I just tried to go to your website and it was not there, what’s up with that?
Elliot LeBoe:
I am currently re doing the site and it should be up and running by the end of the month
You have a background in windsurfing; do you still windsurf at all?
I haven’t windsurfed since I learned to kite.
What was you contest schedule like for this past year and how did you do?
I went to Waddell (3rd) and I spent most of my year doing travel stories and shooting for videos etc.
Are contests a focus for
you? I like waveriding contests, but I prefer to freeride and make badass videos.
How much time are you spending wave riding and where do you mostly do that?
Anytime there are waves on Maui we are riding them. This winter is what I wait for every year because it is big wave season and there are waves on a fairly regular basis. Lately we have been riding Lanes a lot (downwind of Hookipa)
What is the best wave riding spot in your opinion?
Hookipa or Baja Mexico.
What is the biggest wave you have ever pulled into with a kite?
Jaws is pretty big.
Are you mostly on 2-line or 4-line these days?
Mostly four line pulley bar lately, but I ride pretty much everything at some point in time.
Is the wake skate a toy or is it a legitimate part of kiteboarding that the average rider should consider?
If you like to skateboard, then you will love wakeskating. The average 40 yr old will probably not see the point, but the teen-age grom who is kiting can relate.
Can you ride a wake skate in the waves or is it just too hard?
Yes I can ride a wakeskate in the waves, it is actually pretty fun too.
You have also experimented with foilboards and kites. Will foil boards ever have a broader appeal or is it too complex for most riders?
It is actually not very complex at all. It looks a little intimidating but the light wind performance will blow your mind! It is a blast, very quiet when you ride it. In my eyes it has a lot of potential to blow up big.
Can you ride foil board in lower wind conditions?
Definitely.
What is the most stylish trick in kiteboarding?
The most stylish trick is a nice tweaked grab.
What is new with Cabrinha for this year?
All new construction, all new materials, better shaping, lighter weights more sizes more aspects ratios, more boards, better bars and accessories. In my opinion they integrate a lot of style and function into their products and have a forward thinking outlook on progressing the sport.
How much influence do you
have with the Cabrinha product development schedule, do
they listen to you? I am usually testing something on a daily basis from kites to lines to pulleys to bindings to fins to harnesses it is all part of the job. They take the riders feedback seriously and make necessary changes quicker than most companies out there.
You suffered a major injury this past year. Are you all the way back yet?
Yes, although the rehab is a never ending process, I am feeling stronger than ever.
Is there any lesson that you learned from that injury that you can pass on to the rest of us?
Try not to let it get you down. For me I picked up a camera and filmed my friends riding so I could still hang at the beach and not be a complete useless pile of crap. They were stoked too cuz they could see themselves ride to learn new tricks. Try not to take things for granted and appreciate every day you get in the water.
I heard you are into cars, what do you drive?
I have a classic 63 Ford Galaxy with a 406 V8, I have a truck I use to get all my kite stuff the beach though. The Galaxy is only for cruising.
Are you working on any new videos?
I am constantly working with filmers on various projects. We just finished filming for Tronolones video Unhooked which just came out and Ivan van Vurren is also in the midst of another performance instructional
What will you do when you are done competing professionally?
Probably be more involved in the business side of the industry. I really enjoy filming and making videos and editing on my computer, so I would not mind doing that on a higher level. Right now I am into building some pretty trippy POV mounts to try and document the waveriding side of the sport more.
Is
it possible to make a fulltime job out of kiteboarding?
How many of the professional riders today are really
making their living off of just kiteboarding? How much do you think the best guys make in a year? Yes it is possible, I would say half the guys now are able to exist solely on kiteboarding. As the industry grows more and more people will realize this dream to be able to kiteboard for a living.
Are you involved in any schools and how important are lessons for people just starting off?
Lessons are for sure necessary; don’t even think about trying it unless you go through a school. A kite can be dangerous in the hands of the inexperienced. I spend more of my time now doing clinics/demos for Cabrinha rather then pure “lessons”
I have kited for 3 years
and I am just working on spins and board-off type moves,
any advice for how to take it to the next
level? Don’t hesitate.
Who is you favorite person to kite with?
Me and Dylan Grafmyre have had a lot of sick waveriding sessions lately.
Parting comments?
Don’t limit yourself to one type of board or kite, Ride everything.
