WHEN AND HOW DID YOU START KITEBOARDING?

In 1999 there were no Kiteboarding schools so I learnt to kitesurf using the “try again, helmet required!” method.
At the time I was windsurfing on the pro circuit and I bought a WIPIKA-5m kite – which at the time was one of the smallest kites on the market with 2 lines (now kites have 4 or 5 lines). Flash Austin was the best kiter at the time and the supreme leader. I remember him being dressed in yellow from head to toes with bell-bottom trousers. He spent his days going as fast as lightening - back and forth – hence his nickname "Flash". At times it was hard to keep focused as we were laughing so much when he was on the water!

I was kiting from early morning till late at night and often ended by using a saw to rescue my kite out of the top of trees. This was the absolute beginning of kite surfing, with only a handful of guys worldwide trying to tame this new death machine.

IF YOU HAD NOT BECOME A PROFESSIONAL SPORTSMAN WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE DONE?

Hard to say, that’s all I have ever known...perhaps a Woodcutter - to rescue the perched kites!

HOW DID YOU BECOME EVENT ORGANIZER FOR THE LUDERITZ SPEED SAILING CHALLENGE?

I have always been a pioneer in world of kiting. I broke the World Record for Hang time in the discipline of jumping, crossed the Straits of Gibraltar Channel in 2001 and finished 3rd in the 2002 Freestyle World championships. In 2003 I organized the first World Speed attempt in Leucate in the South of France. In 2004 I discovered Lüderitz and after my first session I decided to organize a World Speed Event there. My GPS (speed measurement tool) was showing 45.7 knots (84.5 km/h) on max speed. That was the 3^rd fastest time in the world!

TELL US ABOUT THE 2010 LUDERITZ EVENT.

What gives me the most satisfaction is to watch a competitor progress and ultimately achieve their goal. Since its inception the Luderitz Speed Sailing Challenge has set new records, however, the 2010 Lüderitz Speed Challenge will be the first event in the history of speed sailing where the three different sailing disciplines will compete against each other - Boat, Windsurf and Kitesurfing - all at the fastest spot in the world, all united by the same passion.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SPEED SAILING WILL ULTIMATELY ACHIEVE?

While there are competitors who are still willing to defy the most extreme conditions the possibilities are endless. By combining power and technology the sport and the show will continue to grow…

WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THE SPORTNOW?

I take great pleasure in sharing my passion. I get inspiration from the best guys in the world. Every time I go into the water I have to progress otherwise I would prefer to be doing something else. I live in Cape Town, South Africa, where most of the world’s best kiters stay from December to March. I analyze Aaron Hadlow, who is 5 times Freestyle World Champion. When Aaron was 13 years old I taught him how to” kite loop” (a jump whilst turning the kite in the air). I am proud to have always been a pioneer in the sport and to still be competing on the pro circuit. In order for a sporting career to endure it is necessary to combine performance, rigor, positive energy and humility. In order to progress it is vital to acknowledge one’s weaknesses. By acknowledging weakness we can analyze our performance and progress to the next level. Beyond that, my career has been also marked by my eccentricity - which for me is simply a personality full of humor and childishness (others may consider this to be slight madness)!

For some people my mad stunts did not help my credibility, however since becoming the first person to break the 50knot speed barrier and organizing the Lüderitz Speed Challenge I have earned the confidence of athletes who have participated in the Luderitz event and I am extremely proud of it.

WHAT ADVICE COULD YOU GIVE TO YOUNG SPORTSPEOPLE WHO ARE COMING ONTO THE PRO CIRCUIT?

The sport has given to me everything and I would like to give back to it. Kitesurfing for me is a reason to continue to train every day, keep fit and fulfill my desire to push the limits further. Of course I have some ups and downs and get discouraged at times, but life is too magical to waste time on negative thoughts. I think what pollutes our sport are the opportunists who spend their energy on their blogs, constantly updating their profile and hiding their mediocrity behind glossy photographs.
The egotism of this affects the sport negatively, splitting the principal stars who are the riders. For me, these riders need to help the development of Kiteboarding with youngsters and new-comers in a positive, non-egotistical way.

If I can give good advice: “Live like you will die tomorrow and live like you will never die.”