SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION!
Rider: Bas Koole, elements in Brazil / Photo: Ydwer van der Heide
IN THE BEGINNING…
In 2002 kiteboarding was a very raw experience and a time of almost daily development in all aspects of the sport. The gear is thankfully so much safer now and, at a professional level, riding has of course moved on to become very slick and polished, but looking back over the images that we’re running this issue from the year that Kiteworld came to life, the connection I feel with them is perhaps is even greater than with shots of Carlos Mario mid slim 7. Holding on to the bar with white knuckles, eyes wide and filled with emotion, legs straining to maintain correct course with the pull of the kite – and that’s just how it felt to mow the lawn at the turn of the century. Whatever you’re learning, there are still many thrilling moments to be enjoyed and it’s that action-packed natural experience that we all still love.
We’re 100 issues old and in many ways this was the easiest issue to pull together. 2002 was rad. We’ve focussed on the stories from that year and the experience of being a kiteboarder; the elements that still have all of the wind-addled amongst us rushing out of bed to pull the curtains back and check for movement in the trees.
We hope you enjoy the issue, and thank you for reading Kiteworld!
HIGHLIGHTS THIS ISSUE INCLUDE
HIGH FIVES
We tell the tales behind Kiteworld’s first five covers, as told by the riders and photographers involved who produced them!
ARCHITECTS AND ICONS
Stuffed brown envelopes and the ones that got away – a story of slides and snapshots of a pioneering generation, as seen from Kiteworld HQ in 2002, told by editor Jim Gaunt.
THREE SHOT SHOWDOWN
John Bilderback, Ydwer van der Heide and Toby Bromwich have been three of the most prolific photographic contributors to Kiteworld. In KW #100 we asked them to narrow their massive libraries down to just three images that they feel represent truly symbolic times / moments / personalities in kiteboarding.
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KW FOIL GUIDE
We run you through a broad range of foils for riders of all levels
THERE AND BEYOND
The Marshall Islands, close to the equator in the Pacific Ocean, is probably the most aspired-to-reach region for pro wave riders. It’s a total hassle to get to and in all reality you need some connections, but it has those perfect, empty waves and it seems that trips to these islands deliver unforgettable adventure. Is it really as good as we’re led to believe? This issue, Evan Netsch reflects on that reality.
SESSIONS
Looking for some truly special freeride terrain experiences? This issue we have just the ticket, featuring an island hopping adventure off the beaten beaches of Egypt and we recount our own magical experiences at one of the most incredible flat water / wave adventure destinations we’ve ever visited: Atins, 250 kilometres west of Jericoacoara in Brazil.
RESORT REPORT
This issue’s feature on Mauritius reveals more than Le Morne as Janine Avery takes you on a tour round all the other spots on the island.
TESTS
The KW test team get to grips with the Core XR6 and Eleveight RS freeride kites, the Duotone Jaime Textreme twin-tip and a brace of lighter wind stubby style surfboards, from Duotone and RRD. Finally, we run you through the feel of an Ion Onyx Amp 4/3 wetsuit, which helped the shred in spring.
TECHNIQUE
Brandon Scheid runs us through the hooked-in popped nose grab, while Alby Rondina and Laci Kobulsky sum up the practical pros and cons of riding in boots, and suggest when you might be ready for them.
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REGULARS
In Mark Shinn’s 77th Kiteworld column he reminisces about the early days of kiteboarding’s professional era, Sensi Graves tackles timeless kiteboarding matters and Ruben Lenten drops in for a double length These Things I Know that’s stacked with life lessons, good energy and mega loop tips!
Dr Jason Gallate is also back with more insights into the cognitive side of the kiteboarding experience.
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