Once you have seen him kite surfing, you will immediately notice his style the next time. Wherever you meet him. Magnificent! His passion is air time, big air and air style. So high, long, far and beautiful jumps. For this, he is one of the few kite surfers to alternate tube kites with foil kites. You already read it. All the more reason to ask kite surfer Marc Remmerde for an interview that you might consider an air time masterclass.
Marc, how did your passion for kite surfing come about?
“I was born and raised in Betuwe, with many meadows less than 5 minutes by bike from my parents' house. After being by the sea with my parents a few times, I just wanted to fly a kite. ”
The short story: from kite flying came kite buggy, from kite buggy came kite surfing.
What was your first kitesurf set?
“In 2005 I bought my first kitesurf set, completely sold off by the shop at the time with a 16.5m Cabrinha Blacktip from 2002 with a bar without safety and a Brunotti Centaur board (160cm). Until 2007 I did not kite very actively, that has slowly changed since then. In the beginning of 2011 the big switch took place that I became really fanatic and addicted to kite surfing. ”
What kind of kite surfer are you?
Speed sailing, high jumping, flying far, rotations, one footers, board offs and kite loops are all for me.
“I am a real freerider. I also sail on the hydrofoil since 2014. The last two years I have also been participating in the Kitefoil Cup Holland. Just for fun, but I try to be the best I can.
We also saw you wearing a sweater from the Kitesurfing Association ...
“I am very involved in kitesurfing, I have been involved as a volunteer with the Dutch Kitesurf Association (NKV) several years ago. Since last year, it has been actively picked up again by the arrival of wind turbines on Maasvlakte two. I have also been the spot manager of Ouddorp for a number of weeks. ”
How do you combine kite surfing and the role at the NKV with your work?
“Kitesurfing and working can be a difficult combination, I have a responsible job in sustainable installation technology. The advantage of a lot of responsibility is also the possibility for me to organize my own times as long as my work does not suffer. ”
We regularly see you grab a lot of 'air time'. How did you start with that?
“Big air”, jumping high and far is something I have been doing since 2011 when I got really fanatic. First I still have freestyle tried. Unhooked tricks, you probably know it.
Freestyle… went a few times as hard on my record with a 'raley to blind', that I quickly gave it up.
“After that I focused on jumping high and long, something that I also like much more afterwards! In recent years I have been jumping higher and higher, but only since 2019 have I been really jumping. It has gone with up and downs for me. Not bought the right kites a number of times, the mindset that was not good. And this year has not been successful in breaking records due to injury. In addition, at the end of last year I fell with a broken 'spreader bar' from more than 12 meters high. Fortunately nothing permanent was left of either. However, the goal is unchanged, I want to break the 25+ meters this year, that should certainly be possible. ”
You also get a lot of air time with a foil type kite ... How is that with a foil kite?
“Most sessions I sail with Flysurfer Sonic's in sizes 13, 15 and 18 meters. There is nothing better than being able to jump 18 meters high at 15 knots. Something that simply does not work with a tube kite (at least not me). The advantages of a foil kite when the wind blows less are extreme. You can walk so easily that you can do 3 tricks in one leg, for example. Furthermore, the jump height top and the hang time are even better. A trick like the 'board off' is a pleasure to do with a foil kite. You also stay in the air for so long with a foil kite. Air time! Also because foil kites are extremely light, they can be used perfectly for foiling. ”
With foil kite or tube kite the water. How do you make the decision?
“The tradeoff between tube kite en foil kite I make by the wind strength. When the wind blows harder, the wind is often gusty and you often have more chance of rain. There is always some overlap but depending on the conditions I prefer a tube kite somewhere between 20 and 25 knots. From these wind speeds, kiteloops also become fun and that is not possible with Flysurfer Sonic's. ”
For which type of kite surfer is the foil kite suitable?
I would always recommend a foil kite to someone who likes to sail with little wind and does not intend to unhook.
It sails so much easier with little wind and the wind range is very large. The only thing you have to pay attention to is that you choose the foil kite that suits you. For example, for which performance you want to show. Also whether it looks like a tube kite or not, etc. Something that can be found with every brand. In addition, it is important to immerse yourself in starting, landing and restarting. For the rest it speaks for itself. ”
Which wind force is perfect for 'big air' for you? Which not?
“Personally, I like the constant wind around 30 knots. Then I can sail a 9m that I have 100% confidence in and where I can always land softly and well. If it gets above that, I grab my 8m, then I don't always dare to go full throttle. That is something I will continue to work on this year and which is also necessary to tackle those 25+ meters high. ”
What is your advice to other kite surfers who also want to jump big air?
“It is very important to understand how your kite reacts in all conditions, this is key to jumping higher and further. In addition, the most important thing is to learn to land well, landing a jump from 5 meters high is easy.
Landing a jump from 10 meters high is a bit more difficult. From about 15 meters it really gets more difficult.
If you don't know how to steer the kite to land softly, this can really go wrong. It is best to choose a session with a wind force that you are comfortable with for practice. If this goes well, you can stretch this slightly to a wind force that is new to you. This way you immediately notice how the kite reacts to the stronger wind. This will ensure that your progression will be faster and safer. ”
What type of kite and kiteboard are most suitable for you?
I can be brief about that, high performance high aspect ratio (AR) kites that generate a lot of lift and hang time. The tube kites must still be able to kite nicely. The type kite board what I sail is fast, manoeuvrable, relatively light, with an average flex and relatively small in size.
Marc, thank you for the inspiring interview. I hope to be able to use one of your foil kites soon. We follow your progress. On to reaching your goal of 'grabbing' 25+ meters high as you say.
