Rider of the month

This month's Rider:
Leonard Rose
May 2009

Leonard Rose

Age: 19
Home base/spot: Cologne/Holland and the world
Riding for: 4 and a half years (since summer, 2004)
Sponsors: Gaastra Kiteboarding
Settings (kite + board) : Gaastra Max 8m, 10m, 12m + Gaastra Vision Pro 130

What do you like about the sport?
You can see many places in the world and make your own experiences.  By traveling and kiting, you get to meet a lot of people, find new friends and just have fun on the water pushing one another. With a kite and a board, it is possible to do so many different things.

Best spot you've ever ridden?
Cauipe, Brazil

What's your favourite trick? 
I think my favorite trick is always my latest one, and the one I'm planning on learning next. ;-)

What's your best moment? 
There are so many awesome experiences I could talk about. But I think there are two that I'll really never forget: 1. When I rode my first meters on the board and 2. When I stuck my first powered handlepass (SlimChance).

... and the worst one?  
When I nearly dislocated my shoulder and broke my labrum during a kiteloop in November 2007, which forced me to take a break for some months.

According to you, how is the sport and equipment going to evolve?
I think that the sport is now splitting into a lot of different types. There are many different riding types, such as: freeriding, racing, hardcore wakestyle with boots and sliders/ kickers, waveriding with surfboards or the powered freestyle with the normal straps. And sure, there are a lot more types. In my opinion, this is a positive development, because everyone can express him or herself. Also, these changes mean that the equipment will become more and more specialized for these different disciplines, so that someday everyone will be able to find the perfect gear for his or her style. Still, no matter how the sport and the equipment develop, the priority should always be to have fun.

Favorite food and music?
Food: Chicken curry, tomatoes and mozzarella. Music: nearly everything, and depends on my mood: Electro, Chillout, Reggae, Rock .

What do you know about IKO?
I am a VDWS Kiteboard Instructor, so I know a lot about teaching. Organizations like the IKO or the VDWS are very important for kite sports, because their aim is to make the sport safer. They teach kiteboard instructors how to teach safely and how to organize their students. Without these organizations, the sport wouldn't be at the level where it is now.

Last words, express yourself - if you have anything else to say, it's now or never!
Before you start kitesurfing on your own, take a course in which you will learn all you need to know about safety and the rules and techniques you need to progress. If you are already riding: just go for it, be open for new experiences and respect other riders. Have fun and enjoy every moment in this unbelievable sport and lifestyle.