We interviewed German Kiteboarder Stefan Permien from Kiel. Stefan joined the SKBUe kitesurf team recently and just finished 2nd in the freestyle competition at the kitesurf world cup in Sylt. Stefan has won the German kiteboarding tour Kitesurf Trophy last year. Stefan is sponsored by Kite Factory, Flyboards, Triggernaut, NPX, Roadsign and Boost Kiteboarding.


Oliver: You study chemistry in Kiel and try to go kiteboarding as much as possible in your free time. What do you want to do when you graduate from university? Get a job, be a pro kiteboarder, retire, chill all day long?
Stefan: I want to retire and sit in my rocking chair! No, seriously, When I finish college I want to get a real job and earn some money. I will not give up kitesurfing but take it a bit more relaxed. But before I get my diploma and my doctor's degree a few years will still pass.


Oliver: You finsihed 2nd twice at the German championship. Will you ever become German champion? And how do you want to beat your toughest rival Mario Rodwald?
Stefan: I would be really happy to make it to the top this year. I will only be able to beat Mario with my own personal style which is more radical and more powerful. But in order to perform this style I need strong wind which does not always occur at the contest.


Oliver: How important is it for you to do well in competition? How much do you value winning a contest versus having a soul session with a nice sunset in perfect conditions?
Stefan: Doing well in competition is important for the sponsors because that is the only way to finance kiteboarding and to earn some money with it. Winning a contest is also nice for your ego. Everyone enjoys winning! But I also enjoy a great soul session, lading a new move, or having fun with my buddies on the water.


Oliver: How it the relationship with your opponents? Companionable? Neutral? Hostile? How do you guys get along?
Stefan: We are quite close and companionable. We help each other and we party together. The Kitesurf-Trophy is like a big family. At the events we all get together and have fun. On Sylt I partied with Mario 3 nights in a row!


Oliver: Do you have role models or idols in kiteboarding or other sports? If so, who are they and why?
Stefan: No, I don't really have any!


Oliver: Which goals do you pursue this saison? And which moves do you want to learn?
Stefan: Well, the saison is already underway. I ended up 2nd at several events: the German snowkite championships, the Sticked event, the Kitesurf Trophy tour stop in Dahme, the Kiteboard open and the SEAT kitesurf world cup in Sylt.So far it has been a pretty good saison. I would like to have some awesome foto shootings this season and produce some neat kiteboarding videos. I want to make my moves more radical and land a few combinations like front mobe 5, KGB to blind and blind judge 5 more safely.