Interview avec le pro kiteboarder Alvaro Onieva sur le site de windfinder (en anglais...)
"We took the chance to interview pro kiteboarder Alvaro Onieva from Tarifa/Spain. Alvaro is one of the most successful and most popular kitesurfers in the world, competing on the PKRA Pro Kite tour for 7 years, finishing 4rd in Freestyle overall in 2006, and 3rd in 2007 and 2008. Alvaro was born on 6/5/1987 in Malaga. He is sponsored by Movistar, Balance, Arnette, Dakine and Best Kiteboarding.
Oliver: You finished 3rd at the PKRA Kite word tour in 2006, 2nd in 2007 and 2008. Aaron and Kevin were fighting fiercely for 1st in the last 2 years. How do you plan to beat them this year? Do you sometimes feel like you are "only" considered the "best of the rest"?
Alvaro: Well, actually last year was my last year competing on the tour, after had been competing for 7 years in a row. I was kind of over it, and this year I have a lot of different plans, commited more in the production of (kiteboarding) photos and videos. I have a lot of motivation for it. Let's see how it goes.
Oliver: How important is winning to you? Why do you compete? If so, why? If not, what is the most important thing about kiteboarding for you?
Alvaro: I changed a lot lately, I used to be very competitive, but then I realized that I can live better just doing videos, promos, photos for the magazines, I think I can get a better coverage, so my sponsors are happier.
Oliver: It seems like kiteboarding really is a way of life for you! How would you define this way of life?
Alvaro: I define it similar as in other boardsports, but it's hard to explain with words. It is a very deep feeling, of connection to the sport. It's a sane and calm way of life, living in harmony with oneself and others. It's about sharing. It's about being in contact with mother nature, the wind, the water, ..."