Kitesurfing has been around for about 10 years. What started with boards without foot straps and kites without a depower system, has now grown into a real sport with its own products and its own lifestyle.
I have been kiting myself for about ten years now and I look back with a smile to the beautiful early years. We were truly pioneers. There were no sites explaining how to jump or what to do and what not to do. In short, nothing was clear anymore. The difference between a pro and an amateur was barely visible. Everyone did something, which resulted in many nice moments. For example when someone came up with a new jump.
A lot has changed since then, unfortunately not always for the better. Many names from that time have disappeared, such as Flash Austin, Max Bo and Anthony Berzack. Fortunately, many people from that time are still active, such as Robby Naish (Naish gear) and Rahael Salles (F-One gear). Some even started their own kite brand in 2008, including Lou Wainman (Wainman gear). Lou was way ahead at the time. Is everyone talking about a handle pass now, Lou did it eight years ago. Unfortunately it wasn't really appreciated then, at least not like it is now.
Below is an article in an online magazine about the history of kiteboarding. Read it through, it gives a good idea of THE history of kiteboarding.
Click here for the Kite boarding history .
Men there are some pictures again …… Fer how old we are just 25 men 😉
Ha ha ……… nostalgia dudes.
One of the best times of my life and also an absolute milestone ..... started kiting!
I am now 10 years later and it is still not getting boring… .in fact… it is only getting more fun. I do hope my carcass continues to cooperate.
Well, as far as Lou is concerned ... ... anyone who thinks he's doing newskool freestyle with his Easter ......... wake up dudes ...... that's hardcore oldskool shit.
We want more pictures from the old days of your Rutger ..
Nice piece. Haha, those names like Flash Austin indeed. Those were the big examples at the time that you thought you could measure yourself because the difference in level was still relatively small .. Mighty!