Cabrinha riders and Maui regulars, Shawn and Jesse Richman made at strong showing at the King of the Bay contest in the San Francisco Bay this week and gave their thoughts on the future of the sport.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
Kiter.com:Who started kiting first?
Jesse: Well I actually started first on trainers and then Shawn got right into it and we were on real kites pretty quickly.
Have you guys always been on Maui?
Shawn: Born and raised. We surfed a little but mostly boogie boards, hanging out, but kiting pretty much superceded everything.
When was the first time you kited?
Jesse: Probably 2002. We got serious in 2003, this is really our third season. Our Dad taught us at first and then we taught him. His is totally into it now.
Is your Dad your coach now?
Shawn: He is our support team, our coach and most importantly our original sponsor.
What is the sickest trick you have seen your brother pull?
Jesse: Well Shawn has a trick called the S32 for Shawn, double back spin with a double kiteloop, its pretty sick. I have seen him stick it and I have also seen him crash and burn, but he is right back on it.
Shawn: I have seen Jesse do something amazing every time he is on the water. His latest is a front mobe and under construction a front mobe off a kicker.
Who do you guys ride with at Kitebeach?
Both: Everyone who rides there. Especially Garfield King, Cabrinha guys, Naish guys. We try to kite everyday even during school we still get 4-5 days a week.
What do the kids at school think about kiteboarding?
Shawn: To them we are wind kooks. They know about it but it doesn't have the respect of surfing. I am the only real kiter out of 1500 kids. None of the kids at Jesse's school kite. I always try to get people into it but I can't give a lesson, I just want to kite. Younger kids need parents like ours that take us to beach everyday.
Alright tell us about the Crossbow
Jesse: The Crossbow is like a gas pedal… when you pull it in its like flooring it, when you let it out… no power, its so crazy. POWER ON DEMAND.
Shawn: It's great. The hang time and the air is unbelievable and when you get out of control you just let go, re-launch and start over. It is just a technology breakthrough, especially in terms of safety, that recreational riders will love. I just never want to come in. Plus you can ride totally overpowered. I was on a 16M today when bigger guys were all on 12M kites.
How did you pick it up so fast?
Shawn: We just wanted to be fully equipped. It took me 2 sessions and I was all the way back to all of my tricks and being unhooked. My style is different now but better.
Jesse: Yeah I can just stay out so much longer when the wind comes up, I just keep riding.
Are you guys going to do the Redbull King of the Air this year?
Both: Yeah for sure, and maybe Canada too. Other contests really depend how we can fit it in with school. We mostly want to have fun.
So what is the future of kiting?
Jesse: With the Crossbow it's a lot better.
Shawn: I just want to see it get bigger and get big sponsors in. We want kiting to be GOLF!
Any parting words?
Jesse: Our Dad has been great in supporting us.
Shawn: Our family. Mom, Dad, my sister. That's the team. Its really a whole family experience.
