LEADER OF THE PACK
Duotone’s Craig Cunningham INTERVIEW BY JOHN BRYJA
Craig Cunningham is one of kitesurfing’s first generation of riders that just missed the OG category. We first met Craig when, as a 19-year-old, Kitesurfing Magazine invited him to Cape Hatteras to be a part of our offical gear test team. He moved on from Kitesurfing Magazine and became a pro team rider for Duotone as one of their first dedicated park style riders. He has morphed into Duotone’s Team Manager. The famous lagoons of Fuerteventura where Craig was lucky enough to be “stuck” for a few months this winter!
What’s your roll at Duotone? My job title says Team Manager, but I typically end up with a wide variety of tasks and projects on the go at all times! From youth development to planning photoshoots and everything in between. What projects are you working on? My biggest project is always the team. Trying to increase efficiency and effectiveness while supporting them in the right ways and make sure we are getting the best out of everyone. I’m super lucky that my boss Tommy Kaiser and his boss Till Eberle see the value of having someone like myself around Duotone. I’m really happy to pass along what I’ve learned
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over the years and having such a strong and diverse set of skills on our marketing team gives Philipp Becker and myself the ability to really spend a lot time working with our athletes. Some need help with their communication, socials, actual riding, fitness, mental strength, life in general. I’m always there to help and I’m never trying to be the boss, more of a tool to help guide them along the way or get back on track. Most of them are still pretty young and forcing them to do things, although it can work is not how I feel like you get the best results. For sure they will fail and fall but as long as they are learning and becoming better people and athletes we are stoked. Right before the CORONA pandemic hit we were on fire with a number one in almost every discipline! Other