Questions by Access Kiteboarding Magazine, Belgium

1. What was your fist kiting experience like?

About three years ago a lot of my friends in the gorge were getting into kiting, so I guess it was pier pressure that got me started, (I was still heavy into windsurfing for the last 20 years). I did a body drag, and was hooked on the power with minimal wind. I saw kite boarding as a mutation of Windsurfing.

2. When did you get into shaping boards?

In 1985 I was heavy into windsurfing, and started shaping boards for myself and Friends and it turned into a business

3. Your board shapes are pretty unique, what is or was your specific drive behind that?

My biggest influence was windsurfing, but I feed off of a lot of my sporting eperiences, (surfing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, skateboard, snow skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, mountain biking, and motocross racing). I didn’t know what I was doing when I started building kite boards, but I knew that the boards that were being produced then were not right.

4. Are you working on something new at the moment?

I am always working on something new, and as much as I would like to talk about it I have gag orders.

5. Who are the shapers that you respect? And why?

Most of the shapers out there I respect, some stand out like Jimmy Lewis, he seems to get into the latest thing, Shaun Ordonez on Maui, he has evolved from windsurf shaping and has a good attitude, and Tony Logosz for having vision way ahead of most. He is now Slingshots kite designer (I enjoy working with him). John Amnasten on Oahu is on the move with shapes and he is a super rider. There are a lot more shapers from the surfing and windsurfing world that I respect, too many to mention.

6. Do you have any ideas about how the kiteboard shapes are going to evolve in the future?

I have lots of ideas, but some don’t pan out. I think dedicated boot boards will continue to die. And twins will dominate, and old school directionals are almost dead. But the future of directionals will be a mix of the directionals and twins in one (like slingshots morph surf) that you can ride any way you want (forward fakey, and toe side and you never have to jib it, just like today’s snowboards).

7. Who are the guys or girls in kite boarding that inspire or inspired you?

Mark Doyle (my son) for his ability to adapt to equipment, new moves, and contest real quick, Adam Koch his ultra smooth big airs and light touchdowns, Jeff Tobias for his never say die attitude, (I watched him hang on to a 12m one time when a squall came by, it was gusting to 80mph, tea bagging him 40’ he finally let go after a half mile). Ben Wilson for his laid back style (powerful and smooth) and he likes huge margaritas). Will James cause he likes to go bigger than any body. Kore Harrison in the gorge, he is the epitome of a sole kiter, I love kiting with him, (he doesn’t chase cameras, he rips, and just loves the sport) There are a lot more, too many to go on.

8. I presume Adam Koch and your son are amongst them.
First about Adam, how is the relationship between the two of you?

Very good, we are the best of friends. When ever we are in the same part of the world we kite together. He works for Naish and I work for Slingshot, but it is not about who we work for it is about friendships and have fun. We have been working and kiting together since we both started.

9. What are his strengths and weaknesses?

I think his strongest strength is his ability to influence change. When he and I started we both began on directionals. That was when not being a wakeboot guy was uncool, but he stuck to his guns and made people change their minds on different kite disciplines. When he went to Maui he continued to influence (he helped put me on the map in the kiteboard shaping world). He made people Think it was cool to use foot straps on twins instead of boots. As with weaknesses, we all have. Those, you would have to ask him about his.

10. Can you tell us a little about your relationship with your son?

We have been doing sports together since he was about 8 years old. Every thing I got into, he had to do, I can’t think of a sport that I did that he did not do. Neither of use was in to the high school team sports thing. I never pushed him in the least to go in a direction I still don’t. (that almost never works, support your kids, don’t groom them). I build him boards when he needs them but he mostly rides production boards,They are just as good.

11. Do you think he’s got the potential to go really big in the world tour? What are his strengths and weaknesses?

Sure he does, he has Ice water in his veins at contest. He may not be the best rider at a contest. But while other people are getting rattled he just plugs away to the end and often wins. I don’t know if he really cares about the contest, he is mostly a free rider. He goes places and ride the best spots and does not chase cameras and video producers. That is probably his weakness as far as the business of professional kite boarding. You must get in the magazine and videos (he is not in many). He is only 19 so he can definitely become the best if he wants to. But it is not very important as long as he enjoys it. I see too many pros in sports start to hate the sport in search of becoming the best.

12. Do you have other offspring?

Nope.

13. What is your own kiteboarding level like?

Well I am 46 and the kids respect me.


14. What do you see as a challenge in your life and in the sport?

To be a leader, not a follower.

15. Can you describe your worst board or tour experience?

When the Rufus devil winds come out in the gorge.


16. And you’re best?

Some of my best kiting has been in south Texas on the coast in the waves.


17. What is your limit as to what you would never do in the sport?

Jump rock jetties.


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18. What are the other hobbies (and fetishes) that occupy you’re mind when
not boarding and shaping?

Well beside my sports, I am kind of a nerd. In my past I have been into model rail roading, Radio controlled airplanes and cars, and tried to keep on computers.

19. Someone told me that you’re a little eccentric. Is that true? If so, how does it show?

Probably, I am never happy with how things work; I am always trying to redesign everything. Including my own designs.


20. What makes life worth living for you?

Doing what I am doing.

21. What kind of woman do you like?

Nice ones (My wife will say right answer)

22. What kind of humor do you like?

Austin powers or any other spoof movies.

23. What is your life philosophy if you have any?

Do what makes you happy (including your job)
Don’t watch the news too much.

24. Are there any thing in you’re life that you regretted doing or not doing?

Sure, but you learn from them and go on.


25. What are the most annoying or boring questions people can ask you?

No questions are annoying from people, unless I am trying to get to the water.

26. What are the thing that can really nerve or irritate you in this life?

People that kill in the name of religion.

27. How do you like people to treat you?

With respect, and that’s the way I treat them.

28. What characteristics do you like in people?

Positive enthusiastic attitudes. And people that excel at there chosen discipline.

29. What are your personal strengths? And weaknesses?

My ability to build and design things. My weakness is I obsess over things.


30. Can you name a few well known people (in any field you like) that you admire or have admired? and why?

Robby Naish in windsurfing. Jeremy McGrath in supercross. John Tomak in mountain biking. Jerry Lopez in surfing, Tony Hawk in skate boarding. Richard Petty in NASCAR.
I am in aw of people that become the best at something, and yet remain humble.


31. If you’ve had to compare yourself to an animal or any other force of nature?
What would that be and why?

An eagle, because no matter what sport I am doing I love to catch air and stay up there. And sore as long as possible.

32. What are the things that in this life you would like to accomplish?

I am always in search of the Holy Grail; I hope I never find it.


33. Is there anything else you’d like to share with me us and the readers?

Be kind to the windsurfers that have not mutated yet.