On The Fly
Issue 102 / Thu 14th Dec, 2023
What's new in the world of wind? From Liam Whaley giving back in Brazil, supermodel sheep in Ireland, riding up mountains in France, and windy paradise in Turks & Caicos; there's that and a whole lot more right here in On The Fly!
LIAM WHALEY // Time to Give Back
I first discovered the northeast coast of Brazil back in 2007 when I was just 11 years old. My dad would take me out of school a couple of weeks before Christmas, and we would spend around a month in Brazil. I was really becoming obsessed with kiting at the time; I would watch videos of my idols and dream of one day becoming a professional kitesurfer.
I remember the first day I woke up in Cumbuco. I couldn't believe my eyes—endless kilometres of white sandy beaches, warm water and a perfect 20 knots of wind. As soon as my board touched the water of Cauipe Lagoon, I was instantly in love with the spot.
Since then, I've spent the last 15 years coming back to this spot at least once or twice per year. I would spend hours and hours practising and perfecting all of my tricks, and by the time I flew back home, I had learned around 20 new tricks. My progression was crazy fast.
This place has given me so much, and I've shared so many unforgettable memories with the locals. This year, it was time to go back but with a different purpose: to give back to the community.
I spoke to Duotone about the project and asked them If they could support me with some gear to give away to some of the kids in Cumbuco. They didn't hesitate to jump on board and support the project. So, I travelled to Brazil with around 15 kites. I wanted to make sure that these kites would get into the hands of the right kids—those who dreamt about becoming professional kite surfers but, most importantly, kids who were humble and good-hearted.
I joined forces with Juvenil Kite, an association that helps kids using kitesurfing as a tool. Some of the kids that are part of the association were bullied, some have abusive or alcoholic parents, and some just need help with their education. This association organises activities to educate and keep the kids off the street.
After a few days in Brazil, we all got together and organised a day of kiting at Cauipe Lagoon. It was incredible how quickly everyone came together to help me once they heard about the project and how supportive everyone was.
We got around 20 kids together between ages 8 and 15 from different backgrounds. We set up a big tent where we had food, drinks, music, and a lot of Duotone equipment for the kids to test out and play with.
We started the day off by showing the youngest kids (8-11) how to kite. The emotion on their faces was absolutely priceless, and it made me so happy. These kids came together just to have a fun day at Cauipe Lagoon. None of them knew that I would be giving out a few brand-new kites at the end of the day!
After we showed the young kids how to kite a bit, we did a mini competition. There were three categories: Junior, Pro, and Women.
Alongside my good friend and local Brazilian Alex Neto, we stood at the edge of the lagoon and watched the kids ride. We were judging them based on the tricks they performed and their attitude on and off the water. I also got the chance to get on the water with them and throw down a few tricks myself!
After a few hours of interacting with the kids, watching them ride and having a lot of fun, Alex and I had written down a few names of the people we thought deserved to be supported with kites. We all got together and did a prize ceremony where we talked about the importance of looking after one another, sharing as much as possible and being grateful for this community.
When I took out the first kite, the kids couldn't believe it. The emotion on their faces was priceless, and I will never forget it. I gave out the kites and some other goodies. Everyone was so grateful, and I couldn't have asked for a more perfect outcome.
Doing something like this has been extremely fulfilling. I hope to have inspired a few of the kids to dream of becoming professional kitesurfers and given them the tools they need to do so.
BEHIND THE COVER // Issue #102
This cover photo was taken in Ireland on the coast of Achill Island. The photo came to life during one of my projects called "The Real Stig". It wasn't really the plan to capture this specific shot as a photo, but the camera crew was busy setting up, and I happened to be on the water already. The photographer, Andy Troy, was already ready and suggested we take some photos while we were waiting for them to get ready. The wind was a bit lighter than we had expected for this day, so the action on video wasn't amazing that day. But after less than 5 minutes, I caught a gust, and Andy happened to be in the right spot at the right time. The sheep, on the other hand, were something we couldn't really time nor place. They just happened to be at the right spot at the right time during a good gust of wind combined with some amazing light!
DREAM DESTINATION // Turks and Caicos
This October, hotel H2O Life. Style. Resort., the Caribbean's first and only luxury kiteboarding resort in Turks and Caicos, launched their world-class Kiteboarding and Wing Foiling Academy!
"We developed our very own specialized Academy to offer our guests the best, most thrilling Kiteboarding and Wing Foiling experience when they stay with us. We've made a significant investment into gear, technology and staff training to provide a truly superior kiteboarding destination." said Rob Ayer, co-owner of H2O. "Many vacationers come to Turks and Caicos to kite, and we believe our Academy provides the ultimate experience."
H2O's Kiteboarding and Wing Foiling Academy features the latest and best equipment and offers programs and lessons that cater to beginners all the way up to experts. Situated on the shores of the Turks and Caicos Islands, H2O has the ideal conditions for people looking to learn and enjoy watersports.
The Academy also offers guests a range of kite excursions in beautiful locations around the islands to provide unforgettable one-of-a-kind experiences. In addition to kiteboarding and wing foiling, guests can also use the hotel's electric foil boards, e-tows, jetskis and surfboards.
Stay tuned for a full recap of our trip to this incredible location in Issue #103 of IKSURFMAG, coming out soon!
Click here to learn more about H2O Life. Style. Resort.
RIDEUP // Exploring The Alps
The story behind these pictures describes the line of a lifetime. This couloir (a steep, mountainside gorge) has an elevation of 1000 metres at an angle of between 40° and 50°.
It all started around 20 years ago when we did our first ride up on the south face of this mountain called 3 Evéchés. The face is not steep, similar to that of a blue run. Each winter, step by step, we started riding new places, checking the mountain around us and saying, "One day, we will ride this mountain", and we rode it. Each year, we pushed a bit further, snowkiting even steeper lines.
A few years ago, we skied the north face of 3 Evéchés, and we said, "One day, we will ride up this face". The years after, we rode it up! On our way down, we saw this crazy and unimaginable couloir, and laughing, we said, "Next one will be this one". We had explored the top of this couloir, but we never dared to ski it down.
Two years later, we rode it up, and it was the most insane line we did! Last year, once again, we rode up this mountain, but this time with Wareck Arnaud filming it, and today, we can clearly show you this insane line.
The main trouble we have today is that we don't know what we will do next to push what is possible to accomplish with a kite in the mountains. We know that we can ride steeper, but we also know that we cannot ski more than 50° slope. The last 20 years of snowkiting have been absolutely awesome. Everything has been possible thanks to our mountain experience and the evolution of Ozone kites.
ON THE MOVE // Susi Schwarztrauber
In my first week back in Cape Town, I'm reminded again why its kitesurfing season is undoubtedly the best time of the year for me. There's a special place in my heart for Cape Point, with its unique vibe, where the crystal blue waters serve as a stunning backdrop for my surfing sessions. It's not just the scenic beauty that captivates me but also the unexpected encounters with the local wildlife, like the majestic ostriches that often cross my path on my way to the spot.
These experiences add an extraordinary dimension to my time here. Spending most of my winter in this kitesurfer's paradise, where every condition imaginable is on offer, I find myself in a constant state of motion and anticipation. This dynamic environment is the perfect training ground for me for the upcoming season of the GKA Kitesurf Tour, starting in February at Sal's Ponta Preta.
Cape Town, with its unique blend of natural beauty and thrilling surf, always leaves me longing for more.
UP & COMING // Martin Rahnel
Hi, my name is Martin Rahnel. I'm from Estonia, and I am 14 years old. Big air kiteboarding gives me the freedom to fly and push myself to the max, and I love it.
At the moment, my favourite trick is either the triple front roll contraloop board spin or a double kite loop late backroll. I am currently working on landing the S-loop board off. I'd really like to go to competitions, and I am working hard to achieve this goal. I sent an entry video to the BAKL Cape Town competition, and I hope I will get in!
Earlier this year, I was selected for the Red Bull Winds of Sinai competition. Unfortunately, I couldn't compete because the age limit for all Red Bull events is 16. I am still proud to have been recognised by them, and I have some time to get even better so I can go there to win it!
In the future, my goals are to compete as much as possible and push with all the other youngsters. Oh, and always have fun on the water, of course! My biggest goal is to be the King Of The Air one day. Watch this space!
RANGE UPDATE // Airwave
Earlier this year, Airwave released the second kite in their range, the ALMA. This unique design is a hybrid foil kite with five inflated closed cells. The team at Airwave has just expanded the size offerings of the ALMA to include two new sizes. Read their introduction to the new additions!
The ALMA 15 in "Stagnone" is designed for experienced kite enthusiasts who seek outstanding power, control, and stability in a powerful 15 square metre kite. It's perfect for "around the worlds" and those long glassy rides and unforgettable light wind sessions on the water. Thanks to its lightweight construction, it stays in the air even in the lightest breeze, like no other kite. It has incredible stability throughout the wind window at 3 knots or more. The striking "Stagnone" colour scheme is packed with colour, making you stand out and improving safety and joy.
Our compact ALMA 3 in the lively "Fiji" colour is a versatile addition to our kite range. Whether you're a beginner looking for a manageable kite or an advanced rider wanting a smaller kite for high winds, this agile 3 square metre kite delivers incredible agility and performance. The "Fiji" colour will give you that vibrant, tropical vibe as you boost off a wave or race around a course.
WRITE YOUR OWN CHAPTER // Rita Arnaus
In February 2023, I suffered the biggest injury in my kite career. I completely tore my ACL and broke my meniscus. It has been a roller coaster since then. Being an athlete and pushing the limits so much, we are aware that injuries like this can happen anytime. They are part of the game, and we can't control them, but we try to prevent injuries as much as possible even though, sometimes, it is just meant to be, and we have to accept it and learn from it.
Since day 1 of the rehab, I have been trying to keep my head up and have a positive mindset. It's been an interesting path with a lot of personal growth. I have learned to listen to my body more than my thoughts - to take it easy and to believe that time will heal because sometimes, it does take a long time. Having the chance to record my rehab story with ION has made the journey more interesting and made me put even more effort into it.
We were shooting for this film almost once a month, and with it, I could tell how much I was progressing! Some days and even weeks, I felt like I was not making any step forward, but during the shooting process, I got very emotional at some points, in the first jumps, running upstairs, putting more pressure on the knee, and adding more balanced exercises that it seemed impossible to do at the beginning.
Now, nine months later, I can say that I'm finally starting to feel more confident in my knee. There is still a long road ahead to be at 100%. I aim to be back competing in the World Tour very soon. My dream of making that 1st place position is even stronger than before, and I won't stop until I make it!
NORWAY ADVENTURE // Xavier De Le Rue
Xavier De Le Rue has been fulfilling his dreams of exploring the Norwegian countryside by embarking on a kite trip to the Lyngen Alps, which has been on his bucket list for quite some time. However, due to unstable conditions in the Alps, he decided to pursue a project that combined paragliding and free riding in search of a coastal snow-pack with stable conditions that would allow him to explore new territory with his rolling base.
Despite facing little wind in the wrong direction for his desired runs, he still enjoyed a great day of snowkiting on the North Islands. This trip served as a reconnaissance mission to determine which winds he would need for his desired runs.
Xavier has been using his Shaman kite and is continually amazed by its ease of use and the possibilities it offers him. He plans to use this method of transportation to travel to Antarctica later in the year.
His adventure in Norway was a chance to push himself to the limit and test how snowkiting could be utilised in an unconventional setting and the obstacles that could arise. Learn from Xavier's experience and join him on his exciting journey.
Click here to read the full article and interview!
Videos
By Crystal Veness
Editor at IKSURFMAG, Crystal Veness hails from Canada but is based in South Africa. When she isn't busy kitesurfing or reporting on the latest industry news for the mag, she is kicking back somewhere at a windy kite beach or working on creative media projects.
