What is your Name?
Nick Elliott (Geordie)

 

Where are you from?

Originally from Newcastle, hence the obvious nickname but lived in Whitehaven in Cumbria since I was 15.

 

Your age (Physical age not mental age, but feel free to include both)?

37, mentally just creeping into double figures, or so I’m told anyway!

 

Life occupation besides kite?

Chemical/Process Engineer.

 

How long have you been kitesurfing?

4 yrs

 

How did you get into kitesurfing?

I used to go jetsking and wakeboarding and when I was wave jumping when it was windy it was riding next to people kitesurfing. They were going way higher than we were wavejumping on the ski so I thought I would have a go, particularly as in Cumbria the sea was rarely flat enough for wakeboarding as its always windy.

 

What where your learning experiences like?

Difficult. I only had 1 lesson in Cyprus after I’d been riding for about 18 months. I learned more in that lesson than I had after being self taught, as the more experienced riders just didn’t give you the time as they just want to hit the water. I got plenty of hidings on C kites with no depower and poor safety systems. New equipment is way safer!

 

Why kitesurfing?

Because it’s just the best thing you will ever do.

 

Favorite kitesurfing spots for you (both home and abroad)?

Too many to list but I’ll have a go. In England, Loads of Spots on the Cumbrian cost (Workington, St Bees, Drigg, Haverigg, Anthorn, Skimberness, Barrow. We have everything flat water, reasonable waves when it’s going off, and locations for every direction. No restrictions that seem to be causing problems elsewhere and a good tight nit crew of experienced riders. I’ve been to other locations in England but none as good as home. My favourite place in the UK is Tiree, it’s just the best ever, I can’t begin to say how much I love that place.

 

Abroad – Egypt, Cabarete and Tarifa are my favourites so far. Cabo Verde is pretty good.

 

However, any location is good if the wind is up and you’re riding with your mates.

 

Places you have been kiting at..?

In the UK mostly North West England and Several trips to Tiree.

Overseas - Egypt (El Gouna, Hurghada), Cabarete, Cyprus, Portugal, Tarifa, Cabo Verde, think that’s it.

 

Where would you most like to go kiting?

In the UK South West Ireland, Cornwall, Outer Hebrides in Scotland

Abroad – Brazil, Venezuela, Anguilla, St Martin, in fact anywhere in the Caribbean, in particular the French and Dutch Antille’s, The Gorge – Oregon, Florida, Mexico, Morocco, Thailand, Vietnam, Hawaii. Anywhere in the South/West Pacific, Bora Bora, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Australia. I could go on! Bottom line, not enough money or time to do everywhere, but I will try and get round as many of these places as I can in my lifetime.

 

What is your most memorable kitesurfing moment?
The last good session with my mates.

 

Who do you admire in the kitesurfing world?

Lots of people – Out of the old school it would have to be Lou Wainman and Mark Shinn. One of my favourite videos is “Awake” with Lou Wainman doing stuff that Hadlow has doing recently (Check out 4:08 on the Wainmen vid and the flat 7 on Hadlows site). Out of the new kids (well they’ve been around for years!) Hadlow and Lenten for ripping it up when everyone else is shitting themselves getting sandblasted on the beach. Langeree is such a classy rider too, especially in the waves. Watching the pro’s riding strapless on a surfboard is poetry in motion. There are lots of local riders at spots doing stuff in the waves that is just jawdropping too.

 

What does this sport mean to you?

Makes you feel alive. When your on the water nothing else matters.

 

Favourite tricks?

Leave the tricks to the kids man. All that spinning shit makes me dizzy, I can’t tell the difference between a KGB and Slim Chance, whatever that means. I like going out and riding when it’s super knarly and most others are sat in their vans. Going big is where it’s at, it looks spectacular much more impressive than doing powered tricks with the kite as low as possible. I’m currently learning to ride a surfboard (strapped and strapless), waveriding is class.

 

How do your family feel about you kitesurfing all the time?

I’m pretty lucky, they understand my addiction and allow me to feed it.

 

When your not kitesurfing what other things do you do?

Snowboarding and Snowkiting are probably the next best thing. We had a superb season snowkiting in the lakes last year and we’re hoping this year is going to be equally as good. I also love wakeboarding when its not windy. Mountain biking is ok too. I also spend some time working and helping to save the planet and humanity in my own little way.

 

Have you ever been in an accident (kite related preferably)?

Yes.

 

What music are you listening too at the moment?

All sorts. From guitar based rock to proper hard psychedelic tribal trance.

 

What is your favourite food?

To0 many to list. I like just about everything going.

 

Favourite saying?

“Go big or go home”

“Phew, that was super knarly out there.”

“It’s not ‘that windy’, I should be able to hang onto it.”

“Ride hard or die”

“It looks knarly from here but its fine once you drop in”

 

Anything else you would like to add?

Be generous and give as much as you can please!