Maui, with the means

which is also the very year when we made our

that I had: a little buyer could help him out if he

first production board. 1998 was the year of our

was shipping for him, and he very successfully

first collection of the original “flying-boards” as

made it through his trip in Maui where he really

Manu was actually calling the sport “fly-surfing”


106 ITW Roberto Ricci

+that’s

because al is go into the oc


ll i care and all i do cean. and not kiteboarding back then. In the very be-

not a mountain person, I couldn’t think of myself

ginning Manu named the sport “fly-surfing” be-

doing something different than what I am doing

cause he was giving him the idea of flying with a

now. I love anything which you can successfully

surfboard. From that time onwards my idea was

do on the water, with the approach of saying: “I

to evolve the world of windsurfing and introduce

wanna glide, I wanna discover what’s on the wa-

this new possibility of gliding over the water with

ter out there”, this is what rewards me. And the

really light winds. I could see that in places like

company, thanks to the arrival of kiteboarding,

the Mediterranean Sea, for example, where the

has managed to stretch even further with Stand

winds are very light, you could get going a lot fa-

Up Paddle Boarding, surfing and all the new and

ster on a kite rather than on a windsurf, already

different water sports which are being developed

back then, not to mention what you can do now!

today. So the approach of the company today is

So my idea was to jump into the world of kitesur-

no longer just windsurfing or kiteboarding but

fing because I thought there was a great possi-

water sports in general, and this is the goal which

bility for all these people that were stressed out

I have today: I want to invite people to the water

on the beach, and could not fulfil their windsur-

with the easiest possible tool, the easiest possi-

fing dream because the winds were too light (as

ble toy (inflatable SUP boards or kiteboards or just

you need at least 15 knots to get planing). At that

easy-to-go windsurfing boards). Very often we

time, and still today, most of the windsurfers just

forget that there are still a lot of people out there

want to go fast, get going and planing at a top

who don’t know how to swim. So thinking that all

speed of 20 knots. This is mainly why I decided to

these sports can only be directed to people who

jump into kiteboarding and develop the first line

can surf already, for me is somewhat limiting. I

of boards so early. I remember at the time there

think that water has a lot of possibilities to offer:

was just F-One and us on the market. Our first

it is the most present element on planet earth, so

production of kites, instead, was released one

there is a lot of water to be used and there are a

and a half year later. RRD has been the third com-

lot of places to be discovered around the world. I

pany to come on the market with a production

think that water sports in general could help our

line of kites; I remember Wipika was the first, fol-

civilisation to be more aware about what’s going

lowed by Naish. So we have been there since the

on in our ecosystem today, because it’s a diffe-

very beginning before a lot of other brands whi-

rent environment where there are a lot of things

ch you see today. Since then I have decided that

to discover. I think that thanks to these sports we

this company is all about water sports. A lot of

can transmit a lot of important messages to the

people have asked me: “Why don’t you get into

public these days.

snowboarding, mountain clothing, and outdoor sports?” That’s because all I care and all I do is go into the ocean. I mean I love mountains and I like spending time there with my family but I am


108 ITW Roberto Ricci

+

ks_how italian is rrd as a company?

company can be summed up by two words: PERF-ROMANCE, not performance but “perfromance”. I think these two words which apparently

RR_Well perhaps I am not the right person to be

are very diverse, have been successfully merged

able to analyse that, as it would be difficult to be

into the RRD spirit: these two qualities go hand in

my own judge. What I can tell you is that people

hand in my products and you cannot really bre-

see a lot of Italian touch in what we do. I think the

ak them apart: like it or hate it. I was brought by

real backbone of the company is to be a perfor-

nature to believe that it doesn’t matter the way

mance brand with results: we can win races and

you do it, because what really matters is how you

we have been winning races and we will win more

do it! I think that in the end the only recipe that

races in the future (across different disciplines).

works is to do things with motivation, passion,

Saying this, on the other side, there is a lot of ro-

desire and the right approach which is to never

manticism in the company, a lot of style, and at-

be happy with what you have done but immedia-

tention to details: not to make things necessarily

tely move on to the next step, right after you’ve

better, but to make them more interesting, dif-

finished the last product. I think this way you can

ferent, with a little bit of spice. I mean it would

pretty much do anything, anywhere in the world.

have not been necessary to add that extra colour

If you really have the motivation and the desire

into a board, or the extra patch or reinforcement

to do things. And I don’t really think it matters

on that kite, or add that extra detail to the bar,

where you are from: Italy, France, South Africa or

paddle or piece of garment. But I love to do it be-

Hawaii; I think that any brand, any entrepreneur

cause I know that it fits there; if I like it, I do it. I do

or single person has an equal chance around the

not care if the customer does not like it, I just do

world. What matters is that you use the tools you

it because it feels right. And by approaching the

have inside you, or around you to make your own

product this way, very often you also match peo-

recipe, and there is no fixed recipe. I personally

ple’s desires because what we do is genuine; the

decided to keep my base in Italy mainly because

product has a genuine soul which shows itself in

my heart, soul, heritage and bonds belong to Italy

the end. So in a way I think you can perceive a lot

which is my land. What I have learned from my

of Italian soul in the product we make because

parents and friends and schoolmates is deeply

the company of course is Italian and most stuff is

rooted within myself and I see myself growing up

made mainly by Italians; even though a lot of our

from this culture, even though with a very inter-

designers are actually from other countries. But

national approach. I have been travelling around

generally I always try to supervise their work and

the world pretty much all my life, since I was 25,

direct them towards a specific style, graphic, ma-

and what really matters is not so much conside-

terial, fabric or components in general. Everything

ring the pros and cons of a country but seeing the

that is developed and produced is always over-

world as an opportunity for everyone; and I do

looked and guided by me. The real spirit of the

believe that, if you have



110 ITW Roberto Ricci

your roots somewhere, it will be easier for you to

mission is to make a successful brand which is

belong to the world. You cannot really be a to-

something completely different.

tal globetrotter and run a company at the same

+

time, you can do it, but it is something I would not

feel comfortable doing. It is like having a family

you can go back to every time; going back to Italy for me is like going back home and feel all the happy moments, but at the same time I feel the

frustration and narrow-mindedness of the people who cannot see the opening and possibilities which are out there and everywhere. I mean Italy is just one random country in the world; what

ks_you have been interviewed by repubblica on this subject, but what does it mean to represent such a successful italian brand in a moment of economic crisis for our country?

makes a good entrepreneur is to be able to use what’s good in a country. Italy is my country and

RR_I decided to start the production board bu-

I am proud of it: I am not here to fight for Italy or

siness in 1994 because my goal was to make the

represent Italian entrepreneurs. Honestly I do not

best windsurfing board in the world. When you

even care about that, I mean I do not really want

have such a clear goal and you have passion, and

to prove to the world that Italians do it better. My

the determination not only to win races, but do it


with the best tools made with heart, passion and

soul you can still keep the fire burning and this is

all you know about how to make something bet-

something which can be felt when you look at our

ter, you have won already. And I was lucky enou-

products. When a customer buys one of our pro-

gh to be able to share this vision with a lot of pe-

ducts, we want them to feel like they have bought

ople in the company, also those helping me out

something special, and this is very rewarding for

with the commercial organisation of the business.

us. This has been a great way to achieve results

Then there is the classic Italian story: we actually

with a natural progression. Even today I do not

started out from a family garage producing only a

plan anything in advance, like what I want to be

few boards and selling them within Italy, then litt-

doing in the next two or five years. I look at the

le by little we started mass producing boards first

market and I see possibilities out there, what is

in Slovakia and then in Thailand. All of a sudden

really required or desired by potential clients, and

we ended up finding ourselves running a com-

this is how we move forward along the path. We

pany as novel entrepreneurs trying to organize

do not like to make plans to break into new coun-

a business. Nevertheless the passion factor that

tries or markets; we prefer the product to speak

was bringing us together never left us and it is

for itself, this is our main focus: we just care that

actually what drives the company forward today:

the product is done as good as we can possibly

the passion for the sport and showing people

make it. And customers seem to really appreciate

that when you do something with your heart and

that. It was mostly like a real natural develop


112 ITW Roberto Ricci

+i

think that t transmit a lot the public the


thanks to these sports we can t of important messages to ese days. ment of the company, it was not something we

time it was windy, also during winter, so pretty

dreamt about one night. All the pieces fell into

soon I’d gotten hooked on! As I was getting more

place little by little; it was like choosing the right

into windsurfing, I also started walking into wind-

people working with me and for me.

surfing shops: there I learned to fix boards and

+

ks_how did it all started? can you tell us about your story as an entrepreneur?

sell them. I started understanding more about board design and development and I was literally spending my free time checking out new brands coming on the market, how they were performing etc. It wasn’t until 3-4 years later that I started to race in a local funboarding competition which was a slalom race; overall I was doing ok in the

RR_I started windsurfing in 1981 by chance basi-

Italian circuit. I remember one day I was training

cally. I tried windsurfing once with a friend but I

for a race and I met this guy, who ended up being

would say that the very first time I tried it I didn’t

a custom board manufacturer in Italy. That day he

actually like it, because the sail was very heavy

actually invited me to test and develop boards for

and the equipment overall was too bulky. My first

him and I can say that was basically the start of

experience hadn’t been very nice, so I have to say

my career. I started really getting into testing bo-

that I didn’t really feel attracted by the sport itself.

ards until one day they just offered me a job as a

This happened during the spring of 1981 and then

shaper. Count that at the time I didn’t even know

the summer came and I found myself a summer

what a shaper was! They told me they needed a

job: I was about 16-17 years old at the time and in

shaper who knew a bit about windsurfing techni-

Italy it was very common for teenagers to work

que, who could write a few articles for windsur-

in the summer. I wanted to save some money

fing magazines and could shape a board. I knew I

to go on holiday to Madagascar with a friend of

was the right guy for the job because I knew how

mine as at the time I was very passionate about

to work with my hands as my father taught me

free-diving. In the end my friend broke his arm,

how to. He was an artisan, he was always repai-

so the holiday was cancelled. At that point I had

ring cars on his own and painting them; he was a

all this money saved up and didn’t know what to

self-made man from the post-war period and he

do with it. My friends all started windsurfing, as

taught me how to repair my motorcycle, my bike

it was the hot thing to do in Italy at the time, so I

and building my own furniture. As a consequen-

decided to also buy myself a windsurf, even if at

ce handiwork for me has always been kind of na-

the time I wasn’t really into it, I was just curious

tural. I so learned how to properly shape boards

about it. So from that day onwards, I kept doing

in Lake Garda, Italy, and from that time onwards

freediving when the water was calm and wind-

everything started falling into place, thanks to

surf when it was windy and I could not free-dive.

my passion and determination. I decided that this

Slowly I started liking the sport and did it every

was going to be my life: I was so immersed with


114 ITW Roberto Ricci

shaping boards, showing them around the world,

surfers who were actively taking part to the World

testing them, improving my skills as a shaper and

Tour. I decided to do that because the year before,

a windsurfer. This had been my life from 1984 to

in December 1993, there had been a huge fire in

1986, just shape boards for the best athletes in

my factory: the whole factory burned down and

Italy, until in 1986 I was able to make my first trip

I was left with 1000 euros and no insurance to

to Hawaii; once there I decided I wanted to spend

pay back the damage. My factory was still under-

more and more time in Hawaii and learn how to

neath my parents’ garage, so that day I decided

shape better boards from the Hawaiian gurus. I

that if I wanted this to be my life I either had to do

then ended up renting a small shipping room in

things seriously or give it up altogether. Until that

the Canary Islands, which is the mecca of wind-

time I was kind of playing the beach bum around

surfer shapers in the world. From then onwards

the world, picking up money from sponsors, and

I had more time to test equipment and improve

selling a few boards here and there; but if I had

my skills as a windsurfer; I went from being just

to destroy something my parents took so long to

a shaper to having a few sponsors that were hel-

build, I had to do things seriously. The fire was a

ping me travelling around the world and compete

good lesson and a good motivation at that time; I

in the world tour. Thanks to the sponsors I was

was able to turn a really negative experience into

able to take part into the main windsurfing even-

a positive one and I always say that since then,

ts and shipping boards at the same time and I

the fire of that night still burns inside of me: the

can say the two things went very well together. In

fire and the desire to do better and improve all

1989 I decided to do everything by myself; I quit

the time in a safe way, for my future and that of

my job as a shaper and went solo with my own

people working with me.

RRD brand. My first logo actually was Roberto Ricci Design Italy-Hawaii because my laboratory was in Italy, in my parents’ garage in Maremma (Grosseto, Tuscany), and my shipping room was in the Canary; and from these two small hubs I was able to make boards for Europeans as well as for international riders going to Hawaii. In 1993 I met Anders Bringdal, one of the best slalom racers, and one of the fastest guys of the World Tour. He wanted to have some boards shaped by me; so thanks to his support and his approach I was able to make big developments in terms of board design. So in 1994 I ended up sponsoring him and starting my career as an entrepreneur; I put money down to form my first team of wind-

+ when

a cust products, we have bought is very rewa


tomer buys one of our e want them to feel like they something special, and this arding for us.


116 ITW Roberto Ricci

+nevertheless

the passion factor that was bringing us together never left us and it is actually what drives the company forward today



118 FREESTYLE MOVES Shifty 3

FREESTYLE MOVES

SHIFTY 3

Text Alberto Rondina | Photo Roberta Pala


ALBERTO RONDINA The Shifty 3 is a variation of a 313 that came up in the sport only a few years ago. Basically the main difference between the two is at the start. in the 313, you have to do a proper raley at the beginning, which means both legs are streched up high being your back. Instead the Shifty is properly done when the back leg is stretched and up in the sky, while the front leg is mostly bended and low. Start the trick with different steps. First you have to learn the Shifty, then Shifty to toeside, and when you can do those, Shifty 3.


120 FREESTYLE MOVES Shifty 3

SHIFTY 3

The pop for a Shifty is slightly

Arrived at the middle of the

Keep the bar really close to your

different from normal: you have

jump, when your back leg is ful-

hip, keep pushing with your

to pull up the front leg to get

ly stretched out and you feel like

head and go look for the bar

height and keep the nose out

you are starting to come down,

behind your back.

of the water, but as soon as you

that is the right time to start the

leave the water the front leg has

360 frontside.

to stay down, while the back leg need to stretch out all the way.

and get ready to bend your kneLeave the front hand from the bar, push hard your board back

Make sure to start the trick hol-

under your feet towards the kite

ding the bar right in the middle

and strongly turn your head

keeping the kite a 45’ and have

above your front shoulder.

a good speed.

Grab the bar behind your back es to cushion the landin!


MOST COMMON MISTAKES ARE: Not stretching your back leg

the sky. So be sure to start the

enough. It might be hard at

trick with the kite low, as for

the beginning, but once you

sure at the beginning the kite

get used to it, you will find that

is gonna go high during the tri-

the more you send high and

ck. If you start the trick with the

stretched out the back leg the

kite too high, its gonna be really

easier is gonna be to land this

hard to go grab the bar behind

trick.

your back.

Since you leave the front hand

The lower the kite is, the easier

from the bar, the back hand is

is to pass the bar behind your

gonna call the kite back up in

back.

CIAO! ALBY


122 HANDIKITE Christophe Martin

ITW Roberta Pala | Foto Courtesy Christophe Martin


Christophe Martin Name: Christophe MARTIN D. O. B.: 4 Aprile 1974 Home spot: “Les Trois Pierres” on Oleron, French island Sponsor: Takoon, Julbo, Fondation Mallet Years of kititing: 19 Favourite spot: One Eye and Manawa in Mauritius Others sports: Surfing, wakeboarding, snow skiing, snowkiting, paragliding, sailing, scuba diving, Catakite, paddle boarding, and more…


124 HANDIKITE Christophe Martin

KS_Tell us about you… CM_I’m 40 years old, married with 2 children and our family has always been fascinated by water sports. I’ve been on water with a surfboard since I was 7 years old. I ‘ve practiced some extreme sports in my life, like windsurfing in storms and waves, kiting, towin surfing in French big waves, climbing, bungee jumping and paragliding when I was 12, … and all these experiences have given me the desire to test new ways and to accomplish my dreams. In October 2002 I had a severe crash on my mountain bike and I become paraplegic, but my decision was to fight against what life threw at me and continue on my way. My family and friends were very supportive and, in 2003, I decided to see what was possible for me; and after that I decided to change some things in my disabled life. My objective was to create what did not exist or improve what was already there. I am now very involved in making water sports accessible for the disabled. KS_After this forced stop, you returned to kiteboarding with a hydrofoil and a new sponsor. How did your relationship with Takoon started? CM_As you know, extreme sports are marvellous and exciting, but sometime there is a price to pay for this; I’ve paid this price twice and last year I’ve discovered that my body had received so much stress during 12 years of riding in a seat position. So, I took the decision to stop, and see what was possible or not and create a new way. Riding on flat water is now my main activity, perhaps catching just a wave or two. I have been riding with my Air Chair since 2005, towed by a jet ski. I did not ride my hydrofoil at the time because I was too busy catching waves. The Takoon family has been for me a very good opportunity. I’ve known Jacques Freydrich for the last 10 years, he has been my first sponsor (with another kite brand) and he knows how determined I am to make kitesurfing a possibility for disabled men and women, and how committed I am in promoting the brand. Pierre Engel has the same vision as me on the practice of kitesurfing and I appreciate this.



116 HANDIKITE 126 Christophe Martin

di te… “I crashedKS_Parlaci in Moutain bike and i CM_Ho 40 anni, sono sposato e ho due figli e tutta la famiglia è was paraplegic myacquatici. decision affascinatabut dagli sport Sono entrato in acqua con il surf per la prima volta a 7 anni. Ho praticato molti sport estremi nella was to fight against life and mia vita, come il windsurf in onde di tempesta, kite, tow-in in grandi onde, arrampicata continue my first way”e benji, parapendio per dodici anni, e tutte queste esperienze mi hanno dato il desiderio continuo di trovare

ogni modo per realizzare i miei sogni… Nell’Ottobre 2002, ho avuto un incidente in mountain bike e sono rimasto paraplegico, ma la mia decisione era di lottare e continuare la mia vita come prima. La mia famiglia e i miei amici sono sempre stati molto presenti e, nel 2003, ho deciso di vedere cosa esistesse per le persone nella mia condizione e di cambiare qualcosa nella vita del disabile, il mio obiettivo è di creare qualcosa di nuovo o migliorare quello che esiste già. Sono davvero molto coinvolto negli sport acquatici per disabili.

KS_Dopo la sosta forzata dell’ultimo anno, stai ritornando al kiteboarding con il foil e un nuovo sponsor, come è nato il rapporto con Takoon? CM_Come sapete, gli sport estremi sono emozionanti e meravigliosi, ma si paga sempre un prezzo nel praticarli, io l’ho pagato due volte, e lo scorso anno ho scoperto che il mio corpo ha ricevuto troppi shock in dodici anni di alcuni sport. Per questo motivo ho preso la decisione di smettere, e vedere cosa fosse possibile fare nella mia nuova condizione. Adesso navigare in acqua piatta è la mia nuova strada, magari prendendo qualche onda e aprendo un nuovo mondo di riding in foilboard. Ho provato con la sedia nel 2005 ma trainato dalla moto d’acqua, non avevo il tempo di farlo con il mio kite all’epoca… ero troppo impegnato a cavalcare le onde! La famiglia Takoon è stata per me una buona opportunità perché Jacques Freydrich lo conosco da dieci anni, ed è stato il mio primo sponsor in un’altra azienda di kite, e conosce bene la mia volontà di dare accessibilità al kitesurf per i disabili, e il mio lavoro per quanto riguarda il marchio. Pierre Engel ha anche la stessa visione della pratica del kitesurf, e lo apprezzo, i prodotti sono già molto buoni e ora posso testare quali siano più indicati per il nostro scopo. Il nostro obiettivo è lo stesso, poter fare kitesurf in sedia, avere nuove sensazioni in acqua, e creare degli Handi kitesurf camp nel mondo!


They have very good products and I test what is better for our type of ride. Our objective is the same: making kite chair riding accessible to all, promote the use of hydrofoils and create Handi kitesurf camps around the world. KS_The major difficulties you encountered in the development of materials for “handi-kite”? CM_For the last 10 years we have worked very hard with the French Kite Federation (FFVL) and finally some aids have been approved. It was very time consuming as we had to create groups of kite teachers to test and give us feedback on every aid. The development of a kite-chair was instead my own personal investment (in terms of time and money). I worked with some handi-riders and valid friends; we checked what was good or not, and made the necessary changes to the MC1 kite-chair, in terms of position and structural parts. When I ride, I do not have a direct feedback through my legs as I have no sensibility, so I cannot actually judge the behaviour of the frame. Our MC1 kite-chair has turned out to be very successful, very reactive, solid enough for jumping and flexible during landing. It can be easily adapted to all boards available on the market, it is compact for air travel, and we have respected all the specifications for Handiriders. KS_You have previously designed your own kiteboard, have you taken part in hydrofoil design as well? CM_My latest MC1 carbon kite-chair has been realized by Franck Provost, an engineer who worked in the construction of the biggest trimaran in the world; he’s specialised in structural design and


128 HANDIKITE Christophe Martin

strength of materials. Julien Lecoq, instead, built the full carbon frame for wakeboarding and kiting. I ‘m going to ride with a Ketos hydrofoil, as it is the most stable on the market. We have to create a simple and cheaper system to put the hydrofoil in the water, because starting a session from the beach, is a lot harder with a foil-board. We have to test it, in order to make sure it is strong enough and most of all safe. KS_What are the differences, aside from the air chair of course, between a normal hydrofoil and a “handi-foil”? CM_Well, it’s quite different. When you fall during a kiting session on the water, usually you come off the straps and the board remains floating on the surface. With a kite-chair, you can easily capsize and end up under the surface with the chair upside down drinking the whole sea! It is more difficult with a hydrofoil to reposition the frame over the surface, so we are trying to develop some sort of safety systems: for example an emergency release system for the wing. Another problem is that we cannot change the position of the foil by simply applying pressure with our left or right foot; instead we have to spend some time in the water trying to find the best position and that’s different for each one of us. We can change position only by using our head and arms and this, at the moment, is



130 HANDIKITE Christophe Martin

not very easy. I am sure foil-riding will soon become very easy for us, we just need to work on it a bit longer. KS_Your projects for 2015? CM_Riding with my Takoon family, continue to develop hydrofoils, create Handikite camps around the world, and encourage new riders. At the moment there are about 13 handi-riders and some of these guys ride at a very good level. Another project I have is the Kiteboatspeed: a trifoiler with a kite to make kitesurfing accessible to ALL. Then I want to keep riding with my stand up paddle board in waves and spend time with my family. KS_How important is the support of your family in everything you do? Your wife and your children are interested in kiteboarding? CM_I can take my time doing all these activities because my family loves it and they practice some of these sports themselves. They are very important as they give me the motivation to always fight in life, and go my own way. My children are 6 years old, they have always seen their dad kiting and we rode a catakite together in waves in 2013, which was a marvellous experience! I think they will want to kite in the future, but I prefer they experience nice things with us and then make their own mind about which sport to practice. I’ve tried teaching my wife to kitesurf in 1998, but she prefers waking, paddle boarding, catakiting and sailing! KS_How about handikite schools and trips between handi kiters? CM_Together with the French Kite Federation (FFVL) we have trained 15 kite teachers who can now teach kitesurfing to disabled riders, and every year we run refreshers courses for them. There is a lot of support in France for disabled riders whether on horses, catakite, buggy, and paddle boarding. I was in Greece near Athens



132 HANDIKITE Christophe Martin


in 2012 to train some kite instructors and this year I will be going back to Greece and organize a big kite camp. This year, we are also organising some kite camps with some good level “handiriders” to exchange feedback about material, safety, riding, accessible spots, etc. We couldn’t do this last year, so it’s time for us to finally meet. KS_The handikite world is still growing, what advice would you give to those interested? CM_Handikite is a wonderful sport which gives the rider some very good sensations. There are so many different pathologies in the world, so it is difficult to find an answer for everyone; however on and underwater swimming is a prerequisite for people who want to approach this sport. Alternatively there are other accessible activities like catakite, BI-paddle etc. If you want to ride with a kite chair, you have to be good at water-skiing, snow-skiing, swimming, and driving a kite on a catakite… Once you can perfectly control your kite on a catakite or a boat, you can start taking lessons with a kite teacher (best if they‘ve had handikite training) who has tested the kite chair, so to understand how to ride with this new support. You should always ride on flat water, max 15 knots, with a kite chair equipped with safety systems and a buddy who will be next to you in the water for starting, and a security boat with 3 guys. Take your time, stop and try later, and don’t forget that the sea always wins. KS_Our magazine is called Kitesoul, because we are sure that our soul has been somewhat filled up by this sport. What’s your feeling when you are in the ocean, during a session? CM_Kiting offers you the freedom to go everywhere you want, that’s what I love about it. There is no stress, you can decide your own direction, when to jump, which wave to catch. You are always in contact with nature and you have to respect it: when I was in Mauritius and Reunion Island, I’ve seen so many nice things during my riding; you can disconnect from the world and daily life problems. In the summer of 2013, I rode 4 hours nonstop in waves with some friends on the French Island of Oleron, where I live, and during this nice time I was just like them, we caught same waves, slapped hands and there was no difference between us: I forgot about my wheelchair and all the problems connected with my pathology. This filled my spirit, it was just like a good drug!


134 CAMP Mitu Monteiro - Wave Clinic in Cabo Verde

text Nicole Gaudimier photo Gabriele Rumbolo



136 CAMP Mitu Monteiro - Wave Clinic in Cabo Verde


ATTENDING a wave clinic for a kiter is like going for a safari for a keen for animals. And if the wave clinic is with Mitu Monteiro so is like the wilder safari ever. Mitu has more than 10 years of experience in teaching , that’s the reason why besides being a champion in wave riding and a monster in strapless freestyle, he is an attentive and passionate instructor. In 2010 a group of French people organized a

trip to Cape Verde with the aim of learn with Mitu. That was the first experience of a clinic for Mitu as well. Since that moment always more group of riders were asking to be teached from him, and then also agencies specialised in kite trip wanted to put in their catalogue the Mitu’s clinic. But what is a clinic and why attending it? A clinic is like a full immersion, an intensive training in the discipline.


138 CAMP Mitu Monteiro - Wave Clinic in Cabo Verde



140 CAMP Mitu Monteiro - Wave Clinic in Cabo Verde


IT IS APT to all those riders who are good, but feel like stoked at the same level. For those who want to improve their riding, but need the imputs. And also for those who are experienced rider with the bi-directional board, bit wants to try new experience. Four hours per day during five days. Mitu is picking up the clients in the morning and go to the base point, kite beach. There available to rent gear and storage lockers. Once there all together they’ll analyze the conditions of

the various spots and deciding what to do. Usually on day 1, the destination is always the spot of kite beach. There Mitu will be able to check the level of all participants in safety. The group is never biggest than 8 people, but usually the avarage is 5 person per clinic. They can be all friends or people never seen before who are going to share a unique experience and that are gonna have the chance to compare themselves to rider of similar level.


142 CAMP Mitu Monteiro - Wave Clinic in Cabo Verde

MITU is teaching in two ways : 1- From the shore. In this case he gives everyone an aim, a trick to do, a manouvers to try, etc and he stands on the beach watching and calling out the riders any time he wants to give them a tip or explaining them a new thing. 2- In the water. This second option is better when we are in wave spot. Mitu in thic way will be able to go with you in the waves, show you the right timing, motivate you and helping you if any trouble happers. Mitu is always handle each rider sigularly, giving individual tips. Each day, at the end of the clinic you will attend a breafing, in which all together you will analyse errors, improvements, you will ask questions, doubts and special request.

In this occasion you will also have the chance to check you .. yes! A sport professional photographer will be always go with you and follow the whole clinic shooting all your progress. Gabriele Rumbolo, will be available to show you your picture of the day after each session, set down at the kite beach bar and restaurant while sipping a fresh kitepirinha ;-) The fact to have a photographer is very important to see the error and helps you a lot in improving position, style, timing, etc. At the end of the clinic you can buy your cd with all the pictures. Downwind, secret spots, riding in the middle of the turtles, sunset at the beach bar‌ that’s a clinic in Cabo Verde!


KITE BEACH SCHOOL

LOUNGE BAR & RESTAUTANT A paradise for kitesurfers , an oasi in the desert Services available at the center : lessons for all levels | rental & storage | kids area | sunbeds area professional potographer | lounge bar & restaurant More info at: www.mitudjokiteschoolcaboverde.com - kiteschoolcaboverde@gmail.com


144 TEST Kitesoul test 2015

KITESOUL

TEST 2015


RACE

D

L LOWEN LOWEND

UP

W

IN

VE TI AC RE G N RI EA ST STEEARING S TEEARING N OVERPOWERED O

DEPOW E DEPOWER 2.

3.

4.

ALL ROUND

RN IN G

A’ IT IL AB ST

SP E

ED

1 1.

FREESTYLE

POP

TU

WAVE

CABRINHA - FX NORTH - NEO RRD - OBSESSION PRO


146 TEST Cabrinha, Fx

UP W

V TI AC

IN

RE

D

LOWEND

RACE

CABRINHA, FX

E G

N

RI

EA ST STEEARING OVERPOWERED

DEPOWER 1.

3.

2.

4.

ALL ROUND

FREESTYLE

POP

TU

A’ IT

IL

RN

IN

G

AB ST

SP

EE

D

WAVE

FREESTYLE/CROSSOVER After admiring its performance

wakestyle kites such as the

makes the kite very reactive but

at the Red Bull King of the Air in

Chaos and freeride/corossover

with a light bar pressure and a

the hands of Nick Jacobsen, we

kites like the Switchblade. The

direct feeling. The simple and

have finally been able to test

company wanted to design a

short bridle system, without

the recently launched Cabrinha

kite for the rider who wants a

pulleys, gives to the kite a very

FX.

freeride kite with freestyle per-

direct feeling, making it very

The FX foray into the market

formance.

fast even in its big sizes.

space occupied by freestyle/

The three strut construction

Cabrinha has decided to add


CABRINHA, FX AVAILABLE SIZES 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 – 10 – 12 14 mq www.cabrinhakites.com


148 TEST Cabrinha, Fx

some, easily removable, trailing

super light design, reduces to a

edge support to add stabili-

minimum the problem of excess

ty to the light three strut con-

baggage during travels.

struction.

Impressions:

To make the kite even lighter,

We have tested the kite in seve-

hence more performing in light

ral sizes (from 9 to 14 sq.m.) and

wind conditions, the dacron ma-

in relatively flat water.

terial was used only around the

The kite has a huge wind ran-

wing tip of the kite, becoming

ge, a direct feeling and a smo-

thinner throughout the rest of

oth power delivery through the

the canopy.

bar. A great depower, fast and

On the back lines there are

powerful looping abilities, make

three power positions you can

this kite a great upwinder with

connect to, and two tip rear line

excellent light wind performan-

adjustments on the kite.

ce.

You can easily inflate and defla-

The FX is an excellent freestyle

te your kite thanks to a large

kite, also thanks to the forgiving

one-way airlock valve, used by

line slack when passing the bar

Cabrinha for quite a long time

unhooked. Nevertheless it pro-

now. The valve is equipped with

vides explosive pop and great

a soft neoprene cover that pro-

hang-time. Water relaunch is

tects the valve, preventing wear

also very fast.

and tear.

The FX has surprisingly showed

The bar, equipped with a sim-

good wave riding as well, than-

ple quick release system, is as

ks to its light constructions and

usual very precise. The depower

excellent manoeuvrability.

system is equipped with two color-coded handles to power or depower the kite, red to depower and black to power up your kite again. The

simple

but

distinctive

graphic design is available in three colors: red/black; green/ yellow; red/green. The bag, with its compact and


The opinion of our team The FX did certainly come up to our expectations: being more forgiving than the Chaos during our freestyle sessions, it is an all-rounder which can happily be used for freestyle as well as freeride and wave riding. A kite specifically designed for riders who want to have fun whilst trying unhooked as well as hooked-in manoeuvres. A reliable and forgiving kite for freestyle enthusiasts and for riders wanting to pull big air or loops in total safety. This is a kite which can deliver great satisfaction during a freeride session or amongst waves when used with a surfboard thanks to its speed, light construction and excellent low wind performance.


150 TEST North, Neo

UP W

V TI AC

IN

RE

D

LOWEND

RACE

NORTH, NEO

E EA ST NG

RI STEEARING OVERPOWERED

DEPOWER 1.

3.

2.

4.

ALL ROUND

FREESTYLE

POP

TU

A’ IT

IL

RN

IN

G

AB ST

SP

EE

D

WAVE

WAVE/FREERIDE he North Neo has undergone

Sky Solbach and that of pro ri-

which can be “parked” when

several changes since its initial

ders Airton Cozzolino and Patri

surfing, re-delivering full power

market launch: from a simple

McLaughlin. This change was

as soon as recalled.

school/beginner kite to a pure

made necessary due to the li-

With this new model, North is

wave-riding kite. Last year, the

mits shown by the North Rebel

finally able to fill its own mar-

kite had been completely re-

during wave riding; the famous

ket gap, positioning itself in the

designed thanks to the effor-

model, in fact, fell behind of

pure wave-riding category of

ts of Ken Winner, the help of

other simpler, smoother kites

specialised kites such as the


NORTH, NEO AVAILABLE SIZES 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 11 – 12 mq www.northkiteboarding.com


152 TEST North, Neo

RRD Religion, Naish Pivot and

for easy width adjustment whi-

in every situation and this ma-

Ozone Reo.

ch allows you to switch betwe-

kes it the ideal tool for surfing

en a 53cm and 46cm bar width

pretty much in every condition

The North Neo is a 4 or 5 lines

(M/L bar) and 49cm and 42cm

and have the courage to face

SLE kite, bridled with a three

bar width (S/M bar) with just one

big waves in total safety. The

strut design, a double front line

click. The depower is entrusted

Neo features a front-line adjust-

setting adjustment (Freeride/

to the tested and reliable Vario

ment with a high depower and

Waveride) and two tuneable pi-

Cleat system, definitely one of

medium depower setting: the

gtails on the back lines to offer

our favourites, as you can easily

latter offers the best drift abi-

two different bar pressure set-

adjust the back lines through

lities whilst the former offers

tings (more vs. less reactive).

the plastic winding posts situa-

great depower and maximum

Once again North distinguished

ted at the side of the bar.

hang-time, making a great free-

itself for the quality of con-

ride kite as well. The pull is con-

struction and materials used:

You can easily and quickly in-

stant and easy to handle even

Technoforce D2 from Teijin (the

flate/deflate your kite with the

in light wind conditions, the

leading manufacturer in canopy

exclusive and large Air Port

wind range is huge even in very

materials) and a Dacron trailing

valve; the safety clips on the

gusty winds and water relaun-

edge make this kite very solid,

connecting tubes, instead, iso-

ch easy. The best feature of this

and incredibly light at the same

late the struts from the leading

kite is its drifting ability: the kite

time.

edge. The backpack is of tough

will not stall but will follow the

construction and it’s expan-

rider, floating without pulling.

Tests were carried out in South

dable to accommodate the kite

Africa. We tested the 6-8 and 11

when the struts are still in-

sq.m. with the Quad Trust bar in

flated. The backpack has also

flat water as well as in several

been reduced in size: the 6m is

wave conditions: large, soft wa-

no larger than a school bag. The

ves and smaller irregular waves.

kite is available in two sober color combinations: red/blue and

We have tested the kite using

red/yellow.

the smaller 2015 bar with 22m lines. The bar has not under-

The feeling provided by the Neo

gone many changes since last

is that of being at home! The bar

year, aside from the color. The

delivers a direct and pleasant

bar is characterised by an ex-

feeling, constant pull and great

tensive EVA protective covering

stability. The kite’s vocation is to

and the smart flip-flop function

make the rider feel comfortable


The opinion of our team The North Neo foray into the market space as one of the best wave kites around, thanks to its great reliability, extreme ease of use and unmatched quality which justifies the investment. We recommend this kite to expert as well as aspiring wave riders looking for an easy but dedicated tool; a kite able to support the rider during wave riding but also a great companion during most freeride sessions.


154 TEST RRD, Obsession Pro MKII

UP W

V TI AC

IN

RE

D

LOWEND

RACE

RRD, OBSESSION PRO MKII

E EA ST G

N

RI STEEARING OVERPOWERED

DEPOWER 1.

3.

2.

4.

ALL ROUND

FREESTYLE

POP

TU

A’ IT

IL

RN

IN

G

AB ST

SP

EE

D

WAVE

WAKESTYLE During our first Kitesoul trip to

Jerrie van de Kop, third position

has been entirely redesigned,

Cape Town we have been able

at the Red Bull King of the Air

nevertheless remaining a pure

to test the new Obsession Pro

2015, greatly contributed to the

C-shaped 5 lines kite.

MKII, the second version of the

development of this kite. The

successful freestyle-wakestyle

new MKII has been designed

A thinner leading edge, has

RRD kite. A dedicated and very

by Werther Castelletti in colla-

made the kite lighter and more

specific kite for riders who want

boration with the entire RRD

reactive, perfect for Megaloops.

to make wakestyle their religion.

freestyle team: the new model

The tips have been completely


RRD, OBSESSION PRO MKII AVAILABLE SIZES 5 - 6 - 7 - 9 - 10,5 – 12 13,5 -15 mq www.robertoriccidesigns.com


156 TEST RRD, Obsession Pro MKII

redesigned to maintain the sha-

sive pop which is exactly what

pe even during conditions of

we were looking for in this new

extreme strain, avoiding a sud-

model.

den lack of pull during most advanced tricks. The front line at-

Another novelty is the dedica-

tachment points are situated on

ted bar, 7cm shorter compared

the kite, unlike last year where

to the traditional Global Bar,

there were two. The two main

and equipped with 20m lines;

improvements in this version

whilst most other features have

are certainly a more direct bar

remained the same.

feel and sharper pop.

Reducing bar size is almost a must for a wakestyle dedicated

Thanks to the varied South Afri-

kite: the kite is more stable and

can conditions, we have been

it will decrease the chance of

able to test the kite in various

grabbing the bar in the wrong

situations: we have tested the

way.

7-9-10,5 and 12sq.m. in conditions of light wind as well

Certainly you won’t go unnoti-

as strong gusty winds. By te-

ced with this kite on the bea-

sting different sizes we have

ch. The camouflage graphics is

been able to notice that timing

obtained by sawing each piece

was pretty much the same

of material together, making

across various sizes (7sq.m. vs.

the structure more rigid and the

10,5sq.m.); this allowed us to

kite easier to repair.

close the same tricks in comfort despite of the size used. The bar feel is very direct also thanks to the use of 20m lines. This allows the rider to be very precise, even when performing the most complex tricks, as you always know where the kite is. The new Obsession Pro is very stable, especially in its smaller sizes and it has a very aggres-


The opinion of our team The Obsession Pro fully satisfies the expectations of wakestylers, so we are happy to recommend it to medium expert riders who want to approach the more advanced freestyle tricks. This kite will allow you to tackle most advanced manoeuvres in total safety and with great stability, adding something special to your own personal style. This kite certainly passed the test with flying colors for its highly technical performance which allows the rider to attempt pretty much any trick.


158 TECHNICAL Genesis and life cycle of a wave

GENESIS AN CYCLE OF A

FOR PEOPLE FEEDING ON WAVES, FO DREAMING TO RIDE THE PERFECT WA Waves... The most ancient source of fun, a

spectacle of nature of the roaring sea. But how do they form?

Did you know that waves are ruled by the same forces of every other “living” being?

What do surfers and fishermen have in common?

Text Renato Casati | Photo Gabriele Rumbolo


ND LIFE A WAVE

OR ANYONE AVE...


160 TECHNICAL Genesis and life cycle of a wave

Marine waves are amongst the

impression that a large wall of

the trough.

most complex yet fascinating

water is moving towards you

WAVE

natural phenomena of our pla-

but the truth is that what you

between two consecutive wave

net. The mechanics of wave for-

are actually experiencing is the

crests.

mation has been studied for a

energy generated by the swell

WAVE PERIOD, The time it ta-

very long time, and much has

which gives you the impression

kes for two successive crests

been written about its cha-

of water moving; but the truth

(one wavelength) to pass a spe-

racteristics and correlation with

is that water particles remain

cified point.

other elements. However no

pretty much where they are!

clear-cut conclusion has been

LENGTH:

Distance

Let’s immediately dispel some

reached, so we can say that it

A wave is usually distinguished

myths… many believe that the

is still an evolving subject and

by:

height of a wave is calculated

certainly not an easy one. Ne-

by measuring the back of the

vertheless in this short treaty

WAVE CREST OR PEAK, the hi-

wave! The height, technically

we will present you, in a concise

ghest point of a wave.

speaking, is the vertical distan-

and simple manner, some une-

WAVE

valley

ce from the trough to the crest,

quivocal conclusions that have

between two waves, is the

so what is measured is the fa-

been reached on the subject.

lowest point.

ce’s height because the trough

When you sit on a surfboard

WAVE HEIGHT, The vertical di-

is not usually visible from the

waiting for a wave, you get the

stance between the crest and

back of the wave. Most Italian

TROUGH,

or


waves have a very similar face

rating fishermen with their ca-

of the surfer, so it is at least 4m

and back height so this could

tch; even more so if you heard it

high”. The reality is that a surfer

turn into a long academic deba-

through the grapevines. Howe-

on a board probably measures

te, but if you consider other wa-

ver this does not only happen

around 150cm, or even less if

ves, such as Teahupoo, the face

because of the insane human

the rider is kneeling a lot; plus

height does not equate at all to

habit of making everything look

do not forget that once again a

the back height; but it actually

bigger and better than it is in

picture is always taken from a

is much higher. This is another

reality; but also because when

certain perspective which could

reason why measuring face hei-

you are in the water, waves

completely alter reality.

ght is usually preferred.

DO actually look much bigger

When talking about the size of

as you stare at them from the

WIND GENERATED WAVES

waves, we should always refer

bottom looking up. This is also

The most common and visible

to the average wave height of

a very much used technique in

type of waves are those genera-

that day, not the height of a sin-

filmmaking, to make things look

ted by the wind: they result from

gle “rogue” wave. It makes no

larger than they actually are

air blowing over an area of sea

sense talking about 4m waves,

in real life. A similar error hap-

surface. Earthquakes and the

if the average wave height was

pens when looking at photos. I

gravitational force of the moon

around 2m. Remember that

am sure you have often heard

are amongst other causes. Te-

some surfers tend to brag up

surfers commenting: “well that

chnically speaking wind-gene-

the size of a wave like exagge-

wave is at least twice the height

rated waves can be subdivided


162 TECHNICAL Genesis and life cycle of a wave

into Swell Waves and Local Wind Waves. Swell waves are

PHASE 1

increases, the action of the

WAVES’S BIRTH IN DEEP

wind will be even more effecti-

caused by the friction of the at-

WATER CAPILLARY WAVES,

ve because the surface tension

mosphere over the ocean, with

GRAVITY WAVES, CHOP,

of a steep and high wave will

gravity trying to restore equili-

WHITECAPS

be even smaller. However re-

brium (several waves are often

A very gentle breeze (from 3knts

member that there is a limit to

generated in deep water and

onwards) will, almost immedia-

the height of wind waves, even

can travel hundreds or thou-

tely, start to texture the surface

in the case of strong persistent

sands of miles before reaching

of the ocean, generating some

winds.

the coast). Typical examples are

ripples (called capillary waves),

Wave steepness is the ratio of

Hawaiian waves or those rea-

that will die just as quick if the

wave height divided by wave-

ching the West Coast of Cape

wind stops, due to water friction

length (H/L) and its theoretical

Verde. Local wind waves inste-

and gravity which will eventual-

maximum limit in deep water is

ad are usually generated very

ly restore equilibrium.

1:7. This means that a 2m long

close to the coast; Italian waves

If, on the other hand, the wind

wave cannot have a crest hi-

are a good example of this.

continues to blow over the wa-

gher than 30cm, because the

ter surface for a given period

maximum angle of a regular

The SIZE of a deep water, wind

of time, it will generate the

crest wave, before it breaks, is

generated wave, is affected by

so-called gravity waves, which

around 120°. When this angle

three main factors:

are basically caused by friction

is exceeded the wave collapses

between air and water surface.

and breaks. This refers to deep

1. WIND INTENSITY – The stron-

These waves will grow bigger

sea waves, because the ratio of

ger the wind, the larger the

because it is easier for the wind

near-shore waves follows a dif-

wave.

to have an impact on ripples,

ferent logic.

2. WIND DURATION – The time

as they have a smaller surfa-

over which the wind has blown

ce tension. Imagine now the

PHASE 2a

over water surface.

wind is kicking up a bit more: as

DEEP WATER SWELL FROM

3. FETCH – The uninterrupted

would be expected, these rip-

WHITECAPS TO SWELL

distance of deep water over

ples will turn a bit choppier as

Once a wave is formed, this

which the wind blows.

more and more water molecu-

“confused sea” begins to move

les are set into motion (1-4 se-

in one direction. The organi-

These factors are what mainly

conds period). When the wave

zed waves that result from this

influence the formation of deep

length goes over 5 seconds’

process are then called a swell.

water, wind generated waves,

period on a given surface area,

Usually a period of 10 seconds

determining their final height

we can start noticing whitecaps

is considered to be the dividing

when reaching the shore.

forming. As the size of the wave

line between whitecaps and


swell. Basically the wind gene-

moves for an indefinite period

Do you remember the movie

rated waves cancel each other

of time in the same direction

“The Perfect Storm”…?

out and take on a new life: this

of the wind which has created

new wave energy consolidates

them. Nevertheless if the swell

PHASE 2b

to form longer and faster waves.

meets an opposing wind, the

NEAR-SHORE SWELL

Higher waves are longer, and as

shape and direction of the wa-

When these fast, smooth, long

they become longer and longer,

ves can change. A strong op-

waves created in deep sea, arri-

they propagate their energy la-

posing wind could dissolve the

ve in shallow water, they under-

terally forming a so-called wave

swell altogether, whilst a wind

take a profound transformation.

train. As the waves travel further

moving in the same direction,

The ratio we discussed just abo-

away from their origin, they pro-

could increase their strength. A

ve will then change according to

pagate freely; wave length and

wave can also break very rapi-

multiple factors…

period keep growing whilst their

dly, even in deep sea, if it me-

height usually diminishes. Long

ets an opposing strong enou-

period waves actually move fa-

gh current. In fact a favourable

ster, independent of their height

current,

and steepness. It’s not easy and

from behind, will increase wave

things get even more complica-

length and decrease its height;

ted depending on ocean depth!

on the other hand, an opposing

pushing the waves

current will reduce wave length HOW DO WAVES MOVE?

and increase its height and ste-

Let’s now look at what hap-

epness. This is the reason why

pens when waves are travelling

ships in deep sea can run into

towards their death, which often

rogue waves: these can be trig-

(but not always) corresponds to

gered naturally when a stable

their arrival on the shore. In fa-

wave train enters a region of an

vourable conditions, the swell

opposing current flow.

Check our next issue to discover more on this fascinating subject...

Renato “DrKite” Casati Technical Expert RRD Wave team rider. Kiteboarder since 2000, he has been PKRA athlete and judge. He’s a professional sportswriter for several technical magazines. He lives between Como Lake and Sardinia, but he spends every winter in the waves of CaboVerde.


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