Kiter.com:
When did you first get into Snowkiteboarding?
About 4 years ago. The first time I ever tried it was at about 8:00 at night on a frozen football field, blowing about 20 mph in about a foot of snow. It was just amazing to be able to put the kite and the snowboard together for the first time.
What other sports do you have a background in?
I have been snowboarding since 1988 and before that we used to ride skurfers and even take the trucks off our skateboards and ride them in the snow. I have been windsurfing for about 15 years and still windsurf if it is blowing about 40 mph, any lighter than that and I will be on my kiteboard. Also I am really into fly-fishing.
How much time do you spend on skis vs. a snowboard?
I am really a snowboarder. Nothing against skiing I just prefer a snowboard.
Where are you based?
Denver Colorado for most of the year but have been on the road a lot lately for Slingshot.
Who are your sponsors?
Slingshot, Go Fast (energy drink) and Da Kine. I spend a fair amount of time doing R&D for Slingshot and with Tony Logoz planning next generation products specifically for the snow.
Do you see kiting on the snow surpassing the water?
For sure. I see it exploding over the next 2 years. With media exposure and events like the Red Bull Kitefreeze there is already a strong push in that direction.
Are all the kite companies working on snow specific gear?
Most of them don’t know the issues. Many are Hawaii based and the snow does not really fit their reality, so they are scrambling to figure it out. The one that are actively going after the market for snowkiting will be way out ahead.
What are your thoughts on foils vs. inflatibles?
Since I was judging the Red Bull kitefreeze I got to see the inflatibles have a huge advantage when the wind really dropped in the final heat. Inflatibles seem to keep their shape. The foil kite companies are still working on making bigger foils. I think inflatibles just have more performance. There are still a lot of improvements that we need for the snow.
What are the barriers keeping snowkiting from going mainstream?
There really needs to be a group of younger kids coming into the sport. They would love to come out after school and ride for a few hours and not have to go to a ski area. It is just too expensive right now. Even $1000 is just too much for these kids. They can get a season pass for $250 and go all season on a snowboard. We just need to find a way to make kites cheaper.
What are the safety issues that are holding the sport back?
We have all got to stop using shackles, they are a death trap. Its fine to get dragged on the beach or the water or the snow, what it comes down to is objects in the way, that’s how people get hurt. The reason I am wearing this brace is that I was hooked in when I hit the rocks.
Can you tell us the story behind your knee injury?
We were on a photo shoot in Salt Lake City for Kiteboarding magazine. I was going for a triple hit off some rocks and setting up for a backside 180 handle-pass off the second rock. I got hung up on the first rock and then slammed into the second rock right on my knee cap and shattered it into four pieces. I will be out until about the end of March. I will be back 100%.
What is the biggest air you have ever gotten on the snow?
Probably about 30 plus feet, enough to be scared. You can probably go hirer on flat water but if you take terrain into account then you can launch off something that is already 40 feet and then go another 40 feet on top of that. Terrain is what makes it interesting. There are rolling hills, gap jumps, cliffs, its never ending.
What riders to you see shaping the sport and creating some progression?
Guilluame Chastagnol is way out ahead of everyone because he is such a good snowboarder. He won the Gold in Nagano and took for in the X-games last year. He is just a really solid rider and a great athlete. Giving that guy a kite is a killer combination.
Any huge innovations on the horizon?
Well yeah but I really can’t say anything about that right now….. wait a couple weeks and you will see some announcements and you will know what I am talking about.
Anything else for this season for you?
Mammoth in two week then I am headed to Norway for a contest at the end of their season. Norway is looking to be a major kite destination. It’s a great proving ground, no trees great terrain.
Will we see you at the 2004 Kitefreeze?
I will be here, hopefully not hurt. We’ll have all new divisions. Snowboard, Skiing, Men’s, Women’s. This was great for the first year and we will make improvements based on the experience.
