Duotone Diversity Magazine No.02 2020

W hen I discovered kitesurfing, this sport turned my brains out! But to be honest: I was quickly bored by just pulling the edges in front of the beach. So, having followed the evolution of the material since 2005, I quickly started with strapless kitesurfing, then on to race boards, to be able to escape and go further. Then finally foiling came to the kiteboarding scene – it was a revelation for me. Levitating above the elements brings back the feeling of freeriding with a snowboard, which I enjoyed so much in my childhood years. The sensation you get is crazy and addictive. There’s hardly any wind limit and thanks to the new kitefoil generations it is very easy to cover real long distances, from 150 to 200 kilometers, with a high average speed. Kite spots suddenly become very small with a foil, no matter how huge they might be. Foiling urges you to go further, to make use of the full potential it offers. By foiling along the coast you escape the crowded beaches and usual kite spots. I can’t count all the beautiful little bays I’ve discovered like this. With the steep stone coast the most beautiful bays often are inaccessible from land but with a foil you’re able to enter – and you have it all just for yourself. It’s a very unique way to explore. Sharing these moments with friends makes it even better. Sometimes it’s nice to just land the kite and enjoy the loneliness on the beach. Relax a little, before making your way back. It’s like a day trip on the foil as you are free to do roundtrips, not just going downwind – there’s always a way back as well. I love these trips when you travel by foil for kilometers before stopping for a break and then going back. It’s a completely different way of kiteboarding that fulfills me to the max. F R A N C E E X P E R I E N C E S 1 10 1 1 1 E X P E R I E N C E S Foiling multiplies the feeling of freedom – sailing offshore, in the open sea, is exhilarating. You feel really small but at the same time you know you can go anywhere. The swell pushes you and you want to advance even further. You’re on your own, sailboats and others have remained in the bay. But that’s exactly what makes it so special. b