Kiter.com:
How did you pick the Maui as your home
base and how long have you been there? Mark Doyle:
I
picked Maui as my home base because it has great
Kiteboarding conditions all year around, warm water, and
my favorite part, big waves.
How did you first
get into kiteboarding? I began kiteboarding right
after my Dad got started. Like most of my sports my Dad
starts it first and then loans me his equipment to use.
If it wasn’t for him, I’d probably had never tried
Kiteboarding.
When did you fist
try kiteboarding and how long did it take you to get
through the learning curve to get upwind? My
first experience was about two years ago. I did about
3-4 body drags and then tried a board. By the end of the
first week I was able to ride the board and stay up
wind. The currents in the Columbia River also make it
easy to stay up wind.
Who are your sponsors and how well are
you getting along with them now?Sponsors: Sling
Shot, Rip Curl, IK Electric, Dakine, Rainbow Fins,
Alpine Records. I get along great with all my sponsors.
I’m just stoked to be able to travel around the world
and do something I love for a living. Thanks to all of
them for making this possible.
What
kind of gear do you ride right now and
why? I ride a 4 line kite and a bye
directional board. The 4 line kite allows me to sheet in
and out making for a smother ride in gusty conditions. I
like a bye directional board because I’m able to do a
large variety of tricks and incorporate many different
riding styles.
How
would you describe your riding style? I work
on a lot of variety in my style. I have tried many
different sports and use a little bite from each. When I
think of snowboarding its big air with smooth rotations,
skateboarding its board spins, dirtbiking its heat
attacks, wakeboarding its handle passes, and surfing its
ripping up the waves. I like to make all my tricks look
as smooth and easy as possible.
Your
Dad, John Doyle has done a tremendous amount of
innovating in the kite business. How has his
contribution affected your career in as a pro
kiter? I definitely have to say its helped
me out. He has helped my name get out there especially
when they have already seen “Doyle” on his boards.
What
new moves are you working on right
now? Lately, I’ve been working on some
wakeboarding moves including handle passes and some
different kind of board flips.
Who
are some of your favorite people to ride
with? My Dad is a really fun person to ride
with for me because I don’t get to see him that much and
he always has a new board to try. I also like riding
with my best bros in Maui, Adam Koch, Paul Franco, and
Jim Bonez.
What would you say is the biggest air you have ever
boosted and what were the conditions? I
couldn’t really tell because there is no way to measure
it yet, but I would have to say it was in Maui jumping
off a big wave.
Are
you involved in any kiteboarding
schools? Yes, I teach for a few different
schools. I started in Maui teaching for Action Sports
last winter and lately I’ve been teaching in the S.F.
bay area for Helm of Sun Valley and Board Sports.
Have you ever tried kiting in the
snow? Once, I didn’t have enough wind.
However, I have been kitting on a Mountain Board and it
is really fun, but can be extremely painful getting drug
across dirt.
What are your best contest results so far? I
placed 1st in the 2002 Gorge Games, 2nd at the King of
the Bay, and 2nd at 2001 Gorge Games.
What was your favorite contest in 2002? My
favorite so far was the Gorge Games in my hometown and
I’m really looking forward to King of the Air in Maui
because I love to ride waves.
Do
you have any projects in the works or goals for this
season? Yes, I have many. I want to compete
in more contests, get involved in some travel stories,
work on big sponsors, and try snowkiting this winter.
Who
has influenced your riding style the
most? Adam Koch has greatly influenced my
style. He makes it look effortless, very smooth, and
lands with speed making the whole jump look fluid.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years? At the
age of 19 I don’t know, but if I’m still having as much
fun it won’t matter.
Do
kiteboarders really get more chicks than windsurfers or
is that just part of the image? I definitely
get more chicks now that I’m kiteboarding over
windsurfing, of course now I’m also traveling around the
world.
Does kiteboarding appeal to skateboarders?
I don’t even know if most skateboarders
have even seen kiteboarding. I believe though that if
they had a chance to try it they would probably like it.
Do
you think we will see a massive influx of new riders as
the current generation of skaters become aware of the
potential of kiteboarding? I don’t think a
massive influx of kiteboarders will come from skaters
considering starting skateboarding only costs $100 and
for kiteboarding $2000. They certainly have the ability
but cost is a major barrier for teenagers and most
skateboarders.
What is the most stylish trick in
kiteboarding? I like big air with a slow off
axis rotation and a stiff grab.
Any
predictions for the Red Bull King of Air in Maui this
October? I go there to ride with friends and
have fun so what ever happens…happens.
Thanks for the interview Mark. Any parting words to your
kiteboarding colleagues? Expect nothing,
hope for the best, and always have fun.
Kiter.com:
How did you pick the Maui as your home
base and how long have you been there?
