We interviewed kiteboarder Rick Jensen, 21 years from Kiel/Germany. Rick is one of Germany's best kiteboarders, winning the Germany youth championship a few years ago and finishing on the podium of the German Kitesurf Trophy several times. His best result on the PKRA Kite World Tour was 9th. Rick is sponsored by Naish, Quiksilver, Jimdo and he is a member of the kitesurfing and sailing club SKBUe.
Windfinder: You are considered to be one of the most radical kiteboarders in Germany. Do you think that your reputation is justified? What is your pesronal style?
Rick Jensen: I think this reputation is justified. Sometimes I did almost only Kiteloop handle passes with my 16 squaremeter Raven in heats of some comepetitions, when I was 16 years old, because I loved to go hardcore. During the last years I did a lot of wakeboarding and learned from the dudes of the cable about technique and style. After screwed bindings onto my board I can rip harder than before and I am still pushing my own skills to new levels of speed, style and achievement.
Windfinder: You kitesurf with fixed bindings. Why do you do this? What is the advantage compared to foot straps? What are the disadvantages?
Rick Jensen: I go boarding with fixed bindings, because I love it! It has a lot more style and you can go more radical than with straps. When I landed my tricks with straps a year ago, I was afraid. With the boots you can land and ride with a lot more speed, control and a lower kite. For me there are not really any disadvantages.
Windfinder: You do a lot of wakeboarding? Why?
Rick Jensen: Evertime when there is no wind I go to the cable park. I really enjoy riding there, because you have obstacles and perfect conditions every time. Although I can learn a lot from the style of awesome wakeboarders like Freddy von Osten or Tom Richter. They are ripping it!
Windfinder: Why is professinal kiteboarding adopting so many moves from wakeboarding? Shouldn't kiteboarding go its own path? If kiteboarding is so heavily influenced by wakeboarding is'nt there a danger that kiteboarding will be absorbed by wakeboarding?
Rick Jensen: Wake- and Kiteboarding are so similar to each other. That is a normal process, because the evolution of wakeboarding is a lot older and more mature. But that doesn't, kiteboarding isn't in a highly developed. But I think events like the KPWT push kiteboarding into the wrong direction.
Windfinder: If you compare the competitive level at the top of both sports which one is more difficult / more developed / tougher, etc?
Rick Jensen: The most technical and most stylish riders from both sports are amazing. We have got Aaran Hadlow in kiteboarding and Nick Davies in wakeboarding. These guys are ahead of all the other riders in their sport and its just unbelievable , what they can do, and how they push their sport to the next level.
Windfinder: Could a top kiteboarder also be at the top in wakeboarding? Or in other words: could an Aaron Hadlow also win world class wakeboarding competitions?
Rick Jensen: If their weren't guys like Nick Davies,Tom Fooshee or Dominik Guehrs it could be possible with a lot of training. I mean the wakeboarding world class is at a completely different level...
Windfinder: Who are your heroes / idols in kiteboarding? Who has done most to develop and improve the sport?
Rick Jensen: There are so many riders who give me insperation. When I started with kiteboarding Lou Wainman was the one and only. And if I look back to that, I can say it was justified. Here some names of fucking good riders: Andre Phillip, Aaron Hadlow, Ruben Lenten, Alvaro Onieva, Silvester Ruckdäschel, etc
Windfinder: You have been plagued by injuries. How do you deal with that? No fear of permanent injuries or handicaps?
Rick Jensen: I had a lot of injuries since I started Kiteboarding. It brings me back to the ground and I recognize that kiting is not the only thing I am are living for. But I am fucking afraid of permanent injuries or handicaps. But: No risk, no fun!
Windfinder: What are your plans for the future? Do you want to be a pro kiteboarder?
Rick Jensen: Well, I just started college, so we will see what the future brings. For sure I will produce some sick videos.
Secret Spot from Rick Jensen on Vimeo.
