TESTER
BERNARD CHI
HOMETOWN: SAN DIEGO, CA
“I love being and playing outdoors whenever possible. I have a wide range of interests and like to learn new things. I’m a bit of an introvert but working on it.” Weight: 195 lbs. Riding experience: 9 months Quiver: Cabrinha Contra, OR Prodigy, Slingshot Glide, OR Mako King, old surfboard Riding style and home riding conditions: Freeride and surf at Stinkies, Silver Strand Beach and Cardiff Beach, 10-15 knots, gusty, both flat water and waves. Who is your favorite pro kiter / most impressive kiter / most influential / sexiest kiter / your personal kite hero? Fellow tester Davey Beard because he towed me a couple hundred yards back in on the second test day. Any of the top strapless wave/ freestylers like Keahi, Mitu, Airton, Matchu and Moona. If you were going to be reincarnated as one piece of kite equipment, what would it be and why? A big light wind kite because they are relatively heavy and ponderous like me! What was the main thing you learned about kiteboarding gear during the test week? Being a relative beginner, I kind of felt that kites were probably a pretty mature product and comparable kites between brands would feel similar. This was not the case though and most brands seemed to have their own ‘feel’. What kite and board would you want to purchase for yourself and why? Liquid Force Legacy board and the Naish Boxer. Almost all the equipment we tested was solid but those were the two that I immediately said “Wow, this is really nice!” when I rode them.
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