Kitesoul Magazine N°1 Aug-Sep English Edition

The N째1 Kite Magazine in Italy

S E L s P I T R NAL N T E EV ENYU TIO V VITA IN

Trip MAUI "the" trip ITW Kevin Langeree ITW TATIANA HOWARD

Tech wave Top Turn Spot Guide In the Far North Of Fuerte (Ventura)

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k i T e b o a r d i n g

Free your ride T he

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norThkiTeboarding.CoM

#norThkiTeboarding

– MMXiV –

› C raFT e d w i T h P ri d e ‹

Pic_Darrel Wong

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 Grafica Giuseppe Esposito

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2014 TWO-MONTHLY

Texsts Renato Casati, Francesco Contini, Sensi Graves, Matthias Lancsàr, Riccardo Andrea Leccese, Francesco Maffei, Greta Menardo, Mitu Monteiro, Sergio Murgia, Alberto Rondina, Federico Sugoni, Andrea Vicari, Cristiano Vicari, Brian Wheeler

ROBERTA PALA Editor in chief

Photos Nate Appel, Bianca Asher, Torrin Bright, Toby Bromwich, Gilles Calvet, Simon Crowther, Quincy Dein, Jimmie Hepp, Mike Hitelman, Tatiana Howard, Kanoe Blue Photo, Jason Lombard, Francesco Maffei, Maui Raw Photography, Maui Ultra Fins, Graeme Murray, Gabriele Pisu, Jaanus Ree, Ydwer Van der Heide, Vittorio Vicari, Jason Walcott, Stephen Whitesell Cover: Rider Tom Court - Photo Toby Bromwich Publisher and advertising VISU Media Via Cavour, 20 24030 Ambivere (BG) Amministratore Unico Federico Sugoni fs@kitesoul.com 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.

RENATO “DR. KITE” CASATI Technical Expert

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.

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.

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.

FEDERICO SUGONI Publisher

MITU MONTEIRO Technical Editor-Wave Riding

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 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.

ALBERTO RONDINA Technical Editor-Freestyle 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.

GIUSEPPE ESPOSITO Art director Kiter since he was in the baby pram, he is a rider for RRD Italia and studies 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 from kiters to kiters

Rider: Kai Lenny Photo: Quincy Dein

EDITORIAL “If you can dream it, you can do it” Walt Disney Kitesoul magazine was born a few months ago from the dreams of Federico Sugoni, a man, a publisher. His dream was to merge culture, passion, soul and kiteboarding. And sure enough, he did everything in his power to realize this dream, a dream which is also mine now.

Together we have looked for, and found new “SoulRiders”, amazing people sharing their professional expertise with their passion for Kiteboarding.

It is the first editorial staff exclusively made up of kiters: our publisher, the editor in chief, the art director, the video maker, the translator, the technical editor…and, above all, two of the most amazing kite champions: Mitu and Alberto Rondina! They all came together to share their burning passion for this sport, to many other Soul Riders around the world.

The project evolved very fast and, after a “beta” issue entirely in Italian, we are ready to conquer foreign shores with our first English issue! Over 100 pages of pure passion, amazing events, dream trips, detailed spot guides, technical sections, practical advices, test and interviews with the big names of kiteboarding.

Don’t forget to check out our website at www. kitesoul.com if you want to keep up to date with the latest tests of new gear, and all the innovations of this market. You will find an amazing video section and several new articles in addition to standard mag content. Everything on our website is constantly updated. It is our aim to take you to the heart of kite world’s action…so enjoy it!

Our KiteSoul planet is completely digital: a website, a very dynamic social network channels and, obviously, our fabulous FREE digital magazine that’ll be free until you’ll continue to support us!

We need you guys, so please help us to increase our audience by spreading the word, around the world: because… behind each dream there’s always a grain of foolishness …isn’t?

KiteSoul a dream come true.

Roberta Pala

SUMMARY

Portfolio

Spot Guide In the far North of Fuerte (Ventura)

Trip Maui “THE” Trip

Events

ITW

Wakestyle World Championships: The Venyu Triple-S Invitational

Kevin Langeree

iTW Tatiana Howard To be a water woman…

SUMMARY

Diet and fitness

Trip

The kitesurfer’s diet

NZ Photoshoot

Freestyle Moves Flat 3

Tech wave Top Turn

Tech WHICH SURFBOARD? A quick survivor guide to directional boards

10 PORTFOLIO Tom Court

PORTFOLIO RIDER: Tom Court PHOTO: Toby Bromwich

“Tom Court getting down in the REAL Slider Park, the world’s sickest kite park, during the prestigious 2014 Venyu Triple-S Invitational.”

12 PORTFOLIO Mitu Monteiro

PORTFOLIO RIDER: Mitu Monteiro PHOTO: Gilles Calvet

Pkra events Think Blue. Kitesurf World Cup 2014 St Peter Ording, Germany, 2 - 10 August Tarifa Pro Kite Tour 2014 Tarifa, Spain, 30 August – 7 September Barra Grande Kiteboarding Grand Slam Barra Grande, Brasil, 17-21 September Pingtan Kiteboarding World Cup 2014 Pingtan, China, 25-29 October 2014 PKRA World Tour Haikou/Hainan International Kitesurf Festival Haikou, Hainan Island, China –1-5 November Argentina Kitesurf World Cup San Juan 2014 San Juan, Argentine, 9-14 December

PHOTO: Toby Bromwich/pkra

Kite beach club

Beach Bar & Restaurant Kite courses, Wave clinic, Down Wind, Surf school!!

Relax area and kids corner.

The only school to have in staff a World Champ and a National Champ!!!

(Mitu 1x wave world champion; Djo national wave champion) MORE info AT: www.mitudjokiteschoolcaboverde.com - kiteschoolcaboverde@gmail.com

16 EVENTS Venyu Triple-S Invitational

WORL D ’ S M OST PRESTIG I

THE V ENYU T RIPL E

A PINNAC L E O

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Sam Medysky sessions the “Best Seat in the House” wallride.

photo: Mike Hitelman/Venyu Triple-S Invitational

OU S WA K E S TY L E EVENT:

E -S I NV I TA T I ONA L

OF THE S P O R T

Text: Sensi Graves, Brian Wheeler Photo: Toby Bromwich, Mike Hitelman, Jason Lombard, Nate Appel

18 EVENTS Venyu Triple-S Invitational

*

finishing third in the slider division, chad worrall demonstrates his fine-tuned wakeboarding skills during a no-wind day.

The wind is blowing 20 mph and 20 riders are in the Slick in Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, USA. We’re navigating around each other and five features in a 20-minute jam heat. I am totally in the moment, focusing on lining up the kicker in front of me while simultaneously avoiding the endless stream of kiteboarders that are whizzing in and out and trying to do the exact same thing I am. It’s the 2014

photo: Mike Hitelman/Venyu Triple-S Invitational

Venyu Triple S Invitational and the object of the game is to get two

20 EVENTS Venyu Triple-S Invitational

solid hits on all five features (Best kicker, KOA kicker, 84-foot-long John Wayne rail, North rooftop, and the Liquid Force reverse rainbow rail). Arguably the most exciting part of the event, the Slider portion is what the Triple-S Invitational is known for. Thirty five rail riders such as Brandon Scheid, Sam Light, Colleen Carroll, Eric Rienstra, Rick Jensen, Tom Court, Billy Parker, and Aaron Hadlow meet up for a full week of long days on the water, demonstrating what each has

*

photo: Mike Hitelman/Venyu Triple-S Invitational

Alex Fox throwing an enormous spin off the Best kicker.

22 EVENTS Venyu Triple-S Invitational

*

Eric Rienstra with a gargantuan hit off the KOA kicker.

Photo: Nate Appel/Venyu Triple-S Invitational

learned over the past year and battling for the $40,000 prize purse.

It’s an event like no other with seven days of intense riding (in Surf, Slicks and Sliders), parties, and an unorthodox format that encourages progression, teamwork and the evolution of our sport.

photo: Mike Hitelman/Venyu Triple-S Invitational

24 EVENTS Venyu Triple-S Invitational

*

Paula Rosales modeling a Sensi Graves bikini during the 4th Annual Sunset Swim Charity Runway Event, benefitting Athletes 4 Cancer.

WOMEN’S COMBINED: 1. Colleen Carroll 2. Victoria Soloveykina 3. Hope Levin

MEN’S COMBINED: 1. Sam Light 2. Brandon Scheid 3. Aaron Hadlow

MEN’S SURF: 1. Aaron Hadlow 2. Sam Light 3. Tom Court MEN’S SLICKS: 1. Aaron Hadlow 2. Brandon Scheid 3. Rick Jensen MEN’S SLIDERS: 1. Sam Light 2. Brandon Scheid 3. Chad Worrall

201 4 VENY U TR IPL E- S I NVI TATI O NAL R ES U L TS

WOMEN’S SURF: 1. Victoria Soloveykina 2. Hope Levin 3. Colleen Carroll WOMEN’S SLICKS: 1. Colleen Carroll 2. Victoria Soloveykina 3. Hope Levin WOMEN’S SLIDERS: 1. Colleen Carroll 2. Claire Lutz 3. Sensi Graves

BEST SESSION: Aaron Hadlow ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Tobias Holter BEST WIPEOUT: Mary Lacroix Samson SLICKSTYLE ATTITUDE: Brian Smit

26 EVENTS Venyu Triple-S Invitational

*

Photo: Toby Bromwich

After bagging first place in the Venyu Triple-S Slider division, Aaron Hadlow busts a move amidst a magical sunset.

Set for May 30 to June 5, don’t miss the 2015 Venyu Triple-S Invitational. It will be an especially magical year, the event’s 10-year anniversary. For more information — including details on how to submit a Wildcard Video, and score a coveted invitation please visit www.TripleSinvitational.com.

TESTO: Francesco Maffei FOTO:Francesco Maffei e Tatiana Howard

28 TRIP Maui

MAUI IL VIAGGIO

M A

“T H E ”

Maui is one of those places I have heard about since I started windsurfing. Everyone who windsurfs and kitesurfs knows about the famous “Ho’okipa” and that it is the ultimate dream to be there and to ride with the best of the world.

AUI TRIP

30 TRIP Maui

#turtl

ebay

When I started to organize this trip to Maui it seemed impossible, but my friend Pino Mencarelli encouraged my dream to get there because he went there a few times before. We have been shaping boards together in Tarquinia over the past year to save up for this dream trip. He helped connect me to the island a bit and soon enough the impossible become possible. My university schedule opened up in November, the KSP was happening at the same time, and November is known to be the best season for wind and waves, so I booked my flight and was on my way.

After 26 hours and 2 international con-

#HOOKIPA

nections, I arrived on Maui and it was a dream come true. After a tresure hunt in the airport parking lot trying to find my car left for me by Manaloha Car Rent, I drove to Paia Hostel for my first night.

Being jetlagged, the night passed fast because I was up at 5am. I immediately drove to Ho’okipa to check the waves and to see the break for my own eyes instead of on paper. The waves were great at Pavillons and Middles and I stayed out for hours taking it all in.

After the morning surf I went back to Paia town and found a

sweet health food store called Mana that ended up being my favorite place to eat. I went back to Ho’okipa after lunch hoping for wind but there wasn’t even a breeze. I decided to cruise around the island and check out the other famous spots. The first place I went to was Lanes, the kiting spot near Ho’okipa to check out the reef that you have to walk over to get out. It was a bit intimidating because of the “vana” (sea urchins) and sharp shells. Then I drove to Kahului to see Kitebeach and Kanaha Beach Park. Those two beaches are where majority of kitesurfers and windsurfers go when they visit Maui because of the easy access and conditions. After my northshore tour, I went back for another surf session and was ready for bed.

Forecast for the next days weren’t promising for the wind, so I decided to see more places of the island. The first place I went was Twin Falls that had a variety of plants on the path to the awesome waterfalls. It is located just a few km away from Paia. The next days I drove to Honolua Bay on the south west side of the island that is one of the best waves in the world. Crossing the island to Lahaina I could immediately see the difference between the wild north shore and the more touristy south shore. The south side is much more dry with bigger beaches and with more resorts and hotels. Once I arrived in Honolua Bay I could enjoy the great view with the waves breaking below high clifs and Molokai in the distance, but gets crowded so watch out! I tested out the

32 TRIP Maui

crowd because the waves looked so perfect, and I had a great session riding the best waves I have ever ridden.

My session ended getting pounded on a set that came through, pushing me to the bottom and scratching my back on the sharp reef.

Back to Paia I check the forecast again and wind was on its way. I prepared to go kiting finally for the first time in Hawaii! The next day there was a little wind a swell, but the wind wasn’t quite filled in and was too risky to end up on the rocks with wind like that. I went to Kanaha where it is safer and with more consistent wind. After kiting I went for the opening party at the KSP at Second Wind Maui. It was great to be with all the riders from around the world and to see familiar faces as well like Matchu from Capo Verde. He introduced me to all his friends and the party continued.

The next day we all met at the beach for the Hawaiian blessing over the KSP. Unfortunately the wind wasn’t there so it was postponed for a couple days.

The second day the wind and waves were nice so they started the qualification runs, which I was signed up for.

Having the KSP at Ho’okipa gave all of us participants a rare opportunity to kitesurf Ho’okipa because normally it is not allowed. I made it through the final round, qualifications but I missed a few points to get into the main event.

I was happy to make it that far and knew I did my best, but at the same time a little disappointed to not make it into the main event. After taking a rest and watching the main event happen, I went back out during the breaks

to ride Ho’okipa before heading home.

The next day when all we met again for skipper meeting, Ho’okipa had a its classic conditions happening with over head high waves and strong tradewinds. The other riders and I that were no longer in the contest, launched from Ho’okipa and headed downwind to lanes. We spent the whole day on the water and when I came back in they were completing the finals. We watched them give the prize ceremony and headed back out for a sunset ses-

sion. The wind died and we all swam into Lanes on the rocks. The next days after the event finished, we couldn’t launch from Ho’okipa anymore so we surfed in the morning and gathered together after to kitesurf Lanes. It was great to be able to ride with such a high level and was inspiring for me to be there with them all.

Finally it was time for the closing party and we all met at Adventure Sports Maui for the Aloha Friday music and party. We all spent the night talking

about our trips and sessions, and when the party was about to end I found myself talking with this girl that I remember competing in the Ka’amaina Throw Down. After talking a little bit and when the party was coming to an end we decided to go to Charleys in Paia continue the night. Knowing the surf was going to be good in the morning we didn’t stay out too late. Then the next morning, I woke up with a text message from Tatiana saying the surf was good and to come out! So I ran to the beach for

34 TRIP Maui

#HAELEAKALA a good morning session and we starting talking about all the nice spots to go to around Hana that was a “must see” before I leave. After a few hours we were packed up and on our way to Hana. We went on the backroads just

hoping my car wouldn’t break down on the dirt roads. It was incredible to see the variety of scenery, some places were rocky and lava, while other were forest and green. After driving for a couple hours we had dinner and

#RULES

camped at Café Attitude, where local artist come a play live music and open mic. The café offers food only from the land and all raw.

The next morning we left Café Attitude and headed back around stopping at

waterfalls, then we had a surf session in a secret spot. After we had a picnic on the beach, we hit the road again to go back home. After we arrived we decided to go to Haleakala for that same night to see the clear skies

and stars. We also wanted to see the sunrise from the crater of Haleakala since it is something that everyone does on Maui. After dinner we jumped into the truck again to drive to the top of Haleakala and to camp in the back of the truck. Once we got there I see that my outfit wasn’t the best for Halekala. Tatiana had her snow jacket and Ugg boats, while I only had shorts and tshirt. I survived the freezing cold night and since the sunrise was so amazing the cold night was well worth it. Unfortunately, we had to head back immediately and prepare my bags since I was flying out that same night. After we got everything ready and a picnic at Ho’okipa looking at the beautiful sunset of Maui, we drive to the airport for my departure back home. Sadly, my trip came to an end. Full of memories and experiences, I jumped on the plane to italy thinking already of when I can come back to this little piece of paradise in the middle of the Pacific.

38 ITW Tatiana Howard

Tatiana Howard, to be a water woman

ITW: Roberta Pala FOTO: Francesco Maffei, Kanoe Blue Photo, Simon Crowther, Maui Raw Photography, Jimmie Hepp,

n…

Maui Ultra Fins

A beautiful, blonde and statuesque woman, born in Maui and grown up in the tipical “Aloha spirit”, which has had the idea to transmit a piece of the Hawaiian soul around the world: she’s Tatiana Howard.

The Butterfly Effect is the expression of this way of life, it’s an empathy and love mood, enriched with a lot of sport.

Water is her habitat, Kitesurf, windsurf and SUP her gasoline.

Tatiana is a real “water woman” and, we are sure that, in her veins flows pure Ocean water…

40 ITW Tatiana Howard

Tatiana Howard Age: 27 Home Spot: Ho’okipa, Maui Sponsors: Dakine, The Butterfly Effect, Cabrinha, Adventure Sports Maui, Matiko Shoes, Flymount Other sports: Windsurf, Surf, Tow-in Surf, yoga, and dance

KS_So Tatiana, tell us something about yourself.

Who are you? Where are you from?

I’m Tatiana Howard from Maui, Hawaii. Born and raised on Maui allowed me to grow up in the ideal conditions to become a water woman. I love all the water sports and to be in the ocean playing whenever I can. I am the founder and creator of The Butterfly Effect. The Butterfly Effect is the event of Aloha and its mission is to inspire women to get out on the water and have fun. It is a non-competitive event that happens all over the world and involves all the water sports. Windsurfing, kitesurfing, and surfing is my passion and to be able to share that with other worldwide is a dream come true.

KS_What it means to be a water woman?

A water woman is being experienced in all the water sports like surfing, windsurfing, stand up paddling, and kitesurfing. It is also a kind of lifestyle where you can enjoy the ocean no matter than conditions, from it being extreme and surfing with big waves, to collecting shells on the beach when its flat. It is a constant love and care to be in or around the ocean/ water.

KS_And what about the “Butterfly effect”?

The Butterfly Effect is an event of Aloha. Originated from my home break on Maui, The Butterfly Effect’s mission is to inspire and empower women to get out on the water and have fun no matter the age, level, or experience. The event consists of all the water sports depending on the location and a set course that all the participants complete together. We also include beach yoga, yoga on SUP, Hula dance intro, and a few surprises from Hawaii!

KS_What kind of message does this “Butterfly effect” send to people?

The message of the event is to “Live Aloha”. Living aloha means to be kind, share knowledge, help on another, give back, and be overall more positive in your life. Participating in The Butterfly Effect is fun and full of smiles. It fills participants up with the Aloha spirit and what they feel like during the Butterfly Effect, they can take back into their everyday life and

share this “Aloha” feeling i with other people.

KS_What kind of influence on your life’s choice has come from your relationship with the ocean and from your family?

I love the ocean, so much. It has allowed me to travel and see the world in a way not many people do.

It has allowed me to meet people around the world and have the special bond of water sports making me become like instant family.

My family is very open minded and supportive. We are all supportive of each other and excited to help each other in each others dreams. I know I have been so lucky to have such a loving family, life can be tough sometimes, but to have a non-judgemental and supportive family full of love regardless if you succeed or fail is a powerful tool to have in this world.

KS_Tell us about your life, “out of water”.

My life outside of the water can get busy. I am constantly working on the next events and travel plans.

I also like to compliment my water sports with dance and yoga.

KS_And what about your experience in Sardinia?

How has been the “butterfly effect” on our island?

It was an Aloha Wednesday in Sardinia! The women of all ages and levels at the MB Pro Center. We started the day with a yoga stretch and introduction to Hula! I lead out in a stand up paddle clinic for the

women that have never tried a water sport before.

They practiced on land the techniques and then we all took to the water to give it a try! The winds picked up a lot through out the day, so after lunch we windsurfed and kitesurfed till it was time for the BE Beach BBQ! We had clinics happening all afternoon from beach starts to high speed jybing techniques. The clinics offered had a wide range to accommodate the different levels of experience.

We had great time in Sardinia and since it is such an ideal location to hold an event because of all the different water sports you can do there, the beauty, and warm water, we can’t wait to hold the 2nd Annual BE in 2015! Stay tuned for dates.

KS_Our mag is called KiteSoul; tell us about your vibrations, your feeling when you are in the water.

At what level your soul is captivated?

To be able to kitesurf and play with natural elements of the water and wind is amazing. There is no other feeling like it. I love water sports because to be able to jump into the water, play, and rinse off all the stress that built up through out the day is so special.

It is like you can start over with a clear mind, the water is a reset button. Kitesurfers have this secret tool of being in the water that not many people in the world have, that keeps us balanced, full of life, appreciative of nature, and can help us stay grounded throughout this busy world we live in.

44 SPOT GUIDE In the far north of Fuerteventura

TEXT: Alberto Rondina PHOTO: Gilles Calvet

IN THE FAR NORTH OF FUERTE (VENTURA)

I’ve been going to Fuerteventura every year for the last 8 years, for our annual Pkra competition in the very south of the island, Sotavento. I did stop a few times in the north before going home, but it always was for a short time and August is quite a busy time so I didnt have the best impression of it! This spring I spent the longest time up there and my opinion has completely changed!

46 SPOT GUIDE In the far north of Fuerteventura

T

he Canaries are called the Hawaii of Europe, and now I really understsnd why, i mean, I’ve been to Maui many times and there are heaps of similarities! Being both in the north emisphere their trade winds have the same direction, they are always playing around the N- N/E direction, also they are very consistent and usually strong in the summer, in the winter instead it depends on the season, its can be windy or it might be just wavy. The swell season start a littel later then in Maui, around october/november and it

goes untill april/may. Also in this period the wind can swing around from other direction, same as Maui’s Kona wind, which make the conditions work in spots where you never kite in the summer. The only thing that changes from “Mainland” Europe compare to Maui is that the life is cheaper and not more expensive like they say about Maui and US mainland That’s also why lately lots of European, italians especially, are moving down there, to find work and change

life, when in Europe eveything is more expensive and still in the crisis situation is hard to find a job.

The good thing about Fuerte, same as Hawaii its that the temperature stays pretty much the same the whole year long. Its a bit colder than Maui, cause its nice to wear a wetsuit almost all year long in Fuerte, but the outside temperatures stay nice so that tourism can keep on going thru the whole year. The main tourists going to the canaries in general are germans, english, italian and some spanish and french

now and then. Every island is a little bit different and that’s also why they are so nice I think, so you can find more english in Lanzarote, more germans in Gran Canaria and a bit of a mix with italians in Fuerte and Tenerife.

Fuerte is the only island that has so much white sand that has flown from the Sahara all the way there (exept Mas Palomas in GC). The other islands are quite a bit darker since all the canaries in general are vulcanic island, so all the inside and the rocks on the beach are real black.

48 SPOT GUIDE In the far north of Fuerteventura

Coralejo its a town of only 13k residents all year long, but they increased a lot in the last year. Then in the summer there are over tourists coming and populating the town. It is located on the very north of Fuerteventura, slighty on the N/E side. Its funny seeing the pictures of how the town used to be only 25 years, the streets where sandy and there only was one restaurant/hotel! Everything has growed really fast, even too fast I would say, as some of the buildings are not the nicest looking, but that’s how it happened there.

The Kite Beach of Fuerte is Flag beach for sure which is right south of Coralejo on the east coast, so the closest place to reach (you can even walk

there) from town and probably also the safest cause of the possibility of a rescue boat and the mostly sandy beach. Lobos islands stand right in front of the beach, so that when the N wind is blowing it funnels thru the island and Flag its the first place where it gets windy and probably the wind is the strongest with that direction there.

The wind comes side-side/off from the left, so that going out you have a bit of chop but coming in you can find some nice flat water, depending on the tide.

Tides play a big effect on the condi-

tions of the water all round the island, even in Flag beach, with low tide a few little rocks come out right close to the beach, so you have to ride a bit more far out, where with high tide you cant see them and you can ride no problem on top of them.

So the North-east coast usually works well with the N wind as it comes clean from the ocean without passing over Lanzarote or Lobos. Going south of Flag Beach, passing the 2 big hotels right on the beach, you will arrive to El Burro, which is the last kite spot on the

North/east coast. Burro its a nice little bay, with a rocky point on the top left corner which creates some nice waves when ever there’s a little swell forecasted, and the inside usually stays pretty flat, also depending on the conditions. Compared to Flag which is mostly a kite spot, in El Burro you can find surfers and windsurfers out, so you gotta be carefull about that.

In the summer tho the main wind direction is N/E which makes the East coast working a bit funky, depening on the degrees of the NE wind, but the

50 SPOT GUIDE In the far north of Fuerteventura

N-N/W coast works great instead!

There’s only a dirty road that goes from Coralejo all the way to Cotillo, which is the southest spot where you can ride on the West coast, unless you cut thru the inside of the island and pass thru the little town of Lajares, which seats exacly inbetween the 2 sides. All the “North Shore” as its called in Maui or Oahu, its mostly rocky, exept a few little beaches which allow you to launch your kite and go in. The spots are not “easy” on this side, as if something goes wrong, your kite breaks or you cant relaunch it, you gonna hit some rocks for sure. But the conditions for waves are pretty awesome, and since on the east coast the wind comes from the left and goofy footers surf frontside, on the north shore it comes from the right so its the side of regular footers. Majanicho is my favorite one on

this side, but there are plenty of spots I dont even know the names of all of them. All the spots they work great for surfing whenever the wind drops and the swell is still there.

Driving all the way to Cotillo you will arrive at the famous white and red

Lighthouse and its lagoons, which are the only real flat water spots on N/E wind. These spots work well with only high tide, so you really have to calculate the best time to go out and always be carefull, cause the size is not massive and downwind there are little

rocks everywhere.

Downwind of Cotillo town you will find Cotillo main beach instead, a real stunning and long beach, which has high cliffs all around, a real amazing scenery. The top part is usually where surfers go, then kiters, then windsurfers. The place is big and there’s room for everybody. The wind is usually a bit more up and down here, has it comes from town and its going down these cliffs, but there’s always a bit of waves here, if you are looking for some. It mostly a beach break but also here depending on the tide and swell situation the waves can get big and gnarly, but also clean and regular sometimes.

Whenever the forecast is light, and all round the north of island is not windy enough to ride, you can always have a drive down to Sotavento, where the wind funnels in a weird way and its 2-3

52 SPOT GUIDE In the far north of Fuerteventura

times stronger than anywhere else on the island! It takes around 1 hours to get down there, but they’re building just now an highway that will connect better the island from north to south.

That’s pretty much it, imagine all this and on the side some good italian food, or typical spanish tapas, some amazing colours, the water is as clear as in the caribbean or hawaii, the sand is white and real thin, big black volcanos are sitting black and they look awesome when you see them from the water and you will have the whole picture. Its not as green as in Hawaii, a friend was explaining me thats beacuse the last historical eruption was on

Lanzarote and all the smoke and lava killed most of the plants in Fuerte, but the land is very fertile and whenever it rains, those 2-3 times in the winter, the land gets green in a minute!

The flights connections to get there are a bit tricky, at least from italy its only Ryanair going there regularly, which makes things a bit harder when it comes to baggage allowance…but all the rest is pretty awesome.

I really enjoyed my time there this year…cant wait to go back!

Ciao!Alby

54 ITW Kevin Langeree

ITW: by Federico Sugoni PHOTO: Bianca Asher, Quincy Dein, Stephen Whitesell, Jaanus Ree e Ydwer Van der Heide (Red Bull Co

Content Pool), Jason Walcott

After the Italian demo tour, Kevin Langree stopped by for an interview with our publisher Federico Sugoni: at the airport, waiting for the flight back home to Holland, Kevin, friendly and cheerful as usual, talked about himself, his future and his views on kiteboarding.

KEVIN LANGEREE D.O.B. 21st July 1988

HOME SPOT: Noordwijk Olanda

SPONSORS: Naish, O’Neill, G-Shock, Sinner Eyewear YEARS KITING: 14

FAVOURITE SPOT: Noordwijk e Sud Africa

WALL OF FAME: World Champion PKRA 2009

After the accident at the PKRA, and your great comeback with the victory of the RBKOTA; what are your plans for the future?

I’m changing my career, because after 10 years of freestyle, I need something new, different, something that gives me new motivation, and I’m looking for this in wave riding and in pulling big air tricks.Winning the RBKOTA has been amazing, especially in South Africa, because on that beach I have the great support of people and friends: I’ve trained in South Africa for the last 10 years, and it’s almost my second home.

“

When I was a little guy my dream was to fly…with this sport this dream has become true. That’s why I have fallen in love with it.

”

58 ITW Kevin Langeree

“

If you come your face, y

You are attracted by wave riding, like many others, you are “swimming with this tide”. This discipline has rapidly changed over the years, coming closer and closer in style to pure surfing: foot straps have vanished and kites have become smaller and smaller: They are just there to help riders catch those big waves…how do you live this big change in the sport and what are your vibes when you are “riding waves”?

One of the most amazing thing about Kiteboarding is that is in continuous evolution: every year there’s something new, a new style, new equipment, new competitions… it’s exactly like every session…you’ll

never have two identical sessions: the wind changes, conditions change…that’s the reason why I love this sport so much. Kiteboarding is very young and I’m quite sure that it’s going to “grow up” for a very long time: it has several disciplines already, and the most interesting thing is that it attracts surfers, windsurfers, snowboarder and sailors, and that really is the “coolest” thing.

You can go surfing, hunt down the perfect wave, is amazing…but kiting inside waves is something special… an endless challenge, in the search for pure fun.You have been a “Naish rider” for some time now: what is

e back from a session with a stupid smile on you are going in the right direction.

”

it like to be a Naish rider, and what about your relationship with Robby and the team?

I draw inspiration from Robby every day: he’s 51 years old, every days he goes kiting, windsurfing and stand up paddling, he’s a perfect waterman. He’s a businessman, he has taught me a lot about life. He has taught me how to become a professional rider, he has helped me to grow up with the sport and to take care of my public image as an athlete. He’s my boss, sure, but above all he’s a friend, and a team rider: we have gone on many trips together, have made photo-shoots and several movies.

How much is, in your opinion, freestyle important to young people?

Do you think that they should continue with this super hard and a little frustrating discipline, always having to push themselves harder, or, maybe, would it be better to cultivate something “easier” like wave riding, free ride or course racing?

You can be sure to have found yourself in the ocean, whenever you get a big smile on your face: if you come back from a session with a stupid smile on your face, you are going in the right direction. For young guys freestyle is super hard and I think it’s very important, for them, to learn from the top riders. When I was

competing in freestyle competitions, I used to spend a lot of time watching videos of riders who were inspiring me at that time and “copy” their tricks; I then mixed everything together and I created my own special style. I think that the best thing is to spend as much time as possible on the water, following your passion, whatever it may be.

Let’s talk about your family, and your sister… she’s a cool rider and a team mate. Your family has always supported you both over the years: what about your relationship with them?

My parents have always supported us 100%, driving us around for hours to find the best spot and help us grow professionally. I think their support has been vital for me, for my career. Travelling around the world with my sister, being in the same team…it’s amazing. A dream come true. I’m really fortunate, and I’m looking forward to keep doing this for many years to come.

You are a very kind, gentle person and you never say no when they ask you for help; we have seen you picking up tents at the demo tour, always with a big smile on your face, always genuine and available to other people…

Thank you, that’s a very nice compliment…I just do what feels right for me. I like to be an inspiration for people, and I’m very happy if people smile whilst watching one of my session. I don’t want be too serious, life is short

62 ITW Kevin Langeree

and I just want to have fun and do my best, together with people, spreading this positive energy. That’s what I try to do every day…

Many riders, like Ruben Lenten, have started to take some distance from “classical” competitions and just follow dedicated events, such as the RBKOTA. What do you think about it?

Less competitions, more trips, free riding, perhaps this could push the sport in other directions…

I love competing. Competition runs in my blood. I’m competing now, and

I’m going to compete at the wave world tour. I want to defend my title at the RBKOTA and, at the same time, I want to keep working promoting my brand Naish, with trips, movies and cool contents…I like to promote the sport and my brand this way.

What do you think about events like the RBKOTA, so much different from other classical events such as the PKRA? I think that the RBKOTA and the PKRA are very important events. At the RBKOTA in South Africa the people on the beach were not just people from the kiteboarding world. There were a lot of “common” people who came just to watch our huge jumps and get stoked. A pure technical event, like the PKRA, with very complicated tricks it’s very hard to understand if you don’t know about kiting, and it can end up being boring.

On the other side, the RBKOTA is just a show, pure entertaining: I think that this kind of format has huge potentials for the sport and will continue to do so for the next coming years. For all these reasons, my goal is to train very hard, to defend my title at the 2015 edition.

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 free ride session?

Kitesurfing is pure happiness to me: playing with Mother Nature’s elements, surrounded by the sound of waves and the wind; it is a sort of addictive feeling that makes you feel completely free.

It can’t be explained, you have to experience it for yourself.

When I was a little guy my dream was to fly…with this sport this dream has become true. That’s why I have fallen in love with it.

64 TRIP Nz photoshoot

NZ Photoshoot All this starts after I finished my racing 2013 schedule in Perth/Australia, Ozone headquarters asked me to stay on for a few more days to test some of the final stages of the new Edge 2014 there in the WA coast with Ozone Team rider Florian Gruber and Chief Ozone Tester Torrin Bright.

TESTO: Riccardo Andrea Leccese FOTO: Graeme Murray e Torrin Bright

66 TRIP Nz photoshoot

I

returned to Colombia looking forward to train hard for the 2014 season...starving to know the unknown, what was going on with the new Edges…?

Around Feb I Got on my Email Matt Taggart Ozonekites head chief inviting me to Nz to be part of the

Ozone Edge/Chrono photoshoot !! Hell Yeah for sure I wanted to be on that trip… I booked flights right away, then close to the big day it got a bit dark, the trip had to be postponed as the new Edges and all Ozone 2015 kites will be Tejin D2 Techonoforce (double ripstop) an dthe delivery from the factory

was really delayed.

We manage to arrange New dates for Florian and myself but wasn’t not easy aswe already were competing at different events Finally it all came together and I was on my way to Nz soooo excited to be part of the Ozone photoshoot which was on my list “To Do” before to die

!! haha checked !! So silly but real...

The long flight from Columbia to NZ and then a taxi, I arrived to Raglan “Ozone Headquarters” in the legendary Surf Town of Raglan on the West Coast. Straight to Matts house then a tour of Raglan and onto the main Ozone office which is an old converted

Sheep shearing shed this place is so discrete but surrounded by nature in a magical setting juts 2 minutes from the kite beach and surf! Walking through the main door i could see and feel energy, the drive towards design. Matt and I were keen to have our first match man to man on the new gear!! haha I let

him pick the Chrono I was dying to ride the new Edge!

Next day our journal started pretty early, Matt knocking on my door at 6am, schedule was tight with lot of milles to do ! on our way to the airport to pick up Florian Gruber aka Flo da Flo’w we got our first Speed

on way to Auckland Airport. Once Flo was onboard with Torrin and Graeme Murray (legendary photographer Ozone always use in NZ www.graemurray.com) jumped behind the wheelto drive North for our first session, Note...I was driving on Left side of road but used to right side.. Matt working on his mac next to me the whole drive north for 7 hrs...haha that is a lot of confidence ..!!!

With wind forecast looking terrible, super light Ben Turner one of the local NZ kiters was helping us on his home spot on the “NorthLand” and he was gutted becuase there was no wind. Matt jumped out and said “perfect Chrono weather...lets

GO!!”

I was extra happy to go kitting after so much travelling, finally it was the time for my to take Ozone’s Chrono 18, my 1st ride and it was the most refined and efficient light wind wing Ive ever had the pleasure to ride. It was ridiculously dead wind… I couldn’t even belive we were riding at full speed,my fins were smoking, taking and gibing, my first thought to run my mind was…. If You don’t have the Chrono this race season You’ll get “Chro’nocked” !!!

We stayed in the north island area driving for 2 days riding at some unreal spots felt more like French Polynesia than what I thought NZ would be! Parengarenga Harbour is a must ride spot in your kiting lifetime,

we will be back for sure, mind-blowing scenery, bleached white sand dunes, forest, we loved every minute of this day in an unreal spectacular contrast.

The wind started slow around noon picking Up through the afternoon, one cool thing i remember there while shooting was this massive group of stingrays swimming fast crazy under our fins !! most of the time it was hard for me focusing on the stingrays my kite in between Matt and Flo’w kites and Torrin piloting the Drone close to our kites !! We ended that session having a delicious sausage BBQ on the beach thanks to our friend Leslie Bore Needing to find some strong winds to show the whole range of the New Kites and juts how sick the EDGES are for mega boosting and kite looping, Matt had to re-plan the plan! Forecast for the north Island was Chrono weather and we were aiming for some hard core 30+ knots to expose the wildness of the Edge with its insane free ride capabilities which i loveee ! The Edge is a Kite than can boost until

your nuts can’t hold any longer !!

South of Nz is suppose to be always windy thanks to South Pole weather behaviour or something like that being close to Antarctica not to mention how beautiful it is.

So Matt wa son phone booking tickets to Queenstown, We had to drive over night non sleep to be able to make it to the Auckland airport before 6am !! a big task !! I can’t remember how much Coffee we drank that crazy week!

South Island of Nz gave us everything we could dream for, we were dodging and diving the weather, scoring it just perfect everyday of the trip! I feel so thankful to the nature to make Ozone photoshoot so perfect, we could kite everyday in

70 TRIP Nz photoshoot

un-ridden before rare locations, I can’t say which one is my favourite but i have to mention, Lake Pukaki under Mt Cook with my Chrono 18 after a overnight snow storm, so majestic with the autumn colours on the trees and the snow halfway down the mountains !

“Windy Point” on Lake Wanaka is well named and even with no wind in Wanaka the 30 min drive turned on 30-35 knots and we were nicely lit

on the all new 8m Edge, boosting to the moon!

We also had anunforgettable kite session in Lake Wakatipu, launching between trees usually in no wind, my 17m Edge went straight to the water, after 10min swimming downwind in this narrow lake, I heard this supercharged engines noise, no kidding there was a Powerboat Boat Race, the NZ championships with 60+ boats and we just happened to be the 1st kiters ever

OZONE, A FAMILY...

SEE YOU ON THE ROAD… RIKKI

riding this narrow gorge.

Matt and Richard had always driven past it in winter on way to snowkite dreaming one day to ride that crazy spot! They were coming towards me at warp speed, V 8 supercharged Powerboats, from the distance i saw the boats coming, Immediately I let the kite go, took my Harness away to start swimming on my board as soon as possible to shore, I literally felt i was swimming for my life.. haha now is funny…

the boats passed by the kite and harness floating in middle of the lake as the boats passed 50+ knots. Matt and Florian were up and riding between them, Id loved to have been in one of the boats to see their faces, they must have been wondering what the hell we were doing there!

Afterwards a small finish boat towed me to my harnes and kite, lines were not to bad I manage to untangle them right there, some wind kicked in !! I got back in action on the Edge 17m, salling Upwind there was the crew ready on cameras to score some sick shoots for the journey There was one last target, going back to Auckland to put a bunch of kites at the famous Salling Aucland bay right in the “City of Sails”. Once again forecast was for no wind but everybody knew we’d end up riding thanks to the Chronos, Flo and myself on teh Raceboards with the

18m and Matt on the 15m with his Radical Foilboard. That kite will definitely end up with a lot of people leaving the office, You don’t miss a single day on the water!

It was an unforgettable experience not only for all the amazing kite spots and adventure, also the great experience to meet Rob the main Ozone designer, Sharing the table with the whole Team for meals, chatting on the road for hours, drinking tons the amazing NZ coffee and NZ partying… sharing the car, music the cold and warm weather, we shared the stress and dreams of each one on that trip to make it happen Thanks to all people involved, Richard Prout and his daughter, Leslie Bore for the great food and company, Ben Turner for all the help, Graeme and Torrin for the incredible footage and Matt Taggart for all the patience on me packing the Chrono haha

72 TECHNIQUE WAVE Top turn

Mitu Monteiro

TOP TURN Every rider who wants to perform a radical Top Turn, forgets that the foundation for the success of this trick is the Bottom Turn. A good Bottom Turn will give you the right thrust to close a top turn effect. In the last issue we saw the Bottom Turn, now let’s get ready for the Top Turn.

Text Mitu Monteiro Photo Gabriele Rumbolo

74 TECHNIQUE WAVE Top turn

WEIGHT After the Bottom Turn, you should bring your weight slightly forward, and put slightly more pressure on the front foot, maintaining a constant speed as you start climbing towards the lip.Â

TIMING It is very important to understand the timing of a wave, in order to choose the right time to make your turn. Do not wait until the wave breaks, rather anticipate it, for a softer and less critical ride. If you are a newbie, the advice is to not get too close to the lip, rather start turning in the middle of the wave.

FRONTSIDE

kite At this point you would have probably forgotten all about your kite! The timing with which you move your kite is also very important. Each movement of the board is influenced by kite traction so you have to make sure the kite follows you during surfing, at all times. The important thing to remember is to recall the kite once you have started the turn. It is one of the most common mistakes when you start surfing.

If you don’t, you will feel like the kite is stopping you mid top-turn and trying to take you out of the wave.

Obviously, according to wind speed, you will have to move your kite more or less aggressively.

Off shore: you should not move your kite much: from 3am to 1am.

On shore: You should lower your kite to increase your speed: from 2am to 10am.

Side shore: Move your kite from 3am to 12pm.

Depending on the particular conditions of each spot, you’ll have to find the right angle: your kite flies without stalling during maneuvers.

76 TECHNIQUE WAVE Top turn

BAckSIDE hands position When you are about to start to Top Turn, you have to change the position of your hands on the bar.

If you are riding front side: during the Bottom Turn your front hand is in the water, so when you’re getting ready to Top Turn, start twisting your head back and bring the hand closer to the bar; accompanying the movement of the rotation with your body and shoulders. Take your back-hand off the bar and throw it backwards as much as possible.

If you’re in toe-side: it’s more or less the same, just a little harder.

legs and feet Before trying this maneuver in the waves, it is important to practice the movement of your feet on the board in flat water. Move your feet back and forth, and watch what happens to your board in all the various positions; this will help you to get in tune with your board, so that you can move it more easily. During these tests, you will for example find out that: moving your foot forward makes the board faster and less reactive, whilst moving your foot backwards makes it turn quicker but at a lower speed.

Once you have acquired this knowledge, you are ready to go surfing.

As you are approaching the Top Turn, shift your weight towards your front foot. Then, once you have started the maneuver, you should slowly start to distribute your weight towards the back foot. This will allow you to turn faster. Bend your front knee and straighten the back leg, putting pressure on the board. This will allow the board to continue on its path… at this point try to turn it as much as possible to

78 TECHNIQUE WAVE Top turn

For info on Clinic with Mitu Monteiro: www.mitumonteiro.com

complete your 360°.

As you get better, and your Top Turn becomes more radical, you will feel a bit unstable. In fact, putting too much pressure on the back leg, will generate a flux of air under the fins, and that will result in the board being more unstable. You can solve this by bending your knee as much as possible; this will help you to keep your balance.

Remember that all of these steps are not separated from one another and cannot be performed at low speed. The reality is that: hands, shoulders, feet and weight play an equally important role, and everything happens in a fraction of a second. Only practice will allow you to make a fluid Top Turn with that nice Slash effect!Â

80 FREESTYLE MOVES Flat 3

FREESTYLE MOVES

FLAT3 ALBERTO RONDINA

TEXT: Alberto Rondina PHOTO: Gilles Calvet

F

lat water is nice, but when there’s kickers, is a whole different story..i just love it!

What i like about kickers is that you can land tricks you cannot do in the flat, of just some tricks will look much better off a

kickers then on the flat.

It is also more challenging, cause you don’t only have to perform the trick but also look for the right wave and spot to hit.

The Flat 3 is the basic kicker trick, where you spin fs or bs flat, passing

the bar behind your back.

In these tricks you just use the wave as a ramp and the kite to only have speed before hitting the ramp. The key factor is hitting the ramp goin downwind, following the kite pull.

82 FREESTYLE MOVES Flat 3

1

When you see a good kicker building up, get some speed and point it.

As you’re getting closer to it, unhook and right when you are about to hit it, you gotta go downwind. This is the key element of the trick. If you hit the kickers going upwind its gonna be really hard to grab bar, as it will be far from your body.

2

When if you go downwind the kite pull will go down to almost zero, and the bar will be super soft, much easier to pass behind your back.

3

Send your board forward and leave your front hand from the bar. Bend your legs and at the same time turn back your head over your front shoulder the start the fs rotation.

ALBY’S

4

Keep the bar close to you hip and pass the bar behind you back.

5

Keep pushing your head to keep the momentum goin to finish the whole rotation.

FLAT3

6

Try to grab the bar with the other hand as soon as possible. This will help you to have a better balance landing and keeping the kite in the same place!

Go out and have fun! ;) Ciao!

84 TECH A quick survivor guide to directional boards

Every “serious” kiter nowadays must have a surfboard in his quiver...

This is because a surfboard can be used in many different occasions: WAVE RIDING E’ l’u WAVE RIDING The most common way to use this type of board is, of course, to ride waves with it. Thanks to the kite you can surf a wave at the right time, in the right way, and with the right trajectory… in absence of waves, cutting the chop at the lake looks really cool indeed…

WHICH SU

A quick survivor guide

FREESTYLE Mitu Monteiro has been showing us for the past few years that we can “freestyle” our wave-surfing: do you have any idea of how many tricks one could pull with a strapless surfboard and a free hand?

URFBOARD?

e to directional boards

FREERIDE Have you ever organised a downwind or upwind contest with a directional board? You will experience a nicer and more relaxing ride compared to a regular kiteboard

Testo Renato Casati Immagini Courtesy RRD

LIGHT WIND Ăˆ It is a great alternative to your regular kiteboard during light wind days because of its greater buoyance and upwind properties.

86 TECH A quick survivor guide to directional boards

NOSE STRINGER

OUTLINE

DECK SCOOP

BOTTOM

THE BOARD MEASURAMENTS: Directional boards are measured in feet (1 foot = 30,48cm). There are 12 inches in one foot (1 inch = 2,54cm). The inch is then subdivided into eighths of an inch (1/8 = 0,32cm).

E.g. : A 5’8” RRD’s surfboard (BARRACUDA model) has these measurements: 5’8” x 18 e 1/2” x 2-1/4”… which means “5 feet 8 inches long, 18 inches and a half wide, and 2 inches and a quarter thick”.

Kite surfboards’ shapers are currently producing boards between 5’0’’ and 6’4’’ feet long. Regular surfboards of this length are most commonly

known as “short-boards” because the traction of the kite simplifies some of the most critical aspects inherent to pure wave surfing, like the take-off or keeping up speed on the wave.

Regular surfboards are produced in much bigger sizes (Malibù, Longboard…), 7’’-8’’-9’’-10’’ feet, however there is no need to go oversize when kiteboarding as the board would be too big and less manoeuvrable… let’s remember that we already have the traction of the kite that keeps us afloat.

Remember that it is not just a question of

LENGTH. Width and thickness are JUST AS IMPORTANT. E.g.: A 5’7’’ board could be harder to turn compared with a 6’2’’ if the width, the thickness, shape and tail have certain characteristics.

It is the combination of these single characteristics that will determine how a board behaves on the water.

THE BOARD OUTLINE –The shape, the perimeter of the board.

The outline is the curve that joins the nose to the tail, passing through the point of maximum WIDTH,

RAIL TAIL PLUGO

WIDTH

THICNESS

CENTER LENGTH ROCKER

KICK

which is usually (but not necessarily) located in the middle of the board.

The width, as one can imagine, is NOT the same throughout the outline.

The standard width of a board is measured at its widest point, which usually is located in one of these three points: 30 cm from the nose, in the middle of the board, and 30 cm from the tail. During construction the shaper “moves the volume” (i.e, widening the width) from the centre (where it has a better overall run) towards the extremes (nose or tail) in order to obtain a certain type of

FINS effect: towards the nose if you want greater buoyance and better stability at low speed. Towards the tail when you want more lift and greater stability at high speed.

Given the width equal, the difference is made by the length of the board.

Longer boards will be more stable but less manoeuvrable; the board will then be more technical and with less volume, making it harder to turn, more aggressive and more nervous.

SCOOPLINE o ROCKER-How concave the surface of the board is from nose to tail

Two 6’0” boards, with equal width, but with two different rocker curves, will behave COMPLETELY DIFFERENT on the water.

Flat rocker = a greater surface area of the hull is in contact with water; this means that the board will be fast and stable, you will experience faster planing, wave catching and greater upwind.

However the board will be less manoeuvrable and it could easily nose dive.

Curved rocker = the board is slower, more unstable and you will experience late planing. On the good side the board will be more manoeuvrable, bet

88 TECH A quick survivor guide to directional boards

ter on larger and hollow waves and less likely to nose dive.

Flatter bottoms are normally used (but not always) on short-boards because their reduced length, makes them more manoeuvrable already.

A FUNDAMENTAL concept, in order to fully understand the overall functioning of a wave board, is THE SPEED with which we surf a wave... that may depend on the size of the kite used in relation to the intensity of the wind, or on how steep the wave is and its strength... Once again speed is key.

“Generous” boards, in terms of shape or size, tend to become less manoeuvrable at high speed. On the other hand “aggressive” boards with an accentuated rocker will be difficult to handle at low speed but can become your best friend at high speed due to their extreme precision.

When surfing big, powerful waves, we do not need a fast board (slow down man!) but a ma-

noeuvrable and performing one. On small waves, conversely, having an agile board is useless, unless you can first pick up enough speed. So, if you usually surf small and less powerful waves, (we don’t all live in Hawaii unfortunately) the shaper will build a fast and zippy board which slides smoothly even on “pussy” waves.

The rocker, at this point, is FUNDAMENTAL!!! The rocker line is divided in three parts which have to be skilfully joined to obtain the desired result on the board.

The scoop is the curve at the bottom of the nose: the greater the curve, the slower the board, so it will be perfect for big waves given the board will be less likely to nose dive. The rocker is the curve which runs from the middle of the board all the way up until 15cm from the tail: the greater the rocker, the more agile the board. However, we cannot go overboard with this because a too accen-

tuated rocker will end up slowing the board down excessively as water could create turbulence on the way out.

To avoid this from happening, shapers have researched the so called “tail kick”: more tail kick (15cm from the tail) brings the front of the board out of the water when you stand on the tail. This will make a board turn faster, you will experience easier dropping into the wave, resulting in a speedier entry.

At parity of rocker, the shape of the base of your surfboard will also affect the way it rides…

BOTTOM SHAPE the “base” of your surfboard, the surface area in contact with water.

The bottom is directly proportional to the length of the board (at parity of rocker, the bottom of a 5’2” compared with a 6’2” will have a smaller surface area in contact with the water). This aside, the variation in bottom shapes is almost limitless.

Flat Base: They are the more versatile boards around and can be used on most waves and situations: they ride fast even on small waves and they are quite agile. These boards are ideal for Mediterranean waves and do not require a highly skilled rider.

V Shape Base: surfboard can have a “V” shape base, in order to ease the rail-to-rail surfing.

These boards (including larger boards) are more manoeuvrable, but tend to be a bit slow.

Hybrid: The hybrid surfboard design is a mix between the design features of the flat and the “V” shape base. The flat shape is used throughout the entire length of the board, whilst the “V” shape is located at the tail, in-between the fins.

Single/Double Concave and Channels: Performing only at high speed… they provide more acceleration when exiting the wave. However if the rider is not skilled, keeping the double concave above

90 TECH A quick survivor guide to directional boards

the water could be quite a challenge as it tends to slow down and stick more to the water. From the concave to the double concave, shapers have tried inserting channels (min 2, max 8 channels per board) to dramatically increase control. Channels are recommended for big waves and extremely skilled riders.

Deck: The top side of the board.

Please refer to the Outline section.

Nose: Front tip of the board, the bow.

The nose of the surfboard is the part of the board which sits out of the wa-

ter. The shape of the nose varies according to the type of rocker. Usually boards with an accentuated rocker will have a very sharp and pointed nose to ease the flow of whitewater when exiting a wave. Such a board will be more manoeuvrable but less stable. Instead boards with a smaller rocker (flatter), will have a more rounded nose, generating the opposite effect.

Tails: The back of the board, the stern.

Unlike the nose, the TAIL of the surfboard sits ALWAYS in the water, so it is extremely important and

will dramatically affect the manoeuvrability and speed of your board.

To make a long story short, aggressive and narrow tails will improve rail-to-rail surfing, but will provide less lift. The rider will then need to make up for it by using the kite or the power of the wave, to avoid losing speed. Conversely boards with larger tails will be less manoeuvrable, but perfect for low/medium skilled riders because the board will float better, making up for the lack of speed generated by the rail-torail surfing.

There is a wide range of

tail shapes available on the market; each providing a different performance. A- The Square Tail: The squaretail is made up of two sharp rails. The sharp edge gets rid of a lot of water very quickly, which makes it a very fast and precise tail. Ideal for medium size, steep and powerful waves. A more radical style.

B-The Rounded Pin Tail: As the name suggests the pin tail has a smooth, rounded rail. This tail is very versatile and good to manoeuvre; it is ideal

92 TECH A quick survivor guide to directional boards

for less technical boards.

C- The Diamond Tail: Provides precision and stability.

D- The Pin Tail: Very fast and stable at the same time, it has a smooth rail to a pivotal point (a smaller surface of the board is actually in contact with water). Great for surfing big waves.

E- The Squash Tail: The squash tail design is a mix between the square and the round tail and it is the most popular design on modern day surfboards. This tail is suited for pretty much all wave conditions from medium

sized to overhead.

F- The Rounded Squash Tail: Similar to the squash tail but a lot smoother.

G- Round Tail: Somewhat similar to the pin tail but wider. More suitable for small waves and long, slow turns.

H- The Swallow Tail: The swallow tail design is often seen on “Fish” style short-boards. The wide tail is designed to reduce the perimeter of large bows, and to increase control at high speed.

RAILS- the “edge” of the board.

Soft rails are nice and rounded providing greater manoeuvrability (for easy waves), they float more and provide plenty of drive even at low speed. It suits a low/medium skilled rider.

Hard, down rails are more squared off. They will knife into the water’s edge easier, making it plane faster, turn quicker and loose less water (for more difficult waves). The compromise is in rail volume. A board must have thicker, softer rails in the center of the board if it is to float the surfer, otherwise water comes over the board at low speed, eventually slowing it

down. The nose and tail volume will remain thinner and harder for speed and performance.

Usually hard rails are found on curved rocker bottom boards. The rail is not the same throughout the board: more rounded at the nose and in the middle whilst harder at the tail where there is greater pressure. Just a few degrees difference between rails can provide a different feel during riding.

FLEX how much the board flexes.

A flexible board will have a “softer�, less nervous feel under your feet and

FINS This is another subject altogether... please check the latest edition (N. 0) of our magazine.

the board better during a bottom turn and maintain greater balance. Careful not to leave your foot in during crashing, waves can be quite unpredictable!

If you like to go strapless do not forget to apply a good amount of wax on the board.

FOOT-STRAP-(LESS) You should adjust your foot-straps to a comfortable level where you feel you can easily control your board. If you want a more strapless feeling, you should leave your straps quite loose with your foot all the way in.

This way you can edge

STANCE Another important thing to consider when talking about straps is WHERE you should put your feet and at what distance.

A good advice would be to stand on the board strapless a couple of times, before mounting your pads on it, to understand which

will stick to the wave better. On the other hand, it might slow your acceleration if you are used to surf more aggressively.

94 TECH A quick survivor guide to directional boards

position feels more comfortable on that specific board. You do not stand on a different board, using the same foot position. A simple advice to avoid fixing straps 100 times over… I’ve lost my screws again aaargh…

Some boards have got different anchoring inserts: rear or front insert. These give you more placement flexibility.

BACK FOOT more rear, if you want to turn faster, tighter and with less pressure. The downside is that you will also be slower as the tail sinks during turns, you will also experience later planing as it’s not easy to put your foot in.

FRONT FOOT more rear, if you want to move your balance back, towards the tail. This way the nose lifts, thus accentuating the rocker. The downside is that it will be more unstable whilst riding and you will easily slow down, loosing water. For example a “radical” board could be tamed by moving the placement of the

forward strap a few inches forward. Such a board will also go upwind better. In the same way one could “modify” a hard-toturn board, by moving the stance a few inches back.

PADS & SURFWAX Pads are important because the sensation on your feet, produced by the board, will be transmitted when we push our feet on the pads.

Personally I prefer softer, non-slip designed pads running through a large section of the board, to avoid slipping during a manoeuvre or when riding strapless. Unfortunately standard pads do not always have these characteristics, so you should think about investing in more specific equipment if you want to get the best out of your board.

Surfwax is now a popular alternative because the feeling will be closer to pure surfing. The “Guru’s” of this sport talk about a more precise ride. Personally I do not

like a hard feeling under my feet because I like to keep my surfing as fluid as possible. However NOT slipping is certainly more important when kitesurfing. Don’t forget you have the traction of the kite…

LEASH It is the leg-rope that connects the board to your ankle. The “regular” wave-rider (left foot forward when riding with a normal front stance) will connect the leash on the back leg, i.e. the right leg…

The “goofy” wave-rider will connect the leash on the left leg. This rule applies whether you want to surf front side or toe side and with both right and left waves. It’s advisable to use a leash in certain conditions to avoid losing the board in the white-water, or break your board on the rocks, or hitting riders who are surfing downwind from you. A leash is particularly useful in off or side-off wave and wind conditions and whenever you want to get back on the board

quickly after a wipe-out.

The downside is the board could hit you on the head; although this could also happen without a leash attached. The length of a board-leash is usually 2’, 2’.5’’ or 3’. Shorter leashes will allow you to get back to your board quicker, but will also increase the risk of getting hurt when falling off a wave.

96 TECH A quick survivor guide to directional boards

“PERFECT A directional board is like a shoe: each one has its own fit, as there are too many variables which can affect your final choice.

There is no such thing as a perfect or ideal board, but we will help you making an informed choice.

can overcome the lulls with ease... Make sure to also check the width and where the volume is distributed.

What wind intensity and wave conditions do you usually ride in, at your home spot?

kite will bring you right at the peak but it will not interfere too much with your ride. We recommend you to go strapless so you can move your feet more easily and avoid slowing down.

FREE-STYLE: if you prefer

How tall are you?

If you are 2m tall, you will feel better with a large board (6.3”); this will help you plane faster compared with a smaller board (5’5”).

How much do you weigh?

If your weight is over 100kg, a generous board will help you plane faster, you can increase your upwind angle and you

The rule of thumb is that on or side-on wind conditions require larger surfboards, whilst off or side-off conditions require a more rigid and precise board.

What’s your style?

WAVE-RIDING: if you use the power of the wave instead of the traction of the kite to surf, you will prefer a larger board, 6’ or 6’.3”, and a smaller kite. The

to use the traction of the kite to “cut” the wave, you will use a bigger kite and a smaller and more aggressive board (like a 5’.6” or 5’.8”) with foot-straps.

With this in mind, there are other factors which can determine your final choice: The PLANING SPEED of your board.

WAVE-TYPE: big, medium, small, steep or soft,

T” BOARD? fast or slow, powerful/ less powerful waves; the type of swell and fetch are also important. How much whitewater? How much power?

WIND INTENSITY: usually, with only a few exceptions, the stronger the

the wind direction and which kind of surfing-style you are looking for. To generalize you should be overpowered in on-shore conditions, underpowered when the wind is side-off.

KITE TYPE: check for spe-

KEEP IT SIMPLE The best piece of advice we could ever give you, is to choose your board according to your level of kiteboarding and according to the conditions of your home spot.

“EASY” SURFBOARDS

wind, the more aggressive and easier to handle your board should be.

WIND DIRECTION (ON, SIDE-ON, SIDE-OFF, OFF): where the wind impacts the wave. Usually side and side-off conditions require aggressive boards, whilst side or on conditions require easier boards.

KITE SIZES: The size of your kite will depend on

ed, and upwind angles.

RIDER CHARACTERISTICS (height, weight, skills, experience) SPOT: it is extremely important to know your spot and the type of waves breaking there.

RIDING STYLE: vertical, aggressive bottom turns and off the lip manoeuvres, or just a quick drop down with a fast exit.

PRACTICAL ADVICE...

plane faster, go better upwind, forgive little mistakes, and turn better with a greater curve radius. They are not necessarily the longest boards around: what really matters is how and where the volume has been distributed by the shaper! These boards perform better in small waves, with on shore and light-wind conditions. However be careful

because, as the speed of the rider, the size or steepness of the wave increases, they tend to wobble and become harder to control.

RRD’s models such as BALENA, MINI MAXI, ASSO PIGLIATUTTO, CHIATTA are “easy” boards.

STANDARD SURFBOARDS are a good compromise, and can be used in most conditions. They are very performing boards and will deliver excellent results in almost all wind and wave conditions. If you buy one of these boards: SALEROSA, MAQUINA, C.O.T.A.N., you will

never be disappointed. If you can afford only one board, this will be it!!

“TOP OF THE RANGE” SURF BOARDS are not for everyone. They are shaped for specific situations. If you don’t have the skills and the right wind conditions or a powerful enough wave, you’ll never understand why that board “just does not go, or is wobbly”. You’ll go saying “that board is bad” for years! That’s simply because you’ve never used it for what was intended by the shaper: steep and aggressive waves, side or side-off wind, and

an expert rider looking for maximum accuracy.

Experts know that such a board could never have other characteristics (upwind, planing speed, overcoming lulls, floating on whitewater …).

However, if you know how to use them, this type of shape can deliver great satisfaction. In RRD’s house the best in this category are: BARRACUDA and MAQUINA. Last but not least, if you simply want to have fun doing some STRAPLESS FREESTYLE surfing, then your best choice will be the new and aweso-

me POP or HUEVO: little rocker, short and wide.

CONCLUSIONS There’s no such thing as a perfect board!

No matter the conditions or what you want to use it for.

If you only want the best, come to mind with the idea that different conditions, require different boards. It is not by coincidence that most surfing shops in your country, sell

an almost endless variety of differently shaped boards. Each and one of them is projected and developed for specific wave and wind conditions.

If you want to get the best out of each session, you might end up owning a set of different boards.

If you can’t afford these many boards, and you don’t want to travel with a lot of equipment, you have to find a good compromise board, and that

will depend on your level of kiteboarding and the conditions of your home spot. In general, it makes a lot more sense to start improving your skills with simpler and easier boards, rather than with specific and radical ones.

Once you have reached a high level of expertise, not to doubt you will start adding newer and more specific surfboards to your quiver.

Renato “DrKite” Casati Technical Expert

RRD’s Wave team rider.

Kitesurfer since 2000, athlete and judge in the PKRA and KPWT circuit. For the last 12 hears he has given his contributions to several magazines. He lives between Como Lake, Sardinia, not to mention the waves of Caboverde...

100 HEALT AND FITNESS The kitesurfer’s diet

THE KITESURFER’S DIET

In sports, the energy demand is aimed at improving the performance, so proper nutrition is key and should go hand in hand with your athletic training.

The quality and quantity of nutrient-rich foods among sportsmen has witnessed a fast and progressive evolution over time.

Sergio Murgia, 43, years kiting: 10.

I have a degree in Sports Science at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, and I am a certified postural personal trainer at the ISSA National Athletics Coach, specialized in gymnastics and certified in Souchard method and Axis of life.

Before choosing the most appropriate diet for any athlete, we will need to assess his or her general health conditions and body mass, and record his or her dietary assessment (i.e. diet history). Clearly we will need to take into account many other factors such as: their individual energy requirements based on sport activity, preferences and personal taste, meal times, and work commitments. Our aim is to distinguish their basal metabolic rate, so that we can more precisely calculate the number of calories required by the type and intensity of their sport activity.

In this regard, in 1943 the Food and Nutrition Board published the RDA (Recommended Daily Dietary Allowances). The RDA, which was based on the age of the subject, was created to assess the amount of calories, protein, fat-soluble vitamins and minerals, needed for the healthy diet of an individual.

Nowadays the RDA has been replaced with the more modern RDI (The Reference Daily Intake or Recommended Daily Intake). The main dietary rules quoted in the RDI suggest: to vary the quality of

TEXT: Sergio Murgia PHOTO: Salvatore Caserta

eaten food, limiting quantity in order to maintain a stable body weight,

eat a diet low in saturated fat but rich in fruit, vegetables and wheat products; moderate your consumption of sodium salt, sugar, wine and spirits.

Kitesurfing is a sport which requires strength, endurance, flexibility and coordination. These have to be maintained high throughout your entire session on the water, so aside from having the necessary athletic training, it is equally important that you follow a balanced and adequate diet. The best you can do is to follow the above stated rules: always try to eat as varied and healthy as possible and maintain a balanced diet mixing the three major nutrients (carbohydrates, fats and proteins). Remember to eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables as they are a precious source of mineral salt, vitamins and water. Proper hydration is often overlooked, but plays an equally important role. When kitesurfing, in fact, we often tend to prolong our sessions for hours, so don’t forget that progressive dehydration will eventually decrease your performance.

The ideal would therefore be to take small breaks in your sessions and drink some water and eat sugar carbohydrates,

even if at times, whilst on the water, you lose track of time!

Outside the performance you should eat foods rich in starch, fructose, and wheat such as: bread, pasta, rice and fruit. These foods are easily assimilated by the body, and increase the glycogen reserves in the body of the rider; a reserve, which can be drawn upon later.

As an example, I will tell you my eating habits on a typical kiting day. Take into account that my BMI (body mass index) is pretty much in the middle and I that have a pretty lean body composition.

My day starts off at 7:00 am with a rich and healthy break

- Fruit; - Cereals; - Toast with honey and / or jam; - Coffee or tea with skimmed milk.

Mid-morning I go kitesurfing‌ If my session continues and the wind is good, I give myself a 10’ break to drink some water and eat a banana.

Around midday I have my lunch:

- A nice plate of fresh seasonal vegetables with olive oil, salt and lemon; - 150/200gr of pasta with a light dressing; - 100 gr low-fat proteins: dried beef, ham, lean fish, chicken breast, etc..

- Fruit.

I wait for about three hours and I go back to the water (wind permitting). Alternatively, if I have to wait for a late-afternoon session, I allow myself a snack of fruit and / or yogurt or even a good homemade ice cream For my evening meal I have another approach. I eat whatever I feel my body needs that day. Let me explain: if I have kited morning as well as afternoon I will be super hungry so most likely I will eat a first course of pasta or rice. If I only had one session I will most likely eat as follows:

- 200 grams of meat (beef or veal) or fish - 300 g of mixed salad to taste (fennels + lettuce + peppers + tomatoes + carrots + etc.).

- Fruit.

Throughout the day I always drink a lot of water, especially between meals.