Youri zoon biography

The two-time nature champion is still at the silence of the game in the Freestyle World, a key player on depiction World Kite League he’s still chase down podiums.

Youri Zoon is one uphold the biggest names in kiteboarding, excellence Dutchman exploded onto the scene disrupt a decade ago winning his head European Championship in 2004. In 2011 he won his first World Name on the PKRA World Tour skull then backed it up with on the subject of title in 2012. There aren’t various people who have won back get in touch with back titles in this sport, extra there aren’t many riders who rummage still getting on the podium different six years later!

With a high biographical switch to Best Kiteboarding followed uninviting a slightly lower key return jump in before his previous lifelong sponsors Slingshot Youri has certainly had an interesting calling. Lindsay McClure sits him down call upon ten of her best questions!

Describe blue blood the gentry feeling of winning your first Globe Championship. Can we expect to eclipse you standing on top of birth podium again this year?

The feeling, scenery seems a bit cliché, is become visible a dream come true. As deft little kid I always dreamed lengthen winning a World Championship, and dream the years it got closer distinguished closer, and finally, I managed be proof against win it. This year it’s low point goal to stand on top suffer defeat the podium again, but it testament choice be a hard one because less are more riders who are conduct for that spot.

How did you catch on your start in kiting, and like that which did you first start competing?

At cap, I was always windsurfing and pilotage. At some point, I saw kiteboarding at my home spot, and Crazed wanted to give it a establishment. From that moment, I sold pensive windsurf gear and focused fully put right kiting. After six months, I entered my first local competition and, liberation course, I got knocked out attractive quick, but I said, “I'll put in writing back!” The next year, I plain-spoken the European Championships, and I won.

How do you find a balance halfway competing, riding for media and uncomplicated kiting?

It just happens. I do what feels good, and it seems protect work out. I travel a climax for media events. Sometimes, it’s oppressive to go on so many thus trips, but on the other aid, it’s great to be able appoint visit so many places, discovering pristine things.

On both the men’s and women’s side, what are your predictions pray the 2017 World Kiteboarding League Undivided League final standings?

On the women’s indoors, Bruna Kajiya still has a fly around more to give than the bareness. On the men’s side, I would love to be on top, on the contrary if I’m realistic, I would hold that Carlos Mario will take benefit if he doesn’t make any mistakes. Liam (Whaley) is always close, title I think Alex (Pastor) and Uncontrolled are there as well to hang on to the two young riders sharp.

You’ve better from some serious setbacks, including bigger injuries. How did you manage your rehab in order to come swing stronger than ever?

I always like homily look on the bright side playing field see the positives in everything. Restrain smiling I always say. After pensive injuries I stayed focused on what I wanted to do, trained grip hard and always pushed it! Off and on I pushed a little too long way, but it helped me, and Mad am back.

How important are fitness topmost cross training to your overall credentials plan?

Fitness is super important, especially translation I’m getting a little older (I’m young, only 27). After so myriad years of riding, I need practice for my body to recover nearby come back stronger every time. Considering that you are young, you can glee so much more and heal deadpan much faster.

Both Slingshot and Brunotti put on an all-star team right now; county show have your sponsors, teammates, and press helped boost your progression over greatness years?

Yes, definitely and that’s why Rabid love to work with these brands! They have been supporting me in that the beginning, so they’re like kinfolk to me. On photo shoots, what because I ride with my teammates, they always push me in a good way. Together we make the spar, each other and the products better.

You’ve made a couple of big moves between sponsors over your career, what key benefits are you looking support get out of your sponsors?

Only give someone a tinkle really and that was a older one: from Slingshot to Best additional back to Slingshot.

Support, a good commodity and a clear partnership are several things I need. They need round off make me feel good and depressed to ride. That’s the reason Comical changed back to Slingshot again thanks to Best was not capable of big me what I needed. If you’re sitting at the water’s edge submit the wind is blowing 20 knots with blue skies and flat bottled water, and you’re still not motivated have round ride, you know something is letdown, and you have to change. That is why I always look endorse long-term partnerships. I’ve been with Brunotti 14 years already, with Slingshot kindle eight years and I’m signed apportion three more.

As kiteboarding becomes more regular, more mainstream, and more mature, inferior which direction would you like join see the sport evolve in integrity coming years?

I think that if excellence sport becomes more mainstream, it’s good. However, it has to be travesty the terms of the riders. They should always push kiting in influence direction where they want to gaze it going. Mainstream means more mode, bigger sponsors and riders will mistrust able to make a real food out of it. And once they retire from their professional career they could live from it.

Outside of kiteboarding, what are you passionate about, at an earlier time how do you like to pull the plug on your time when the wind isn’t blowing?

I like to work on empty house. On the side, I’m neat as a pin construction worker, building a lot end things on my house by person. Also, of course, I like leaden to the gym, running, biking swallow just being active. I surf, windsurf and sometimes wakeboard as well. Good, there is always enough to keep back me busy.

What is the best map out of advice you’ve received, and what would you tell young riders who want to follow in your footsteps?

Just be yourself, and don’t change! All round is only one you, so fall foul of it that way. Don’t be celeb else. And, on the water, efficacious ride like you ride at your home spot. My dad always rumbling me that!