F reestyle
Thomas: The top five are definitely the best riders in the world. But competing can be unfair and there is still a big part of just being lucky. You never know what can happen during a heat, that’s what makes it so exciting. After all this is freestyle expression, just show your style and if you really rip then you will score. Gianni: In racing and battle contests such as boardercross, the ranking can be really close to the true level of the riders. But of course not in freestyle or waves, because an objective machine does not judge the execution of tricks and the style. Do you mind the fact that cable wakeboarding is the source of so many tricks? Stefan: Wakeboarding is simply a different sport than kitesurfing. The good thing in kitesurfing is that we can combine so many things at once. Some tricks are the same as in wakeboarding but others are completely different. I don’t think it’s the source of our sport. Mario: It may be the source but I don’t think we try to copy tricks. We just do them in our own way … I don’t think of wakeboarding when I am learning a new trick. Angela: Wakeboarding is a good way to learn new powered tricks. The wakeboarders have a very nice style and it’s good to copy it a bit every once in a while to get the best out of it. Thomas: Kiteboarding and wakeboarding aren’t the same at all. I love both for their different possibilities and ultimately I can say that kiteboarding isn’t as limited. Wakeboarders don’t give a damn about us so why should we worry about them? Reno: It is the source, but cable is cable, wakeboard is wakeboard, and kite is kite. I like wave riding with a kite, it is fun, but surfing is even more fun and you can really get barrelled. You could never get a deep barrel at Pipeline or Teahupoo with a kite. Kiteboarding must become more creative and focus on things that are only possible on a kiteboard, like big and powerful tricks or board-offs.
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What about bindings? Have any of you got any comments on that? Stefan: Sometimes it’s nice to go for a session with bindings. Just to get some variety into your training and to work on the style a bit. Thomas: Riding with straps is the best way to learn new tricks as they give you wide freedom of movement. Bindings are the best for powered riding as they give you better control of the board. A good rider has to be able to do both and never make fun of those who can’t. Mario: I like bindings although I don’t like the attitude of some of the riders who use them. Reno: I agree with Mario! But don’t ask me why (smiling) … Seriously though; I think most of these guys never reached a good level in competitions. So they started to try new things like using boots and claim ed that they were awesome, better than anything else. I’m a 100 % sure that they would prefer to be on the podium. What are events like the Triple S doing for the sport? Do you think that’s the right direction and that there should be more events with a similar format? Gianni: The Triple S is one of the best events at the moment because it has it’s own philosophy, the best riders are involved and it creates a good image for the sport and the riders. But I also think that it’s important to create a new event that includes more facets of kiteboarding. For instance an event that unites art and sports. There should be different styles with big airs and alternative riding. Angela: I like the aspect of showing the variety in kiteboarding. Hopefully, more riders will be able to compete in various disciplines. I like the sliders and for those who are fed up with freestyle they are a good option. Thomas: Angela is right. It looks like a pretty good event, kind of the best way to run a competition, but it’s not open to many riders. I’m actually working on a slope style competition with a friend.
Mallory de la Villemarqué Cabarete, Dominican Republic
Reno: I also think it is pretty good, but we cannot copy wakeboarders riding sliders. We need to do something with the sliders that they cannot do. WE are a different sport and we have to show that. Does the fact that you are pro kiters help you with the girls? Thomas: Hmmm … I try to never pull the ‘pro kiter card’. Showing off sucks. There are much more interesting things to discuss with a girl! Gianni: Come on, Thomas. Of course you don‘t need to show your card! (Suddenly, Gianni’s position in the armchair is totally upright) Whether you are a musician, snowboarder or politician, when it comes to ‘love’ it is in our genetic programming and human history to look for special personalities and people who do something special with their lives, whether it’s sports, intense experiences or a special attitude towards life. Reno: Do you think being Clay Marzo (professional surfer), a rock star, or actor doesn’t help with girls? It is the same thing, although we’re just not there yet (smiling). Cesar: (nodding) It helps. But not when you’re in a relationship… Do you tune your gear before you go on the water or do you just plug and ride? Cesar: Luckily, I just plug and play! Mario: When the new stuff arrives at home, I have to put the stickers on all the boards, shorten my lines to 22 meters and cut my bars to 49 cm. Then I am mostly done for the season. Angela: I usually shorten the bar a bit. Reno: I cut my bars to 49 cm. Imagine driving a Formula One car with a bus steering wheel, CRASHHHHH (his hand hits the table with a loud smack).
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Freestyler, Rock the Microphone …