Rider of the month

This month's Rider:
Joe Ruscito
June 2009

Joe Ruscito

Age: 21
Home base/spot: Fairfield, CT, The Gut. Melbourne, FL Crack Park.
Has been riding since : around 2004/05
Sponsors: Best Kiteboarding, NPX Wetsuits, and Transcend Kiteboarding
Favorite equipment & settings: 2009 Nemi Hp 10, 14, 8. 2009 Ouija 128.

What do you like about the sport?
Everything - everyone you meet is really cool and everyone is always stoked. The best is how anyone in the sport will drop everything at the first sign of trees moving. It's a sport you can bring anywhere - I've gotten to see some really cool places and do a ton of travelling all because of kiting, and I couldn't really ask for more.

Best spot you've ever ridden?
Can't really pick just one. Anne's Beach in the keys can really go off. Brazil is definitely sick. Found some really sweet spots in Belize. If it's windy and the water's flat, it's the best spot I've ridden.

What's your favourite trick? 
Right now it's a KGB. I like the feeling of this pass and the change in direction. It's a fun trick to try different variations like throwing in loops or landing to blind.

What's your best moment? 
The last session I had.

... and the worst one?  
When it's supposed to be windy and it's not.

According to you, how is the sport and equipment going to evolve?
I think, and I hope, we are going to find a happy medium between the bows, the Cs and the deltas. I think that most companies should come out with a high performing kite that has all of the characteristics of the C kite, like the turning and punch feel, but also be a kite that boosts, re-launches and is safe.

Favorite food and music?
Snickers and Arizona Iced Tea for after a kite sesh.
At the moment, Bota Ana - Basshunter, Dota - Basshunter, Mgmt, or AFI before a sesh, and Cas Haley or Rebelution after.

Something most people don't know about you:
I'm a pilot and a full-time college student.

What do you know about IKO?
That they help train good kiteboard instructors and make sure people getting into the sport don't hurt themselves.

Last words, express yourself - if you have anything else to say, it's now or never!
Ride and live like it's your last day. Try new things and crash a lot. And always have fun. Check out www.joe-ruscito.com