20 QUESTIONS WITH LIAM WHALEY

Summary

In this engaging Q&A session, a professional kite surfer shares personal insights and experiences. Starting from his early beginnings at age 8, influenced by his father, he discusses his passion for both freestyle and Big Air kite surfing, highlighting Brazil as his favorite spot. He emphasizes the importance of not putting too much pressure on oneself and maintaining enjoyment in the sport. Achievements, nutritional advice, workout routines, and sponsorship recommendations are covered, alongside tips for beginners and reflections on dealing with injury. The video concludes with heartfelt advice on setting goals while cherishing every moment.

Takeaways

• 🏄‍♂️ The interviewee began kite surfing at age 8, inspired by their father who was a wind surfer.
• 🎉 They enjoy both freestyle and big air kite surfing, with a recent inclination towards big air.
• 🌏 The best kite surfing spot mentioned is northeastern Brazil, known for its diverse conditions and kite surfing community.
• 💡 A key personal lesson learned was to not put too much pressure on oneself and to enjoy the process.
• 🏆 The achievement they're most proud of is becoming a world champion at age 18 and turning their passion into a profession.
• 🥗 Nutritional advice given includes a balanced diet with a little bit of everything and avoiding processed foods and excessive sugar.
• 🏋️‍♂️ The recommended workout routine emphasizes functional training, flexibility, and balance.
• 🧘‍♂️ For athletes, consistency, determination, and keeping things fun are recommended mindset elements.
• 💼 Sponsorship advice involves showing value to the brand through performance, social media presence, and a professional image.
• 🪁 Favorite kite size for big air is 8m, with the evo SLS or the rebel SLS being preferred kites.
• 🛹 The current board size is 136cm with line lengths of 22 or 24 meters depending on the conditions.
• 🏅 The Neo or Neo SLS kites from Duotone are recommended for beginners due to their ease of use and controllability.

Q & A

What inspired the interviewee to start kite surfing?

The interviewee was inspired to start kite surfing by his father, who was a kite surfer and wind surfer. He was exposed to the sport from a very young age and was naturally inspired to try it himself.

How does the interviewee balance his preference between freestyle and big air kite surfing?

The interviewee enjoys both freestyle and big air kite surfing equally. He grew up doing freestyle, which was the most important discipline for him for most of his career. However, in recent years, he has been doing more big air and finds it exciting due to the increased hype and competitions around it.

What is the interviewee's favorite kite surfing spot and why?

The interviewee's favorite spot for kite surfing is the northeastern coast of Brazil. He appreciates the diversity of conditions, including light and strong winds, waves, flat water, and excellent temperatures. Additionally, the area is built around kite surfing, with many cool towns along the coast where everyone shares a common interest in the sport.

What is the most important lesson the interviewee has learned about himself through his kite surfing career?

The most important lesson the interviewee has learned is not to put too much pressure on himself. He emphasizes the importance of enjoying the sport and remembering why he started in the first place, which is for fun and passion.

What achievement is the interviewee most proud of?

The interviewee is most proud of becoming a world champion at the age of 18. This was a childhood dream of his, and he finds it incredibly rewarding to have turned his passion into his job.

What nutritional advice does the interviewee follow for his sport?

The interviewee advises maintaining a balanced diet without consuming too much of any one thing. He eats a variety of foods, avoids processed foods and excessive sugar, and emphasizes the importance of balance in his nutritional intake.

What elements of an athlete's mindset would the interviewee recommend to someone aiming to achieve their goals?

The interviewee recommends consistency, determination, and keeping things fun. He believes that doing something every day, being determined regardless of circumstances, and maintaining enjoyment in the process are key to achieving goals.

What advice does the interviewee have for securing sponsorships?

The interviewee suggests that athletes should consider how they can be valuable to a brand. This could be through excelling in competitions, managing social media effectively, or being a good brand representative. He also emphasizes the importance of professionalism and serious commitment to one's craft.

What kite size and conditions does the interviewee prefer for big air kite surfing?

The interviewee prefers an 8-meter kite for big air kite surfing, especially in conditions with 35 knots of wind or more and big waves. His favorite spot for these conditions is Binario, where the waves come against the wind, providing extra tension in the lines for powerful pops.

What board size and line length is the interviewee currently riding?

The interviewee is currently riding a 136 cm board with line lengths of either 22 or 24 meters, depending on the conditions and his desired kite performance.

Which Duotone kites would the interviewee recommend for a beginner?

The interviewee recommends the Duotone Neo or the Neo SLS for beginners, as these kites are user-friendly, easy to control, lightweight in the sky, and have simple relaunch capabilities.

Why did the interviewee choose the Rebel SLS over the Evo DB for the Mega Loop Challenge?

The interviewee chose the Rebel SLS for the Mega Loop Challenge due to its stability in strong and gusty winds, as well as its ability to loop the kite at a lower position. The five-strut design of the Rebel provides more stability compared to the three-strut Evo.