MARK MY WORDS

“I COMPETED IN THE FINAL AGAINST FLASH AUSTIN AND I THINK WE MAY HAVE STARTED THE JUDGING DEBATE THAT STILL RUNS IN KOTA TILL THIS DAY. SHOULD THE POINTS REWARD HEIGHT AND RISK, OR SHOULD YOU PRIORITISE CONTROL AND TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY?”

I’ve read that it’s a symptom of advancing age when time seems to pass faster. If that’s the case, my age must be advancing rapidly because 2002 (which by now you must have realised was the birth date of this fine publication) feels like yesterday.

With the benefit of hindsight it’s pretty clear that this year was the pinnacle of my competition kiteboarding career and I can remember the heats and events clearly. In fact it creates some kind of paradox in my head; memories seem fresh of a recent past and yet when I look at the images, the equipment