The Interview - Aaron Hadlow
Issue 84 / Tue 8th Dec, 2020
Aaron Hadlow is undoubtedly the most well-known kiteboarder in the world with his innovative style and a mile-long list of titles and awards. In this feature, Jen Tyler takes Aaron for a walk down memory lane and checks in on what’s been happening during this unusual year! Read now to find out what’s going on in the house of Hadlow!
Winning five consecutive freestyle kiteboarding world championship titles and two successive King of the Air titles, Aaron Hadlow is undoubtedly the most well-known kiteboarder in the world with his innovative style and ridiculously consistent riding. In this feature, we find out what Aaron's been up to during this unpredictable year!
Aaron, thanks for joining us! You recently got back from a van trip with Sam Light, Lewis Crathern, and Tom Court. Can you tell us a little bit about the project? Was it challenging to find good kiteboarding spots around the UK to test Duotone's new equipment?
During these unsettled times, it has been quite a challenge to generate new content. At Duotone, we had to change our approach on how to get all the necessary shots and videos to carry on marketing the products. Earlier in the year, before the first lockdown, I was able to organise a small-scale shoot in Cape Town. Once the lockdown was lifted in the UK and the new Rebel was set to be released, Tom and I arranged to shoot some more.
We wanted to get on the road for a while, and our mission was to get some scenic shots en route to the West Country. Once a decent forecast popped up on the radar, we met up and hit the road with a loose plan to chase the wind. We decided on a few locations, including Durdle Door, followed by some deserted cruise ships that had anchored up due to the pandemic at a beach close by.
We timed it so that Gwithian, Cornwall would be our final stop, just in time for the storm. I love it there. It is where I grew up, and the beaches are great for both riding and shooting. As the forecast intensified, we made the call and let Lewis and Sam know we were heading down. On missions like these, it is good to have a solid crew to kite with.
In terms of finding good kite spots in the UK, I have always believed we are lucky with the options and unique locations available to us. Having travelled internationally for so long, I often find myself thinking about how lucky I am to have the UK as my home base. There is a bit of everything, and this makes it great for many disciplines, shooting videos and pictures, and testing kites.
At only 14 and despite the cold, inconsistent, and gloomy training grounds of England's south coast, you were already competing at the highest level. The UK isn't exactly a world-renowned freestyle spot! What was it like training in the UK when you were first getting into kiteboarding, and how did the conditions affect your riding style?
That's very true, but the changeable conditions are what shaped me as a rider. I got to understand how to kiteboard in a variety of conditions. Every time I went out for a session, there were new challenges, and this helped me massively when it came to competing. The more challenging spots on tour became comfortable for me, and the ideal places like Venezuela or Brazil allowed me to push my level, improve, and progress during competitions.
Over the years, you've released jaw-dropping kiteboarding movies. We've all watched them hundreds of times! Which was your most memorable film, and why?
The Andy Gordon films were incredible; I think the third one, Calibrate, was one of the best. I remember the first one, Invent, the most though. It was completely unexpected! I was in Australia, and he came along on a demo tour for a couple of days around Western Australia. After that, I didn't hear much from him. About four months later, I had the movie in my inbox. I remember watching it for the first time with Ruben and a few mates. It blew our minds; we couldn't believe it! I rang him straight away to organise the next one!
Which film would you gladly make disappear?!
I don't have any movie regrets. I have always tried to push the boundary or come up with new formats and concepts throughout the years. Of course, I look back at some things and cringe at myself; but it was so long ago.
If you could go back in time and relive one phase during your kiteboarding career, when would it be?
I would probably say around '06 - '07. I had just won my third title and was feeling on top of the world. My riding was on point, and I was fearless and learning and accomplishing so much, which for me is one of the greatest feelings.
If you weren't a professional kiteboarder, what would you be doing instead?
It's hard to say, but I imagine I would still be a sportsperson of some sort. I was good at football, and I think that would have been the direction I would have taken if I wasn't exposed to extreme sports.
King of the Air 2021, do you see it happening with all the new COVID restrictions taking place worldwide?
As far as I am aware, they are trying their best to make it happen and still going ahead as planned, but you never know. Things are changing daily, and travelling is no longer the same. By the time this is read, anything could have happened, but I am hopeful to be out there competing in the new year.
Watching the next generation of pro kiteboarders, if you could give them one piece of advice that you wished you would have received at their age, what would it be?
Receiving advice is one thing; listening to it is another! I guess the advice I would give to a younger me is to listen and take note of more advice, but it is hard. I believe if the right person gives it at the right time and in the right way, it works, but for some things, you have to make your own mistakes and realise it for yourself.
In terms of the simple things that youngsters can take on board, a message I would give is to simply follow your dream no matter how impossible it may seem. If you love what you do, keep on at it and enjoy it as much as possible.
What role do you play in the R&D at Duotone?
I work closely with one of our designers, Ralf Grosel. He creates the Vegas, Dice, Evo and Juice. He played a massive part in bringing me to the team six years ago. We first worked together to bring out a new Vegas, then continued to develop that over the years. Over the last year or two, I wanted to understand other designs and kite models. Recently, we have worked much closer together and travelled on many test trips.
I would say my role is to adapt my feeling to technical design. This is something that Ralf is also really good at, but the combination is great. I have worked with designers for most of my career; it is natural for me to feel small details and understand how that translates to a design file. A lot of the work that we do later in the process, once we have the base design, is to implement set-up changes on bridles and pigtails to finely tune the kite to optimise its performance.
Can you talk us through Duotone's 2021 line-up? What significant changes will we notice? What is your quiver of choice?
This year, we introduced the SLS concept, which is a new leading-edge material that is lighter and gives a stiffer frame. New materials are huge for the industry and are bringing a new performance benchmark. I know this sounds like a marketing spiel, but I genuinely believe in it after testing it first-hand. The biggest changes in the lineup will be the new Evo SLS and the Vegas, which have been redesigned to work hand in hand with the new material. The weight and frame combine to give much more precise handling; the low end is better as well as the high end because of the consistency and stability of the frame.
I am lucky to have access to many kites, so one solid quiver is tough to organise due to the fact I love to ride across various disciplines. I have a freestyle quiver consisting of multiple Vegas, Hadlow Team Series, and boots; this is a must. A freeride/big air quiver is much more difficult to determine. I think this season it will look something like; 8m, 9m Dice and 10m, 12m Evo SLS combined with either a Select SLS or a Team Series with straps.
Can you tell us about ION's HADLOW Riot Harness?
I have been developing my signature harness with ION since I first joined the team. Every year, with new materials and technologies, we can improve it, and this year sees a great step forward. The concept has always stayed the same since day one. A hard shell (the stiffest in the range) with a comfortable mouldable insert to form around your back, combined with a slimline outline for maximum movement. The idea is to evenly distribute the forces and pressure into your back and keep the sideways squeeze to a minimum. It is essential to me, as sometimes I am riding a 9m kite in 40 knots. This year, a new composite has been introduced into the harness. We can finely tune the stiffness and flex within the hard shell and keep the weight to a minimum. I understand that a single harness is not for everybody. A harness is particular to each person and their body shape, but I am pleased with the result, and I hope many others can enjoy it too.
Wind’s on, who is the first person you call for a session?
It depends on the wind; if it’s extreme, then I usually call Lewis. In heavy conditions, he is great to ride with. We always push each other to go bigger, but having that other person on the water who has an eye on you always helps. I am also really looking forward to seeing Ruben back on the water; it’s been such a long time since we shared a session because of his injury. We have been riding together since we were 14 years old, and we still have the best time on the water together.
You recently bought a house on Hayling Island, how are the renovations going? Is it finished yet?
Haha no, I don't think it ever will be done! I love the location, but I learned it is pretty hard work. It is nice to make a place your own. I haven't had a solid base for most of my life. At the same time, I love to travel and be on the road. I'll stay focused on that for now.
What made you come back to the UK after all these years travelling to the world's best kitesurfing locations, what has the UK got that you can't find elsewhere?
I believe it is the home comforts and having a base that I can work from efficiently. I lived in a couple of other places and found it difficult to adjust and do what I want to do. When I was younger, I used the UK as a stopover, linking me to the next destination. As time went by, I got to realise what is available on my doorstep. I am lucky to be on the road as much as I can and enjoy the time that I am home.
Last year marked your 20-years-of-kiteboarding, and what a movie that was! What's next for Aaron Hadlow?
I still have so much to achieve; I can’t wait to learn, progress, and grow more. There are a few projects in the pipeline, but also a few personal goals to accomplish in the next few years. I'm looking forward to when things open up again while making the most of what is available right now.
Thanks, Aaron! It's been a pleasure.
Thanks, Jen!
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By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.
