Inside the World of Duotone

We sat down with newly crowned 2025 World Champion Pedro Matos of Brazil to hear his reflections on finally achieving his lifelong dream — and doing it on home soil, surrounded by his family and an electrifying local crowd. Pedro opens up about the gear that powers his competitive riding, from his preferred kites to the boards he trusts most in high-pressure heats. He also gives us a rare look behind the scenes, sharing what it truly takes to reach the top: specialized training, tailored nutrition, and dedicated mental-performance coaching. This is the full story of what it means — and what it costs — to become a world champion.

In just over a decade, WOO sports has redefined the way we measure our sessions out on the water. From the very early conception of the device to the day to day running of WOO Sports we discuss how the brand has developed, what it means to be part of the Boards and More group and where WOO is heading. Leo lets us in on all the science and technology that goes into measuring jumps with the WOO sensor. With over 125 Million kite jumps logged, its incredible to learn just how much has been put into establishing a level playing field worldwide. The WOO Worlds now in it’s 5th year which see’s the wing and kite communities join together throughout the world in a 30 day intense event with many different disciplines. With over 100,000$ in prizes the event is supported by many of the key players in the kiteboarding industry. What does it take to mange such a huge event like this? How has the event developed? Did you ever imagine so much participation? All questions put to the guys in the know at WOO Sports.

Around 703 million people across the globe still live without access to clean and safe drinking water — a basic human necessity. Viva con Agua is on a mission to change that. Carolin Stuedemann CEO @ Viva Con Aqua explains how the charity engages communities through joyful activities such as Art, Music, Sport to raise awareness. Water is life. Clean drinking water improves and protects people’s health, gives children the possibility of attending school permanently, empowers women, strengthens the local economy and allows for a better future. However, many people worldwide do not have assured access to this precious commodity. With over 162,000 followers and worldwide projects in South Africa, India, and Europe Viva Con Agua is achieving global attention. The collaboration between Boards & More and Viva Con Agua began at the renowned ‘Kite Masters’ event in St. Peter-Ording, Germany — a partnership with a truly inspiring origin story. Carolin emphasizes the importance of partnering the charity with organizations that share the same values on sustainability and environmental initiatives. Carolin’s seven-year journey as CEO of the charity coincides with her seven years as a kiteboarder — a parallel that naturally leads us into a conversation about our shared passion for kiteboarding and its deep connection to water www.duotonesports.com, www.instagram.com/vivaconagua/, https://www.kitesurf-masters.de/, https://www.boardsandmore.com/en

Mikaili Sol and Andrea principi reflect on winning the 2025 Lords of Tram event in Le Barcarès, France. The event has been described as the windiest competition in kiteboarding history with gusts up to 70 knots. Athletes from around the world were tested to the limit to perform extreme moves over 30 meters up in the air. Winning the event Mikaili Sol has become 8X World Champion whilst Andrea now has 3X LOT titles under his name. We discuss together what it takes to become such dominant riders in the sport and what is required away from the water to be 100% prepared. Pressure? What pressure! Both athletes reveal how feeling pressure is a choice and something they do not feel. Rather focusing on being in the moment and concentrating on what moves they are capable of being their secret weapon to success. Living together has helped the duo develop as athletes. By kiting and training on and off the water in Tarifa, they have learned a lot from each other and from the wonderful town in the south of Spain so famous for windsports. We talk about their close relationship to the Duotone R&D team which has resulted in an incredible 10X World Championships between them and an extensive list of individual major event titles around the world.

Big air rider Ross-Dillon Player has joined the Duotone Team down in South Africa. At only 24 Ross Dillon Player has been around the big air scene for quite some time, riding for different brands, traveling the world, taking part in photoshoots and competing at a high level. Partaking in 4 Redbull King of the Airs, winning the 2019 RedBull Megaloop in the Netherlands and the 2021 Big Air Kite League event in Cape Town he boasts a healthy competitive portfolio. We speak about the challenges facing young riders from South Africa and why it’s such a top kitesurfing destination. Ross also offers his advice to first time visitors and up and coming kiteboarders. Filling a huge roll, Ross steps into a prestigious position representing South Africa on our Duotone Team.

A long term member of the boards and more family, Sky Solbach tells all about his journey on becoming one of the main kite designers for Duotone. Always curious about design Sky tells us about his early modifications adding straps to surfboards with his dad and now shares his excitement of working on the Duotone Kites. Working alongside Ken Winner in Hawaii, Sky has had the perfect mentor and the ideal location in order to develop his design skills. Patri McLaughlin our Duotone team rider plays a big role in testing with Sky who explains that a good relationship between tester and designer is essential for a great product, communicating ‘feeling’ is everything. Concept Blue the new program from Duotone which pushes sustainable design to the limit also makes for a great discussion!

Based in Hawaii, Ken Winner shares his story from being a champion athlete in the windsurfing hall of fame to transitioning to become an innovative designer for windsurfing, kitesurfing and wing foiling. We discover what drove him to become a designer from his interests as a small child all the way to his new found passion for Wing Foiling. Our conversation leads us to talk about the team that Ken works with and his roles with Duotone. We also learn which products that Ken is responsible for and how new materials and technologies have helped Duotone products develop even further.

Nuria explains how she changed her life from being a banker to a full time professional kitesurfer and traveler. As a mother of two, living in a converted IVECO van with her husband as well is no easy feat. Nuria explains that the needs of the family have to be balanced carefully with those of her job as a professional kitesurfer. The children have benefited greatly from this experience and it’s enlightening to hear how the trips to various countries have helped the family grow.

We catch up with Sander Reneman from Twofiftyk to talk about how kiting for him is his escape from the crazy and incredible schedule he has with all the current events.

Jerome communicates his passion for the Palau Project whilst maintaining a life as an international athlete on the duotone kiteboarding and wing foiling team.

Just recently the Rebel SLS Porsche edition has been launched, Flo Panther, Creative Director of Duotone will tell us more about it, from idea to final product. https://www.porsche.com https://www.duotonesports.com

Chris Bull, RedBull King of the Air head judge reveals all about what it his role entails being head judge at the worlds biggest kiteboarding event. RedBull king of the air takes place this year from 24th Nov - 9th December in Cape Town South Africa. The big air discipline has become huge in kiteboarding. Together we discuss how exciting this year’s event will be which is set to feature both new school double kiteloops and oldschool big extreme megaloops.

After growing up in Maui and traveling the world as a professional kitesurfer, Shawn Richman speaks about his new life in Kenya. Shawn reveals how special and diverse the kitesurfing is in Kenya and Lamu Island where he and partner Anna run a luxury eco retreat. Here they share their passion for yoga, wellness, kitesurfing, nutrition and the beauty of mindful living.