Duotone DRIVEN Magazine No.04

that kite athletes can show themselves and develop at competitions worldwide. Our commitment is also to the trade and our customers, to whom we are a reliable partner, out of deep conviction. And we are also driven by the issue of sustainability. As the market leader, we strive to pioneer sustainable business according to ESG criteria. We are aware of our responsibility for this and try to live up to it step by step. We love kiting. And our deepest, innermost ambition is to develop the best material for this fascinating sport. Many of our innovations make kite sports safer and more accessible for all of us. They are often innovations that, quite simply, also bring more fun. Especially in the last few years, we have developed kites with new materials that fly in lighter winds, turn faster, and drift better. Our SLS construction and D/LAB technology are the results of our relentless drive. And we are very proud of that. Unfortunately, these technological Driven. Driven is more than motivation. It is a drive fromwithin, deeply anchored in us, the Duotone brand, and every single employee. This drive comes from full conviction, with great passion and applies to the entire sport of kitesurfing, from the first steps of anyone who discovers this sport, to the professional athlete. To make it as easy as possible for everyone to get started, we operate Pro Centers worldwide, where vacationers can experience and learn the sport. A particular concern of ours is the promotion and motivation of young talent. They are the future of the sport. With our Young Blood Camps, we have created a platform to pass on our know-how and passion to young people. But we are not only concerned with special talents, but also with every kiter of any ability or skill level. We also want to support them in their personal development. This is how the idea for the Duotone Academy App was born. For us, driven also refers to the further development of the sport itself. For example, we co-founded the Global Kitesport Association (GKA) to create structures so innovations also bring price jumps that are currently being exacerbated by global inflation. I am fully aware that these massive price increases are a major blow, especially in times like these. However, our price structure has nothing to do with ‘taking off’ or ‘losing ground’ in terms of prices. It simply reflects the leap in technology and performance and the associated increased costs in development and production. At the same time, I would like to emphasize: D/LAB is the top of the top. D/LAB is a sounding of the technically feasible. But a D/LAB kite is not mandatory to have maximum fun while kiting. The performance advantage of D/LAB is especially noticeable in large kite sizes. For smaller kite sizes for strong winds, I unreservedly recommend our original construction, which absorbs gusts in this range of use super comfortably. Many of our customers are happy to afford the technology surcharge and the associated leap in performance. We sell our SLS kites very successfully, for example. But we also hear that an image complex has arisen at some kite spots: anyone who doesn’t pump up at least one SLS kite is looked at askance. These are unfortunate developments that I think are a pity. We don’t strive to produce the most exclusive goods. We strive to provide the best kiteboarding experience for every individual, regardless of howmuch money they can or want to spend on their kite. We put as much heart and soul into an original kite as we do into an SLS or D/LAB kite. That is the epitome of our being ‘driven’. It’s such a shame to see that our original kites seem to be somewhat forgotten. Because we offer excellent kite material with them. It is with good reason that they win comparison tests with other brands again and again. Our intention is to make the sport of kitesurfing accessible to everyone. As the saying goes: the best kiter is the one who has the most fun. Driven is True Kiteboarding. A Mindset. To enjoy the days on the water, uncompromising and full of passion. Till Eberle CEO Boards & More OUR MINDSET. OUR PURPOSE. Photo Gerhardt Kellermann