Interview Mitu Monteiro

Mitu ist einer der besten Waverider der Welt. Auf der KPWT in Sylt hat er mit seinen strapless Kiteloops für staunende Gesichter gesorgt und gezeigt was alles auf einem Waveboard möglich ist. In Portugal konnter leider nicht teilnehmen, sonst wäre Mitu Nr 1 im Ranking, weil er an jedem anderen Event den Topscore von 2100 Punkten erreicht hat.

Boost: Hey Mitu! Growing up in Cape Verde, it seems natural to go kitesurfing. How did you first come into contact with the sport?

Mitu: I started with bodyboarding when i was a kid (7 year old) then Windsurf, surf and so when the kitesurf appeared I guess in 1998/2000 I was the first native to try it and I loved it directly. In fact it took me some years to practice kite 90% , time until we were able to gets some gear here in the island !!!

Boost: As legend has, you met Raphael of F-One on the beach, who left you a kite and a board, and you went pro? Is this the spirit of F-One?

Mitu: It is not exactly like that, in fact first I was “sponsored” by RRD because I was working in a windsurf center with this brand and one day in Ponta Preta I saw Raph riding and ripping the waves so easily even with the off shore wind that it push me to try his kites. From that session I felled so confident in my wave riding that when Raph ask me if I like and if I wanted a set for the winter I definitely accept and change for F-one. From this moment I used to try many others kite but never feel as good as with mine…..?

Boost: One year later, you’re ripping it up in the worldcup with amazingly smooth riding style, almost dancing on the water. Whats the key to your riding?

Mitu: I guess a mix of all water sports i practice with a lot of time on the water training…..

Boost: Which kite and board are you currently using? Do you use different board sizes or shapes, depending on the size and characteristics of the wave?

Mitu: 6.0 or 6.2 strapless with 8 metros bandit 3 is my favorite set but i use also 5.6 bamboo specially here in Sal in fast and hollow waves.

Boost: The Bandit 3 is even better than the famous Dos, more windrange, more stability… Did you have an influence on the development of the kite? Does it help you to further push your limits?

Mitu: Not directly on the R&D but sure I give my feeling as soon as I try a new kite. Yes this kites are really easy and performant whatever the conditions so it helps further push the limits of my riding.

Boost: If you could one place to spend the rest of your life, where would it be?

Mitu: At home in Cabo Verde …..

Boost: People loved your riding at the Worldcup in Sylt, Germany. How did you like the event and the conditions?

Mitu: Yes i loved this event , it was pretty cold for me but i enjoy the conditions and the atmosphere with the public was super great. Perfect organization also, i would like to return there next year….

Boost: You won every stop exept for Portugarl. What happened?

Mito: During the KPWT Portugal  I was in Mauritius with the F-one Int team for the shooting of addikt2. Did you see it ?

It was unlucky with the timing but anyway I’m still in the ranking because for  4 events/1 discard means that I’m heading the Wave Master with 3 victories…..

Boost: Strapless kiteloops, multiple rotations, anything seems to be possible on a waveboard these days. Where do you see waveriding in a couple of years?

Mitu: Yes it is amazing what we can do now strapless, it is another step in wave riding and also in freestyle, it give sagain another dimension of the sport and I guess future will proved that there is no limits to the extreme.

Boost: www.boost-kiteboarding.com would like to thank you for the interview! All the best & hope to see you next year in Germany.

Mitu: Thank you also and for sure see you in Germany or in CV this winter….