Where did you train this winter?
I was mostly at home in Antigua but spent time in Maui and Coche Island in Venezuela.

What riding style to you prefer?
I am focused on trying to ride fast and smooth but really powered. I like the technical wake style moves and landing hot.

When did you start doing the handlepasses?
About a year ago I started doing blind landings the handle passes, at first on the water then in the air. At that point I got rid of the shackle and went unhooked. Martin was probably the first person to start using the leash to keep from losing the kite, now all of us are using it and it makes a big difference. No more running down the beach to get your kite. In a way it is safer, especially for other people.

Will recreational riders start using the leash to the chicken-loop?
I think so but there should be some kind of quick release.

What new moves are you working on?
I am working on an s-bend 360 but have not pulled one yet. When you eat it on this one you go down hard. There is no way to do a lame version of this trick. You pull it or you pay the price.

Sounds harsh… are you doing that for contest points, do judges even know what it is?
I would work on a move like the s-bend 360 as a personal thing, but eventually people will see it and understand it.

What is next for pro riders?
I think the new generation of riding is about doing moves that have consequences. No more floating down from a lofty board off move. It is about riding powered and committing yourself. More technical but more painful. This will increase the distance from what is happening with the top pros vs. the amateurs.

Hmm… so for recreational riders maybe we should just stick to lofty jumps and the occasional dangling tindy grab?
Sure if that’s fun for you.

How long does it take to learn the new “Consequential” moves?
It used to be that you could learn a new move in a day. Now you have to work a lot harder than that because once you hit the water that hard 5 or 10 times you are probably just going to take it easy and ride for while.

What was your favorite part of the King of the Bay Contest that you just won?
I liked the crowd. We were able to come in so close they added a lot and helped us get pumped up.

Thanks for the interview Andre, any parting word for your fellow kiters?
Sure. You need to ride your own style and have fun the way you like to not the way some one else does. If you like lofting a big floaty air or smacking the lip on a wave, then that’s what you should do. It is all about what is FUN.