What is your current role within ABW?
Airbossworld Director, www.Watchit.biz Director, Instructor

How long have you been flying for?
About 7 years now. I started after Gary got me into it. I had a horrible experience with a 4.9 Blade right at the beginning which spurred me to get some tuition. This really gained my confidence and I haven't looked back since.

What other Interests do you have?
I have been part of the BKSA (British Kitesurfing Association) for 6 years from 2000, I volunteered to be Membership Administrator for the association which is great as I have made loads of friends, all the kitesurfing crew are all really friendly and great fun, it's definitely a break going to see them at the events, and I learn so much as well! I have also written a few articles for the Powerkite Mag, which I enjoyed doing.

What is currently your Favourite Kite?
This is really easy, the Flexifoil Rage, depending on wind strength the 2.5, 3.5 or the 4.7. I have never flown such stable and forgiving kites that also have great turning speed when buggying. I love them!

Do you Buggy, Board or Surf?
I enjoy buggying, that's my favourite of all 4 disiplines, I used to Kitesurf when I first started when kitesurf kites were 2 lines but I haven't done so in around 6years as I never really liked deep brown water or fish. I wobble around on a landboard, I wish I could landboard as I think it's far cooler than buggying, but I just can't get my head around it. We've been snowkiting a couple of times now which is great fun especially if you go with a crowd of friends. Norway is highly reccommended! I have just bought a pair of rollerskates that I am planning to put with a small kite, now we have tarmac up at the Airfield, I thought I would put that to the test. Watch this space.

What is your current role within ABW?
Head Dude! Well Director, but that's just too serious to put on the bottom of a business card, I also get the chance to test out prototype kites from various manufacturers and write the latest manuals that instructors work to.

How long have you been flying for?
Since 74' but that was using delta's. Powerkites came along 11 years ago, I started with a Flexifoil Stacker, before that a Peter Powell.

What other Interests do you have?
As we now have our extreme sports centre, i'm looking for new sports to put in it. We can now train flyers to instructor level with our very own Aircademy certification process.
I'm also getting into Cat sailing, so down time for me would be hanging on the end of a trapeze with one hull in the air!

What is currently your Favourite Kite?
We are spoilt for choice with the school gear, I'm playing with kitesurf kites in buggies and on boards, it makes the gust so much easier to work with and it puts a race kite to its limit! Each month a new kite comes out, at the moment its a Best Nemesis, Liquid Force Havoc or a Flexifoil Blur..........

Do you Buggy, Board or Surf?
Buggying is one of my first choices, but only due to were we are based. Snowkiting would be my only choice if I lived on a mountain top! Landboarding is becoming more of an option for me now, as the de-powerable kites soak up all the narly inland winds, Kitesurf wise, this year I'm gonna get back in the water I first learnt with a wipi classic which now seems to be found in a musium.

Next Steps?
Well I've been in the world of kitesports for over a decade, written iko instructors manuals, buggied, boarded, kitesurfed, snowkited and produced the format for the modern day freestyle competitions, but what I like the most is to discover a new talent, see a rider develop from the start and help them discover the true meaning of kite flying............

What advice would you give to someone new to the sport? just go out and have fun, don't be worried about trying new things out or maybe going for a store rider trial you never no you might surprise your self. just stick with it be safe and as long as your having fun, who cares :) 

What goals have you got for the future? I would obviously like to progress as far as possible within the sport, this includes my main goal for this year building my self up to a good competition standard and just learn as many new tricks as possible and try and add my own style to them.

Other special talents: Drinking :D

Responsibilties of a Head Store Rider: whiping the other store riders into shape :)

How did you find your progression from when you started to now and what helped you along? I think the main thing that has helped me progress with my boarding is just watching videos and wanting to be able to pull the tricks they can. i really want to learn so manytricks that it makes me push my self to progress further.

What Trick are you currently aiming for: I am currently working on back loop kiteloops and multipul fast rotations.

What Kites are you using and why: At the moment the main kite that i fly is my flexifoil ion2 10.5 as the lift and stability it provides is awesome, but i also own a couple of Blade IV's which are great for static fun and abit of boarding and a Flexifoil Rage 3.5 for those buggy cruising days.

How long have you been Kiting for and what got you into it? well I've owned power kites for about 5 years now but I've only been flying seriously for about 2 years and boarding for about a year of that. I first got into it when i looked out my window and saw a couple of kites up on the pit tip so i went up on my bike and got chatting. just from watching i was hooked.

Last words: just go out when ever you can have fun and just show people how its done. o and wear a helmet don't wait till you smack your head on the floor and it hurts till you get one. happy flying :D

How long have you been Kiting for and what got you into it?
I‘ve been kiting for years using little 2line foils that came from my auntie as a Christmas present but started using larger 4line power kites around 3 n half years ago and have been going bigger every summer.

What Equipment do you use?
I’m using the 2008 Liquid Force Hi fi's and riding a few Trampa boards

How do you feel the sport should progress and why?
I recon the sport needs to develop into having lots of local competitions and a big land kiting series which would boost the amount of progress with in the sport as well as giving the sport more recognition and acceptance.

What tricks are you currently nailing?
At the moment I’m nailing 360 grabs, backloop kiteloops, and unhooked raileys from a ramp. I’m also working on my blind riding and handle passing which will help add points to the score board when in competition. 

What advice would you give to someone new to the sport?
The best advice would be to definitely get a lesson from a qualified instructor, this will help with the initial steep learning curve that comes with learning power kiting. Other than that it’s a case of pad up, sort out a safety system on the kite and just using commonsense with the condition you fly in.

What goals have you got for the future?
My goals for the future definitely involve competing at a high level, but that is a more long term goal where as now my goals are to just nail the tricks I’m doing and riding to the best of my ability.

How long have you been flying for?

i started flying kites after a trip to skegness beach. i had a go on a few small power kites and immidiatly i wanted one. i then brought a 2.5m rage and spent countless afternoons being draged around the local feild. in april 2007 i got a sabre 2 9.5 for my birthday and i started boarding.

What kit do you use?

i use bow kites for the depower and stability they have. the kite im using at the moment is gaastra jeckyll because of its huge lift and float. boardwise i have a mbs pro 6.

How did you find your progression from when you started to now and what helped you along?

i think the main thing that has helped me has been riding with other people. i was given lots of tips when i was starting and i learn lots from watching people.

 

What Tricks are you currently nailing.

my latest trick is a kiteloop and im currently working on 720s, backloop kiteloops and inverts.

 

How do you feel about competitions?

i feel that they are a great way to push yourself and a great way of meating different people.

Last Words

get a lesson and have fun but keep safe.

How long have you been Kiting for and what got you into it?
I have been kiting for 7 years. I originally got into kiting after hearing stories from my Grandma about my Dad flying kites when he was a kid. Things like flying single line kites off fishing rods and being highly influenced by the Peter Powell stunt kite craze in the 70's. I took on the interest and started flying on a 1m 2 lined HQ kite, but then moved on quickly to more powerful kites, such as deltas and flexi stackers. The bug really bit when I wanted bigger and more powerful kites. 2 years ago I met Dom Moore who ran Sky Park near Newquay in Cornwall and he was a huge influence, as he introduced me into buggying and boarding, and I haven't looked back since. I am so lucky to have Airboss on my doorstep because the beaches and the sea couldn't be any further away from the midlands.

What Equipment do you use?
At the moment I have a 10m bularoo and I love it, the colour is a pinky peach and it ROCKS!! My board is a D-EX 15dg 89cm skate set up. I love it too and have no plans to swap it at the present time. Im also using a Dakine Pyro waist harness which I find extremely comfortable and does the job perfectly. My helmet is a Capix skid lid.

What tricks do you pull?
The tricks I am pulling are 360's, Inverts (just started to learn them), and all different variations and grabs. Plus a little bit of toeside for style. Thanks to priceless tuition coming  from Gary and Elly and the crew at Airboss, it has really helped me improve my style and learn new tricks.

How did you find your progression from when you started to now and what helped you along?
My progression has been to work my way up to bigger and more powerful kites. I started with a very small HQ kite which I quickly found was not powerful enough, and  at the age of 7 I realised that I got a buzz from flying kites. I have regularly been to Cornwall and learnt a lot from watching more experienced kiters. I have got to know a lot of these kiters and they have continued to be a big influence in my progression. Since going to Airboss I have found the most motivation to progress even further as I am around people who are willing to help me.  

How would you encourage more people to get out and kite?
I would encourage them by saying don't jump in the deep end with all the kit and big kites. Work your way up like I did.

5 items you wouldn't be without: Dads Taxi service :) Kiting Gear, Camera , Jaffa Cakes, Sense of humour 

Party animal or mellow TV on the couch
Sky + Simpsons = Couch

What Equipment do you use?Kites - Blade IV's - Buggy - Slightly modified Flexi buggy with a 3 point jumping harness, also have a trampa skate set up for boarding too! - Harness - Wild Country helix climbing harness, modified with a maillion rapide and wichard... - Protection - Helmet, in all wind conditions, you never know when that gust will kick through... And a 661 pressure suit if its howling...

What attracted you to the sport of Kite Buggying and how long have you been doing the sport? Long story here... Started out on sport kites back when i was just a wee little bairn, did quite well on those in the GOKF leagues, (got my first traction kite in 2000) then moved to kitelandboarding in 2002 and damaged my knee playing rugby, so then switched to the buggy. But since my technique has improved im able to get on a board again occaisionally but a heavy landing on the knee can be the end of the day, so conditions have to be great... But I get the biggest rush from buggy freestyle hence it is my chosen side of the sport, shame it means i have a lot of kit to move around when scrounging lifts :D

What tricks do you pull? Erm, well im working on 360 aerials, 1 handed stuff, foot outs whilst tweaking my jumps. And if anyones gots any tips for a 360 on a board id be mightily greatful ;)

How would you encourage more people to get out and kite? By seeing how much fun it is by putting a kite in their hands, people rip it to shreds until they get a go themselves, then they see where the addiction comes from... Also anyone that talks to me is interested as you could say i was passionate about the sport ;o)

5 items you wouldn't be without: A kite (blade 4.9), Music, Water, My mobile

Party animal or mellow TV on the couch: in a word PAAAAARTTTTTAAAAAAYYY!

Last words: Have fun and do what you want, dont be pressurised!

How did you find your progression from when you started to now and what helped you along?
I found the flexifoil book of powerkiting helped me enormously. When I first started out as I was puzzled how anyone could even get moving on a board. I think as well sites like kiteatb.co.uk have helped. I progressed quite quickly from just static flying to the board at first it was mainly downwind. I got a lesson from Airbossworld and I got the hang of riding cross and even upwind in the buggy and on the board. When I got onto depower it all changed and it wasn't long till I was jumping and learning tricks.

What tricks would you like to see yourself doing in 2 months and what tricks do you want to be nailing in about 6 months?
In 2 months time I would like to see myself doing air handlepasses, putting more variations on the 360 frontloop and riding blind. In 6 months I hope to be doing boardoffs and backloops.

How do you feel the sport should progress and why?
I think the sport should progress towards freestyle and getting huge air to match even kitesurfing because with freestyle you can do what you want. You can make up new moves and do the trick that gives you the most adrenaline rush. I think that the sport should try to incorporate kickers and rails as much as possible as well.

How do you feel about competitions?
I think they are great fun and a brilliant way to all come together and compare skills next to each other in the same conditions. It is also a great place to meet new people, learn new tricks and get tips on riding.

Name one of the most frustrating elements of the sport?
LOW WIND!!!

How would you encourage more people to get out and kite?
I would tell them what great fun it is and what a social and energetic activity it is. I would tell them to come along and watch to see if it is for them and perhaps get them to try a small kite to get a feel of what the sport is about.

What's your top tip for newcomers?
Keep practising and get some pads!

How long have you been Kiting for and what got you into it?
For those old enough to remember, it all started when I was a kid with a 'Barnstormer' and then a couple of 'Peter Powell' stunt kites. My first 'power kite' was a Flexifoil Super-10 which was great fun for a few years, but I needed MORE. I made my first moves towards landboarding with a 3m Blade III so I actually got totally hooked around 3 years ago.
What in your opinion is the best part of teaching?
For me, there are loads of 'highs', but seeing people progress or achieve a goal is great and it means I've done my bit properly. Smiley faces say it all.
What Equipment do you use?
I fly an 18 meter Peter Lynn Phantom, and a 13m Guerilla. (And yes I've still got the Super 10). I've recently moved onto a Comp 6 board by MBS which is so sweet; it's like boarding in slippers.
A Dakine harness completes the kit bag. I also get to play with all those lovely school kites.
Protection I would recommend:
A decent lid is a must, but use as much padding as possible. Don't wait until you hurt yourself before sorting yourself out with some body armour.
What advice would you give to someone new to the sport?
Get some good advice or tuition; I've seen it before where newcomers have had a bad experience which puts them off kiting or results in an injury. Learn at your own pace; It can be frustrating to see others on the field confidently buggying or boarding, jumping and sliding around, but as Mr Miyagi said 'be patient'; time in the sky is all you need and one day it will 'click'.
If you weren't a PowerKite Instructor what other sports would you be doing:
I had a quick try at wakeboarding just as the summer was ending, so that may be a possibility. Paragliding or gliding might be an option, but I'd probably spend more time on the track with my motorbike.
What tricks are you currently nailing?
I need to spend some time 'polishing' some old favorite tricks, so next, it's foot-outs, and then on to board-offs. I've also promised myself more time playing around in buggies.

How long have you been Kiting for and what got you into it?
A friend and I bought a load of beer and a couple of single line kites to kill a sunny afternoon in Cambridge. There where some people out with 4 liners and I asked for a go. That was six years ago the rest is history.

What Equipment do you use?
SlingShot Turbo Diesel II 14m and 11m for traction, Blade IV 4m for static fun. I ride a MBS comp 16 on land and a Fanatic Eastwood on the water. I love the bow kites for cross over from the land to the water. Safety gear is a TSG Lid and Six Six One knee pads.

Name one of the most frustrating elements of the sport?
Keyboad kiters.

What in your opinion is the best part of teaching?
Seeing people smile when it all clicks.

What's your top tip for newcomers?
Consider lesson especialy for boarding and buggying, and there is no substitute for hours flying.