TheKiteMag #42 Free Digital by Water Born Media

CATCHING JALOU’S LIGHT SONIC YOUTH: FLAME GRILLED SNOWBIRD: SLEDGING WITH KARI

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XTRA FR

XTRA LIGHT XTRA FAST XTRA VERSATILE SPEED | VERSATILITY | CONTROL Featuring 88 less panels, a completely redesigned trailing edge, a 25% thinner bridle, and a 10% overall weight reduction, the all new RPX V1 is next step in freeride kite design.

LEARN MORE AT SLINGSHOTSPORTS.COM | FACEBOOK.COM/SLINGSHOTKITEOFFICIAL | INSTAGRAM: @SLINGSHOTKITE

Rider: Stijn Mul Photo: Sam Light

REERIDE

EASIER THAN EVER The latest front wing design is 950cm². It has been refined from the previous versions to extend the range of use. With more lift, the IC6 V3 is easier than ever to learn on and have fun whatever your foiling level. Using careful design, it can fly at very low speed but it can also accelerate with great maneuverability and a fantastic carving potential. The IC6 950 V3 is designed for anyone looking for a first foil purchase or simply for a versatile setup able to deliver tons of fun on the water.

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Photo - YDWER

Rider - LIAM WHALEY

Spot -CORSICA

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Watch them fly! Rider JANEK GRZEGORZEWSKI Photo Thomas Burblies

SKYSCRAPER

More power, more vertical lift, and maximum kite stability. It's so easy to earn your wings with the XR7’s new canopy material CoreTex 2.0 and ExoTex Light struts. The added muscle and 8% weight loss make it more turny and playful than ever. So, begin your air venture on the confidence-inspiring XR7.

CORE Kiteboarding GmbH +49 (0) 4371 88934-0 info@corekites.com Fehmarn, Germany

HIGH PERFORMANCE BIG AIR / FREERIDE / FREEST YLE / WAVE

J U I C E

F R E E R I D E

L I G H T W I N D

F O I L

O U R W AY T O M A K E T H E WORLD A BET TE R PL AC E .

D U OTONES P ORTS .C OM

FOL LOW U S

D E D I C AT E D T O KITEBOARDING SINCE 2001

CONTENTS THE FEATURES 110 // Catching the Light Photographer Jason Broderick might be new to snapping kiters, but he bags some absolute bangers of Jalou Langeree in Cape Town, framing her high performance wave slaying in the best possible light.

118 // Sonic Youth Xander Raith likes to kite, and he likes to keep things ‘legit’ when it comes to boardsports: he’s a ‘core’ park rider and that’s how he rolls. So time to find some kindred spirits, something to jump / slide on, and quite possibly some tequila. La Ventana it is then.

126 // Snowbird Nomadic Kari Schibevaag heads into the snowy wilderness of Norway’s deserted mountains and up towards the North Pole. She doesn’t find Santa or the reindeers, but who needs them when you have a kite to pull you and your sledge along.

132 // Knocking on Heaven’s Door Having secured a revered spot in the King of the Air comp, Stig Hoefnagel heads to Cape Town to take part. When Covid scuppers those plans (and to make things worse, shuts the beaches) Stig makes the most of the situation and hits the gym and top tourists spots. A long way from a wasted trip…

138 // Mexican Rap Our second sojourn to La Ventana of this issue sees Canadian rider Jack Rieder crossing continents to get his fix of sunny Mexican sessions and slightly sketchy sliders.

THE REGULARS 37 // Tangled Lines Legends… James Boulding 44 // On The List… Drepano, Greece 48 // I’m On It… Posito Martinez 52 // My Beach… Jeremy Burlando, El Medano 58 // Colin Colin Carroll’s Loveletters… Marc Jacobs 64 // The Mission… Keh-Lung Su | Camdyn Kellett 76 // The Creators… Frank Ilfrich, CORE 82 // Profile… Julien Leleu 88 // Gallery… The Evolution of Wave Kiting, Jason Wolcott 142 // The Big Picture… FLYSURFER 146 // Technique… Rita Arnaus| Eric Rienstra 150 // Tell Me About It… F-ONE Pocket and IC6| Brunotti boards | Naish Torque 2 | Prolimit harnesses | Eleveight RS & Master

160 // The Ultimate Test Guide 166 // The Committed… Lee ‘Pasty’ Harvey 172 // Reflections… Gabi Steindl

COVER

When we set up this photo shoot with Liam the forecast looked grey and gusty, but somehow he managed to score this inviting looking shot that looks more like an August afternoon than a chillier springtime session. Photo: Antonio Herrera Trujillo HERE

Chucho Nonnot gliding through the blue in Saint-Martin, Caribbean. Photo: GossBrothers

Welcome Shifting plates Greetings. No, we’re not talking sushi… We’re talking tectonic: the movement of those solid plates on the earth’s outer shell... A concept also often applied to significant, epoch-defining events which alter the course of how our time here on planet Earth unfolds. And when it comes to those significant plates that make up the world of windsports, there is one plate that has recently shifted much more clearly into view: wingsurfing / wingfoiling… Call it what you will. From pretty much nowhere it has become the sport of the moment, casting its shadow over the sports that came before, and from which it has taken much of its inspiration and technology… Of course, this is TheKiteMag and we love to kite but we also love to foil and – yes – we now love to wingfoil (although none of that within these pages, no sir, head over to Foiling Magazine to get your fill there). But it has caused some soul searching for us… Yes, wingfoiling is ‘exploding’, yes it mirrors the explosion of many of the sports which have preceded it and, yes, we hear the reports that beaches which used to get 50 kiters, now have 30 kiters and 40 wingfoilers… Are we worried? Well, no… We’re not. Here are a few reasons why: • Wingfoiling is accessible and relatively easy to learn. Hence the popularity amongst people who have never previously considered getting into a windsport. Once they are ‘in’ though, there is a good chance that they are going to look at the guys screeching through the sky while they are meandering up and down and think ‘hang on, that looks fun’. Once they have the wind awareness and board skills, they’ll be reaching for their twintips and WOOs in no time. • Like a Black Hole, wingfoiling is pulling everyone in… Kiters, windsurfers, foilsurfers, sailors. We all ‘get it’ and suddenly the beaches are more inclusive – everyone hanging out, talking kit, and you strike up a conversation with that windsurfer who dropped in on you 10 years ago and you haven’t talked to since… Everyone likes a chilled day out at the beach and wingfoiling is facilitating that. • The perennial problem of kitesurfing trying to find its place in the world just got a little bit clearer… Kiting can focus on what sets it apart from other windsports: Big Air, riding waves ‘in the pocket’, and hitting sliders and kickers. As a sport we have plenty of heritage and respect in these departments, and you can read how passionate guys like Colin Colin Carroll (who we welcome this issue) and Xander Raith are about their preferred disciplines later in the magazine. Yes, the wingfoilers can do that windsurf-style flippy spinny stuff, but it’s not a megaloop at 30+ meters, an overhead barrel at Teahupoo or a steez-dripping-slider-hit. So, yes, we get you: it’s kind of annoying that the world has all gone a bit ‘wing’ but rest assured, when the dust has settled, kiting will be better for it. And it won’t be long before one of those wing guys is creeping up to you at the beach before tentatively asking “So, how do I get to fly though the air like that?!” HE R E

Bruna Kajiya in Tarifa perfectly showcasing what kiting is all about… Photo: Samuel Cardenas

Enjoy the issue,

Alex

(and Sarah) 15

HERE

Annabel van Westerop, hanging out with her Astra in the fast lane, Aruba. Photo: David Troeger EDITOR Sarah Sylvester EDITOR-IN- CHIEF Alex Hapgood

ART DIRECTOR Nikki Hall

TECHNICAL EDITOR Richard Boughton ONLINE MEDIA MANAGER Gemma Hamaini D I G I TA L M A R K E T I N G To m W e y e r s D I G I TA L E X E C U T I V E Rebecca Aldous

CONTRIBUTORS Action Edit, Alessandro D’Ambrosio, Alex Schwarz, Andrew Kellett, Antonio Herrera Trujillo, Arnaud Plas, Bruce Wotherspoon, Chris Rollett, Craig Kolesky, David Troeger, Fninga, Francesca Hockley, Frankiebees, GossBrothers, Helen Fischer, Ian Butt, Isabel Barata, Israel Gil, Jason Broderick, Jason Walcott, Jim Rienstra, João Pedro Rocha, Julien Leleu, Kat Nielsen, Kyle Cabano, Leo Drees, Lucas Tozzi, Lukas Pitsch, Mercedes Garcia, Miriam Joanna, Miriam Tymiec, Orestis Zoumpos, Pablo Amores, Petri Sandström, Rafa Soulart, Rein Rijke, Samuel Cardenas, Samuel Tomé, Scott Bauer, Scotty Sinton, Sebastiano Massimino, Steve Clarke, Sven Erberich, Svetlana Romantsova, Therese N. Andersen, Thomas Burblies, Tommy Simonsen, Tyrone Bradley, Vincent Schaap, Wake Up Stoked, Ydwer van der Heide

ADVERTISING Advertising enquiries can be sent to advertising@thekitemag.com

COPYRIGHT All material in TheKiteMag is subject to copyright. Reproduction without the express permission of the publishers will result in prosecution.

PUBLISHER TheKiteMag is published by Water Born Media Limited, 20-22 We n l o c k R o a d , L o n d o n N 1 7 G U

E N V I R O N M E N TA L This magazine is printed on paper s o u rc e d f ro m r e s p o n s i b l y m a n a g e d s o u rc e s u s i n g v e g e t a b l e b a s e d i n k s . B o t h the paper used in the production and the manufacturing process are FCS ® c e r t i ﬁ e d . T h e p r i n t e r s a r e a l s o a c c re d i t e d t o I S O 1 4 0 01, t h e i n t e r n a t i o n a l l y recognized environmental standard. FIND US ON

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TAKE A LOOK INSIDE THE MOST ADVANCED QUICK RELEASE ON THE MARKET 19

SNAPLOCK QUICK RELEASE

ACCESSORIES NOT INCLUDED MICRO LOOP

Leveraging the completely new loop attachment system, we’ve created the most compact loop on the market. The Micro Loop provides an incredibly locked-in and controlled experience, significantly reducing the distance between the rider and the trim cleat. The seamless transition between the kiter and the kite ensures the most direct kite connection available. Through countless iterations, we’ve developed a unique chicken finger to make attaching and detaching the loop effortless. If you’re not looking to unhook, this is undoubtedly the perfect loop for you.

MEDIUM LOOP

Playing off of the proven size of our previous QR, the Medium Loop offers a locked in feel while still allowing you to go unhooked at a moments notice.

SLIDER LOOP

Built from incredibly strong and durable stainless steel, our carabiner-style Slider Loop provides the ideal lowfriction attachment for rope slider harnesses. If you’re looking for the purest surf feeling or just loving riding toeside, this is the loop for you.

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Effortlessly reload your quick release with one simple motion.

INSTANTANEOUS LOOP CHANGE

Swap between four different loop styles in an instant. Whether you are sharing kites with a friend, or want to change up your riding style, it is now easier than ever.

RELEASE ON DEMAND

An ergonomic design paired with an increased quick release throw keeps you clicked in securely and releases on demand.

SHORTENED SYSTEM

We have brought everything within reach and enhanced your feeling of control by cutting over 3 cm off of the complete safety system.

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FEATHER TRIM

A compact and lightweight trim cleat reduces drag on your center lines and gives you a more direct connection to your kite. UNIBODY DESIGN Utilizing a single piece of stainless steel that includes all the necessary features allows for an incredibly strong yet lightweight design.

PRE-STRETCHED TLS400 FLYING LINES

Market-leading strength eliminates uneven line stretch while low-profile connections help reduce line tangle and drag.

OPTIMIZED TEETH Refined tooth angle and shaping for easy and secure trimming. PU TUBE COLLAR An elongated collar around the PU tube along with orientation-locking geometry ensures the tube remains fixed into the cleat. ENLARGED DRIVE SIZE Forget about stripped screws oversized 3 mm hex drive screws.

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All-new floater design with an integrated flex section to reduce steering interference.

DUAL-DENSITY EVA GRIP WITH MEMORY CORE

Two distinct layers of EVA foam combined with a strategically placed memory-foam core provide an incredibly comfortable and intuitive grip without any slip.

SNAPLOCK QUICK RELEASE The SnapLock safety system is a massive jump forward in quick release technology. In short, we’ve taken everything we’ve learned from being on the cutting edge of kiteboarding for 25 years and put it into one simple, sleek, and incredibly safe package.

TORQUE 2

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FOCUS

RI DE R OSWAL D S MIT H P H OTO V INC E NT S C H AAP LOC AT I ON P ORT U GAL

OS: This session was completely unexpected. We were driving past a little cove on the Portuguese coastline and saw this wind line on the horizon. It was already past sunset, but you know how it goes – when it’s on, it’s on! I rode into the dusk whilst Ydwer bobbed around with his camera between the surf and Vincent stood on the beach. We were blessed with this golden ray of light, and looking back at it now, this gives me a feeling of gratitude. Take me back! FOCUS

R ID E R R O D E R IC K P IJL S PHOTO R E IN R IJK E LOC AT IO N DR OW N E D LA ND OF SAEFTI NGHE, THE NETHERLANDS

RR: Together with pro kiter Roderick, I am working on a photo project called The Last Line – we have made it our mission to photograph kitesurf action in some of the most pristine landscapes in the world, and thus show the beauty of our planet. Due to the pandemic and being limited with our travels, I started looking for unique waterways in our own backyard. The Drowned Land of Saeftinghe has been on my list for a long time. It is a salt marsh wilderness with a strong tidal variance; the high and low tide have a great influence on the area and that gives a very unique perspective from the sky. I wanted a photo of Roderick at low tide, in combination with a snowy landscape, but this combination is pretty rare in the Netherlands. It has turned out to be one of my favorite photos of this year.

R ID E R C R A IG C UN N IN GHAM PHOTO ISA B E L B A R ATA LOC AT IO N P O R TUGA L

CC: I stumbled across this lagoon on my first road trip south since moving to Portugal a few years ago. This was at the end of 2020, when the restrictions in Portugal were pretty relaxed, so my girlfriend and I loaded the van and headed to the Algarve. I had heard there was a lot of potential for spots but I didn’t realize there were so many lagoons. Luckily there had recently been an abnormal amount of rain, and the lagoons that people told me were impossible to foil in, well they worked!

FOCUS

RI DE R MAX WE IS E L P H OTO H E L E N F IS C H E R LOC AT I ON F E H MARN, GE RMANY

HF: In the car from Hamburg to Fehmarn the weather was cold and miserable – we had snow mixed with rain – not the best conditions for shooting. The Eleveight boys were wrapped in thick neoprene but full of pent-up lockdown energy. As soon as we all hit the water the weather changed and the guys were unstoppable – a full explosion of lockdown energy!

FOCUS

RIDE R P IP PA VAN IE RS E L P H OTO IS RAE L GIL LOC AT I ON B ONAIRE

PI: Looking back on this photo from Bonaire, it seems a lifetime ago. I am now back home enjoying the changeable Dutch weather conditions, which have been quite a contrast to the Caribbean. The first week at home it went from three degrees Celsius with hail and snow, to 20 degrees Celsius with sunshine. But kiting in less than perfect conditions is pretty cool as well - you never know what to expect before you go into a session. I recently went on a camper trip to Texel with my dad. It was super nice to spend time with him and discover new spots. And we even saw seals during our kite sessions - you don’t get them in Bonaire!

FOCUS

RI DE R E L IAS OUAH MID P H OTO L E O DRE E S LOC AT I ON H OOKS IE L , GE RMANY

EO: Over Easter I went to Oldenburg, north west Germany, to get back on the water for the first time since the winter break and my shoulder injury. In Hooksiel it was nine to 12 knots and nearly low tide. Everyone else there said it was not worth going out with the foil because the wind was going to decrease and the water would get too low. Nevertheless, I wanted to try it and went out on the water with my 80cm mast on the carving foil and had a surprisingly perfect session on my 12m Ultra.

RIDE R RODE RIC K P IJL S PH OTO ARNAUD P L AS / F LY ME DIA P RODU C T IONS LO C AT I ON B ONAIRE

RP: Bonaire is an up-and-coming spot with tourists and a favorite kite destination if you want to improve your flat-water and twintip skills. I hadn’t been lucky enough to visit it myself until April this year. Sharing this amazing flat-water spot with turtles and dolphins, and easily improving my freestyle game, all whilst riding in boardshorts and t-shirts in the beautiful Caribbean… well, I’ll be back.

FOCUS

RID E R ADRIAN GE IS L INGE R P H OTO AL E X S C H WARZ LOC AT I ON F U E RT E V E NT U RA

TKM: Levitaz and Flysurfer may be at the top of the pile when it comes to creating kites and foils that are FAST, but that doesn’t mean that they don’t occasionally find the time (and have the gear) to engage cruise control and head off on a downwinder into the sunset…

FOCUS

RIDER & PH OTO P E T RI SANDST RÖM LOC AT I ON F INL AND

PS: I help organize the Pallas Kiteweek event, which occurs annually in February. The kite spot is just outside a remote hotel – you hike a few hundred meters above the treeline and you’re riding. After your session you can relax in the sauna or experience ice hole swimming, and if you’re lucky, spot the northern lights over the mountains. This photo is from one of the most overwhelming sessions of my kiting history! Conditions on that day were really extreme – there was an ongoing blizzard with ice flying in the air, and the wind was gusting up to 50 knots. The sun is just setting behind the horizon, casting its last red rays onto the swirling snow.

FOCUS

R IDE R JA ME S STO R M CAREW PHOTO C L AUDIO C A BRAL / FNI NGA LOC ATI O N SE C R E T SPOT

JC: This was my first trip to this wave. However the hunger for the place started long before, thanks to the stories and rumors I had heard about it, and the images I had seen. Being able to line up the spot like we did and score this session was magical. I could say I have ticked it off the list, but seeing this place work just increased the hunger for the spot.

RIDER T H É O DE RAME COU RT PHOTO MIRIAM JOANNA LO C AT I ON C AP E TOWN

TR: This picture was taken on a classic Cape Town day. I spent a few hours on the water riding my strapless board and the SOUL wing with the Flysurfer crew. We were lucky enough to have Big Bay to ourselves; the wind was blowing, and the light was amazing, what a day it was…

FOCUS

RI DE R K E V IN LA N G E R E E P H OTO C RAIG KO LE S KY LOC AT I ON L ANGE B AAN, S OU TH A FR I C A

KL: This shot was taken during the collection #2 photoshoot for Reedin. It’s been such an epic journey right from the start. Being able to decide who we want to work with, what location we want to shoot and how we want to show our brand give us a pure feeling of freedom, and that freedom really fuels our creativity. That why most shots you see from me have a big smile. I just love what I do!

FOCUS

R ID E R F R A N C E SCO C A P PUZZO PHOTO SA M UE L TO M É LOC AT IO N C A P E TOW N

TKM: Despite the range of conditions and the ability to kite every day, sometimes it can be tricky to get an A-Grade wave shot in Cape Town… The ‘blues’ often look a bit weird in photos and there can be a lot of spray kicking about. Thankfully guys like Sam Tomé are on hand to get in the water, and get the very best angles up close…

FOCUS

James Boulding T A N G L E D L E G E N D S

L I N E S:

James has been kiting since the early years, first doing well at UK competitions, then going on to absolutely slay it at the Triple-S, both in front of and behind the camera. He’s now risen through the ranks to become Marketing Manager at Cabrinha, where his photography and videography skills also come in pretty handy…

PH OTOS F RANC E S C A H OC K L E Y

James Boulding Colleen Carroll

As someone who has had a long running and diverse career in the industry, what are the biggest changes you have witnessed?

It feels like I have watched some pretty major shifts in riding styles and what people do with a kite. Kiting used to be quite narrow in its genres and trends as the sport was establishing itself, and nowadays it is such a diverse sport. This is what I absolutely love about the sport and why I love my job working with some amazingly talented individuals. Many years ago I was really passionate about riding boots and the crossover with sports like wakeboarding. I saw things almost with a tunnel vision of clarity for how I wanted to kite and didn’t really have much time for anything else. I remember there being quite a segregation between ‘freeriding’ and ‘freestyle’, especially with discussions like bindings vs straps for comps. Then one day it all changes and suddenly people started riding boots. When I look back it is these realizations and changes in the sport that are so healthy – they drive progression and it is where young athletes coming through can really create change in an industry. One of the major factors that has helped with this is how much safer the equipment has become. It is this shift that has opened up the sport producing a much more diverse community of kiters. I would like to think it is just the start and when we look at the sport in 10 years’ time it will have become even more accessible. Jonathan

Modica

What do you think is the biggest difference in becoming a pro kiter today compared to 15+ years ago when you started? A lot has changed! The biggest difference is when I was getting into the industry social media hadn’t arrived. Fast forward to the present day and I think it has had an enormous impact on kiting and in particular how the role of an athlete has changed. It is an incredible tool for communication, and from a brand and athlete’s point of view it certainly plays an important part of the day-to-day for an athlete. When I was starting out the pressures were more focused on your ability, results and a more direct link to sales and marketing. I definitely have some sympathy for how tough the pressures are nowadays in feeling like you have to stand out, as well as the pressures that come from some of these social platforms, as I believe they can sometimes have a negative influence. It is pretty alarming the effect social media can have on youngsters growing up with it nowadays. I’d like to think if we sponsor athletes it is not all about likes and views. There are more core fundamental values that make someone a good fit for promoting a brand. I hope that shines through in our team of amazingly talented, but friendly and humble athletes. 38 38

TANGLED LINES LEGENDS

Adeuri Corniel

What are the best spots you have visited for kiting? For sure Maui kite beach for waves, kickers, and total beauty with heritage. It feels like home away from home. Then Rhosneigr in Wales for its rugged beauty; it holds a special place in my heart. On the list would have to be Cape Hatteras slicks as it is the best location for park riding hands down. Finally, for its beautiful coastline and being a cool spot intertwined with nature, I would say Diani Beach, Kenya.

Therese Taabbel

Since joining Cabrinha, I have always felt part of something bigger than just the brand. It has always felt more like a family. What do you like about the Cabrinha family and why do you think it is such a great team? Without being too clichéd, Cabrinha has always had something called the ‘Cabrinha Ohana’. Ohana is Hawaiian for family, and it is one of their main brand values. When I first joined the team I went out to Maui for my first shoot and to meet all the staff at the brand HQ. I was pretty nervous arriving at the office and my first experience was walking into the office and accidently stumbling into a serious marketing meeting. I was instantly welcomed though and took part in it with my views

Boulding

James Boulding

respected and listened to. I felt part of the brand workings from that day onwards. Those colleagues and their growing families quickly became friends. Wherever you’d travel in the world it seemed like you were welcomed with open arms into a community. Guys like Jon Modica and Damo Leroy would put me up when I was in their neck of the woods for an event or trip and would extend such hospitality. This all translates into working life and how far you are willing to go outside of office hours for the team and staff. That in turn passes on to guys and girls like yourself, as well as customers who, when they buy a product, feel like they are part of something bigger.

Brandon Scheid

You started your career as a rider’s rider, making unhooked tricks look amazing. You were not only the action star, but also often the filmer for these video pieces. Over time I have seen your kiting career continue to grow and shift in its directions. How do you continue to balance your time in front of as well as behind the lens? Kiting is a very physical sport so unless you’re superhuman (like yourself Brandon, you can ride at the highest level for hours!) there is plenty of time off the water when the wind is still blowing and conditions are good. I always liked to fill my time being productive and taking imagery was a way to

do this. I also knew very early on that I needed a point of difference to separate from other riders in the scene. Filming and taking photos sparked a creative interest that I have had since I was young and it sparked off again when I left university. It has really come in handy working within a marketing department. These days I spend very little time in front of the camera, which I’m fine with. The level of riding has gone through the roof with so many talented youngsters and due to some personal health issues I couldn’t possibly compete, so I’m happy to be behind the lens and still contribute to the media in any way I can.

Eric Rienstra

We had so many good times back in the day, from getting down in Russia at the Beeline Rail Masters during the Crimea invasion, to you and Sam Light taking me out in London, and of course almost a decade of Triple-S madness! If you could go back in time to one party, which one would it be and why? That London drum n bass rave was madness! I think it would have to be my first year at the Triple-S though, back when results weren’t the focus and parties were! The whole crew was there to push the level of kiting forward in a really progressive way and there was such an electric atmosphere off the water as well. The nightly house parties were just carnage. I have some great photos to remember them by but they probably wouldn’t be allowed to be printed... Russia would come a close second though, that whole event was just bizarre! JAMES BOULDING

Todd Gréaux (VP Sales)

You have had great success in kiting as an athlete, an artist behind the lens and in editing, and most recently managing the marketing for Cabrinha. Assuming the best is yet to come from you, what future project do you think will make your legacy both at Cabrinha and in kiting? Over the last year I feel there has been a virtual resetting – a time to breathe and take stock of our lives and what is important in them. People have realized how special their water time is and people new to watersports will have gained a passion that is a fundamental part of their wellbeing and health. It is my job not just to share how Cabrinha plays a part in this, but also to promote these sports as a whole to the outside community, irrelevant of which brand of equipment they buy. I believe we all have a role to play in showcasing the positive health benefits that watersports can have in people’s lives. To this extent we have some exciting projects planned for youth development, adaptive kiting, and the inclusion of kiting to a more diverse audience. I am really excited to be working with our team on a project with Estuary Brewing Co. that is fundraising money for lessons and experiences for people with physical and mental disabilities. We are putting on events throughout the year as well as having the profits from sales 40

TANGLED LINES LEGENDS

Boulding

James

of our collaborative ‘Drifter’ beer going into a specific charity to facilitate this. This is one of a number of initiatives that we are kicking off to really open up kiting to the wider community. Sports can play a massive role and this project aims to make sure that our sport in particular is available to anyone. I’d like to think when we look back in a few years’ time this will be one of a plethora of initiatives that has introduced kiters from different backgrounds.

Alby Rondina

Jam

You are a surfer and maths professor… is that why you kicked our butt on the WSL Fantasy League?! Tell me the trick! You just have to stop picking Gucci Leo Fioravanti. That is all. Tom

Court

Your riding styles have changed over the years; what is your favorite way to enjoy the water now? And where do you spend most of your time riding these days?

Foiling has hugely changed my time on the water. There is something magical about flying on top of the water, whether that’s surf foiling, winging or kite foiling. It has not just opened up the conditions you can get out and enjoy sessions in, but also sparked new learning curves, something that al-

ways keeps things interesting. It has also really connected me with product areas where there has been a lot of development and progression in the industry recently. This experience and passion really helps when you are discussing current and future product in the market. For the last few years I have really settled in the UK and been enjoying reconnecting with spots I rode when I was learning some 15 years ago. I have been exploring Wales in more detail, which has been really exciting while also getting out at some of the spots I learnt at, like Blackpool. Living on an island surrounded by stunning coastline, the concept of travelling so much has started to seem bizarre. I can now pack one foilboard that caters for my surf foiling, winging and kite foiling, a couple of Switchblades and a Crosswing into the car and I am good for literally any conditions. This feels quite far away from how things used to be where it was just a search for consistent 20 knot winds and butter flat water.

James Bouldi

Sam Medysky

What is your fondest memory from kiting in the past decade? There have been so many and it is funny how the years have just flown by. I actually can’t believe I met you 14 years ago at Taiba lagoon; I remember it as clear as if it was last week. We were so footloose and fancy free and the only thing we cared about was getting down to the lagoon and busting out some super dangly handlepasses and having a good time! One of the really amazing things about kiting is how you get to meet diverse people from around the globe with this one shared passion. I love those moments when you meet someone new for the first time by sharing an amazing session on the water or just landing someone’s kite and sparking up a conversation with them. There is nothing quite like seeing that grin on someone’s face after they have had a good session. Those people and the memories stay with you forever and I think it is one reason why people stick with the sport and become so passionate about it. Plus the excitement of going on a kite trip or just the feeling of seeing a great wind forecast for your home spot line up. It is hard to pick one memory but my last competition at the Triple S, placing fourth when I had decided to step back from riding and really focus hard on my job was special. The freedom I felt riding in it was just so liberating and there was no stress whatsoever, it just felt like it was fun kiting with mates in the park.

Craig Cunningham

How was the transition from being a long time pro athlete to working a full time job for Cabrinha? And what do you find more rewarding, the achievements as a rider or as Marketing Manager? I think the previous question nods to this and actually the transition was easy because I had been able to make it myself in my own time. I wanted to be challenged more mentally and I felt there was a new focus for my energy and skillset. I definitely get more reward from my current work – I work with so many talented and creative people, and it’s very stimulating. I still get to have the fun working with amazing athletes at shoots but also have close relationships with designers, testers, senior managers and a wide range of staff across the globe. When a new collection drops it is amazing to feel you have played your own small part in it. That old cliché rings so true – the more you put in, the more you get out. ■

mes Boulding

JAMES BOULDING

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L I S T H E T N O

Drepano G re ec e

WORDS MIRIAM T Y MIE C P H OTOS WAK E U P STOK E D AND AC T ION E DIT

had noticed this kite spot a few times in Youri Zoon and Paula Novotna’s stories a few years ago, but didn’t find out where they actually were until I met a Greek guy while traveling and got all the info I needed…

Drepano has become hugely popular amongst pro kiters as a training spot in Europe for freestyle and is not such a big secret anymore. While it doesn’t have the amazing ‘Greek-island-holiday-vibes’ that other kite spots like Rhodes or Paros have, it has insanely good kite conditions if you are into freestyle and want flat water to progress your tricks. It has shaped the definition of butter-flat water and stable wind for me. I’ve learned and nailed tricks here so easily. Thanks to the spit of land that juts out into the water, you will always have a flat 44

ON THE LIST

playground with side-offshore wind on one or other side of the spit, whether the wind is blowing from the west, the predominant direction, or from the east as it occasionally does. On the other side of the spit of land you will have side-onshore wind and chop. And if you want the perfect close-up kite shot, Drepano is probably the best place in Europe to get it as your photographer can comfortably sit on the beach and wait for your moves. The area of perfectly butter-flat water is closest to the lighthouse so there is kind of an unwritten rule: kiters ride and jump in a clockwise rotation, so you jump at the flattest part and ride all the way downwind then back up. You will quickly get the hang of it and if you don’t the other riders will help you understand. If you just want to cruise

"there is kind of an unwritten rule: kiters ride and jump in a clockwise rotation, so you jump at the flattest part and ride all the way downwind then back up" around a bit you can always go further out in the ocean or kite on the onshore side, which is choppier. There are mainly local riders and during the months with the best wind (May to July and September to October), you will probably find a lot of kite pros training there as well. August is usually not the windiest month in Drepano as it gets too hot – but you can still be lucky or you can find wind at Athen’s local kite spot if there is no wind here. The wind forecast takes a bit of reading and interpreting the conditions. Usually, if you have west wind, no rain and a sunny day with only 8 to 10 knots forecasted you have a high chance of good wind. The same goes for east wind but it is a bit more unreliable. On a regular day the wind blows like a fan, and it is highly unlikely that you will feel big gusts, unless it is a stormy day or the wind direction is different.

If you arrive at the airport in Athens it will take you around a twohour drive along the new toll motorway to get to the spot. The last ten minutes will have you wondering if you are going the right way, as you have to drive past a cement factory and turn down a small road. But once you round the corner to the ocean you see your little kiter’s paradise. Due to the pale rocks, the water is completely clear and has a beautiful blue color. There are a few sea urchins so keep an eye out if you walk around in the shallow water. You won’t need booties though unless you are a beginner. The spot itself is pretty unspectacular if you look around – there are no facilities there, the cement factory is close by, and the lighthouse is surrounded by fences, so make sure to leave enough space when landing your kite close by or it could end badly. You will most likely see some campervans as the spot is only a 30-minDREPANO, GREECE

L I S T H E T N O

"you can also explore some other kite spots around the area like Nafpaktos" 46

ON THE LIST

ute drive from the port of Patra. If you are coming by campervan don’t park right at the beach because this is where the windsurfers rig their gear and you won’t make new friends. The situation with the windsurfers can sometimes get pretty heated so I would recommend playing nicely and not getting into a fight if possible! If you want to spend a whole day kiting non-stop bring your own drinks and snacks. The closest restaurant is ‘The Spot’, a five-minute drive from the kite spot, and – amazingly – they deliver! They have yummy açai imported from Brazil, and great burgers. Once you have kited your heart out you can probably chill a bit longer on the beach to watch the action and see what tricks the other kiters are pulling off. Next door to ‘The Spot’ is the Kitesurf Greece kite school if you need lessons or equipment (Slingshot and Ride Engine gear). Or there is another kite school around the corner from there, Cape Drepano kite school, where you can also get lessons and rent equipment (Duotone, Cabrinha and ION gear). Both kite schools have a presence at the kite spot and have rescue boats in case something happens while kiting. Depending on your luck, the time of the year, and the wind direction, you can also explore some other kite spots around the area like Nafpaktos, a 30-minute drive away, or another epic secret spot that you will

Getting There Flights go to Athens (ATH). Definitely get your own rental car to do the two-hour drive to the spot, and put Faros Drepano as your destination, as Greece has various towns called Drepano.

In the Bag Most days you will need a 9m and an 11 or 12m.

most likely find out about once you are in Drepano... A 30-minute ride from the airport in Athens is their home spot Loutsa (this is the name that locals call the spot; if you look on Google Maps search for Nissakia Surf Club close to Artemida). Launching and landing is a bit tricky but once you are out it is fun, and you can score some flat sections between the two islands. Just be aware of the tide as it can get very shallow. It gets pretty crowded on the weekends and in the late afternoons but I had some super fun sessions there. Up for even more exploring? Nearly three hours from Athens you can find Raches, another flat water spot with lighter wind, so bring your bigger kites, and there is a glamping site right on the spot. Again, if looking for the spot, search for Raches Faros Kite Club because there are different Raches. For no-wind days you can check out Patras or the lovely village Nafpaktos on the other side of the picturesque Rio Antirrio Bridge. For dinners, we usually went to Psathopyrgos, Rio or Nafpaktos if we wanted a bit of a change. There are some supermarkets around the area as well and I highly recommend checking out the fancy bakery Raftopoulos in Rio. If you need an extra workout on the no-wind days, Evathlon in Rio is a nice modern gym that also has short-term passes so you don’t need a monthly membership. ■

Staying There There is no accommodation right at the spot so you can either hunt out an Airbnb, or in the closest village, Psathopyrgos, I’d recommend staying in the Green Village Psathopyrgos, a family-run business offering apartments, a communal pool and BBQ area. They also offer breakfast (which during the summer months often includes fresh fruits from their garden).

Beer A beer is around two Euros, and food in general is reasonably priced. Shopping in the supermarket you get good quality fresh fruit and veggies.

Most Likely to Hear Did you see Youri do that trick? Insane!

Rubber Least Likely To Hear Shorty or boardshorts from June to September. Long wetsuit (4/3) in spring and autumn.

Man, today was gusty.

DREPANO, GREECE

POS

MAR

C R A Z Y F LY : T H E LEGEND PH OTOS SEBAST IANO MASS IMINO OTOS T H OMAS BURBLIES

BOARD DIMENSIONS: 138 x 42cm // RIDER WEIGHT: 74kg // RIDER HEIGHT: 185cm 48

I’M ON IT

The brand new CrazyFly Legend twintip has been designed and developed together with Red Bull King of the Air contestant Posito Martinez, and he plans to take it to the GKA Freestyle World Tour when competitions resume. He talks us through this bulletproof board that is tough enough to withstand his explosive style of riding. I am so proud to have developed my signature board, the Legend, with CrazyFly. They have listened to all the feedback and design tips I have given them over the last two years, and combined with the amazing technology available in the CrazyFly factory, they have created a board that not even I have managed to break yet! If you have seen me ride, especially freestyle, you will know that I like to go hard, keep the kite low, and enter and land tricks with as much power as possible. This can truly test the performance of a product and the Legend has passed with flying colors so far. The Legend is made to deal with strong and aggressive riding; it has a robust construction while at the same time having a balanced flex for soft landing and knee protection. The rocker is fast and flex is on the stiffer side, so I can really load up my jumps with full power. I was born and raised in ‘La Curva’ in Cabarete right in front of a kite beach and got involved in the sport at an early age. I started competing in local events as a teenager and then started traveling to international events. I have since ranked in the top ten of the freestyle tour for several years and became Big Air world champion in 2016. I also participated in the Red Bull King of the Air twice. The Legend is the board I dream of having for competitions due to my aggressive riding style. I am very much looking forward to using it on the GKA World Tour, especially as they are going to implement Big Air under certain wind conditions. I would also love to go back to the King of the Air.

CRAZYFLY LEGEND

Previously I rode the Bulldozer but quickly started working with CrazyFly on the prototypes that led to the Legend. The Legend is a little bit stiffer than the Bulldozer, but has a lot more pop and holds the edge better in strong wind conditions. Being part of the CrazyFly team is a dream come true, not only because they produce superior quality kite gear that I can push to test my limits and the limits of the sport, but also for the adventures we have taken together to film shoots, the unlimited support they provide me when it comes to competitions, and collaborating on developing the best gear! For this photoshoot of the Legend, I wanted to make sure I got some really special pictures so I chose Sebastiano Massimino, a Cabarete based photographer, to take the shots. He knows how to capture the best colors and landscapes of the area. The shoot location is the waterfront in the city of Puerto Plata, a 45-minute drive from Cabarete. Puerto Plata is an amazing place for kiting and is less crowded than Cabarete. The scenery there is beautiful and full of history, and you can kite right in front of the San Felipe fortress, which was built in 1577 by the Spanish empire. The waterfront is very vibrant with lots of restaurants and the whole area offers lots of sightseeing and activities. If you visit the Dominican Republic for a kite trip Puerto Plata is a must. If any of you reading this come to Cabarete feel free to send me a message if you need tips or info about the spots! Cabarete is currently open for tourism. It has been relatively unscathed during the pandemic and we have not had many cases. For the first two months of the pandemic we were not able to kite, but after the government gained a better understanding of the situation, things started to get back to normal slowly. I am grateful to be able to continue my kiting journey and become a role model for future generations of kiters. I am currently working on a new video which should be coming out soon, so keep an eye out for that… ■ CRAZYFLY LEGEND

MY BEA C H

El Medano Tenerife

Slingshot rider Jeremy Burlando is three times Junior World Champion. Growing up in two of the world’s windiest kite spots, first Hurghada, Egypt and then El Medano, Tenerife undoubtedly helped catapult this young kiter to success, and we’re sure to see him on another podium soon.

PHOTOS R A FA SO ULA R T

W H AT A R E Y O U R F I R S T R E C O L L E C T I O N S O F K I T I N G ?

My first memories are at the Magawish resort in Hurghada, Egypt. My dad would kite there and take me with him. At first I couldn’t kite because I was too small and didn’t have enough weight to go into the water with a kite. My dad wanted to get me onto the water as soon as possible and he gave me a small trainer kite so I could learn the kite control. S O Y O U W E R E H O O K E D R I G H T AWAY ?

Yeah. My first sessions were really fun – I would kite for eight hours a day. I started jumping and doing surface passes in 2015, when I was 10, at the PlayKite centre near El Gouna. W H O E LS E D I D YO U R I D E W I T H ?

I used to ride with my friend Jacopo. We were living out there and we were neighbors. When it was windy we would go for a kite session, and when there wasn’t any wind we would go snorkeling or wakeboarding in El Gouna. A N D T H E N YO U M OV E D TO T E N E R I F E ?

Yes nowadays I live in El Medano, Tenerife. When I arrived here in 2017, I was shocked to see how many kites there were at such a small spot that is full of rocks and a lot of danger. But I can say that if you learn to kite here you can do it anywhere in the world!

C A N Y O U TA L K U S T H R O U G H T H E T Y P I C A L C O N D I T I O N S ?

The typical days in El Medano are 25 to 30 knots. In the morning there is usually less wind and it is gusty, so I prefer to wing at this time. Then in the afternoon the wind direction turns a bit and the wind becomes more constant, coming directly from the ocean rather than passing through El Medano village. H A S T H E S E T U P AT T H E B E A C H C H A N G E D S I N C E Y O U M O V E D THERE?

No not really, although there are more people winging here now, and like most places it is a little bit busier. When the wind is above 40 knots with two to three meter waves, then it is pretty common that sand and stones get washed up on the shore, so that changes it a bit. W H AT W O U L D B E Y O U R P E R F E C T D AY T H E R E ?

The days I like the most are when the wind starts from early morning. In the lighter wind in the morning I usually go winging, or I might do some freestyle for one or two hours with my 9m RPX. Then I have a lunch break and rest a bit, and then around 2pm I go for another session. It is condition dependent but I would preferably kite in the afternoon. TA L K U S T H R O U G H O N E S E S S I O N T H AT S TA N D S O U T F O R Y O U THERE?

The peak of adrenaline is when there is more than 40 knots and only expert people on the water, which might mean only five people are out, with two-meter kickers and my 8m RPX V1 flying me to the moon! When it gets to those conditions it is my favorite place to be. 54

MY BEACH

W H E R E ’ S Y O U R F AV O R I T E P L A C E T O E AT A F T E R A S E S S I O N THERE?

There are two places. One is a minimarket called ‘La Duna’, right next to the kite spot, which has delicious food – my favorite food there is the empanada. The second place is a restaurant called Maccheroni Beach – the owner is an Italian friend of mine and they have the best food on the entire island. I can recommend the Fire Carbonara and the Tuna Tartar! D O Y O U T H I N K Y O U W O U L D H AV E G O T T O W H E R E Y O U A R E T O D AY I F Y O U H A D L I V E D S O M E W H E R E E L S E ?

I got here because of growing up next to kite spots. El Medano is a well-known spot around the globe because of its conditions. The first time I got here I fell in love with its small city. It is crazy that there is everything you need and all this without any car. W H E N D I D Y O U L A S T R I D E T H E R E – H O W WA S I T ? !

The last time I had a session was the day before I did this interview! I went foiling with my friends, for a two-hour foil session. We upwinded six kilometers to a harbor where the water is like a mirror. I F Y O U H A D T O C H O O S E A N O T H E R S P O T T H AT Y O U L O V E B U T T H AT I S C O M P L E T E LY D I F F E R E N T, W H E R E W O U L D I T B E ?

For sure it would be Lo Stagnone, Sicily – the wind there is super constant, with shallow, super flat water for over 10 kilometers, and hot weather. I was there recently for my kite school ‘Jeremy Burlando Pro Center’. I am really stoked to open my own school and am looking forward to having an epic season there! ■

rc d Ma n a ir Big A ow? hy n w : s b Jaco

Slithering out from the dusty crevices of the interweb, lardy-faced social media sensation and master of kite punditry Colin Colin Carroll puts pen to paper and expresses his affection for a hard-riding angular-faced Kiwi. Yes, we’ve hereby given Colin a printed platform. We’re still baffled as to why... Trust us: he’s very much on probation... I don’t respect many pro kiters – they are usually a lazy bunch who sit around wondering what the minimum amount of time is that one must stick around for at a beach clean-up before hopping on a long haul flight. However, I do respect Marc Jacobs. I struggle to imagine a pro rider who tries harder than he does to perfect his craft, which at this moment is Big Air. Did you know that he drops nine kilograms for the King of the Air each year? Is anyone else doing that? No. Is anyone else making the same commitment to Big Air that he does? No. Is anyone else doing as many NBD’s (never-been-done) in KOTA as he does? Yes, but they have already won it multiple times. Keep an eye on Marc Jacobs, because he’s dangerous and his time is now. Why? Well… You can’t separate that answer from the rise of Big Air, the discipline that has given riders like Marc a second wind. Think back to when you first heard of Uber or Snapchat or any tax dodging millennial mega-start-up that offered an obvious convenience that we somehow now cannot picture life without. Those initial seconds of admiration for the co-founders behind the idea soon waste away into a vengeful rage. Why did I not come up with that? It is sooo obvious. I feel the same way about the rise in popularity of Big Air. Its appeal is hard wired into us. It is the reason we all got into kiting. So why is it only now that it has become the discipline? Well, until recently we have been tethered to wakeboarding. We have looked to them for our tricks, our direction and our self-worth. But the tethering hasn’t been like a friendly fighter jet offering extra fuel mid-flight, it is more like we are a disgruntled teenager at an ABBA tribute concert with our parents – we are way too cool for this. I mean, we can fly. So why are we limiting ourselves to the confines of another sport, which has completely different goals and aspirations? Because they did those tricks first. To illustrate this best, I need you to go and watch a video: https://youtu.be/wL-VMOGAhzE?t=1909 [Ed: no, we don’t usually print links but, trust us, this is worth it…] Just like ABBA’s ‘Gimme Me A Man After Midnight’, as much as we might think we are cooler-than-this, everyone goes nuts for the classic. Everyone loves it because of its reputation. It is the thing that came first, and it’s banging. That is the reason. And it is a good reason. Those unsightly adolescents indulging themselves on a weekday is us, and that track is wakeboarding. But like all sweaty parties full of gurning teenagers you start to sober up, and if you are not careful you have a whopping great big reality check – the absolute last thing you needed on a dance floor listening to ABBA with your top off. My most recent reality check involved a Saturday morning kids tennis lesson – me and 15 five-year-olds, playing the ‘Bean Game’. I call out ‘runner bean’: we run around, balancing a ball on our rackets; ‘Beans on toast’: we lie on the floor; ‘Dancing bean’: I’m there busting freestyle dance moves and doing the worm at 9am surrounded by snotty nosed children. It is all fine until I make eye contact with a cringing parent, and suddenly it all caves in – what am BIG AIR AND MARC JACOBS: WHY NOW?

I doing with my life? How has it come to this? I need to draw a line in the sand. From this day forward, things will be different – that is what’s just happened to kiting. Freestyle competition stagnated: King of the Air took to the stage. It is the event that captures the hearts and minds of the general public more than anything else, and therefore, as the event has grown, the riders have gravitated towards that discipline. The riders want to win the biggest event, so that is where their focus goes. The same can be said for the general kiting public with regards to the WOO leaderboards. We are naturally drawn to it. KOTA, since 2013, has grown and grown until the present day, where we have a polished competition format that has years of successful iterations behind it, resulting in a product that literally gets me so excited that I can’t sleep the night before. I watch it religiously because I am certain I am going to witness ground being broken, new things happening. New characters. New drama. New tricks. New stuff. Big Air feels new and fresh and exciting. A big part of that is riders like Marc Jacobs injecting the discipline with rotations and ideas that no one has seen: backroll board-offs with everything happening at once. The last reason that Big Air has flourished, is because until the mid-teenies, the gear hasn’t been easy-to-use in big winds, which has held the general kiting public back from sinking their teeth into Big Air. Which has meant that the brands have had their focus on selling kites that you can do tricks on, kites that drift in waves, and kites that pretend to be able to do everything. Even as recently as five years ago, the average weekend warrior knew that kite loops were beyond them: too scary, too much risk, gear not up to it. In 2021, everyone is yanking on one side of the bar, because kites built with this riding style in mind have made it safer and easier than ever before. Effortless height, in combination with a gentle and consistent loop makes for a heightened sense of ability. All you need nowadays is confidence, and you are looping. In 2015, confidence on a C-kite meant the coastguard putting on their lifejackets. The boosted confidence levels impacts the other end of the spectrum too. I am certain that I wouldn’t have witnessed the world’s first late backroll board off, executed by Marc Jacobs on a 10m Orbit in New Zealand, if it wasn’t for this type of kite’s ultra-reliable catch. It has made things more possible for the top-end user, too. 60

COLIN COLIN CARROLL’S LOVELETTERS TO KITEBOARDING

I am not saying that things are easy nowadays. They are easier though, for sure. That is why we are seeing new tricks appear. They have been unlocked by kites that don’t want to pull your harness through your body. Stuff is happening now that is literally not possible on a C-kite in 40 knots. But the thing about Marc Jacobs is, he makes it look hard; he always has. Bebe and Valentin’s freestyle looks effortless, whereas the likes of Marc and Youri made it look ferocious, like they couldn’t have much more power without the bar being ripped out of their hands. Doing things that are hard is cool… apart from trigonometry, perhaps. But as a result of doing so, Marc has always epitomized cool. He makes kiting look cool. And he makes you look cool, as a result. Cheers for that, Marc. How does he always look so powered, though? I know why. Marc Jacobs can create wind. Don’t ask me how. I don’t know. But he can. I realize how that sounds and I realize the entertainment of this whole article relies on exaggeration for comic effect, but in this instance, I will actually stand by it. If you ever meet me (hopefully not) I will argue this and refuse to concede until proven ridiculous. I have wind charts and GPS tracking maps and everything. Anyway, when Marc rocks up at the spot, the forecast seems to bend towards whatever he wants. And no, it is not a conspiracy theory, like Qanon or mindfulness – this is a naturally occurring phenomenon. You have just got to know who the right people are to ask. Because some people just don’t know. But that is not their fault. They are just dim and therefore don’t believe in Marc’s god-like tendencies.

“ Marc treats everyone with the same respect, no matter how tangled their lines are. He looks intimidating, let’s be honest. Like some distant son of Hercules has come to show us all how to kite.”

There is a downside to looking like Marc does, though. And it is not the men’s lingerie commercials. It is the reception he provokes in people. He is the sort that people in bars want to punch. I would love to punch him, come to think of it… in any location, not just a bar. Imagine punching him in a supermarket. Or a massage parlor whilst he’s face down. It would be fantastic. And what makes that even more tempting is that Marc Jacobs rises above all of this bluster. Marc treats everyone with the same respect, no matter how tangled their lines are. He looks intimidating, let’s be honest. Like some distant son of Hercules has come to show us all how to kite. And he is always riding at about twice the pace of anyone else. And his tricks demand a lot of space. And he’s got an air of mystery about him – he is quiet and reserved, so you assume he is operating in some sort of alternate dimension. Thinking up hectic stuff that you would never understand. Basically, your first impression is that you probably shouldn’t talk to him. You are not worthy. A peasant must know their place whilst inside the palace. But then you see his spoodle, Ace, swimming around in the shallows following him. Then you see him helping a helpless idiot out with their pump nozzles and texting half of Auckland city, telling them where and when he is going kiting. I have a useless cousin called Timmy, who I hate. He is a naggy little weasel who makes me look 35 percent less awesome just by being in my vicinity. There have been multiple occasions where Marc has saved the lives (no joke) of various incompetent Auckland kiters. I have been there to witness a few of them. One of these incompetents was Timmy, when he decided to try his first few megaloops on the same size kite as Marc at Muriwai – still to this day, the most ferocious beach I’ve ever experienced. The current drowns people at regular intervals and the swell has a reputation for bending bars in half, no joke. Anyway, I’m tucked up in the sand dunes behind a windbreak of fantastic structural integrity, with a cup of hot choccy, filming Marc when the wind picks up. Left to his own devices, Timmy does a megaloop with an unintentional two and a half backroll rotation. He comes down backwards, in boots, much to my delight. Timmy, barely conscious at this point, is being even more useless than normal and is lying on his back, looking as though he has just been told his tax return is overdue. BIG AIR AND MARC JACOBS: WHY NOW?

An entire lifetime of being a twat catches up with Timmy as the waves pound his body and his kite. I am pretending not to have seen it all unfold, hoping for a big set to come through, whilst Marc leaps into action, grabs Timmy around the waist, ejects all his gear off of him and drags him back to shore. Timmy has no recollection of this event, so I didn’t see why I had to drive him to A&E for a brain scan if he was none the wiser. I was surprised that they managed to detect anything in that empty head of his, but apparently that whole debacle wasn’t a complete waste of a good hot choccy. He is now fine and back to his usual annoying self. Bastard. I have told this tragedy because it illustrates Marc’s character (he saves a few people per year, on average) and what is perhaps most impressive about him – he’s surrounded by cretins, but remains one of the best kiters in the world. He is so isolated in NZ, with no one to push him. No one even comes close. All he’s got is a motley crew of weirdos who are in constant need of saving and handme-downs. Yet there he is, keeping up and in some cases, guiding the pack of Big Air royalty from afar. Can you imagine isolating any of the other top 10 and them pulling that off? I have thought lots about what motivates him and how he does it all. I think it comes down to raw competitive spirit. Like a true fighter, Marc gets back up when he has been hit down. And he has suffered this blow once already – freestyle was his game, and the generation underneath his took that away from him just before he became a world champ. He was a year too late, becoming vice champion in 2013, before Bebe arrived to spoil everyone’s fun. Everyone else of Marc’s era – Alex Pastor, Youri Zoon, Christophe Tack – have sunken into the shadows. They didn’t get back up. Marc felt the ground, wiped the sweat off his brow, took stock on that little chair in the corner of the ring and got back to it. He has still got something to prove. In case you don’t believe me and assume that he is another lazy trust fund baby who kites for a living out of pure boredom, Marc’s career has been completely funded and fueled by people who have seen him ride and thought, “Shit, this guy’s got something”. Marc saw kiting and did a paper round for two years to afford a 5.5m Naish AR5. He then waited for his birthday the following year for a board, during which time he taught himself most of the rotations and passes on land. Then, Dave Edwards taught Marc to kite after Marc had followed him around nagging him endlessly, ruining Dave’s love life by turning up at inappropriate moments to ask whether it was going to be windy. Years later came his PKRA debut. Marc had $100 in his account, and had to podium to afford a flight home. He did it. Then in 2014, he ruptured his meniscus during a Front Blind Mobe in Fuerteventura. A week later, he podiumed in Germany. He also had a burst eardrum… Marc has applied this freestyle-era determination straight to Big Air, more so, in my not so humble opinion, than anyone else – the same rigorous training schedule, the same amount of gymming, the same diet, the same precautionary measures to prevent injury whilst pushing as hard as possible to unlock new tricks and gain consistency in his weak spots. Where other pros have taken to straddling two disciplines or have committed to video projects that no one watches, Marc has doubled down on Big Air, and he made this transition three years ago. Unlike the majority of the Big Air big-dogs, Marc’s preferred riding direction is right foot forward. KOTA requires you to ride left foot forward. He’s looping on his weaker side whilst doing all the rotations and board offs under the sun in order to keep up with the likes of Aaron Hadlow, Jesse Richman and Kevin Langeree. I can’t understate how unfortunate it is that the two main Big Air events favor left foot riders. It is paralyzing for most, especially in Cape Town, where even the most seasoned freestyle riders turn up thinking of trying their hand at Big Air and get completely humbled by the Cape Doctor’s power. Why do you think BAKL Cape Town was missing some of the KOTA 2021 riders? Because they qualified through video entry to much applause, only to realize that they are totally inept on their left side tack in the South African conditions. So they hid in their bedrooms, rocking back and forth in a wet towel, staring at TikTok and wishing they could dance like that. 62 62

COLIN COLIN CARROLL’S LOVELETTERS TO KITEBOARDING

“ I have thought lots about what motivates him and how he does it all. I think it comes down to raw competitive spirit. Like a true fighter, Marc gets back up when he has been hit down.” There are two ways around this dilemma: you go the Janek Grzegorzewski route and introduce ‘Contra loops’, where you loop the other way (front hand down) so that you are still using your strong hand, or you go full Marc Jacobs, and learn everything switch. Everything – Boogies, board-offs, Boogie board-offs, the lot. It has taken years, but Marc has slowly become as good left as he is right. As a result, if the BAKL pulls off a world tour that introduces right-foot-forward spots too, I think Marc will be ahead. I think. Hard to know, of course, but all shall be revealed at the next Big Air events, where Marc will drop nine kilograms and put all his training to the test. You wouldn’t assert this sort of commitment to the sport if you just felt that you would die for it. You need a better reason than that. You need to have had dreams not reached. You need to have had opportunities within grasp that have slipped away. You need to have had the shit beaten out of you. In the first few months of kiting, Marc recalls being thrown 15 meters high, higher than he had ever been at the time, by a water spout back in the 2000’s. He remembers it hitting, and seeing another bloke closer to the beach on a 20m kite (haha) being picked up and thrown through the dunes and onto the road at Tay Street in Tauranga, New Zealand. Marc tacks and head out to sea. It hits him, and Marc claims that he’s “Never seen to this day the kite doing the things it did. It was flying itself, pulling me up whilst it was going inside of itself”. The vortex

had him in full grip as he froze, not wanting to pull the quick release because he didn’t want to fall from that high. Marc woke up in a car after being dragged from the water, face down. He couldn’t open his eyes because it hurt his brain too much. Someone had seen it unfold from the road and pulled over to take him to hospital. His parents met him there, where he spent two nights with water in his lungs, laying in the hospital bed, thinking about how long it would be before he could kite again. Almost twenty years later, it is game time for Marc Jacobs, and New Zealand’s wild west coast is the perfect practice pitch for the 2021 KOTA, for which he pre-qualified via a very strong video entry. He will presumably do an enormous amount of pooing (to shed weight, not out of fear) and wave his gang of cretins (who will probably be severely injured during his absence) goodbye as he sets sail for Cape Town’s windy season. He will put it all on the line because he is the most committed and most professional Big Air rider in the world. Trust me. With love,

Colin Colin Carroll xoxox BIG AIR AND MARC JACOBS: WHY NOW?

RIGHT TO ROAM Cape Town local Keh-Lung Su was a reluctant kiter at first, but it’s fair to say he is now hooked and has just proudly signed to Ocean Rodeo. It seemed a good time to find out a bit about him, and we look forward to seeing more from this young rider in the future…

PHOTOS KYLE CABANO

THE MISSION

Hailing from Big Bay, Cape Town, one of the most iconic kite spots in the world, meant it was inevitable that I would give kiting a go. I first tried it at around the age of 15 and… absolutely hated it! I guess that’s probably because I didn’t pick it up as fast as I thought I would. Being an avid surfer and paddle boarder (the latter much to the disdain of my die-hard surfer mates), I then thought, “Forget it, I am just going to stick to surfing”. But living in Cape Town and surfing, especially during the summer time with its howling southeaster wind, isn’t always the easiest. My mates, the majority of whom kite, eventually persuaded me to give kiting another go. Maybe them teaching me the first and second time round wasn’t the easiest way to get started, especially at that age, but this time I managed to get the hang of it a bit better. A little while later I was fortunate enough to get a kite for my birthday. Two weeks later however, I sold it and bought a pure wave kite (I’m not actually sure if my parents even know this!) and this is where my passion for kitesurfing began. As I’ve now learnt, living in Cape Town is a real treat. You can literally drive an hour in any direction and find the most perfect conditions for any style of riding. And right in the middle of everything, on my doorstep, is Kite Beach where it’s perfect for any discipline, especially for Big Air with perfect kickers and down-the-line wave riding. And of course I’m able to watch and learn from all the foreign pro riders, although to be honest I wouldn’t say I’ve been influenced too much by them so far, mainly because most of them are Big Air riders, and until very recently I was all about wave riding and strapless freestyle. So I actually wasn’t too phased by all the big dogs rolling through town haha! But I’ve missed them this year; normally Cape Town is popping off. While it was a bonus that all the spots were less crowded and we scored plenty of banging sessions, with the beaches being closed almost half the season and all the curfews, the festive vibes at the end of the season weren’t the same.

RIGHT TO ROAM

THE MISSION

Anyway, I took the opportunity of quiet beaches to get some shots on my new equipment. I recently had the privilege of joining the Ocean Rodeo team, thanks in part to their South African distributor, the owner of Ocean Trade Supplies, who is my neighbor and lent me a Roam to try. After getting my first package from them, we set up a little shoot with a talented guy I have known for quite a while but never had the opportunity to work with: Kyle Cabano. In a bit of a hurry, and with the Cape Town summer season slowly changing to the colder winter winds, we jumped at the first sign of classic southeaster winds on the forecast. When the day came, I guess Mother Nature had got the memo because luckily she was there to play. The wind was nuking, but as I needed to get some shots on the recently released Crave HL, I was a bit limited with kite sizes. I managed to make do with my 10m, and although it was an absolutely stacked session, Kyle pretty quickly managed to get the money shots needed. After regrouping in the parking lot we decided to end the day off with a golden hour sunset wave session at a wave spot a ten-minute drive up the road, this time hitting the water on pure wave gear. After a quick board setup and a couple of lip bashes, my own lip took a beating – a pretty gnarly wipeout over the falls meant I managed to get a board to the mouth, leaving me with a sizeable gash inside my lip. Ending the session in an unexpected but worth-it plot twist, with golden hour fading away, we called it a day. Looking back on the session now, this is why I love kiting – you can never be fully prepared or know what to expect… Much like 2021… Who knows what will happen with the pandemic, but going forward I’d love to get to some stops on the GKA tour, and maybe meet some of the other Ocean Rodeo riders. And I will be plotting a trip somewhere this winter in Mother Africa… ■

“ I N A B I T O F A H U R R Y, A N D WITH THE CAPE TOWN SUMMER S E A S O N S L O W LY C H A N G I N G T O THE COLDER WINTER WINDS, WE J U M P E D AT T H E F I R S T S I G N O F CLASSIC SOUTHEASTER WINDS ON T H E F O R E C A S T. ”

RIGHT TO ROAM

LOOPS OF FURY Last issue our cover featured Camdyn Kellett, a young up-and-coming Big Air rider from Cape Town, who can execute a kiteloop of consequence. As winter set in there and the usual southeaster died out, Camdyn, and his father and photographer, Andrew, hit the road and found a new spot to capture some rad angles…

THE MISSION

Andrew: With difficult Covid lockdown rules forcing us indoors and away from the beaches in South Africa, it feels like we have hardly had a kiting season in 2021. The lack of the Red Bull King of the Air competition in Cape Town and the travel bans from Europe meant a serious flatline of hype in the sport. So with our first storm bringing on the change in season in Cape Town – also known as the Cape of Storms – we were still searching for that epic day for photographing some scenic Big Air shots. What does it take to get incredible kite footage? A picturesque destination is critical, above average wind conditions, a rider who is able to perform under pressure, someone behind the lens who can withstand being blasted on the beach and capture the ‘moment’ and, well, luck. Yes, a lot of luck with timing and conditions… Camdyn: When the winter northwest wind blows in Cape Town it is either a light pre-storm wind or a fully raging gale-force cold front. Naturally, with wind blowing the opposite direction to normal, different spots light up, and what was previously offshore is now perfectly onshore. That was the case with Rooi-Els. I have driven past this spot many times on the way to Hermanus, the typical northwest spot near Cape Town. Hermanus is an awesome offshore lagoon, but this season the northerly winds have been very volatile, blowing a few degrees off the usual straight northwest, making the lagoon extremely gusty and dangerous for Big Air. Andrew: Rooi-Els is not known for kiting. It is located along one of the most scenic drives in Cape Town and is often blasted with the offshore southeaster during the summer months. In winter, it produces a slight cross-onshore with the most amazing mountainous backdrop. All that was needed was the wind! Camdyn: This season has been very strange. The first few months started off quite slow with on and off southeast conditions and very little northwest action. Generally we get about five or so northwest storms rolling through in the summer, but so far only a handful have come through mostly with weak and patchy wind. In season, I usually do a detailed forecast check every few days, and finally, out of the blue a cold front was barreling toward us from the South Pole! The time was right and the wind was coming; now it was up to me to be prepared for the storm. Andrew: Shooting short-line kite action requires above average wind. We are talking 35 to 45 knots, which allows some assistance in landing low loops and ultimately not getting injured. These conditions clearly don’t happen every day and Cam is very prepared with regards to checking out weather and wind predictions. These conditions obviously bring an edge to the intensity on the beach whilst photographing – with me getting sandblasted, spray misting up lenses and trying to remain stable in the wind when framing your shot. There is nowhere

LOOPS OF FURY

THE MISSION

“ W H E N W E A R R I V E D A T T H E S P O T, T H E CO N D I T I O N S LO O K E D L E S S T H A N FAVO R A B L E . THE WIND WAS A BIT MORE CROSS-SHORE T H A N P R E D I C T E D A N D S U P E R G U S T Y.” lines. I convinced him to give them a bash as the conditions had just peaked and I was searching for something to shoot with the stormy backdrop. As he does, he comes out guns blazing! I find myself struggling to keep up and capture the incredible performance, struggling with the perfect frame and the right aperture for the darkening sky, cleaning lenses, switching between video and stills, with sand blasting, spray flying and rain squalls. We often shoot together, alone in remote locations and I always feel privileged to witness his performance firsthand, but I also felt the pressure to capture the images which help highlight his natural ability.

to hide! I don’t shoot with long lenses much and very rarely shoot off a tripod. I prefer to be dynamic and amongst the action. Camdyn: When we arrived at the spot, the conditions looked less than favorable. The wind was a bit more cross-shore than predicted and super gusty. My biggest concern about onshore spots, especially when it is gusting over 40 knots, is the possibility of ending up on the sand if you misjudge your distance from the beach. It is a bit more of a mission but obviously you need to jump farther out. It’s a catch-22, because it’s much harder for the photographer to frame the shot if they need to zoom in any more than they have to. Andrew: I’ve shot Cam several times on short lines and he certainly makes it easy to setup and stage a shot with his consistency of riding and ability to visualize what we are trying to achieve. Having said that, I have seen him blow out many times with broken lines, ripped kites, broken boards and heavy landings. One time in 40 knots plus, he landed badly and his board exploded on impact, ripping his helmet off and rag-dolling him across the water. It is hard to watch but the 10,000 hours rule applies. The more you do things the better you get.

Camdyn: As the kite launched the wind properly came through. When you are overpowered on 10m lines, you know it’s on! Over the last season I have exclusively ridden 12m lines so getting back on the 10’s was going to be interesting. The two-meter difference seems negligible but when the difference is 20 percent of your line length it starts to make sense. 10’s are notorious for sending you into an uncontrolled backroll if you don’t fully commit, and that’s exactly what happened on my first loop attempt! It is always confidence shaking when you come down hard on your first trick, but for me that is just something to improve the next time. Needless to say, the rest of the session was on-point with some of the biggest loops I have ever done! I came out of that session feeling on top of the world! Andrew: He comes in saying he is done… perhaps a little rattled by the previous crash. I know him, and I know when to push him and when to stand back. It is a tough gig being a father of an extreme sports athlete, but I know his ability and mental state. Damn, I taught him to kite on my back not so long ago! I convinced him to give me a few more opportunities to capture something worthy of the effort he was putting in – I was in my groove as the photographer. He didn’t disappoint, with the kite brushing the crest of the wave and his body meters above. This is short line kiting at its best – intense, relentless, unforgiving, yet so rewarding. ■

Camdyn: I assessed the conditions and decided to pump my 7m and start out on long lines, to at least try and get a few stormy shots with the new gear. Riding Big Air on a 7m is harsh. Its much smaller surface area catches less lift, and you come down hard! I came in after a grueling survival session and switched to my 10m lines. Generally this is the way to go if a session seems to be going south. As soon as the kite was up my mood changed. This is the real reason I am out here today; the conditions are perfect for short lines – no excuses left! Andrew: The session started off pretty gusty with big swell dumping on the shallow bank. I was getting some good scenic shots but certainly nothing standout. Cam’s 12m lines were broken from the Big Air Kite competition the week before, and all he had was an old bar with 10m

LOOPS OF FURY

Status defined

1.65 kg

Elite III FREERIDE/FREESTYLE

CRAZYFLYKITES.COM

T H E

CREATORS. FRANK ILFRICH

F RA N K , YO U S E E M TO K E E P O U T O F T H E L I M E L I G H T ! C A N Y O U TA K E U S T H R O U G H Y O U R J O U R N E Y I N T H E I N D U S T R Y A N D H OW YO U B EC A M E A K I T E D E S I G N E R FO R CO R E ?

I was one of the early generation kiters in Germany in 1999. Originally I worked as a toolmaker and later as a 2D artist for a PC game software company, but when kiting came into my life I wanted to do something work-wise in the sport. In 2005 Bernie Hiss from Carved Customs planned to add kites to the twintip range and he asked me if I would like to join the team. We started to work on the first Carved kite, the Unit, and I was responsible for the Carved bar. Bernie then split the kite and board business, and in 2007 his new kite brand CORE Kiteboarding launched its first kite: the Riot. Right after that the first kite designer left, so I accepted the challenge and started to design kites. I haven’t stopped since! A N D W H O E L S E I S P A R T O F T H E D E S I G N T E A M AT C O R E ?

We have two talented engineers on the team, Jan Termöhlen and Rick

THE CREATORS

CORE have expanded their kite range into one of the most comprehensive on the market, particularly when it comes to discipline-specific models. They recently released their first foil, the SLC. So we thought it was a good time to catch up with their head designer, Frank Ilfrich, to find out more about what’s been going down at CORE HQ… P H O T O S T H O M A S B U R B L I E S ( U N L E S S S TAT E D )

Jensen, both very good kiters and surfers. Rick is responsible for the bar design and Jan developed our first foil, the SLC, and designs the surfboards, straps and pads and so on. Jan Derek Kuster is responsible for all the soft goods and accessories, and finally Sebastian Witzleben is a long-time team rider and very experienced field tester who designed the boards for the SLC. Mark Schütze develops the Carved boards. We work closely together as a team on all projects so everybody can give input and ideas, and in the end it is a team effort, although ultimately one guy has the final responsibility. HOW HAS BEING BASED ON FEHMARN ISLAND BENEFITED CORE?

It is a massive benefit to be able to test in one of the windiest places in Germany, on an island with spots for every wind direction, with flat water and waves. We benefit from a very short prototype cycle. For example, my proto kites usually take seven to ten days to arrive at my desk and most of the time I can jump straight into the water and test fly them.

W H I C H O F Y O U R R I D E R S A R E M O S T H E AV I LY I N V O LV E D I N THE R&D PROCESS?

Basically, all our team riders join in the process when we need to test protos at a final stage. The R&D team is very capable of testing the products to a certain point, and then we need the team riders to push the gear beyond its limits. Testing is hard work and not all team riders are into it that much! W H I C H I N N O VAT I O N S A N D P R O D U C T S PROUDEST OF OVER THE YEARS?

H AV E

YO U

BEEN

There are several products, for example the Sensor bar – it was the first fully molded unibody composite bar. Then I would say the controversial but proven Rotor Release, and also our very special Cartan carbon that was developed for our Carved boards and is now used in our CORE twintips as well. I personally think that our kites, bars and boards have had quite an influence on the kiting market, and our current range offers all the products you need for a fun time on the water. WHEN DID CORE DECIDE TO MOVE INTO THE FOIL MARKET AND HOW HAS THE FEEDBACK BEEN FROM CUSTOMERS?

In 2019 we decided to expand our range with a foil. It was a long process but we eventually had the feeling that, even with being late to the foil game, we have achieved something special: a mature product capable of high performance, with the ease and comfort you are used to getting from CORE products. So far the feedback has been very positive – the SLC ticks a lot of boxes. W H AT T E C H A N D M AT E R I A L S C A N W E F I N D O N A C O R E K I T E T H AT A R E E X C L U S I V E W I T H I N T H E M A R K E T ?

Firstly there is our exclusive canopy, a triple ripstop polyester that just got an upgrade with a new custom finish: CoreTex 2 which means FRANK ILFRICH

“Our kites had already been some of the lightest on the market, before this hype started!”

THE CREATORS

Photo: Lukas Pitsch

more power, more durability, and more fun. Then we have ExoTex Dacron, a very rigid and strong Dacron with a special ripstop weave, which allows us to build stiff airframes with relatively thin diameters. The new ExoTex Light Dacron has good strength yet is 15 percent lighter. Our lines are all made in Germany by Liros, and we use German-made PU foil for the bladders. Even if a material is not exclusive we strive to get the best quality possible. T H E R E H A S B E E N A LOT O F FO C U S I N T H E I N D U ST RY O N R ED U C I N G K I T E W E I G H T. H O W H AV E Y O U I M P L E M E N T E D T H I S I N YO U R K I T E S ?

Yeah, the weight craze… May I point out that our kites had already been some of the lightest on the market, before this hype started! We have always tried to build the kites light, without compromising durability. New materials like ExoTex Light and lighter PU bladders made further weight reduction possible, and there are more promising materials coming. The lighter weight has some big advantages of course in certain areas, but at the same time some negatives as well, so it is a matter of what you focus on in a kite. Simply saying lighter is better is not true in my experience. W H Y D O YO U U S E S L I D E R S I N YO U R B R I D L E SYST E M ?

We want our kites to be perfectly balanced and backwards compatible with the older CORE bar systems. We have integrated the way this bridle works in our kite design over a long period and are happy with the way the kites fly and feel. A R E T H E R E A N Y N E W P RO D U CT S O N T H E H O R I ZO N YO U C A N TELL US ABOUT?

Well we have just released a completely upgraded version of the Fusion twintip, the Fusion 5, with a new hull, wood core, and never-

been-done-before rail construction. We also have a new version of the XR, the XR7, with upgraded canopy material and tougher but lighter struts, resulting in a more playful kite. W H AT D O T H E N E X T 1 0 Y E A R S H O L D F O R C O R E ?

Hopefully we can strengthen our position as one of the major kiting manufacturers in the world, to be able to develop watersport products with the same passion and love we do now. New things are on the horizon and I am pretty sure it will be an interesting journey… ■ FRANK ILFRICH

Rider Giel Vlugt / Photo Johannes Hohls

ALL NEW. ALL POWERFUL. Massive power and full control - that’s what this board is built for. New from the water up, the Fusion 5 features an upgraded hull, wood core, and never-been-done-before rail construction. The new shape and improved torsional stability will boost your session like never before.

CORE Kiteboarding GmbH +49 (0) 4371 88934-0 info@corekites.com Fehmarn, Germany

Profile

Julien Leleu

It’s probably true to say that most kiters will have an injury at some point on their kiting journey even if it’s just damage to their ego. But Julien Leleu could probably feature high on the top ten list for ‘most critical accidents’. Two years ago he suffered a horrific back injury that put him out of action for eight months. He is now back fighting fit and ready to take on Big Air competitions and filming projects. RIGH T

Photo: Pablo Amores

PROFILE

TOP L E F T

Photo: Lucas Tozzi LEFT

More metal work than the Eiffel Tower. Photo: Mercedes Garcia TOP RIGH T

Photo: Sven Erberich BOTTOM RIGHT

Who’s the Daddy? Photo: Mercedes Garcia

T E L L U S A B O U T YO U R K I T I N G C A R E E R. H OW D I D YO U G E T I N T O I T A N D W H AT WA S Y O U R C O M P E T I T I O N H I S T O R Y ?

I started kiting when I was 12, thanks to my dad who has been kiting since the sport was born. But I really got into it at the age of 16 when I stopped playing football at Paris Saint-Germain and decided to dedicate myself to kiting. It wasn’t easy at my first competitions as coming from football, where I was so used to winning, I had to learn to take the comps as an opportunity to improve. I competed on the freestyle world tour (PKRA and VKWC), and had my best result in 2015, coming fifth in Venezuela. After several big injuries, I decided to dedicate myself more to videos and have since been working as a filmmaker for the kite industry. I then also slowly converted myself to a Big Air rider and managed to qualify for the Red Bull King of the Air in 2018, but unfortunately I hurt my knee the day before the event. Then in 2019 I was motivated to again take part in KOTA and that’s when I had my back accident while training. S O , T E L L U S H O W I T P L AY E D O U T.

I was training at Wissant, my home spot in France, to ensure my place in the KOTA. During a 50 knots storm, I went for a Boogie Loop and my kite refused to climb back up after the loop and didn’t catch me at all. I was riding boots and fell down like a rock. The impact was immense and felt as though thunder went through my body. I knew immediately that something was wrong and so released my kite. I somehow managed to swim back to the shore with the bindings still attached. Trying to keep my back as straight as possible to avoid any twisting wasn’t easy as I kept getting smacked by the big swell. It turns out I had broken my ninth thoracic vertebra… W O W ! S O W H AT H A P P E N E D N E X T ?

I got transferred urgently to the nearest hospital. Once the doctors analyzed the scans, they immediately sent me into surgery and fixed vertebrae eight, nine and ten together with two titanium plates and four screws. This operation felt different to previous ones I had had in the past because everything happened so fast. It was not like other injuries where the doctors could plan the surgery ahead of time. I hurt myself and had the surgery the same day, and it wasn’t till the next day that I realized what had actually happened to me. The doctors said I was lucky to have strong muscles holding my back together because if the broken vertebra had moved, I could have been paralyzed for the rest of my life. 84

PROFILE

W H AT WA S T H E R E C O V E R Y P R O C E S S L I K E ?

I went through many heavy emotions on that first day, as the doctors told me I could be paralyzed depending on the success of the operation. Luckily it all went according to plan and I was able to start walking and start rehab the very next day. From there I have put my mind in ‘comeback’ mode and focused a thousand percent on getting back full power. It was hard to digest this one, as breaking your back feels different to breaking a knee or shoulder – it feels like you broke yourself in two pieces… The hardest part was to get the mobility back. But I have been obsessed with getting back to kiting and have stayed positive, maintaining the belief that I will make it. I knew what I had to do and kept working for it. YO U M E N T I O N E D OT H E R I N J U R I E S. D I D T H E Y I N F LU E N C E H OW YO U R E ACT E D TO T H E B AC K I N J U RY?

Indeed the back injury wasn’t my first. I also had surgery on my left knee due to a broken ACL, meniscus and fibula in 2015, and other minor ones on my right knee. Yes they did influence my rehab and my mentality, because they helped me know what mindset to adopt. The key is to always believe in yourself and give it your all. At the end injury is just another obstacle that you have to overcome. S O Y O U A R E B A C K O N T H E WAT E R . H O W I S Y O U R K I T I N G NOW?

Yes, after eight months I was back on the water. It wasn’t easy to gain confidence again, although saying that, I actually went for a Boogie Loop on my first session because I felt I had to break the ice and get back on the horse! Right now, I would say I am riding better than before and am at 100 percent of my capacities. Y O U R E C E N T LY S I G N E D W I T H D U O T O N E . H O W D O E S T H AT F E E L ?

Yes I couldn’t be happier with it. I really wanted to find a brand where I could use my full potential and skills as a filmmaker and rider, and Duotone offered me the possibility to do so. I must say it is amazing to work with the lead brand and to be part of such an amazing and talented team. H O W D I D Y O U G E T I N T O F I L M I N G , A N D W H AT P R O J E C T S A R E YO U P L A N N I N G O N WO R K I N G O N ?

I got into filming when I started traveling with Forest Bakker back in the day. At the beginning it was just a hobby and for our own marketing. I eventually became good at it after working on many different projects around the world and it has now become my main profession. I am currently working on a few projects for Duotone – one of them is a video about strapless Big Air with Airton and James, and it is gonna be a banger! It is not easy to plan with the Covid situation of course, and upcoming projects will depend on that. Then one of my personal goals is to compete in the KOTA. Y O U R E C E N T LY B E C A M E A D A D , C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S ! H O W A R E Y O U F I N D I N G B A L A N C I N G F A M I LY L I F E A N D K I T I N G , A N D H A S P A R E N T H O O D C H A N G E D Y O U R AT T I T U D E T O K I T I N G ?

Thank you! Yes it is amazing to be a dad; it is the best feeling in the world. Izan will definitely be a champion one day! But day-to-day it is far from easy. The hardest part is to organize your time and it often feels like 24 hours isn’t enough to do it all. It is not easy to find the time to work, to ride and to take care of the family. I have to choose the right window for my kite sessions and make the best of each session, as I can’t spend endless hours in the water. Luckily I have an amazing girlfriend who takes care of our son and lets me ride when I want to. I don’t think that being a dad has changed my way of riding – I still have the same need to kite and the same motivation out there. ■ JULIEN LELEU

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F I TLH Y W E ST GR OUP

For this issue Gallery takes us on a trip down memory lane with photographer Jason Wolcott. He has been around since even before the days that kite pants were fashionable, and was there since the beginning to document and sculpt the direction of wave kiting.

TH E E VOLUTI ON OF WAVE K I TI NG

THE EVOLUTION OF WAVE KITING

FI T LHY WEST GRO UP

~ Gallery ~

A L L WAT E R S H O T S C R E AT E D W I T H L I Q U I D E Y E WAT E R H O U S I N G S Y S T E M

Sometimes you are just chosen. As a sports journalist and photographer, you aspire to find your voice, and when I least expected it, I found it. I started as many do, as an athlete – you know the guy – the local pro wins some contest, gets free gear and a little money, but never makes the big time. It was the late 1980s and early 90s, and I was a pro bodyboarder, of all things. It gave me a chance to challenge the ocean and myself at some of the heaviest spots in the world. This laid the foundation and honed my abilities to swim a camera in heavy surf at close proximity to world-class athletes, as I already knew what it took to get the shot as an athlete. As you may have guessed, at some point I transitioned from in front of the camera to behind it, becoming a videographer in surfing and bodyboarding first, and shooting, producing and editing four full-length internationally distributed films before I turned 20 years old. But I grew tired of the workflow of video and wanted to capture peak action and tell a story at one-thousandth of a second, so I made the full-time transition to shooting photos in late 1998. For a very long time I had an affinity for all things empty, so I shot lineup shots for a few years as well as empty waves from the water, barren landscapes and seascapes aplenty. None of this paid the bills, so I transitioned back to shooting surfing around 2001 and became a published surf photographer shooting with the likes of Dane Reynolds, Bobby Martinez, the Malloy’s, Timmy and Nathaniel Curran, and later all the top guys on the Championship tour and the best free surfers of the time. I was in the right place at the right time and had a blast documenting the aerial revolution in surfing. I could be wrong, but I feel like the period from 2000 to 2010 saw exponential change in surfing with new tricks being thrown down and named almost weekly. At that point the surf magazines were still strong and healthy, and willing to get into bidding wars for a sequence of something never before seen.

GALLERY

The Filthy West trip - good times in Western Australia filming the iconic travel film that ended up on National Geographic Adventure. Little did I know when I did the voice overs that it would end up on mainstream TV. This trip was one of those adventures that you can’t believe is real before you start and seems like a dream when it’s all done. Left to Right, back: Ian Alldredge, Josh Mulcy, Ben Wilson, Ryland Blakeney. Front: Jason Wolcott

GALLERY

JAS ON WOLCOTT

THE E VO LUT I O N O F WAVE KI T I NG

TH E E VOLUTI ON OF WAVE K I TI NG B ERT RAND FLEURY

Being in Ventura, California, and having a chance to shoot Dane Reynolds daily, put me in a unique place in the industry, as I was documenting the most famous free surfer of the decade nearly every time he surfed. Of course, Dane was not alone – a supporting cast of upand-coming modern surfers gave me unparalleled knowledge of what was ‘cool’ as far as surfing goes. As I came to find out, that knowledge was a powerful thing when trying to define what was ‘cool’ in the fledgling discipline of wave kiting. I split my winters between the proving grounds of the surfing mecca, also known as the North Shore of Oahu, and the epicenter of modern progressive air surfing, Ventura. And in the spring and summer, I was shooting kitesurfing up and down the California coast. I was always trying to fit in as much water time as I could between photo shoots, as I feel that being a competent wave kiter and surfer gave me a better understanding of what I was shooting. 90

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MA RC RA MS E IR

PATRI M CLAUGH LIN

T HE EVO LUT I O N O F WAVE KI T I NG

Bertrand Fleury, 2015

TH E E VOLUTI ON OF WAVE K I TI NG CHRI S GUTZ EI T

T HE EVO LUT I O N O F WAVE KI T I NG

T HE EVO LUT I O N O F WAVE KI T I NG CO RKY CULL EN

Kitesurfing was changing so fast when I came into the sport late in 2003. Surprisingly the progression in wave riding was happening so much faster than I had seen in surfing, starting with guys riding twiptips (like Chris and Corky above in 2004) and mutants with straps, and within a few years onto surfboards.

GALLERY

Ian Alldredge, 2007 IA N AL LDRE DGE

Riders like Ian Alldredge (all photos, right) had seen what the first generation such as Peter Trow and all the guys in the videos had come up with, and ran with it. It was as if our little spot was a flashpoint in the sport. Little did I know that I would be along for the ride for the better part of two decades, as a kiter and more importantly as a photographer, writer, and in some ways an architect of wave kiting.

I AN ALLD RED GE

TH E E VOLUTI ON OF WAVE K I TI NG

PET ER T ROW T HE EVO LUT I O N O F WAVE KI T I NG PE TE R TROW

I was sat in my truck one cold windy day watching the large surf be shredded by strong side-shore winds, when suddenly hundreds of birds launched into the air startled by something. A strange parachute looking thing rising into the air was surely to blame. A minute later, I see a guy go skimming across the water so fast I was dumbfounded. Suddenly he was flying, having launched off a wave, and floated in the air for what seemed like forever only to land and turn back towards the beach on the next wave of the set. As I later found out, the guy out alone that day was one of the early pioneers of wave kiting – Peter Trow, the godfather of west coast kiting (pictured here in 2006). This was the day kitesurfing shocked me awake and I knew I had to be a part of it. 94

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r: Ke

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T HE EVO LUT I O N O F WAVE KI T I NG

REO ST EVENS

TH E E VOLUTI ON OF WAVE K I TI NG

Shades of Green trip, 2009

REO STE VE NS

I had met Reo Stevens back in 2006 when he came to California to ride and hang with Ian Alldredge. Little did I know he would become one of my most photographed subjects and occasional roommate. Reo has done as much as anyone to help shape the sport into what it has become. He pushed what is possible in heavy conditions showing just how barreled you could get with a kite. He also created some of the most amazing videos including the informative “This is Kitesurfing” which helped bridge the gap between surfers and kiters. A legend if there is a such thing in kiting. 96

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BEA R K E RRY 14 T HE EVO LUT I O N O F WAVE KI T I NG

Adam Koch, 2005

Bear Kerry, Bali, 2009

ADAM KOCH

12 TH E E VOLUTI ON OF WAVE K I TI NG

TH E E VOLUTI ON OF WAVE K I TI NG

KE AH I DE ABOITIZ

T HE EVO LUT I O N O F WAVE KI T I NG

KEAHI D E AB O I T I Z

TH E E VOLUTI ON OF WAVE K I TI NG

Keahi de Aboitiz: “I met Jason on my first proper kite trip to Indo nearly 10 years ago and it’s been fun to be part of a bunch of epic trips with him ever since. As a renowned surf photographer, it was cool to see him move into shooting kitesurfing over his career. Having a solid background in bodyboarding and surfing as well as kiting, he knows how to put himself in the zone, which is awesome especially when shooting water photos, and has led to us striking gold on many occasions. I am pretty sure he has shot the most of my covers out of anyone and it is always fun shooting with someone as motivated as Jason. It has been fun to watch and be a part of the journey and I am looking forward to hopefully catching up on another trip again soon!”

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IN LINE WITH NATURE

Join us on our jour ney G O T O P R O L I M I T. C O M /S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y

T HE EVO LUT I O N O F WAVE KI T I NG

RO B KI D NI E

T HE EVO LUTI ON OF WAVE K I TI NG

Rob Kidnie: “It has always been an absolute honor to shoot with Jason; he has worked with the best in both the kiting and surfing world. He has the experience to work in the most critical and dangerous conditions and motivate you to get the best out of yourself. I am constantly amazed by his in-water shots and can’t think of anyone who captures the barrel better. He truly defined what strapless wave riding should be.”

BEN WILS ON

Ben Wilson, pictured here in 2009: “When I think of Jason Wolcott and his position in the kiting world, I believe his presence was instrumental in the development of riding waves with a kite. The first images I ever saw from him were of Ian Alldredge, and what they were doing together on the Cali coast was inspirational as you had one of the best riders in the world working with one of the best photographers, and they were paving the way for what I dreamt kiting on a surfboard in the waves would look like and I wanted to be a part of it. In the late 2000’s I got to meet Jason and started working with him documenting our dream of showcasing wave riding, and it was honestly one of the best times of my life with incredible trips together all over the world. Not only is Jason an amazing photographer who legitimized kitesurfing, he is also an all-round good guy!”

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RYLA ND BLAK EN E Y

T HE EVO LUT I O N O F WAVE KI T I NG

JOSH M ULCOY

TH E E VOLUTI ON OF WAVE K I TI NG

Josh Mulcoy, pictured here in 2005 and 2007: “Jason always tried to make me go left and I hate going left. He can shoot a nice picture and make people famous, and he ain’t too bad at kiting either. Coming from a surf background he knew what great surfing looked like and would shoot photos that made kiting look like surfing. We all had a constant battle with surfers completely writing off kiting, but it was people like Jason that bridged that gap and legitimized kiting to surfers; this was a very difficult thing to make happen.”

Ryland Blakeney has been a force in wave kiting for nearly two decades. His power, style, and fearlessness make him one of the all time greats of our sport. GALLERY

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TH E E VOLUTI ON OF WAVE K I TI NG W E S MATW E Y E W

T HE EVO LUT I O N O F WAVE K I TI NG

Wes Matweyew, pictured here in 2004, was one of the first riders I ever saw who lost the straps and rode surfboards with a kite. He was one of the main inspirations of Ian Alldredge, Patrick Rebstock, and Bear Kerry. Wes is one of the most gifted board sport athletes I have come across and a great instructor too. He even taught me to kite back in 2003.

MAG AZ IN E COVE RS HOTS

T HE EVOLUTI O N O F WAVE KI T I NG

PAT RI CK REB STO CK

Patrick Rebstock (pictured here in Indo) was one of the most progressive wave kiters of his generation. I met him when he was about 15 and remember him always saying, “Send me the photos bro”… that always cracked me up as he had yet to grow into a man and his voice was still very high pitched. Patrick was often engaged in an arms race with Ian Alldredge, trying to one up each other in a friendly way all the while progressing the sport.

It has been an honor to grace the cover of so many kiting magazines over the years. This is every cover shot I ever had printed. Thanks to all the editors who helped us push the sport by running wave kiting on page one so many times. 102

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Rider: Jan Burgdoerfer Picture: Helen Fischer

� Three-strut delta-hybrid freeride kite with a precision direct feel � Versatile performance tailor-made to suit all riding styles � Ultra-stable construction efficient in any condition � Designed to cover a massive wind range with easy upwind travel � Precise, fast, and smooth turning characteristics Sizes: 05 / 06 / 07 / 08 / 09 / 10 / 12 / 14 / 17

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1 // Cabrinha Moto The Moto is back with a new supercharged attitude to its time on the water. Thrust is now generated more effortlessly and the kite’s ability to ‘climb’ has been the focus. This translates into an infinitely more crisp and direct performance freeride kite with more immediate response and control. Hello Moto…

2 // CORE Fusion 5 and XR7 CORE presents the new version of their WOO loving XR, with upgraded canopy material and tougher but lighter struts, resulting in a more playful kite with increased durability and longevity. Kite weight is down and performance is up. When you have a kite as potent and powerful as the XR7, it’s mission-critical to find a twintip that can harness its prodigious capabilities. To do that CORE built the Fusion 5, a completely upgraded version of their bestselling freeride twintip, with a new bottom shape, wood core, and never-been-done-before rail construction.

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3 // North Scoop The Scoop’s concave deck encourages smooth transitions, easier steering, and all-round high performance foiling with a light weight reinforced EPS core. The new ultra-lightweight hybrid carbon construction increases stiffness, maneuverability and glide while a high-density structural PVC stringer system helps spread the load. The perfect board to show someone who says that the ‘foil board doesn’t really matter’.

4 // Mystic Majestic X If you like to go bonkers the Majestic X is right up your alley. A slimmer waist harness with a carbon composite plate, bionic core frame and battle belt 2.0 system that will give you all the support you desire, while still maintaining the comfort. Packed with features like soft neoprene edges, Knitflex and fix foam: this is top Mystic tech which will enable you to get the very best from your session. 104

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5 // O’Neill Hyperfreak 4/3+

As their stretchiest neoprene ever, the TechnoButter 3X gives the Hyperfreak 4/3+ an incredible degree of flex where it counts, while the glued and blind stitched seams ensure no water gets in. These innovations mean a super lightweight and incredibly weather-resistant wetsuit.. The F.U.Z.E. chest zip allows for easy on-off and the unique ¾ legs ensure your suit doesn’t flush or balloon. And have you seen how hard Kevin Langeree rips?! That could be you…

6 // ION Apex Curv 13 Select The Apex Curv 13 Select features ION’s revolutionary thermal composite Curv material. With a medium/rigid flex index of 13, all loads are distributed perfectly through its rigid 3D pre-shaped center part. Together with the high outline, this hardshell brings together performance and comfort.

7 // RRD Vision Y26 If you’re hoping to simplify your life by having one kite that can do it all, then the Vision Y26 is for you. It is a versatile, easy to use, responsive and predictable kite that will allow an effortless progression in all disciplines. The overall turning speed and movement throughout the window identify this kite as a fast yet respectful machine, and the direct feel on the bar together with its consistent power and stability will make you feel totally in control and linked to the kite…

8 // AK Element The Element’s foot bed was developed through extensive research into alignment and the natural movement of a rider’s ankles, knees, and upper body during riding and high impact landings. Using different densities and cushioning for the outer and inner sides of your foot, your knees are guided outwards during high impact landings. This technology, common in running and athletic shoes, offers the best support and stability while minimizing the chances of fatigue and injury. Time to look after your body as well as your handle passes! 106

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T HE NE W F RE E RIDE C OL L EC T ION

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9 // Slingshot RPX The RPX delivers hero level performance in every category of kiting. Faster, lighter, and more technically advanced than its predecessor, the RPX is a true evolution of a freeride kite. With a redesigned trailing edge shape to eliminate turbulence and drag, and a more aerodynamic canopy profile, it boasts top of the line performance and handling as well as extensive range, depower and upwind ability. Slingshot are ‘on it’ at the moment, and the RPX is testament to that.

10 // Levitaz Match and Shaka S With a double skin construction, carbon reinforcements, and water-resistant foam core, this is the perfect allround freeride board to match almost every riding style. Match it with the new exquisitely manufactured lower aspect kite foil, the Shaka S, which crosses over from their surf foil range for the ultimate ‘cruisey kite foil’ experience.

11 // Prolimit PF-1 Nature Prene Could this be the most sustainable wetsuit ever made? It is the first in the industry with an FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) approval as it is made out of plant-based rubber derived from sources that are FSC certified. The neoprene is laminated with recycled polyester and there is a lining made out of recycled PET bottles. Lamination is then done with water-based glue. And aside from the top-of-class green credentials, it also ticks the ‘stretch’ box offering full freedom of movement for even the most extreme conditions.

12 // Slice Bamboo Foil With the insane proliferation of wind related activities it definitely pays to consolidate your gear where you can. F-ONE got on early with foiling and have reaped the rewards and – with gear like the Slice Bamboo Foil – you can see why. The Slice is the perfect low-volume board for the surf/foil combo so you’re not making any compromises and can be shredding whether you’re busting strapless airs above the lip, or foiling at full tilt above the water…. 108

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Catching the

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Dutch wave slayer Jalou Langeree recently set the compass for Cape Town to catch some of their summer season, and lined up local photographer Jason Broderick to point his camera at her. He has been snapping surfers, wakeboarders and trail runners for a few years, and has now turned his hand to capturing kiters. Good place to start…

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"This year Cape Town was so chilled I absolutely loved it. There were no crowds, which meant plenty of waves to catch – this will probably never happen again!" Jalou: I did not expect to be heading to Cape Town at all this year, but then the South African government announced in February that beaches were reopening, and I heard that KLM was offering direct flights. So it was a no brainer and a perfect time to escape Europe. This year Cape Town was so chilled I absolutely loved it. There were no crowds, which meant plenty of waves to catch – this will probably never happen again! I’m already mentally preparing for a hectic busy Cape Town season in 2022. I needed to get some shots of myself on the empty waves. So the day after I arrived I met up with Jason for a cup of coffee and to connect, as I hadn’t met him before. We had a good vibe going straight away. Jason is a very kind, down-to-earth and humble person, and very easy to work with. He gets more stoked about shooting than I do about kiting sometimes, haha! He finds the creative angles and tries to make it look different from other content that is already out there. I’m looking forward to seeing Jason’s shooting progression and to be working with him again in the near future. Jason: What is it that attracts people to stand on windswept beaches and brave the elements? Why are we drawn to this sport? As a photographer, I am drawn to the combination of style and power – the power of the wind, the power of the waves, and the power of the rider. Jalou embraces high-performance, and delivers it with style, like no other rider I have seen. She has become synonymous for her riding style. This combination has led her to multiple World Titles but has also intrigued the eye of photographers around the world.

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"I favor a rather pulled-back style for extreme sports, embracing the combination of landscapes and foreground."

On her trip to Cape Town, we managed to link up and create some work that really embraced both of our styles. I personally enjoy natural light and allow the light to direct the feel of the photo. I favor a rather pulled-back style for extreme sports, embracing the combination of landscapes and foreground, and allowing the viewer a sense of scale whilst inviting them into a story that is often forgotten in extreme sports photography. Jalou would deliver these big swooping turns, throwing water sky high, which worked perfectly for the mood of the photos. I truly believe that it takes a perfect partnership between photographer and rider to create a beautiful image. Some of the most iconic photos in our sport have been exactly that, a mutual understanding of what it takes to get that shot. As an extreme sports photographer, I have a responsibility to document the sport authentically, whilst still giving freedom to the story the rider wishes to create. Kiting to me has always been about harnessing nature and that is what I strive to create. I definitely believe every photo we publish, post online, or even keep for ourselves has a greater story to tell. So, what is the beauty of kitesurfing to you, and what story are you telling? ■ CATCHING THE LIGHT

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Sonic Youth Colleen Carrol, Noè Font and Xander Raith headed to La Ventana, Mexico to showcase the best of the boardsport they love and to pour some more fuel on the park-riding flame...

WORDS XANDER RAITH PHOTOS NOÈ FONT

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Xander

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Colleen

As with all sports, aspiring youth grow into amateurs who strive to attain the prestige of professionalism. Out of the already select few talents who have worked to attain their role as a representative of the sport, there are only a handful of athletes who influence the direction of progression, defining the highest standard of their sport for as long as they can sustain against the inevitable surge of youthful evolution that is building in their rearview mirror. Often, those who sustain their pinnacle status and give a new direction to their sport make a distinct imprint on the industry, carving out their own tracks before perhaps attaining ‘legendary’ status! The true originators of park riding – Andre Phillip, Jason Slezak, and more – curated the foundation for the second wave of riders to build upon, riders who shaped my inspiration and redefined the standard of their predecessors. When I was younger, this pinnacle of talent thrived as a collective power, known throughout the industry as the Freeride Project and the NA Blend crew. This elite group of riders deviated kiting from its infantile association as a sailing sport and introduced kiting to the world as a boardsport, entering it into a coveted associative realm alongside skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding… the world’s iconic boardsports. The term ‘core’ often gets thrown around loosely and loses its authentic significance. Within the boardsports industry, ‘core’ is the coveted and respected definition for the unspoken principles that have sustained skateboarding, surfing, and snowboarding since their novel inceptions. For a sport such as kiting that started as a sailing sport, only being interpreted by a select few as a boardsport stacked the odds against it and its unlikely embrace as a ‘core’ boardsport. Kiting has evolved and developed in many directions, but there are some riders for whom aligning kiteboarding with the other ‘core’ boardsports has become their mission. Innovators such as the Freeride Project and the NA Blend crew forged their own direction and embraced the mentality and distinction of a boardsport, sharing their articulation with the world. The existence and portrayal of this distinction is the sole reason I became interested in kiteboarding and has helped motivate me to keep this vision alive. When the world came to an abrupt halt in the spring of 2020, isolation became a standard and facilitated many of kiting’s boardsport

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pioneers, and my childhood idols, to reset their focus and enter the business portion of the industry. Riders such as Aaron Hadlow, Brandon Scheid, Craig Cunningham, Sam Light, Sam Medysky, Alex Fox, Tom Court, James Boulding, and more, now help sew the threads that keep the industry operative. These are the riders who helped materialize the existence of slider parks and seared park riding and its association to boardsports into the archives of what will be recognized as kiteboarding history. The revised roles of these leaders created a void in kiting and provided the opportunity for younger riders to sustain and progress the momentum they had created, proudly embracing the survival of the youth. In an effort to nourish the existence of kiting’s emerging place as a boardsport, Noè Font, Colleen Carrol, Lucas Arsenault and I began to circulate idealistic plans for a long-awaited trip. Typically, when most set out to create something they wish to be distinct; it cannot be the emulation of a former and has to deliberately contrast the conventional and the overly saturated, often leading riders to travel to the far-reaching portions of the globe to claim their stakes in a new, unfamiliar location. However, amidst a global pandemic, such a fantasy quickly proved to be a delusion as the group had to find a location feasible of convergence from three different countries – Noè was departing from Spain, Lucas was departing from Canada, and Colleen and myself were departing from the United States. Despite our efforts to scheme a destination we felt uniquely worthwhile, after weeks of planning and assessing the constantly changing global travel restrictions and guidelines, La Ventana, Mexico, continued to perpetuate as a viable option. Being aware of La Ventana’s history and place within the kiting media, this small Mexican town quickly presented us with the opportunity to find a niche that had not yet been capitalized upon and to showcase this thriving kiting community under a different scope. Unfortunately, a week before departure, Canada revised their travel guidelines, forcing Lucas to file for a refund and make the most of riding in Canada’s frigid spring waters. With the absence of Cabrinha rider Lucas, the Duotone crew made their way to the shores of La Ventana. For Noè and myself, it was our first time in Mexico, and upon arrival, we both quickly succumbed to the allure of Baja’s deliciously affordable Mexican cuisine and local hospitality, and were further dumbfounded by the fields of cacti that covered the sandy desert mountains, spanning as far as the eye could see. While Noè and I blissfully supported the town’s tourism, renting quads, sightseeing 122

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Embracing the survival of the youth

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The “Lifestyle” Shots...

‘El Norte’, a pressure system that circulates wind through the region, began blowing when we arrived.

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and exploring, Colleen had the experience of a seasoned veteran, having visited La Ventana a handful of times before. Prior to arriving in Mexico, Colleen kindly warned Noè and I that La Ventana might serve up light wind, and we should be prepared by packing our largest kites. That was not to be though, and instead the famed ‘El Norte’, a pressure system that circulates wind through the region, began blowing when we arrived, and its momentum continued through the entirety of the trip. The only kites to come out of the bag were the trusty Vegas 9m’s for Noè and I, and an 8m Dice for Colleen. For those yet to have experienced La Ventana, the wind is consistent, the bay is turquoise blue, and it is a quintessential wintertime destination for any watersport enthusiast. That being said, Noè, Colleen and I were not particularly interested in following the herd and instead we found ourselves spending nearly every day in a small lagoon known as Choco Lake, or more accurately a stagnant muddy puddle. This shallow mud pit was certainly not a turquoise paradise, but it did provide us with the exact conditions we were hoping for – the lagoon offered flat water, and because it was only a few inches deep, it became a perfect location for building features and constructing a creative playground. Thanks to the dedication of local riders before our arrival, the lagoon was home to a few rounded PVC pipes and a long corrugated tube. The first few days we enjoyed the pre-existing rail setup, rode with the local crew, and filmed as much as we possibly could with Colleen, who was due to depart a week before Noè and I. Every day the three of us were as productive as possible, and we were able to score some incredible sessions together, filming and shooting photos the entire time. When Colleen left, with only a week remaining in our stint, Noè and I found ourselves craving to conjure up something unique that would corroborate with our vision and illustrate the distinction we aimed to fulfill. As we sat on the edge of the lagoon, visualizing and fantasizing ideas that we hoped would pacify our ambitions, we both settled on the idea of utilizing the resources at hand and taking advantage of the shallow water the lagoon had to offer. With two shovels, roadside tires, palm tree lumber, and our creative aspirations thriving, Noè and I became human excavators, moving and rearranging enough sand to seemingly fill every pothole in all of Baja. The rewards of our efforts paid off in full and embodied our attempt to keep the flame burning and help secure the creativity of park riding as a distinct boardsport. In a recent conversation with Noè, he elegantly transcribed the difference that I and a select few have come to embrace and intend to sustain: “Some people ride their board, and others hang off their kite”. Although many love the exhilaration of dangling below their kite, operating a ‘sail’ is quite different from riding a board. Bringing awareness to this distinction is a reality we feel is vital to the progression and growth of kiteboarding. Noè, Colleen, and I are proud to share our work and hope to continue expanding upon the efforts of legendary leaders that set the foundation for kiting’s place as a ‘core’ boardsport. ■ SONIC YOUTH

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Snowbird Kari Schibevaag’s usual travel plans were curtailed this year by the virus-of-which-we-donot-speak, so she decided to stay local and make the best out of the situation. Traveling round her home country in her trusty red van, she packed up her sledge and headed into the winter wonderland of the Norwegian mountains and forests. PHOTOS THERESE N. ANDERSEN AND TOMMY SIMONSEN

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2021 started quietly for me thanks to my dog Truls… We had to hide

on top of one of the many mountain plateaus in Norway, far away from all the noise of New Year’s Eve fireworks. If you have a dog, you probably know all about the challenge fireworks cause so we decided to just hide… But having said that, it was actually quite nice to hide away for New Year’s Eve! And what a beginning to the New Year we had, with perfect weather: sunny, cold and windy days. What more can you wish for in this crazy world? The beautiful weather had lasted for weeks. Ok, it had been very cold with temperatures down to -20 and -30 degrees Celsius, but what a magic light. I come from Norway and am so grateful to be here during these strange times. We have been able to travel inside our country and I have loved this opportunity, mixing up hitting the waves or finding fresh powder in the mountains. Norway is a perfect country for traveling so going abroad in 2021 has not been on my mind.

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For the last three years I have lived in a Pössl campervan and I love this simple life. Inside this rather small van I have everything I need for a comfy life, and it has made it possible for me to live the life I normally do while being on the road. I can travel to mountains and beaches, explore new spots, and go on new adventures. My life has not changed that much during the pandemic. The biggest change is that my adventures and travels are now taking place only in Norway, with fewer friends, and far away from the big cities. I think about Brazil, South Africa and the other places I usually travel to that have sun, nice conditions, warm and stable wind, good friends, good food and beach life, and of course I miss all this a little bit when it is freezing temperatures outside and there is ice on the van windows when I wake up. But I will use this year to explore Norway even more, and actually when I think about this, it makes me really happy. I will get to know my country better and the more I explore, the happier I feel about coming from Norway! The adventures I have been on so far in 2021 have been some of the best. When the pandemic started and I had to stay at home, I couldn’t stop thinking about heading into the mountains, letting the wind take me to remote spots and camping there. So that is what I have done so far this winter and will keep on doing this year. I have even been able to travel to Svalbard, next to the North Pole, and had the most amazing time out in nature, just me, my kite, good friends and ice. The feeling when I head out is something special. Packing the sledge with all my gear, pumping the kite and just camping out there in the wild is freedom to me. The power of nature makes you forget your problems, phone and computer; you live in the moment and focus on the next adventure ahead of you. Friends ask me why I travel so much, and the answer is that this is how I charge my batteries. I love it and every time I get back to my van, which is like a five star hotel for me, I just want to start a new trip exploring with my kite and sledge. 129

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After a few months up in the mountains I missed the ocean so much. A six-hour drive and I was back at the beach. Of course, it is not Cape town temperatures, but we have both waves and flat water here, and I must admit that my face was one huge smile when I got out with my board and kite. It was so good to feel both the twintip and the wave board under my feet again. I keep reminding myself that I am lucky to be able to do all my favorite sports in my own country, and to have the luxury of choosing which to do…

Do you fancy it?! If you’re lucky enough to come from a cold winter wonderland like me or can head to one next winter, here are my top tips for going on an expedition with your kite and tent… It doesn’t have to be a long or hardcore trip; start with a small trip and don’t go too far at first. Check the forecast so you’re not heading out on the coldest day. I always pack my sledge with too much stuff when I head out on a trip, but every time I go I learn more about what is essential or unnecessary. You need almost the same things on a short trip or a long trip. It is obviously essential to wear warm clothes, ideally wool thermals (and pack a spare set), and a windproof outer layer. In my sledge will be a tent, a good down-filled mat (better than your average sleeping mat!), a winter weight sleeping bag, a camping stove to heat water, a hot water bottle to heat up my sleeping bag at bedtime, food that doesn’t freeze, candy, a thermos, night light, head torch, map, and kite equipment of course. If possible go with a friend, or at least tell someone you trust where you are for safety. And enjoy! ■ 131

K nocking ON HEAVEN’S DOOR

Cape Town has long been an annual pilgrimage for European kiters wanting to escape winter, and with some of the strongest wind on the planet, and the beauty of Table Mountain and its surrounding beaches, you can see why. Red Bull King of the Air contender Stig Hoefnagel was out there when Covid restrictions shut the beaches, which meant spending more time in the gym than he perhaps would have liked…

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The Dutch autumn had begun which meant the wind was becoming less reliable and the temperature was dropping every day. Sessions without gloves became something from the past, and all I wanted was to travel to the kiting mecca of Cape Town again. At that time South Africa’s Covid-19 cases were very low and the country had re-opened their boarders to European travelers. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect and I was pumped to finally board a plane again. The first few weeks were epic with strong wind, great waves, and hardly any kiters out on the water. To make the trip even more exciting, the Red Bull King of the Air contest was confirmed to run and it was my first time being selected to compete in the event! Ever since I started kiting, I have dreamt of being selected to compete in the King of the Air and finally it was my reality. Competing against riders who I have always looked up to was a bit scary at first, but I also couldn’t wait. From the day they announced the riders, I knew that I had to start training even harder than before, meaning hours and hours both on and off the water. I started my day by going to the gym and getting my cardio and strength training in, making sure to do a good hour of stretching afterwards. After the gym, I would eat a good meal and head off to the beach. Being fit is one thing, but being able to do all the technical kite tricks is another. I personally like to be in good shape 134

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and to feel strong and fit; it helps me be more focused and have more strength for training new tricks. I am basically training to be ready for a big crash or impact. Everything was going as planned – I was feeling strong and all the tricks I had in mind were slowly becoming reality, until… Covid restrictions hit. Just before New Year, the government decided to go into Level 3 lockdown, which unfortunately meant that all the beaches and public parks were going to close. Then to make matters worse, just three days into 2021, we got messages saying that this year’s King of the Air was cancelled. It was such a bummer because I had traveled all the way from Europe to South Africa to train and to be ready for the event. I was very sad, but in the back of my mind I had known that the possibility was there, and when they closed the beaches I was kind of expecting it to happen. At first we thought how bad could the beach closures be – surely they are not going to be that strict? Being on the ocean itself was still allowed, but the closure of beaches made it nearly impossible to access the ocean without a boat. Since we didn’t have a boat, we would go kiting in big groups to avoid being singled out, and for a while it almost looked like a normal day in Cape Town. All of that soon came to an end when the police started patrolling the beaches heavily, making it impossible for us to kite.

KNOCKING ON HEAVEN’S DOOR

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The Level 3 lockdown was enforced for about six weeks, and the whole mood in Cape Town changed a lot. Everyone was stressed and unhappy with the situation, seeing as the rules that were in place really made no sense at all – restaurants, gyms, and basically everything that was indoors were still open, but all of the national parks, beaches, and outdoor activities were closed. Something positive that came of lockdown was that I finally got the chance to really discover Cape Town. I had been on a few hikes in the past and had seen quite a few spots, but since everything had revolved around kiting I had only seen places near the kite spots, and hadn’t experienced all the other great things Cape Town has to offer. From beautiful hikes to the most stunning mountain bike rides, and trips in a 4x4 around the northern Cape, I can now tell from experience that Cape Town isn’t just a beautiful kite location, but is also amazing for everything else and has so much to offer. About halfway into February, the president of South Africa announced that lockdown had been adjusted and they were going to open beaches again. That was a huge relief because now I could finally get some training in. Let me tell you, I was ready for some much-needed time on the water after spending so many hours in the gym! For me the biggest difference was obviously being able to kite again, shoot photos and get back to my active self, but as well as that everyone seemed more relaxed and the people of Cape Town were happy again. Going to the beach and spending time outdoors is so important to me, but also to so many others. After seeing the somber mood of Cape Town when outdoor activities were suspended, it made me realize just how much humans need sunshine, fresh air, and nature… ■

FA R L E F T

Stig hangs off kites, monkeys hang off Stig. TOP LEFT AND HERE

Stoked to finally swap gym equipment for kite equipment. KNOCKING ON HEAVEN’S DOOR

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Canadian freestyler, Jack Rieder, headed to La Ventana, Mexico, with all the toys in his bag to make the most of the variety of conditions there and explore new spots. Together with girlfriend Nadja, they got the hang of winging, camped out beneath the stars, enjoyed the local cuisine and even happened upon a whale. Ticking a lot of boxes… P H OTOS C H RIS ROL L E T T

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LEFT

Hitting the features in Choco Lake.

La Ventana has always had a special place in my heart. It was the destination of my very first kite trip and many more for years to follow during school breaks. When I became more flexible after finishing University, Wi-Fi was less essential and I could be away for longer stretches. As a result, I began to explore more remote locations across the world, leaving La Ventana behind. However, with the world’s current state, I found myself in a situation where La Ventana was one of the only viable options for travel this winter. This time I was traveling to La Ventana far more prepared than past trips. I brought a quiver for Big Air, foiling, winging, and of course my go-to freestyle and park setup. With all these toys I was guaranteed to have fun, and that most definitely was the case. A few of my close kite buddies from around the world found their way into town as well, resulting in awesome sessions with a great group of friends.

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LEFT

Making the most of the empty ocean. RIGHT

Ocean one side, muddy Choco Lake the other.

What was different about this trip was the variety of riding I got to experience. In previous years, believe it or not, I had spent the entire trip never touching the beautiful ocean water. Yes, in the past I really spent weeks riding nothing but the muddy Choco Lake park! Of course, this season we had some amazing park sessions here and there throughout the trip, but for the majority of the winter, Choco Lake’s water level was low, and the wind was absolutely honking. It was the windiest season I have ever experienced in La Ventana. Instead of forcing freestyle and park in overpowered 9m conditions, I learned to wing with my girlfriend Nadja, and did loads of Big Air downwinders with the awesome crew in town.

“Just as we were about to turn around, a whale breached right next to shore in front of the setting sun, and it made the accidental detour feel like the best mistake ever.”

As with any spot, if you stay long enough there will be a stint of no wind, but we had been riding tirelessly, so some rest days were in order. We laid back and enjoyed some tacos. I don’t enjoy alcohol so my beverage of choice became a coke from the glass bottle – it’s quite the novelty because they are very hard to find back home. This down time also allowed us to explore the rest of the Baja peninsula more than in previous trips. Nadja and I set off to the Baja Coast to explore some new spots to camp and surf. We got lost on the way as the sun was setting and ended up at an empty remote beach. Just as we were about to turn around, a whale breached right next to shore in front of the setting sun, and it made the accidental detour feel like the best mistake ever. We then continued on to set up camp at a beach a few miles south, where we enjoyed some marshmallows by the fire and a good night’s sleep under the stars. As if it wasn’t already good enough, we woke up the next morning to perfect surf, then met up with some friends for brunch at Baja Beans and made our way back to La Ventana. Unfortunately, my time in La Ventana was coming to an end, but I left knowing I had made the most of my trip. We explored aspects of Baja I had never seen before and I tried many new disciplines. All of these great experiences combined made me appreciate La Ventana even more than I had before. I now plan to head back to Baja next year and explore even more of what the amazing location has to offer! ■ MEXICAN RAP

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BIG PICTURE

It has been a busy few months for FLYSURFER beavering away at their stunning HQ in Bavaria and on their eventful photoshoot in Cape Town. They recently released an updated edition of the BOOST, plus a new twintip, the FLOW, and a larger size of their legendary foil kite, the SONIC. We caught up with Marketing Manager Ines Rodlauer to find out more… PHOTOS MIRIAM JOANNA

S O , L O T S O F E X C I T I N G N E W P R O D U C T S … L E T ’ S S TA R T W I T H T H E B O O S T – W H AT ’ S N E W ?

W E ’ V E H E A R D Y O U U S E D U P O N T M AT E R I A L I N T H E B O O S T. W H AT D O E S T H I S A C H I E V E ?

The BOOST is a freeride kite with power on demand, made for riders who want to push their skills and love lofty jumps and hangtime. It perfectly fits the motto #BOOSTyourself. It has a swept-back outline, a thin leading edge and a deep profile. All together the construction works best in moderate and light winds. We offer the BOOST in five sizes: 9, 11, 13, 15 and 18m. We recommend using the 9m for example in 18 up to 25 knots.

The sturdy frame is made of tightly woven, high-strength fiber from DuPont, fixed with resin, and tempered. It means there is minimal stretching, high tear resistance, low moisture absorption, and particularly good UV resistance, all of which reduce the deformation of the kite under the highest stress.

H O W H A S I T E V O LV E D F R O M T H E P R E V I O U S M O D E L ?

We have revamped the bridle line system and integrated pulleys, which has led to better bar feedback and an improved relaunch. On top of that we have changed some technical details, and rethought the placement of all reinforcements to optimize the weight distribution. We added wavy Dacron reinforcement strips to the trailing edge, which merge into a smooth double layer of sail. The construction increases the durability of the product significantly.

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THE BIG PICTURE

M O V I N G O N T O T H E F L O W B O A R D , W H O I S I T A I M E D AT ? TA L K U S T H R O U G H I T S C O N S T R U C T I O N A N D S H A P E .

The FLOW is a progression twintip made for beginner to intermediate riders. It has a flat rocker curve, which provides more stability, better balance and continuous edge control. Simply put: it glides earlier. It is designed with a full-length wood core made of responsibly grown paulownia wood. The wood construction provides perfect flex and responsiveness. The soft flex pattern of the FLOW achieves a lower top speed, is comfortable to ride especially in choppy conditions and is forgiving on the knees. The progressive single concave on the bottom

of the board allows water to be channeled in a certain direction, giving the board greater upwind ability and increased speed. The benefits are earlier planing, better control and increased directional stability. The FLOW has a scratchproof topsheet and all of our boards have this special high-quality, scratch-resistant UV coating to ensure a long product life. H OW D O E S I T CO M PA R E T O T H E O T H E R B OA R D S I N YO U R RANGE?

We offer five different boards in our twintip range: FLOW, RUSH, TRIP (our splitboard), RADICAL and FLYDOOR. Compared to the RADICAL the FLOW is lighter, more flexible, has wider tips and a single concave. The FLOW’s shape supports edge control and means more surface in the water, therefore going upwind much more easily, whereas the RADICAL has better carving ability and popping off the water is more explosive, and its double concave is more forgiving on fast landings. In comparison to the RUSH, you immediately notice the soft and forgiving characteristics of the FLOW whereas the RUSH has significantly more grip, pop and smoothness at high speed, and its

construction and low flex make for a sporty riding style. Compared to the TRIP, the low weight of the FLOW makes it feel particularly playful. The shape of the TRIP has a high rocker curve and a hard board center, and it turns more easily and has its strengths in the medium wind range or in small waves. Lastly the FLYDOOR – both it and the FLOW address the same needs. In a direct comparison, the FLOW is more playful and pops better. In choppy water, it is more comfortable to ride than the FLYDOOR. W H AT D I S C I P L I N E A N D R I D E R L E V E L I S T H E S O N I C D E S I G N E D FOR?

The SONIC is a high-performance freeride closed-cell foil kite, which works best for riders who already have experience with foil kites. It is built for riders who already love the SOUL and now want to push their skills in foiling, airstyle and especially in light wind conditions. With the SONIC you can also go high-speed on a hydrofoil and on a twintip. When jumping it gives you endless hangtime for your airstyle tricks. We also recommend the SONIC for riders who want to get into hydrofoil racing, as it is more forgiving than a classic race kite, espe-

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FLOW

“The FLOW’s shape supports edge control and means more surface in the water, therefore going upwind much more easily, ”

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cially at the beginning. The new 21m SONIC, designed for heavier riders, works best in lightwind conditions, on a hydrofoil or twintip, and also on snow. T E L L U S M O R E A B O U T H OW I T F I T S I N T H E RA N G E A LO N G SIDE THE SOUL KITE.

The SONIC flies more powerfully, and is harder to launch and relaunch than the SOUL. The jump performance, upwind-abilities and spin are much better in a direct comparison of sizes 18 and 15. The SOUL is more forgiving and sits deeper in the wind window, has much more stability in strong winds and better usability on the whole. The products are clearly separated and tuned to the skill level. W H I C H CO N T RO L B A R S WO U L D YO U R ECO M M E N D FO R U S I N G WITH THE BOOST AND SONIC?

For the BOOST we recommend using the FORCE Control Bar or the INFINITY Control Bar system – the latter offers an automatic centerline untwisting function. With the SONIC both of the above mentioned work very well and we also recommend the RACE Control Bar, the perfect choice for skilled hydrofoilers who love to ride foil kites and want to go fast. W H I C H O F Y O U R R I D E R S H AV E B E E N I N V O LV E D I N U P D AT I N G THE NEW GEAR?

Alongside the R&D and test team, which involves kite designer Maxi Kühnhauser and Head of Marketing Chris Hesina, also involved were Luke McGillewie from Cape Town and Lukas Vogeltanz based in El Gouna. Due to Covid restrictions, traveling to adequate testing locations was not easy for Maxi and Chris, so they had to make the best out of every session at the Bavarian and Austrian lakes. That is why it is even more important to have an experienced R&D team at different spots. With Luke based in Cape Town, he was able to give us the best feedback from there, testing the BOOST in very strong conditions and in lightwind conditions as well. Lukas owns a FLYSURFER kite school in Egypt and has very good conditions there all year round, which is vital for long-term testing. Y O U M A N A G E D T O G E T S O M E G R E AT F O O TA G E O F T H E G E A R ‘ M I D P A N D E M I C ’ . H O W C H A L L E N G I N G WA S T H I S A N D A R E YO U P L E A S E D W I T H T H E M E D I A YO U P RO D U C E D ?

I must say, it was quite challenging! The day our photoshoot gear

arrived in Cape Town, the South African government announced a lockdown and closed beaches to everyone, and the problem was no one knew how long this would last. Our company was closed for two weeks over Christmas and after many discussions with our CEO we decided to take our booked flights in January and flew to Cape Town with a smaller team. The good thing was two of my riders, Alina Shalin and Luke McGillewie, and his girlfriend Crystal Veness who played an important part in our shoot, were already there, as well as my videographer Adam Sims. So it was just myself and my photographer Miriam Joanna who had to join the team there. Two weeks later FLYSURFER athlete Théo de Ramecourt also joined our mission. We stayed for a total of seven weeks, four of which the beaches were closed. We really tried to stay within the law, renting a boat from a friend and accessing the water via a slipway, which was allowed, and shooting in front of Table Mountain with no one in the backdrop. As fishing from the beach was allowed and gave us the possibility to at least touch the beach, we made use of this grey area and bought ourselves fishing licenses and fishing rods, making use of our FLYSURFER bucket hats to really get the authentic fly fishing look! It was a very successful trip in the end – we experienced this photoshoot from a very different perspective and saw a whole new angle of Cape Town. It was a very special time for us being there in such crazy times. The restrictions there made us incorporate everything we had to deal with into our storylines and product videos. In the end this helped us achieve some unique content and stories to tell. T H I S Y E A R I S T H E C O M P A N Y ’ S 2 0 T H A N N I V E R S A R Y, C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S ! H O W D O Y O U S E E T H E N E X T 2 0 Y E A R S P A N N I N G O U T F O R T H E C O M P A N Y, O R AT L E A S T T H E N E X T F I V E ? !

I am sure the next 20 years can only get even better. We are in a very lucky position and industry in this pandemic, at least at the moment. The growth of winging is an awesome addition to watersports, even for people who don’t have experience of any other watersport, and we are excited to see how it develops. We are very happy with the latest addition to our product range, our new wing: the MOJO. Furthermore, in 2024 kiting will be part of the Olympics. We have very talented riders, like Daniela Moroz, Florian Gruber, Theo de Ramecourt and many more, who are pushing hydrofoil racing to the next level, racing on our VMG, built by designer Benni Bölli and registered by the IKA. It is also good seeing young talents such as Magda Woyciechowska, Maximilian Maeder, the van de Kamp brothers, and Hugo Wigglesworth also killing it in the hydrofoil race discipline and becoming better race after race. Exciting times! ■ F LYS U R F E R

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S-Bend Pass R I D E R R I TA A R N A U S P H O T O S V E T L A N A R O M A N T S O VA

This sequence was taken during the GKA Freestyle competition in Ilha do Guajiru, Brazil in November 2020. It is one of my favorite tricks for how natural the rotation feels. The S-Bend Pass is a frontroll with an air pass and is the next step once you learn how to land it to blind. I always perform it during competitions and sometimes add another 180 degrees to the rotation to make it a full handle pass.

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STEP 1

Get some speed up, have the kite around 1 or 11 o’clock, and unhook, keeping the back straight and the arms as close as possible to your body. STEP 2

Make a strong pop to a high S-bend. The faster and higher you go, the better you will perform it! You want to make sure to get slack in the lines. STEP 3

Extend your body on the take off and turn the head between your arms to perform a frontroll, keeping the legs straight. STEP 4

While turning through the frontroll, pull the kite a little bit lower to help you pass the bar more easily in the air.

STEP 6

Keep turning for the air pass, open your chest sending the back arm behind and bring up your knees. STEP 7

Keep holding the bar with the front hand. Look forward, spot the landing, and grab the bar with the other hand, landing downwind and bending your knees. TIP 1

It is a very natural rotation so don’t rush it; go one step at a time, with control and flow. TIP 2

Make sure to control the position of the kite and place the hands as centrally as possible.

STEP 5

Go for the second rotation – pull the bar to your front hip, and take your back hand off the bar.

S-BEND PASS

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Front Board Gap 180 Back Board Pretzel 270 Out RIDER ERIC RIENSTRA PHOTO JIM RIENSTRA

This is one of the most technical types of slider hits out there. If you are new to jib trick names, Pretzel basically means rewind or change the direction you are spinning. The best way to prepare to learn this trick is to master Frontside Boardslide 270s and Backside Boardslide Pretzel 270s separately. I will admit this isn’t the most stylish example of this trick, but it was taken during the final at the Patagonia Hood Jam, so I was a bit more focused on just pulling it off since you only have three tries to get a score. The hardest part is popping into the gap 180 with your back turned, and landing the back board on target enough to make the rest of the slider. This setup also happened to have a corrugated pipe instead of a box, so the margin for error was even smaller.

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STEP 1

Speed is your friend for all jib hits. It helps your board slide more smoothly and keeps the kite from powering up and pulling you off early. Approach toeside with as much speed as you are comfortable with and focus on aiming your trajectory towards the end of the slider instead of only looking at the start. STEP 2

Ollie up to the slider and do a backside 90 degree spin without making your weight come down, meaning don’t raise your upper body higher than it will be when you are on the slider, instead pull your legs up like you are absorbing a bump and set them down onto the slider. If it is a small ollie your upper body basically won’t move. STEP 3

STEP 4

Pop off the slider, initiate the 180, and pull the bar in front of you. Spot where you are going to land on the second slider but focus more on the end of the slider. Try to stop spinning and hold the backside boardslide until you reach the end. STEP 5

Pretzels are easier when you have a little bit of bar pressure. Move the bar back towards your back and spin back the opposite direction of the 180 you just did. Look over your shoulder to continue spinning the 270 all the way to a blind landing. Once you master this you can step it up by doing Bluntslides or Noseslides instead of boardslides or spin another 90 degrees into 50-50, Nosepress, or 5-0.

Stay low and try to keep from spinning or zeeching while you are locked in the frontside boardslide. Pull the bar into your back and pass as you are nearing the gap. Try to look over your back shoulder as soon as you can to try and spot the second half of the feature as soon as possible, although you likely will not be able to react in time so you will have to rely on instinct to know when the gap is coming. SLIDER TRICK

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F-ONE POCKET and IC6 950 V.3 F-ONE board designer Charles Bertrand has a successful lineage of freeride hydrofoil boards and foils under his belt. We thought we’d find out more about his latest creations.

Photo: Svetlana Romantsova

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W H AT S T Y L E O F R I D I N G A R E Y O U P I T C H I N G T H E P O C K E T A N D POCKET CARBON FOR?

The POCKET and POCKET Carbon have been designed for riders looking for an easy and maneuverable foil board. Through the use of compact outlines, we have developed a complete range of boards with minimum length for maximum fun. Both boards have beveled rails, a double concave, and a foiling specific outline with the widest point well towards the front of the board. All these features make them easy and forgiving on the water. W H AT S I Z E S D O T H E Y C O M E I N ?

We offer a number of sizes so that every rider can find their ideal board. The POCKET is available in 120 x 46cm, 130 x 47cm and 145 x 50cm. All these come with a large deck pad and inserts for foot straps. The POCKET Carbon is available in 110 x 47cm, 120 x 46cm and 130 x 47cm. The larger two sizes also come with a large deck pad and inserts for straps, whereas the smallest size, the 110cm, has the deck fully covered with the pad and has no inserts, so is for dedicated strapless use. T E L L U S A B O U T T H E L AY U P O F T H E B O A R D S .

Both boards benefit from our Slim Tech process, which uses a high strength core material so we can reduce core thickness. The POCKET is built around a foam core with glass reinforcements and protective top and bottom sheet layers, making it as durable as you can get. The POCKET Carbon is also built around a very light foam core, but with carbon reinforcements, making it strong and super light. As well as increased strength, the reduced core thickness allows the rider to have better control of the board and there is better flex for more riding comfort. The solid cap construction preserves the edges of the boards. YO U ’ V E B RO U G H T O U T A N E W V E R S I O N O F T H E I C 6. W H O W I L L WA N T T O R I D E I T A N D W H Y ?

The IC6 950 V.3 is designed to be the best first foil purchase. It is accessible and very easy to learn on. It is also a fantastic foil to cruise around on when you don’t want to invest in a carbon foil. W H AT H A S C H A N G E D I N T H I S L AT E S T V E R S I O N ?

We have increased the size of the front wing. Now available in 950 cm2, the foil is now even more versatile. It gets you planing in no time with a very progressive take-off, and the ride in the air is super smooth. We have also changed the connection with the fuselage using two inline and two offset screws directly into the metal insert inside the front wing. T H E W I N G A N D S TA B I L I Z E R A R E M A D E W I T H I N J E C T E D C A R B O N . W H AT A R E T H E P O S I T I V E S O F T H I S P R O C E S S ?

The IC6 technology consists of an injected polymer reinforced with carbon fibers. This material is super strong and possesses some impressive mechanical properties, making it particularly suited for parts subject to high stresses and bending loads. It offers great resistance and stiffness with extreme durability.

The mast and fuselage are made of aluminum to provide perfect stiffness. The mast plugs directly into the fuselage and at the top there is a four-bolt plate that can be plugged in so that the foil is compatible with any board fitted with tracks.

It is hard to pick as we offer different kites that can all be perfect to foil with on this setup, starting with our BANDIT S2. Our BREEZE is our single strut kite, perfect for those light wind days. Or for those who enjoy riding with ram air kites, the HALO would be perfect. ■

C A N Y O U TA L K U S T H R O U G H T H E C O N S T R U C T I O N O F T H E MAST AND FUSELAGE?

W H I C H WO U L D B E YO U R I D E A L K I T E T O PA RT N E R T H E P O C KET AND IC6 WITH?

F-ONE POCKET AND IC6 950 V.3

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Photo: Svetlana Romantsova

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Brunotti Twintips With the likes of Youri Zoon and Rita Arnaus as team riders, Brunotti twintips are often to be seen on the podium. We take a look at their latest range, which includes a few new faces…

Photo: Photo: Svetlana Svetlana Romantsova Romantsova

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Photo: Orestis Zoumpos

B L AC K H AW K

CONDOR

H AW K

DIMENSION

PRO X

Y O U R C U R R E N T B O A R D R A N G E L O O K S T H E B U S I N E S S . W H AT SORT OF RIDING ST YLE IS EACH T WINTIP DESIGNED FOR?

Thanks, we are really happy with the line-up! We have done our best to develop a range of boards in which every kiter can find a board to their liking. We have the Blackhawk and Hawk for freeride riding, and the Youri Pro and Pro X for freestyle, while for all-round riding, both freeride and freestyle, we have the Dimension, Dimension Valkyrie, the women’s Riptide and the Discovery. Then the Condor is aimed for light wind riding and finally we have the Blast for kids. HOW DO THE ‘ACTIVE BACKBONE’ AND ‘TORQUE EQUALIZER’ BENEFIT THE BOARDS?

These two combined result in a stiffer middle section of the board while maintaining flex in the tips. This makes the boards easy to ride, but also full of snap and performance. T E L L U S A B O U T YO U R U N I Q U E D R S RA I LS A N D H OW T H E Y AFFECT THE BOARDS’ PERFORMANCE.

The rail is shaped like a diamond (Diamond Rail System), so only a small part makes contact with the water. This sharp rail provides lots of grip and allows you to go upwind easily. On top of that, the rail giving you that extra bit of grip results in a better take off. T H E P R O X A N D Y O U R I P R O A R E B O T H A I M E D AT F R E E S T Y L E AFICIONADOS. HOW DO THESE T WO BOARDS DIFFER?

The Youri Pro has had its fair share of dedicated fans for the last decade, and is loved for its high-end freestyle performance. If you compare it to the Pro X, the Youri is a stiffer and more explosive board. The Pro X will be easier to ride for a large range of people, while maintaining that freestyle feeling. We have designed this board not only with the hardcore freestyle rider in mind, but we made it accessible for the ‘weekend warrior’ also. H O W H A S T H E D I M E N S I O N E V O LV E D A N D I M P R O V E D O V E R P R E V I O U S G E N E R AT I O N S ?

The Dimension has been our bestseller for years now. This is also the

YO U R I P R O

D I M E N S I O N VA L KY R I E

RIPTIDE

reason that we made two versions for this season. We have the Dimension and the Dimension Valkyrie that has some flashy graphics! Last season we completely redesigned the Dimension, and for this season we had a big demand for bigger boards, so we made all boards one centimeter longer. H O W I S T H E W O M E N ’ S R I P T I D E P A R T I C U L A R LY S U I TA B L E F O R FEMALE RIDERS?

The Riptide is our Dimension for women. We’ve adjusted the flex, sizes and stance to make it a perfect fit for female riders. W H O I S T H E H AW K A I M E D AT ?

The Hawk is our ‘Dimension on steroids’. For riders who love the Dimension but want some extra ‘kick’, we have developed the Hawk. It has the same outline as the Dimension, but we used extra carbon stringers and different wood lay-in to make the board stiffer. W H O H A S B E E N I N V O LV E D I N T H E D E S I G N P R O C E S S F O R T H E BOARDS?

We have two product designers, Jinne Sietsma and Tarik Kool, who work on the twintips. Together with their test team, they make the best range possible each season. H O W L O N G H AV E Y O U G U Y S B E E N M A K I N G B O A R D S F O R A N D H AV E Y O U E V E R T H O U G H T A B O U T M O V I N G I N T O T H E W O R L D OF KITES OR FOILS?

Brunotti has been making twintips since 2001. We have definitely thought about moving into kites or foils, but for now we have decided not to do it. We like being a stand-alone board brand, which can be sold in combination with any kite brand. W H AT E L S E I S N E W F O R B R U N O T T I ?

We have focused on the accessory part a lot over the last few years and we have developed a range of killer wetsuits. Also our Gravity Harness is one to watch. ■

BRUNOTTI TWINTIPS

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Naish Torque 2 Bar Naish have just released their updated Torque 2 control system with a brand new quick-release. We spoke to engineer Brian Dennis to get the lowdown.

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T E L L U S A B O U T T H E N E W Q U I C K - R E L E A S E . W H AT I S T H E THOUGHT PROCESS BEHIND ITS DESIGN?

Our goal with the new quick-release system was to make it safer, more compact, and more convenient. The inspiration was taken from standard quick-release air hose connectors, which are super easy to connect and disconnect. The new collar is ergonomically designed to make accidental release nearly impossible, and the longer stroke makes release more ‘intentional’. The overall length is greatly reduced from old designs – this was a common request from riders. The simple ‘click-in’ engagement makes it easy to re-assemble after release, even in the water. It is very intuitive, like a seat belt. Y O U ’ R E O F F E R I N G VA R I O U S C H I C K E N L O O P O P T I O N S W I T H THE TORQUE 2 RIGHT?

Yes, the Micro loop is for everyone who doesn’t ride unhooked. It is 25mm more compact and is more secure. The Standard loop is for people who prefer a traditional size loop and is okay for unhooking. The Freestyle loop is bigger and is ideal for riding unhooked. The Slider loop is for people who like to use a slider harness, generally for waveriding. T H E L I N E S H AV E B E E N U P D AT E D W I T H A N E W P U C O AT I N G . WA S T H I S D I F F I C U LT T O I M P L E M E N T ?

We had to play with the PU to get the stiffness right, but it was not a big departure from our previous trim line configuration. There was a technical challenge to implement a below-the-bar trim with coated lines, but we had already decided to switch to 100 percent above-thebar systems, so this was not a problem that needed to be solved. W H AT E L S E H AV E Y O U U P D AT E D O N T H E N E W V E R S I O N O F THE TORQUE?

There are new thinner lines and a new smaller trim cleat. There are also pro-level line sets available as an accessory, suited to Big Air riders. It was hard to improve on our double-density grip, so it is essentially the same as last year, with new colors. The floats are a new design that flexes a bit better than last year, so it is more durable. But it basically has a similar look and feel to last year. DOES THE NEW TORQUE WORK WITH THE WHOLE KITE LINE UP?

Yes, the Torque 2 works with the whole kite line up. There is a fiveline version available for the Torch kite. There are two widths: 55cm and 50cm (although the line adjusters allow for +/- 5cm). The 50cm bar has a slightly shorter trim adjustment throw, and all line lengths are 22m + 2m. W H O H A S B E E N I N V O LV E D I N T H E R E D E S I G N ?

Our whole engineering team really designed it together, with help from our manufacturing partners, and input along the way from our team riders and regular riders like me. W H AT E L S E C A N W E E X P E C T F R O M N A I S H I N T H E N E A R F U TURE?

We are constantly experimenting with new materials and designs for our kites, lines, bars, boards and foils, to improve performance and make it easier to have fun on the water. We have research projects in motion to measure and analyze kite performance, and we are working with our suppliers to optimize our fabrics for higher strength and lower weight and to improve assembly techniques to make kites more durable. The development team has grown this year with two new members and we are really excited about the future developments, which we will be stoked to share when they are thoroughly tested! ■ NAISH TORQUE 2 BAR

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Prolimit Harnesses

We spoke to Prolimit about their current range of harnesses, which can be found wrapped around the waists of such pros as Stig Hoefnagel and Nuno Figueiredo. Photo: João Pedro Rocha C A N YO U G I V E U S A S U M M A RY O F YO U R N E W L I N E U P ?

We have seven types of waist harnesses and five types of seat harnesses in our line-up. The Vapor is our hardback low profile waist harness and comes in three different versions – the Vapor with our patented pin release system, the Vapor Barloc, and the Pure Vapor female harness. The Vex is our low profile, 3D shaped, molded waist harness with pre-curve and high load optimized outline, and a comfortable neoprene inside with EVA molded pillow. Our Hawk harness with its high back support and low side support outline allows maximum movability without losing back support during your wave or freestyle session. Then we have the Vector, which, with its medium back support height, allows more flexibility during extreme movement while the higher sidewall protects the ribs. For women we have, as well as the Pure Vapor, the Pure Edge waist harness, which is our dedicated freestyle and wave female harness. W H AT A R E T H E M O S T D I S T I N C T I V E F E AT U R E S O F Y O U R H A R NESSES?

We are the only harness manufacturer that uses five different inner plate designs (which determine individual shape and fit) for our waist harnesses. Our hardback harnesses use exclusive materials for a harder back but have the sides of the harness flexible, making size adjustment 156

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easier and keeping comfort high. Then we have five choices in molded (softshell) harnesses. For years molded harnesses have been the most technical harnesses. There is a trend towards making harnesses more expensive and harder. But we think molded harnesses are the correct harness for 90 percent of riders, due to the fit, flex and comfort, and also price reasons!

H AW K

S O Y O U W O U L D N ’ T D E S C R I B E T H E VA P O R A S A H A R D S H E L L HARNESS?

That’s right, the Vapor is a hardback harness, not a hardshell. In design it differs considerably from hardshell harnesses and blends a molded harness with a hardshell one. It has the inner plates for a perfect fit, 3D shaping and highly tailored curve. H O W H A S T H E VA P O R B E E N U P D AT E D ? I B E L I E V E I T I N C O R P O R AT E S A N E W M AT E R I A L .

The Vapor 2021 has more shape, and a new bar pad on the PURE women’s model. We use PURE TM material that is non-toxic, lighter than water and 100 percent recyclable. PURE is a top-of-the-range, 100 percent polypropylene, self-reinforced composite material. It is non-resin based and is a unique yet durable, low weight and tough thermoplastic composite. PURE is thermo-formable under heat in press form processes. Furthermore it does not splinter (unlike carbon and epoxy) and has unique properties making it an excellent material for our hardback harnesses. PURE is also very strong at even low temperatures for snow kiting for example. A N D W H AT A B O U T T H E V E X , W H AT ’ S N E W T H E R E A N D H O W D O E S I T C O M P A R E T O T H E VA P O R ?

PURE EDGE

P U R E VA P O R

The Vex has more shaping, improved slide in the bar pads, and the Fat Pin release bar. Compared to the Vapor, firstly there is a price difference between the molded harnesses and hardback harnesses, and secondly the Vex will feel a bit more flexible and offer a bit more comfort and more elasticity – the Vex is molded with a PU outside which provides the elasticity. It also has a wider size range. A R E A N Y H A R N E S S E S I N YO U R L I N E U P B E T T E R S U I T E D TO WAV E R I D I N G O R F O I L I N G ?

The Hawk is more aimed at wave riding with good back support, combined with narrowed sides with added flex, for easier and freer maneuverability while bottom turning or other wave-oriented maneuvers. For foiling the Vector harness would be very suitable. Overall support is high, it slides more around you, and features the Nylone EziBelt closure.

VA P O R

W H AT A R E T H E S P R E A D E R B A R O P T I O N S ?

We offer various spreaderbars. We have a patented pin release system which is offered on a standard stainless steel kite bar, as well as the stump nose Fat Bar with pin release which we consider the strongest bar available in the market. We also offer a rope spreaderbar with Dyneema rope for a sliding bar.

VA P O R B A R L O C

W H I C H H A R N E S S D O Y O U R T E A M R I D E R S U S E A N D H AV E T H E Y HAD SOME INPUT INTO THE DESIGN?

Our riders use a mix of the harnesses, depending on their body shape, personal preference, favorite discipline, and so on. Favorites of our male team riders are the Vapor and the Vex; the women use the Pure Vapor or Pure Edge. Feedback from our riders is extremely important to us and we take it very seriously and build it into the design of all of our harnsesses. ■

VEX

PROLIMIT HARNESSES

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Eleveight RS & Master board range

Eleveight have just released the latest version, V5, of their best-selling kite the RS, and updated versions of their Master board range, including a new smaller version, the Master S…

Photo: Helen Fischer

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Photo: Helen Fischer

W H O I S T H E T Y P I C A L R S R I D E R , A N D W H AT C H A R A C T E R I S T I C S H AV E M A D E I T S O A P P E A L I N G T O A W I D E M A R K E T S E C TOR?

The typical RS rider is the modern freerider who demands performance in all conditions. The RS satisfies all their needs! The kite is highly versatile and is designed to boost massive airs, master any spot, and tame any storm. We focused on a very stable construction with a great low end. Most RS riders are content with a quiver of just two kites to cover the entire wind range. The RS delivers an intense feeling of fun and is very easy to use, which for us is the essence of a good freeride kite. W H AT A R E T H E B E N E F I T S O F T H E N E W R S O V E R T H E P R E V I O U S G E N E R AT I O N S ?

Our key slogan has been ‘Development Never Stops’. For the RS V5 we focused on a lot of incremental changes. The V5 has a redesigned frame structure between the inflatable parts and the ripstop, to optimize the load transition. As a result we were able to further improve the canopy profile for extra stability and durability. We have moved the point or axis of twist in the leading edge further forward by modifying the wingtip segmentation and bridle geometry, resulting in more direct turning and bar feedback. We also focused on an overall weight reduction, which has benefits in the low-end performance of the RS. M OV I N G O N TO YO U R B OA R D S, W H O I S T H E M A ST E R A N D M A S T E R C + A I M E D AT ?

The Master range is aimed at riders who want to combine the best of both worlds in terms of freeride and freestyle performance. The Master C+ is crammed with innovative features and will suit the rider who demands the ultimate premium experience. H O W H AV E Y O U U P D AT E D T H E M T H I S Y E A R ?

The Master range has only changed slightly. We have used a new ABS rail material with higher impact resistance. The general shape and construction remain the same. We also worked with new print techniques to create an exciting new look and long-lasting durability. YO U ’ V E I N T RO D U C E D A V E R S I O N FO R S M A L L E R R I D E R S, T H E M A S T E R S . T E L L U S A B O U T T H AT.

Over the last year we realized there is a higher demand for smaller boards. That is based on the increased number of female riders and also the youth segment. The Master S is specifically designed to meet the needs of smaller or lighter riders pushing the limits. We refined the flex pattern and stance without compromising on the celebrated characteristics and performance of the Master.

H O W H AV E Y O U F O U N D P R O D U C T D E V E L O P M E N T A N D T E S T I N G WA S A F F E C T E D B Y T H E P A N D E M I C ?

The last year was not easy to maintain a normal development and testing cycle. But Eleveight is a fairly flexible organization and so we managed to adjust our schedule to adapt to the new situation and regulations. A big part of our kite testing is normally done in Brazil, but with all the travel restrictions we had to shift the testing procedure to Europe. Luckily our development hubs are in Portugal and France and we managed to arrange most testing in these areas. H O W A R E Y O U W O R K I N G T O WA R D S R E D U C I N G Y O U R E N V I R O N M E N TA L I M P A C T ?

The topic of sustainability is highly discussed at Eleveight and we are more than aware of the challenges we will face in the future in our industry. For us it is important to implement strategies that we can control and measure. This year we have eliminated plastic materials from our twintip and surfboard packaging, and we aim to do the same for all our products in the near future. We also try to work as much as possible with European suppliers – on the one hand we have a better understanding of their production facilities and procedures, and on the other hand it helps reduce the carbon emissions from transportation. WH O

HAS BEEN TESTING AND RIDING THE NEW GEAR?

Our core R&D team is very passionate and analytical about testing all the different prototypes and final production models. Peter Stiewe, the mastermind behind all our developments, has a very detailed vision of the performance outcome of each model. He is also in constant communication with our pro test team. In particular, our young guns play a key role in the development of high-performance products. They push the limits of the sport and demand gear that reflects the highest standard of performance and durability. ■

ELEVEIGHT RS V5 & MASTER BOARD RANGE

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THE ULTIMATE

SCAN ME Welcome to the results of our third Ultimate Test. Please note that these are only the final results, you can find ALL of the tests for the kites and twintips (complete with enough charts and stats to keep even the most number-hungry kiter happy) on an entirely new section of our website. Here you can easily compare all of the gear we got our hands on, as well as checking out the results of the foil and surfboard tests…

Alex Hapgood

Rich Boughton

(Editor-in-chief)

(Technical editor)

We do like a challenge here at TheKiteMag. You might think it is a dream to test all the very latest products from the top brands… But imagine getting stuck at customs in Spain with €85k of kite gear in your van. Imagine trying to fit 14 coffin bags full of gear onto a minivan in Morocco, and imagine sneaking 12 full foil set ups onto a nature reserve in Portugal before the sun comes up… We have done all of this and more in the first two Ultimate Tests. So we are used to challenges, but this year has tried the patience of even the most optimistic riders on the team… You may have heard of the global pandemic. As it ebbed and flowed we made plans to test in Spain, Morocco, Portugal, the US, and assorted other destinations… But when it came to it, as lockdowns returned, and with our Technical Editor and most of our test crew in the UK, we decided to give ourselves more time to test than usual (to compensate for the fact that the UK isn’t as consistent as Dakhla) and to get it done in the UK. Oh, and then Brexit happened, and suddenly we’re spending days on end trying to explain that the €15k worth of kite gear stuck in customs is definitely not for sale and will be going back from whence it came. Yes, it has been a lot of fun… But we got there, later than we would have liked to but, hopefully, you’ll forgive us given the circumstances. And the good news is that you only have six months until the next test! 160

It has been an exciting and positive year for kite development. The pandemic seems to have triggered a massive surge in demand for windsports products amidst the perfect storm for the supply chain. We have seen Asian production slow down, material shortages due to snowstorms in Texas, shipping problems galore, and even the Suez Canal blocked up. It has been a series of events no one could have predicted, and getting the Ultimate Test done has been challenging at times, but no less fascinating than usual. It has also been great to see the gear really put to test in the slightly less glamorous cold water conditions in the UK which, let’s face it, is the reality for a good cross section of our readership. (Perhaps the biggest ‘gamechanger’ for me this year was the electric wetsuit dryer and a strict two-suit rotation.) I cast my mind back into the mists of my involvement with the industry and being sat (next to fledgling pro starlet Hannah Whiteley) at a dealer meeting in Tarifa over 10 years ago. A respected paraglider and inflatable kite designer, who was involved at the inception of our sport, was giving a highly technical hour-long presentation on modern kite design. He was bewildering most of his audience, but being of a geekier nature I was enthralled, and asked the generic question: “What’s the biggest change we will see in kite design in the near future?” He replied, “We won’t see major performance changes until the material – particularly that of the air frames – gets lighter, stronger and stiffer”. Ten years later and we are starting to see this become a reality; brands have started lauding overall lightness as a marketing point, and the fact is that when it comes to flying objects, an intelligent low weight build has tangible performance advantages over a heavy durable one. The cynic in me might also say that another variable is that the material costs have now reached a level that makes it viable for the brands to start implementing it into their product ranges... Whatever the reason, what we’ve been presented with this season are kites that are more sprightly, dynamic and sharper than ever, and with wind ranges that are increasing at both ends of the usability spectrum. So it genuinely feels like an exciting time in the world of kite design, with the industry in general undoubtedly going through a period of particular innovation and excitement…

KITES

ALL ROUND FREERIDE

Duotone Evo SLS The most significant rework the Evo has had in a while. The new SLS material makes it crisp, playful and more performant than ever. CORE Nexus 2 A superb update of the German workhorse, extending its wind range and widening its luxurious application cross disciplines. Cabrinha Moto The smooth operator from Maui returns but with a vast improvement in the low end for foiling, and that friendly chuck-itaround-anywhere ability.

PERFORMANCE FREERIDE

Naish Pivot The Pivot absolutely shines in its top end, retains its almost telepathic handling, and has even more scope with a simple pigtail tweak. F-ONE Bandit 21 A definite perk up in handling this year and an exquisite build makes for a kite that is perfectly focused on twintip riding, and packs a boost and loop to behold. North Reach Sliding into this sector with a minimum of fuss, the Reach is an extremely capable freeride kite with smooth and friendly characteristics.

FREESTYLE Slingshot RPX The RPX is now crisp, dynamic and an excellent platform to unhook with, yielding loads of travel downwind and decent slack for proper competition freestyle. CORE GTS6 With an aggressive pop-and-go attitude, the GTS6 is engaging and powerful. Its clever tuning points mean it can be tuned down to be an absolute wake tractor with slack aplenty. Naish Dash The Dash has lively, well-balanced handling and always feels poised for action. It doesn’t require much trimming when you unhook, which results in super consistent power delivery for hardcore freestyle.

THE ULTIMATE TEST RESULTS

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BOOSTING

Airush Lift The Lift has a very pure design direction and an intricate build. Few kites give this much consistency as well as raw height, and simultaneously combine it with such high agility for a five-strut kite. CrazyFly Hyper Some intelligent build tweaks, and an eye on lightening, make the Hyper an absolute standout when it comes to straight boosting and daft levels of glide. CORE XR6 The WOO scores speak for themselves – there are few kites which have as much raw lift and levels of control in the bitter top end as the XR6.

WAVE

F-ONE Bandit S2 The second iteration of the Bandit S makes an already lightweight and refined wave kite even smoother, and performs consistently at the absolute top of its game, regardless of wind and wave direction. Duotone Neo SLS The SLS material works wonders on the range of use and application for the Neo, particularly when it comes to handling drift and balance. Ocean Rodeo Roam A-Series Producing a wave kite this light, stiff and efficient really lets you drift and access parts of the wave and angles you didn’t think possible. It makes the perfect argument for the ALUULA material.

LIGHTWEIGHTS

Slingshot UFO Slingshot took the zero strut concept and made it work for the mass market with almost no drawbacks. Insane drift and agility make it the freeride foiler’s dream.

F-ONE Breeze V3 Third time round for the Breeze has enabled it to evolve into an incredibly smooth, efficient and easy-to-handle mono strut. Cabrinha Contra Turning the smaller kites in the range into single struts was a genius move. It retains the efficiency of the Contra product line with super early flying and the usual creamy handling response. 162

THE ULTIMATE TEST RESULTS

LIGHTWIND

Duotone Juice An exceptionally well-conceived lightwind kite that very much has its own flying character and wide spectrum of potential use. Ocean Rodeo Flite A-Series The ALUULA material enables one of the most nimble lightwind kites we’ve tested, with an enormous wind range and solid performance at all extremities. North Reach LW A great example of how to match the power advantage of a large surface area kite into your existing quiver without losing the feeling of the smaller sizes.

INNOVATION

Ocean Rodeo Roam A-Series The statistics don’t lie – a 2kg three-strut wave kite really makes a superb showcase for this new material and the real-world benefits are undeniable. Slingshot UFO The shaping and bridle configuration that has gone into the UFO is a work of pure genius – it allows super early flying, excellent bar response and even decent relaunch without a strut in sight. Duotone Evo SLS A showcase example of new SLS material transforming a kite’s characteristics and giving it an instantly improved bar feeling and overall performance.

CURVEBALL

Nobile The One A stripped down and highly reactive mono strut which is incredibly entertaining to fly. One of the fastest turning kites we’ve ever used.

THE ULTIMATE TEST RESULTS

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BOARDS

FREERIDE

Slingshot Super Natural Our team relished the quick-paced locked-in carves with rapid exits, making fun of even the smallest piece of chop. It is official: the Mutant is back.

Naish Switch The asymmetric rail length of the Switch creates a feeling underfoot unlike any other board. If you’re fond of mixing up your riding styles but don’t want to have a boot full of boards then the Switch has stepped in to provide a solution at an impressive price point.

North Prime The classic freeride outline with low rocker, single concave and pulled-in tips make the Prime immensely enjoyable. Its easily accessible pace, ample grip and agile turn radius produce plenty of drive and a fun and accessible riding experience.

CROSSOVER Airush Apex v7 The test team loved the fresh look and ride of the latest generation of Apex. Basalt laminate and refined double concave gives it a supremely cruisy ride through chop, and rewarding pop and super smooth landings make it a top contender for freeride and budding freestyle riders.

F-ONE Trax HRD LT A pretty much perfect twintip and, once again, we were most impressed by the landings on the F-ONE Trax, which can be attributed greatly to the Helical Rail Design making even hard and fast landings cushioned and easy on the knees.

Naish Motion The playful and fun ride of the Motion is surely confidence-inspiring for a progressing intermediate rider. The flex tips combined with beveled edging keeps you feeling locked-in and confident, to power through carves with speed.

RRD Poison Y26 If you love to boost and need grip and directional stability that directs like you’re on rails, the RRD Poison delivers. Triple staged channeling will keep you locked in to build maximum line tension for a big takeoff and landings come with a pre-set route map.

For the Ultimate Test #3 we have reduced the number of twintip categories so, in some categories, we have more than one award winner.

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THE ULTIMATE TEST RESULTS

PREMIUM CROSSOVER North Atmos Carbon The test team rated the Atmos Carbon for its very direct and positive load response with an abrupt and powerful pop. Perfectly pitched for intermediate to advanced riders looking to elevate their riding... Duotone Select SLS After testing the Select, we can only assume that SLS means Smooth Like Silk. Taking all of the features we love from the Select, Duotone has wrapped it in carbon and Inegra for a more responsive yet silky smooth ride that cuts through the water like the proverbial hot knife through butter.

CrazyFly Elite III The test team loved the speed, agility and highly responsive load and pop of the Elite III. It is extremely light and sporty in feel and exudes an energy that will have you charging around, carving and boosting all day.

Brunotti Hawk Brunotti tell us that this is the Dimension on steroids, and whilst we do not advocate the use of performance enhancing drugs, this is essentially a performance enhanced Dimension in every way. Deeper channels, rails step and concave mean you can push this board that bit further and it will repay you with bigger moves and a bigger smile on your face.

FREESTYLE Lieuwe Oceana Playing well into the hands of Big Air riders and freestylers, the Oceana truly delivers in its key criteria: pop and landings. Expect a smooth, powerful release from the water and a super smooth and directionally stable touchdown.

Eleveight Master Perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the board test, the Master C+ loved aggressive riding in boots, but was still smooth through the water and kind to the knees on hard landings. Truly the best of both worlds with very respectable pop coupled with comfort.

F-ONE WTF!? The extremely playful WTF!? impressed the test team by making performance freestyle comfortable in all conditions. Expect excellent control at speed, an easy ride though chop, and excellent pop followed by easy-to-stick landings.

Nobile GAMECHANGER New to the Nobile line up, the Gamechanger’s generous channeling creates substantial grip for loading up and the board’s release is explosive. The pop this board can make with very little effort is nothing short of amazing.

THE ULTIMATE TEST RESULTS

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the committed UK based Lee ‘Pasty’ Harvey has been kiting for longer than some pro kiters have been toilet trained, and knows his way around a kite competition or two. He probably spends more time in the water than most other UK kiters and you’ll find him smacking lips on Cornwall’s Atlantic coastline, be it with a kite, windsurfing or surfing depending on conditions.

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TOP RIGHT

Yep, he looks pretty good without a kite too. Photo: Ben Hartley

LEFT & BOTTOM RIGHT

Photos: Ian Butt

W H E N D I D Y O U F I R S T S E E K I T I N G A N D W H AT D I D Y O U M A K E OF IT?

It was Easter 1999 at the Windsurf Slalom event in Cornwall, UK. Jason Furness and Ben Hanbury were flying around on Blade kites and I thought it looked pretty cool. I then went off to work in Greece and got a kite as soon as I got back. W H AT WA S Y O U R F I R S T S E T O F E Q U I P M E N T, A N D W H AT D O YO U U S E N OW ?

My first kite was a two line Wipika Classic 6.5, with a 7 foot Flexifoil directional board. To start with it was all about going downwind and staying on! Now I use Duotone SLS kites and boards which are amazing, and ION soft goods. T E L L U S A B O U T Y O U R C O M P E T I T I O N H I S T O R Y, A N D H O W Y O U S TAY S O M O T I VAT E D T O R E M A I N I N V O LV E D Y E A R A F T E R YEAR?

“I have surfed from age five and sailed from age eight, then windsurfed from 16. All of these sports help with my kiting and now my kiting has really helped with my surfing.”

I enjoy the vibe at events and they have helped me to ride the best that I can and keep improving my riding as the sport and gear have evolved. I competed on the KPWT in 2008 and 2009, with my best finish being fifth overall in waves. I competed on the KSP World Tour in 2011 and 2012, finishing eighth overall. I am seven times British Wave champion from 2013 to 2020, and British Windsurf Wavemasters champion 2019. Plus I have numerous runner up places in UK KiteRace and KiteFoil competitions and got lots of sailing titles when I was younger. W H AT O T H E R WAT E R S P O R T S D O Y O U TA K E P A R T I N , A N D HOW DOES THE EXTRA SKILL SET TRANSFER INTO KITING?

I have surfed from age five and sailed from age eight, then windsurfed from 16. All of these sports help with my kiting and now my kiting has really helped with my surfing. W E H E A R I T I S A P R E T T Y V E R S AT I L E P A R T O F T H E W O R L D Y O U L I V E I N - H O W M A N Y S P O T S D O Y O U H AV E C L O S E B Y A N D C A N Y O U G E T I N T H E WAT E R M O S T D AY S ?

We have a choice of spots locally which all work in different conditions so I probably could do a water sport everyday, but unfortunately I don’t get to because I have to work too! LEE ‘PASTY’ HARVEY

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LEFT

Lee munching his way through a pasty that has given him his nickname. SECOND BOTTOM LEFT

Lee ripping it up at one of his local spots. Photo: Ian Butt BOTTOM LEFT

No it’s not Indonesia. The UK really can be that blue. Photo: Steve Clarke

“I am a fisherman catching lobsters and crabs. It is hard work but I love being on the water, especially heading out of the harbour at sunrise and when the dolphins are riding next to my wake.” YO U A LS O D O K I T E COAC H I N G . H OW D O YO U B A L A N C E T I M E F O R T H AT A N D F O R Y O U R P E R S O N A L T I M E I N T H E WAT E R ?

The best conditions for successful coaching are different to what I like myself so when it is good for coaching I coach and when the waves are big I ride. D E S C R I B E A P E R F E C T D AY F O R Y O U .

My perfect day involves waves and a Cornish pasty [Ed: a famous British savoury snack]. I don’t mind which sport: windsurfing, kiting or surfing, but the pasty has to be standard steak from my favorite pasty shop, Philps! Y O U R D AY J O B A L S O I N V O LV E S B E I N G O N T H E O C E A N . T E L L U S A B O U T I T.

I am a fisherman catching lobsters and crabs. It is hard work but I love being on the water, especially heading out of the harbour at sunrise and when the dolphins are riding next to my wake. I can’t go to sea when the swell is too big or it is too windy, which suits me perfectly. D A R E I M E N T I O N B R E X I T ! H A S YO U R B U S I N E S S B E E N A FFECTED?

It is hard to know as this year’s fishing season has just started and everything is still so heavily affected by Covid. When restaurants are all open again here and in Europe we will have a better idea. H O W H AV E Y O U F O U N D S TAY I N G I N T H E U K T H I S Y E A R W H E N Y O U N O R M A L LY S P E N D T H E B R I T I S H W I N T E R O V E R S E A S ?

I have been lucky to travel for a month or so most winters, but this year I have really enjoyed staying in the UK. The winter storms brought us really great conditions and wetsuits now are so good I don’t ever feel like it is too cold. ■ 168

THE COMMITTED

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SKEGNESS JULY 3/4 RAMSGATE AUG 21/22 ARMADA SEP 11/12

2021 BRITISH KITESURF FREESTYLE TOUR

SAVE THE DATES We are excited to announce the tour dates for the 2021 British Kitesurf Freestyle Championships. In addition to the very popular kite foil freestyle competition introduced in 2019 this year will see the first ever UK Wing Foil freestyle competition. KITE FREESTYLE • KITE FOIL FREESTYLE • WING FOIL FREESTYLE (new this year) Categories: Junior (U16), Ams (16+) and Pros - Male and Female 170

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Jesse Richman Stig Hoefnagal Nick Jacobsen Sensi Graves Sam Light Jason Van Der Spuy

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Noè Font Ross Dillon Player Girardin Lasse Walker Damien Carla Herrera Oria

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Noè Font Michael Mac Donald kitesurf365.com

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Yin and Yang WO R D S G A B I S T E I N D L

According to Chinese philosophy from around the third century BC, everything in the universe exists in opposition, and is both cyclical and constant, revolving in an infinite cycle of energy. One force dominates for a while and is then replaced by the opposing force. Everything in life is an interplay and all things exist as inseparable and contradictory opposites, such as female-male, darklight, old-young, or healthy-sick. I was about to find this out first hand…

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REFLECTIONS

LEFT AND TOP RIGHT

Gabi’s home spots in beautiful Western Australia. Photos: Scott Bauer MIDDLE RIGHT

Photo: Kat Nielsen BOTTOM RIGHT

Gabi still manages to hang loose while waiting for test results.

At the end of December 2020 I signed a new two-year contract with Duotone Kiteboarding and thus started the nineteenth consecutive season with my main sponsor. Even in my wildest dreams, I would not have dared dream of such a long time as a pro kiter. This year I had big plans: a new film project, various photo shoots, and several strike missions around Western Australia… The summer in WA, where I’ve been living for 13 years, is relatively short, and January to late March is the only time with a reliable sea breeze. Thus, I had no time to lose. Due to the Covid pandemic, Australia’s borders are closed until further notice, so a kite trip abroad was out of the question. Several local photographers and film people were on standby so as soon as the right conditions were forecast, I would go into action with my brand new SLS equipment. In top physical shape after many months of focused training in the pre-season, I was full of energy and froth to kick off the season. However, something was about to scupper my plans. I woke up a few days before New Year’s at 2am with pretty severe neck pains, and at first thought I had been lying awkwardly. I rolled from side to side trying to find some relief but the pain proceeded to get worse. Bad muscle spasms set in and traveled down my back along the spine and into my legs. I woke my husband and asked him to drive me to the small, local Margaret River Hospital, where the night doctor on duty was called out. My cramps were insane at this stage and the nurse filled me up with opioids and Valium to relax my muscles and help with the pain. I am usually a ‘tough cookie’ and not a fan of drugs at all, however in this case, I did not reject the pharmaceuticals. A few hours later I was sent back home with a pack of Valium and some heavy pain medication. The diagnosis: muscle spasms of unknown cause. I should take it easy for a few days; “she’ll be right”, said the doctor. During the days before this incident occurred, I had been relatively inactive. Margaret River is crazily crowded at this time of year, so I had spent the holidays fishing with my husband on our boat. So where did these extreme muscle cramps come from? It didn’t make sense. Two nights later the pain came back with vengeance – every single muscle in my body, no matter how small or large, spasmed. It was the worst pain of my life, and I’ve been through my fair share of injuries. I ended up in the emergency room of our next closest and bigger hospital, screaming in pain – this time not even the heaviest drugs worked. Fortunately, Dr Jim, a South African who funnily enough also kites, was extremely knowledgeable, and a blood test showed a significantly elevated level of creatine kinase (CK). This enzyme has several key functions in cellular energy metabolism. In women, the normal CK level is less than 145 units per liter, in men it is less than 171. My CK peaked at 26,300…! High CK levels can indicate severe muscle, heart or brain damage. Although Dr Jim tried hard to keep a poker face, it was obvious that he was extremely alarmed. Fortunately, by then I was already heavily sedated and on a saline drip. A urine sample confirmed Dr. Jim’s fears of a diagnosis of Rhabdomyolysis, a very rare disease that can be life-threatening and which is caused by muscle breakdown and muscle death. When muscle cells break down, the kidneys are in charge of getting rid of any waste products. Failing to do so quickly enough can result in kidney failure or even death…

YIN AND YANG

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TOP LEFT

Big smiles when her CK levels start dropping. MIDDLE AND BOTTOM LEFT

Gabi getting back on the Session. Photos: Kat Nielsen

“For a couple of weeks now, I have been back on the water. My body is still recovering and I get fatigued ‘pathetically’ easily” It was New Year’s Eve and my husband was afraid of losing me. Wishing my 79-year-old mother, on the other side of the world in Austria, a Happy New Year over the phone from the emergency ward was intense to say the least. Thank goodness my constitution is generally incredibly strong and healthy, which meant my organs survived this mega shock undamaged. After a fair time in hospital, my CK level dropped to 6000 units per liter, still fifty times the normal value. I was sent to a bigger hospital in the capital Perth, 300 kilometers away, to see a specialist. Millions of tests, several MRI scans and a muscle biopsy where an almost 10 centimeter long piece of my thigh muscle was removed under general anesthetic, should have finally shed light on the matter and unraveled the medical mystery of why my CK level had gone berserk. However, none of the tests provided any answers; apparently I am extremely healthy. It seemed that this just an inexplicable freak medical episode. For a couple of weeks now, I have been back on the water. My body is still recovering and I get fatigued ‘pathetically’ easily. It is April – the days have shortened considerably, and the Aussie summer is over and with it the summer sea breezes. My kite sessions this season can be counted on one hand. Apart from a few Instagram stories from various hospital beds, there wasn’t any film project. The intended photo shoots and strike missions never happened. Life often turns out so differently to what we plan and it is all too easy to forget the advice of never taking anything for granted. This brings me back to yin and yang. The two forces complement each other and only result in a perfect whole if they work together. Neither opposing pole is superior to the other and as an increase in one brings a corresponding decrease in the other, a correct balance between the two poles must be reached in order to achieve harmony. I am in the process of restoring this harmony in my life. Infinitely grateful that my organs and body survived this madness undamaged, I see it as a blessing in disguise. Soon I’ll be riding the peak of life again, I just need to keep on paddling. And then, I’ll be putting all my plans into action – I cannot wait! ■ 174

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