Words and photos by Ryan Riccitelli - Kitesurfarea.com

TIPS FROM AN OGNils boosts one over the Corpus skyline.SmackEastkb.com has put together a verythorough Google kite site map guidefor the Chesapeake Bay, Delaware,Virginia, Maryland and Washington DCareas. Check out the riding spots in thenortheast US and feel free to fire awayany questions on their forum – they havea super friendly and supportive crew!Words and photos by Ryan RiccitelliNAME: Nils StolzlechnerSTREET NAME: StolinaterPROFESSION: HotelierAGE: 40ishHOOD: Corpus Christi, TXRIDE: Shape my own boardsCLAIMS: Average rescue byCoast Guard five per year!ROOTS: Born and raised inKitzbuehel, Austria and livedin San Francisco and MauiSYSTEM: Cabrinha XB2 andSwitchblade 2FAVORITE SPOTS: Jalama - everytime I am out there I getscared, and every time I leaveI want to go back.HEROES: Nelson Mandela,Robby NaishBCustom race boards are Nil’s newest passion.Nils Stolzlechner TIPS.1. TAKE LESSONS WHEN YOU START.2. BE SAFE, AND DON’T EVER GET TOOCOMFORTABLE.3. ALWAYS ASSIST IF SOMEONE NEEDSHELP ON THE WATER.4. COME ON DOWN TO CORPUS CHRISTI- THERE IS MORE WIND HERE THANANYWHERE I HAVE EVER LIVED!orn and raised in Austria, Nils Stolzlechner has been involved in extreme sports sincehe could walk. After being kicked off the Austrian Ski Team, he took advantage of his USPassport and joined the US Ski Team from 1980 to 1987, competing in Ski Jumping. Nilsfinished 5th place in the World Championships in 1985. After retiring from skiing, he startedwindsurfing, moved to Maui and then back to Europe where he earned a spot on the F2Windsurfing Team Europe. In 2001, Nils started kiting in San Francisco after watching RobbyNaish while on a trip to Hawaii. In the last few years, Nils has been actively involved in theracing side of the sport and competes regularly in the Cabrinha Race series in San Francisco.Recently, Nils relocated to Corpus Christi, Texas and is training and doing R&D on his customrace boards.Photo Christoph MadererJamie Herraiz has just launched anew company focused on providingadvanced training. Una VidaKiteboarding will emulate programsused to train North’s international teamand will utilize a physical trainer, videoanalysis and visualization exercises tohelp riders’ progression so they get thebest out of their time on the water. Thecompany will of course use North gear,and may even have prototypes aroundso riders can throw their two cents intothe product development progress.Una Vida’s official launch will kick off inEgypt right after the Young Blood eventJuly 21 through the 31. For more info,email info@unavidakiteboarding.com.North Carolina shops and schoolsCrystal Coast Kiteboarding and WindToys USA are merging to expand theirbusinesses and help build the kitecommunity throughout the southernOuter Banks region. Wind Toys justupgraded to a 1500 square footlocation in Surf City and Crystal CoastKiteboarding, now named Wind ToysII, is upgrading to a comparably sizedlocation at the edge of Emerald Isle inCape Carteret in mid June. The shopsare expanding to cover all aspects ofkiting as well as surf, wake, winch andanything related. Both locations offerlessons from a variety of locations thattake virtually all wind directions. Emailchris.keiser@coldwellbankerfirst.comfor info.Click herefor video18 THEKITEBOARDER.COM

411VIDEO REVIEWSBy James BrownLegendary shaper Jimmy Lewis hosted the crew for a day.By: John Otterson Photo: Jon MalmbergHIGH TECH GETS SCHOOLEDBill Tai of Charles River Ventures rounded up two dozen top entrepreneurs, while SVB Capitalrecruited a dozen top West Coast venture capitalists for a week of kiting and business meetingson Maui. While on island, the group enjoyed 15-25 knot conditions and was entertained byPete Cabrinha, Jimmy Lewis, and Robby Naish who provided daily chalk talks on the finerpoints of kite flying, board selection, and riding styles. Susi Mai provided a week-long kiteclinic with Natasha Casebolt which was complimented by Maui’s Aqua Sports who providedlessons for nearly a dozen beginners. Cameron Dietrich and Ben Meyer provided gear demosso that participants could experience the differences in kite design and handling first hand.Plans are already in the works for the next fix and a return to Maui for the 4th annual Mai TaiKite Camp and Connect Hawaii 2008!The Triton boys show off their toys and new pad.By: TKB Staff Photo: Cole AllenNEXT – AKITEBOARDINGSTOKE: GET STOKEDTO RIDECheck out the latestkiteboarding actionvideo courtesy of theTronolone posse. Asthe subtitles indicate,you will get “stokedto ride” after seeing the top pros throwingdown sick moves on rails, flats and waves.There are plenty of bikini shots, a rockin’soundtrack and a special feature on thelegendary Lou Wainman. Other big nameriders include Andre Phillip, Susi Mai, NicoloPorcella, Elliot Leboe, John Amundson andWill James to name a few. Audio interviewclips are thrown in to give some insight intothe history of the sport as well as the futureof kiteboarding. Shot on location in Maui,Dominican Republic and Cape Hatteras.Running Time: 35 minutesFor copies go to:www.thekiteboarder.com/catalogEVOLUTIONGet a healthydose of the 2006PKRA (ProfessionalKiteboard RidersAssociation) WorldTour and see how farkiteboarding freestylehas progressed. It’sa blur of unhookedmoves, handle passes, kiteloops and everycombination imaginable. Aaron Hadlow winshis third consecutive championship in a fieldof fierce men’s competitors. There is plentyof coverage of the women’s category, whichis great to see for the sport. The battleswill get your adrenaline pumping as youget caught up in the drama. Special footageincludes kitesurfing, a course race and a“Best Girl” competition. Filmed in Venezuela,Belgium, Portugal, Dominican Republic,Fuerteventura, Germany, Canada, Spain andBrazil Running Time: 45+ minutesFor copies go to:www.thekiteboarder.com/catalogInternational team rider: Allessio MarcelliLA KITE CASA OPENS IN FLORIDAWhat do you get when you take three college kiters, one coach, a pit bull named Pumpkinand a two-story beach house? How about one of the most up and coming progressivescenes in kiteboarding! Matt Sexton and Mike Hall are now running a full time, competitiveteam/kite school certified by PASA and IKO called Triton Kiteboarding. Based out of St.Petersburg, Florida, the new center is directly on 30 miles of pristine Gulf beach andoffers stand up paddle boarding, kite lessons, a practice trampoline, wakeboarding/skating, Slack Line and more. The two are also developing the infrastructure to launcha collegiate kiteboarding league where college kiteboarders can compete against otherteams, cumulating in a no-holds-barred, week-long event which will declare a NorthAmerican collegiate champion. For more info, see www.TritonKiteboarding.comMUST SEE VIDEO LINKS:Check out this interview and footage ofOzone rider Sigve Botnen kitesurfing inVietnam. There is some good snowkitingfootage as well. www.flyozone.com/kitesurf/downloads/vids/interviewWithSigve.wmvIf you think you have good kite control–thinkagain. Try flying 3 kites at once like this guy.http://www.kitelife.com/videos/demo/bethell_promo.htmClick herefor video20 THEKITEBOARDER.COMTHEKITEBOARDER.COM 21

SHOP TALKSmackLIVE INTERVIEWS WITHDESIGNERS, PRO-RIDERS,INDUSTRY LEADERS ANDKITE PERSONALITIESLIVE2KITE LLCBy Marina Chang Photos courtesy Live2KiteHow and why did you get into thekiteboarding retail business? Initially it wasthe search for better quality, safety and pricein kite gear. Five years later, we operate twoonline stores, a brand new retail locationin Sausalito, California, and a distributioncompany covering both South and NorthAmerica.What is the kiteboarding scene like in yourarea and what makes it special? More than 15locations covering 8 months of windy coast,flat fresh water and riding under the GoldenGate Bridge - what else can anyone ask, otherthan dropping the 5/3 neoprene?What is your idea of a perfect day? Hittingthe south swell on the Northern Coast withfamiliar faces sporting huge grins!Any issues or is everything all good?Everyone here looks after each other. This iscritical in places such as Crissy Field wherekiters, windsurfers, beachgoers, dogs,passing barges, 5 knot currents and the CoastGuard are all firing at the same time.How does your shop help support thekiteboarding community? San Franciscolost shops a couple of years ago so Live2Kiteis filling in a big gap in the area. Our retailcenter has more than 2500 square feetpacked with the latest gear where riderscan come and touch the latest products.Live2Kite also offers surf camps, promotingwave riding and safety; free demo days forall brands we carry (over 50!), and supportsother local events. We additionally participatein product design/testing for some board andkite companies with local riders.What tips can you offer kiteboarders whowant to learn your area? The SF Bay Areahas a lot to offer in terms of conditions tolearn. Total beginners can learn is the safewater of the Bay or the Sacramento Delta.NAME: EvanAGE: 37LOCATION: Sausalito, CA – 5 min fromGolden Gate BridgeRIDING FOR HOW LONG: 8 yearsFAVORITE CONDITIONS: 10m on overhead+ swells under the Golden Gate BridgeWhat tips can you offer experienced kiterswho want to come kite your area? The SFBay offers some of the best advanced ridingconditions in the world. Consistent windsfrom March to September, with surf or flatwater, and coastal, city skyline and Alcatrazviews. Bring your Steamer though becausethis water can get cold! You can use kitesfrom 6m to 16m with small twin tips to 6-footsurfboards.What tips can you offer visiting kiteboarderswho want to hook up with local riders andkite in your area? Check with the local crewwherever you go for things to watch out for.The local riders are friendly and will offer goodadvice. Join the BBQ and beers afterwards tomake new friends.What is the best way for people to checkthe forecast and current conditions inyour area? Iwindsurf.com is the bestwind source in town or just head to Crissyanytime after 3pm!Lens: Ryan RiccitelliLens: Courtesy ORfor info.Learn to surfand kiteboardin Texas.South CoastKiteboardingis nowoffering surfing lessons along withtheir kiteboarding courses. If you’recoming to Corpus Christi, Texas andthe wind goes flat, take advantage ofthe Gulf Coast and get your surf on.www.southcoastkiteboarding.comNorth Carolina shops/schools CrystalCoast Kiteboarding and Wind Toys USAare merging to expand their businessesand help build the kite communitythroughout the southern Outer Banksregion. Both are expanding to 1500square foot facilities and will cover allaspects of kiting as well as surf, wake,winch and anything related. Email chris.keiser@coldwellbankerfirst.com for info.Former RRD Designer Simone Vanuccihas just launched his new kite company,Royal Kiteboarding. Royal will be hittingthe road this summer opening up newdealers and providing free demos oftheir new kites and boards. To organizesomething in your area, contact NickBowers at nick@royalkiteboarding.comLast chance to kite the Greek Islandswith Kite Adventures and ProKiteboarder Dimitri Maramenides thisyear! Winds range from 15-25 knotsbetween Athens, Paros and Mykonos.One more trip is planned this summerfrom August 17-27. Contact jessie@kiteadventures.com to book.Ocean Rodeoand pro riderJeremieTronet inviteall kiters tojoin themat the firstannual Ninat Lake Crew Event at NinatLake in BC. Coinciding with the 2007Wind Fest, events include a Big Aircontest, Expression Session, BoarderXand a Long Distance Race. OR will alsohave a full quiver of their prototype2008 gear for riders to test. Packagesare available for lodging, transfers,transport and food. Nitnat typicallyblows 20-25 knots all summer long andis an absolutely stunning place to kite.For more info, contact John Zimmermanat sales@oceanrodeo.com.PODCAST #78:BIG AIR RECORD?Big Air Wind Jam organizers GabeBrown and John Gomes discuss howthis comp could change the face ofkiteboarding as we know it.ASK QUESTIONS REAL-TIMEDURING THE SHOW ORPOST THEM ON YOURLOCAL FORUMPODCAST #77:BLADE KITES US TOURPro kiter Will James tells us about hisnew role with the company.TECH OUT WITH THE R&DTEAM AS THEY ROLL OUTNEW GEAR.PODCAST #76:ALL ABOUT BOARDSCustom shaper Dereck Camacho talksabout what affects your boards’performance. Very informative!Live broadcasts every Thursday athttp://cherrytap.com/lounge.php?l=1293Post show available every Friday atASnews.net and TheKiteboarder.comGot a suggestion? Email info@theringmedia.com20 THEKITEBOARDER.COM THEKITEBOARDER.COM 21

LETTERSWhat Our Readers Have To SayThe Kiteboarder HandbookDear Editor:I hope all is well and you guys are getting yourseason kicked off. Once again, thanks for allthe work you guys are doing. The KiteboarderHandbook in the last issue is awesome. I waswondering if we could take that and eitherpublish it in mass form or have it in PDF, sowe can give it to all our clients doing lessons.I give out a packet with as much similar infoas possible, but you guys have pretty muchcovered all the bases. I would love to be able touse it, and I would think other companies wouldtoo. Let me know what you think?Christopher M. KeiserOwner-Crystal Coast Kiteboardingwww.crystalcoastkiteboarding.comLetter Of The MonthDanger BoyDear Editor:My friend Jon and I were in Corpus a few weeks ago when we ran into theguy you wrote about in your last editorial. Great story about a guy who is adanger to himself and those around him! We have a guy who is kind of like thataround Fort Worth that we call “Danger Boy.” He has a great personality but isa little crazy, and is the kind of guy to jeopardize a kiting spot if you don’t watchhim. Anyway, I think there’s a lot of this sort of thing going on out there, andI’m glad you wrote about it. I’m really enjoying the podcasts and we plan onriding Packery again soon, if we can get a weekend that the wind blows.Best Regards,Justin MooreNo matter where you go in the world, there are always a few individuals whothink they know it all. Unfortunately, these are the people who end up hurtingthemselves or someone around them and screw it up for the rest of us - Ed.We worked really hard to make The KiteboarderHandbook what it is. We appreciate yourecognizing our efforts. You are more thanwelcome to distribute the Handbook to anyoneand everyone. The PDF version is available onwww.thekiteboarder.com - ED.HookedDear Editor:I’m writing to let you know the past few monthshave changed my life! I have been listening toyour podcasts and after the first one, I got hooked.I have an alarm set to go off just before theystart. I went to Corpus Christi, Texas to take myfirst lesson with you guys and fell further into it!My family had a blast, and it was a truly excitingweekend.I ended up coming back for the US Wind andWater Open and met some of the most amazingpeople. The pro kiteboarders seemed as normalas anyone and very easy to talk to. My family and Itook photos and hung out with Clinton Bolton, NeilHutchinson and Damien LeRoy. It was the besttime, despite little help from Mother Nature. I willdefinitely be back next year.Location: Best Odyssey secret spot Lens: Jody MacDonaldThe past two experiences have got me so hookedon the sport. I have my trainer kite on the way andsoon, my full gear set up. Hopefully, next year Iwill be able to fly with the guys I met!Thanks,Ricky WaibelWe are happy to hear you are stoked onkiteboarding and you had fun at the US Wind &Water Open. Be careful hanging out with guys likeNeil Hutchinson and Damien LeRoy. They are abad influence and will only get you more hookedon kiteboarding - Ed.22 THEKITEBOARDER.COMSend your banter, happiness, rants, raves to editor@thekiteboarder.comClick herefor video

COMPETITIONSPKRA ITALY PUSHES TECHMOVES Words: Paul LangPhoto: Roberto Foresti/CanonAfter a huge weather disappointment at the previousstop in Austria (only one day in six delivered wind), thePKRA competitors in Sicily showed up full of energyand eager to ride. On the first day of the event, thewind was up and the action started right away. AaronHadlow, who again finds himself at the top of therankings, broke out a few new tricks that may open awhole new class of moves. Instead of just passing thebar from hand to hand, he actually let go of the bar completely and had no hands on it for a moment. Thisis a wakeboarding inspired move known as an osmosis, and we will probably see very many variations ofit showing up in future competitions. In the final round of Men’s Freestyle, Aaron landed several poweredtechnical moves to edge out Youri Zoon, giving Hadlow another score for the top podium position.On the women’s side, the big story is Gisela Pulido, who at 13-years-old, is currently ranked number one.Gisela is competing in her first PKRA season, and it can be guaranteed that this young girl rides betterthan you. In the final event between Gisela Pulido and Bruna Kajiya, technical riding and variety was thewinning factor. Kajiya landed a big kiteloop with aerial handlepass and a blind judge, but fumbled a fewimportant moves. Pulido landed a 313, slim, blind judge, front mobe, and a back to blind airpass to takethe top podium spot.CompetitionsMEN’S FREESTYLE FINAL RESULTS:1. Aaron Hadlow (Flexifoil, UK)2. Youri Zoon (Slingshot, Netherlands)3. Ruben Lenten (Slingshot, Netherlands)4. Cesar Portas (North, Spain)WOMEN’S FREESTYLE FINAL RESULTS:1. Gisela Pulido (Slingshot, Spain)2. Bruna Kajiya (Best, Brazil)3. Karolina Winkowska (Naish, Poland)4. Angela Peral (North, Spain)CURRENT 2007 PKRA RANKINGS AFTERTHREE STOPS:MEN:1. Aaron Hadlow2. Kevin Langeree3. Youri Zoon4. Alvaro Onieva5. Rui MeiraWOMEN:1. Gisela Pulido2. Bruna Kajiya3. Karolina Winkowaska4. Ania Grzelinska5. Jo WilsonWIND WELCOMES START OF RACE SERIESWords & photo by Steve GunnThirty-two racers braved 20-35 mph winds and five-foot chop for the first night of racing of the 2007Cabrinha Race Series, sponsored by Ozone Travel, Adventure Sports Miami, and Adventure Sports, Inc.Held in San Francisco, the Cabrinha Race Series is a weekly summer race for kiteboarders of all levels– you just need to be able to go upwind. Four races were completed, using a triangle course for thefirst time. Also for the first time, a foil board was used in course racing as the riders are continuallyexperimenting to find the ideal racing gear. 2006 champion Anthony Chavez and Jeff Kafka led the packin the first two races but were disqualified after rounding the wrong buoy. The battle for the top threeplaces was between the Richman brothers and local Stefaans Viljoen. In the end, Viljoen came out ontop with 13 points. Jessie Richman finished a close second with older brother Shawn right behind. TheCabrinha Races are held every Thursday at Crissy field through the end of the summer and invite all localand visiting riders to join.WANT FREE GEAR?Log onto MACkiteboarding.com sign up for our eNewsletter and learnhow to start getting FREE GEAR and SPECIAL PRICING on in stock gear.Great Gear, Great People, Great Wind.Welcome to the Great Lakes. Find out what youʼre missing.Click herefor video

Hamish entertains some local Dominican kids at Buen Hombre, near the border of Haiti. Photo Bill StarkDon’t be offended! You would be flipping off the world too if you werechilling in Richard Branson’s swimming pool on his private island aftergiving him kite lessons. Hamish and Justin Souter enjoy Nirvana inthe BVIs. Photo Carib KiteboardingBy Ryan RiccitelliDON’T BELIEVE THE HYPEHamish Mac Donald came on to the East Coast kiteboarding scene inearly 2001 and quickly earned himself a reputation for pushing the limitsof unhooked riding. Back in the day, he would boost huge unhooked,board-offs which then evolved to even bigger handle pass and kiteloopmoves. Hamish was never known for taking the professional side of thesport too seriously and even jumped a Sheriff’s boat and got arrestedduring one of his heats at the 2003 Islamorada Invitational in the FloridaKeys. Known for smoking a cigarette or drinking a beer before a session,he has never followed the mainstream and has lit up forums around theworld with his outspoken opinions. No matter what people say, he is aforce to be reckoned with on the water. Whether it is freestyle, rails, racingor riding in the surf, Hamish can school many of the top pros. We caughtup with Hamish this summer to see what he had to say abut the currentstate of kiteboarding.26 THEKITEBOARDER.COMNeil Hutchinson has always been a big brother to Hamish on and off the water. Photo Ryan Riccitelli

THE SHERIFF DROVE THROUGH THE COURSE AND CUT ME OFF, SO I TOOK EVASIVEACTION BY PULLING THE TRIGGER AND JUMPING; IF THE LAW ASKSOne can only imagine what is going through the lady’s head as she watches Hamishslide the deck at Sable Rock in the British Virgin Islands. Photo Carib KiteboardingHamish warms up before a session.Photo Paul LangHamish smiles as he is taken away in cuffs after his infamous sheriffboat jump at the 2003 Islamorada Invitational. Photo Rick IossiWHEN AND WHERE DID YOU START KITEBOARDING? I bought my first kite atObsession Watersports in early 2000. I practiced in Newport, Rhode Islandand Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I finally got it dialed on a month-long holiday inPuerto Rico.GROWING UP IN THE UK, DID YOU EVER THINK YOU WOULD BECOME A PROFESSIONALKITEBOARDER? I wanted to be a pimp, but this will do.YOU ARE KNOWN FOR INNOVATING THE RAT TAIL OR HANDLE PASS LEASH. HOWDID YOU COME UP WITH THIS AND HOW DO YOU THINK IT HELPED THE SPORT?Everyone in Florida used snap shackles back in the day, so I got a hard time.All the first leashes broke, and I would get yelled at for losing my kite. Nowthey work really well, and some kites are sold with them. They changed thesport a lot. Some kids now are learning unhooked tricks before they can doa one-footer.DID YOU EVER GET RIDICULED FOR BEING ONE OF THE FIRST RIDERS TO REGULARLYWEAR A LEASH? I think the guys in Maui used them first. Everyone here in Floridathought it was too dangerous to unhook.SEVERAL YEARS AGO YOU WERE TOTALLY COMMITTED TO RIDING A PULLEY BAR ANDUNHOOKED. WHY WERE YOU SO MILITANT ABOUT THIS AND IS THIS HOW YOU FEELTODAY? I still am all about short lines and pulleys on small kites, but I use achicken loop stopper ball, safety combo with long lines on my light wind rig.YOU USED TO RIDE 100CM TO 120CM HANA CREW BOARDS. WHAT HAPPENEDTO HANA CREW, AND WHAT WAS YOUR REASONING FOR RIDING SUCH SHORTBOARDS? 120-130 cm is still my favorite TT size. I still have a blast on smallboards in flat water. The Hana Crew factory got smashed by a couple ofhurricanes, but the boys still sell awesome burritos at Da Kine Diego’s inSatellite Beach.IN RECENT YEARS YOU HAVE SWITCHED OVER TO RIDING A SURFBOARD. WHAT IS YOURTAKE ON RIDING STRAPS VERSUS STRAPLESS? Straps don’t work on surfboards. Youneed to move your feet to trim the board, but small tow boards and directionalswork well with straps.IN 2003 YOU WERE ARRESTED AT THE ISLAMORADA INVITATIONAL FOR JUMPING ASHERIFF’S BOAT. TELL US WHAT HAPPENED FROM YOU PERSPECTIVE. The Sheriff drovethrough the course and cut me off, so I took evasive action by pulling the triggerand jumping; if the law asks. But really, I’m a big kid and it was fun. I went tocourt a couple of times to try to get off. I ended up driving to the Keys for nowind and a bunch of fines. The law won; those bastards!YOU HAVE ALWAYS BEEN VERY OUTSPOKEN ON THE FORUMS. DO YOU STILL LOG INTOANY OF THE FORUMS TO SEE WHAT IS GOING ON? Not very often - it’s been windyhere. When I have time, I’m on CherryTAP.com.YOU LIVED IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC DURING ITS EARLY HEYDAY. WHAT WASTHAT LIKE AND WHAT WAS YOUR BEST EXPERIENCE? The first Xrated riding party wasthe best kite trip ever. There was a cool crowd, minimal bitching, wind, waves,Garrets and lots of Presidente beer - you can’t beat that.YOU HELPED PIONEER THE BVI KITEBOARDING SCENE. HOW DID YOU END UP THEREAND WHERE WAS YOUR FAVORITE PLACE TO RIDE? I worked there before I startedkiting. After I learned to go upwind, I had to go back to kite some of the spots Ihad surfed before. There are top secret waves. You have to find them yourselves.WE USED TO SEE YOU RIDING SHORT LINES AND BUSTING HUGE KITELOOPS. WHATWAS YOUR REASONING FOR THIS AND ARE YOU STILL INTO KITELOOPS? I still love doingkiteloops on short lines when I’m lit on a 7m, but I don’t really do them on thelight days anymore. I take a surf or skim board out. My reasoning for riding shortlines is to get over the kite.SEVERAL YEARS AGO, YOU WERE THE GUY WHO WOULD HIT ANY SLIDER, CHARGEANY CONDITIONS AND BASICALLY PUT YOUR LIFE ON THE LINE TO ATTEMPT ANYKITEBOARDING STUNT. HOW HAVE YOU CHANGED? I still don’t do chicken jibes!YOU EARNED A REPUTATION OF BEING THE BAD BOY OF KITEBOARDING. DO YOUTHINK THIS WAS A LEGITIMATE LABEL OR JUST HYPE? Who me? Never!OVER THE YEARS YOU COMPETED AND PLACED IN MANY OF THE US FREESTYLEEVENTS. DO YOU STILL COMPETE AND WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON COMPETITIONS? Iwould like to do more wave, kicker and slider events but not freestyle.RECENTLY YOU HAVE GOTTEN INTO RACING BOARDERX EVENTS. WHAT IS YOUR TAKEON THE WHOLE RACING SIDE OF KITEBOARDING? It’s a lot more fun and there is aclear winner, but the gear will have to change, especially the boards.FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, YOU HAVE SEEMINGLY DROPPED OUT OF THE KITEBOARDINGLIMELIGHT. WHAT HAPPENED AND ARE YOU STILL INVOLVED IN PROFESSIONALKITEBOARDING? I’m going to do a few events a year, and I am still sponsored bySlingshot Kiteboarding. I am trying to spend more time in the surf and lesstime in my heat!WHAT KITES ARE YOU RIDING THESE DAYS AND WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEWBOW AND HYBRID KITES? I have 7, 9, 11m Fuels, a 12m T2 and a 25m Machine.Bows are cool, but they don’t work for me in the surf. They have made it mucheasier to teach beginners.WHERE WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOURSELF IN THEN NEXT COUPLE YEARS? On a sickwave with a couple of friends lit on 7ms.Hamish hit a kicker and gapped 10 feet to frontside board slide two picnic tables;and then rode away effortlessly. Photo Ryan Riccitelli28 THEKITEBOARDER.COM