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By Brian Caserio Lens Glenn Dubock
Peter Trow turned in his windsurf sail for
a kite in early 1998 and quickly became
the first professional kiteboarder from
California. He applied his hard-charging
and fearless wave riding style directly
to kiteboarding from day one and never
wavered from it. Peter looks upon the
“new” surf-style trend in kiting with
amusement. His kites of choice back in ‘98
were Flexifoil Blades and he continues his
loyalty to that brand by currently being the
West Coast importer and team manager for
Flexifoil USA.
When and where did you start kiteboarding?
I bought my first kite in Maui in 1998 and
spent a summer struggling with it on the
beaches of Santa Barbara. My friends
thought I was crazy.
Known as a wave riding pioneer, why have
you always focused on the waves and do
you ever ride freestyle?
I started kiting so I could catch more
waves. When it’s flat I still enjoy hopping
around but I’ve never focused on the
freestyle aspect of the sport.
Age: 37 Height: 5’7” Weight: 150 lbs Stance: Regular Years kiting: 9 years
Favorite Spots: Jalama Beach, CA; Baja Pacific Coast
Favorite Conditions: 20 knots, side-shore, head high to double overhead or bigger, starboard
tack. But I’ll take whatever I can get.
Favorite Moves: Hitting the lip, front and back wave 360’
Sponsors: Flexifoil, Stretch Boards, Dakine
GEAR
Boards: Stretch directionals, Trow and Mulcoy models; Foilboard Bindings/Straps: Dakine
adjustable vario footstraps Kites: Flexifoil Ion 2 hybrids.
Bars (size and line length): Flexifoil Ion 2 bar, 48cm for all kites bars, 45 and 50cm.
Lines: 25m Harness: Dakine Pyro
What is your opinion on the whole
unhooked/hooked-in and strapped vs.
strapless waveriding controversy?
In my opinion, there really isn’t any
controversy. The facts are: there’s no doubt
it’s more difficult to rip on a wave strapless,
and riding hooked in or unhooked is just a
personal preference. The reality is if you rip,
you rip. Just enjoy…
What is your perspective on bow kites, and
what do you personally like to ride?
I feel bow or SLE kites are the best thing to
happen to kiteboarding since its beginning
and they have re-energized my enthusiasm
for kiteboarding. They have made it easier
for more people to get involved in the sport
and have made it fun to kite in conditions
that were once out of bounds. I’m riding the
Ion 2s, which are hybrid SLEs. Having the
ability to control the power in the kite has
allowed me to ride with more control in all
conditions.
You have made several DVD’s documenting
your adventures. Do you plan on producing
another DVD?
Learn how to jibe a directional.
Practice following your kite through
turns. This will improve your rhythm
when riding waves.
Become skilled at jumping over
whitewater on the way out. It saves
time when working your way to the
outside.
Share cold beer with others after
a session.
I’ve been shooting a bit over the last year
and have some footage coming out in Elliot’s
new wave film. I’m planning on starting a
new project this year so if it all works out, I
hope to have a new film out for Spring 08.
What is something about you that you do
outside of kiteboarding that most people
wouldn’t know?
I’ve always had real passion for being in or
around the ocean so when I’m not kiting,
I’m usually tow surfing, foil boarding or just
plain surfing. I’m also very keen to share my
enthusiasm for the ocean with others and
have done so through surf, windsurf and
kiteboarding films.
What friends do you ride and train with?
I have the most fun riding with my girlfriend
Ammy Naff, my greatest supporter. It’s
more enjoyable for me to watch her rip a
wave than doing it myself. Also, I enjoy
being on the water with Josh Mulcoy. Josh
and I have different styles but we inspire
each other to take it to the next level. My
own kiting has definitely improved since I
started riding with him.
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