Behind the Lens of IKSURFMAG Issue #114
Tue 17th Mar, 2026 @ 6:00 pm
Jesse Richman. A name in the world of kitesurfing that will get anyones attention. He invents, defines and shares the sport in ways that nobody else can.
Ozone sat down with Jesse and asked him about his latest feature on the cover of the magazine.
That cover angle is intense—how close were you to the lens?
“I felt very good about my aim! I was riding at the ‘Pro Pool’ in Maui, a place I’ve called home for 20 years. I timed a magical gust on the inside to propel the loop—I landed close to the photographer, Frankie Bees, but I had at least a foot or two to spare!”
Was the cover photo a ‘first-take’ wonder or a calculated mission?
“We tried a bunch of angles, but when I threw a loop, Frankie knew we had it. I just kept pushing it harder: kite lower, board off at the perfect moment. It’s a different art form trying to capture that one split second of energy that we’re all seeking in a session.”
“I kept trying to push a bit harder: kite lower, board-off at the right moment, trying to capture that one split moment of energy.”
Does the novelty of a cover ever wear off?
“Never. I’ve given this sport everything for 20 years, but it’s nothing compared to what the sport has given me. Success is meaningless without people to share it with; if you have a good community, you don’t need anything else.”
