Banana Hammocks - The Kiteboarder Magazine

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Oli helped to start the Collegiate Kiteboarding
Association and is now the resident coach for Zenith
Ocean Voyages. Photo “The Dudemeister”
tips
• Never kite alone. If you do, make sure
someone is watching who can call for help.
• Talk to the locals when you get to a new spot.
• When teaching without boat support, have a
kite inflated for rescues. Make sure you know
how to rescue the kite, board, and rider.
• If the opportunity arises, go for it!
By Paul Lang
Oli Berlic
Age: 25 Height: 5’10” Weight: 158 lbs. Years Kiting: 6 Favorite Spots: Jericoacoara, Tobago Cays,
St. Vincent, Fort De Soto Favorite Conditions: Strong wind and big waves Favorite Moves: Kiteloop
Flat 3, Megaloops, Strapless Backroll Sponsors: Naish, Otherside Boardsports, Triton Kiteboarding, Capsule
Boardshop, Stultz Clothing
GEAR SETUP
Boards: Naish Momentum 134, Global Fish 5’8” Kites: Naish Parks and Torches Harness: Mystic Warrior
As Matt Sexton’s roommate at Eckerd College,
Oli Berlic helped found the Collegiate Kiteboarding
Association (CKA) after first trying to learn
with a 12m kite and no harness. After finishing
school, Oli moved to Brazil for a few years and is
now the resident coach living onboard Meercat,
the Zenith Ocean Voyages catamaran (www.
zenithoceanvoyages.com). Oli recently started
a blog, so you can follow his travels at www.
olibblog.blogspot.com
Where did you start kiteboarding A group of us
would go to the beach and mess around with a 12m
Vegas in St. Pete, Florida. At that time we didn’t have
a harness or any idea of where to launch the kite so
we got thrown around a bit. After we pooled together
some funds and got a trainer kite we worked out how
to generate power from the kite and I managed to cross
a small channel at North Beach. The next day I was
getting a kiteboarding lesson.
You were involved with the CKA from the beginning.
What events led up to the foundation of the CKA
Matt Sexton and I were roommates and we would chill
out watching kite videos at the end of the day like Spare
Change and Unhooked 2. We constantly asked ourselves,
“Why is this not a collegiate sport” The gears started
spinning and we contacted Neil Hutchinson who played
an integral role in the creation of the CKA. It went from
an idea in a dorm room to a presentation to our board of
directors to the finals in Key West that made it all real.
Do you think the CKA will continue to grow What
would help bring more young riders to the sport
I certainly think the CKA will continue to grow
exponentially. The thing that makes it tough to expand
the sport is the entrance expense. You’re going to need
at least a few lessons and you need gear. This is a very
expensive hobby for the average student, but college
clubs that have gear make it a little more possible. If
you’re thinking of starting a club at your school talk to
Matt Sexton or Billy Bosch, they’ll sort you out.
Have any other sports helped influence your
kiteboarding I grew up skateboarding, wakeboarding,
and snowboarding which has certainly helped me
develop a unique style. I often find myself trying skate
tricks on my surfboard.
What riders inspire you Billy Parker, Ben Wilson, and
Mitu Monteiro. He’s a genius with a surfboard.
What features do you look for in your gear I like
a twin tip with a good deal of flex and pop and kites
with fast steering and a lot of power. Surfboards
depend on conditions, but the Naish 5’8” Fish gives me
a great range.
What do you do off the water to help you on the
water I stay in shape by any means necessary,
whether working out, surfing, skating, or practicing
passes on a hanging bar. Watching videos also helps to
visualize tricks I’m working on.
What is life like on the boat Living on the water is
incredible. To be able to spot a break, drop anchor right
outside of it, and launch off the boat is out of this world.
The possibilities with Zenith Ocean Voyages are endless.
What is something about you that most people
wouldn’t know I’m a half-Brazilian street artist.
What is your worst wipe out A torn ACL on a bad
kite loop my senior year of college. If anyone you
know needs this surgery make sure they take physical
therapy seriously. You need at least four months off
after the operation. I got back in the water after three
and I can still feel it on hard landings.
What is your most memorable kiteboarding
experience The various downwinders from Cumbuco
to Jeri that I did during my two-year stay in Brazil with
the Palace and Gaff crew. More recently while we were
in the Tobago Cays a swell produced some nice head
high to overhead waves at a secret spot. It was a truly
epic day.
What are your must haves that you can’t live
without Well, I’m on a boat, so I only need board
shorts, sunscreen, and my kite and board.
If you could pick any place in the world to kite,
where would you go Mauritius. After seeing those
waves I know I will make it there someday.
Any words of wisdom you want to share with our
readers Go out and have a good time, try not to
sweat the small stuff, and ride for yourself. If you’re
pushing the limits you’ll get noticed by the right people.
Remember why we all love this sport so much; keep it
safe so we can all still enjoy it. Most importantly, travel!
B R A Z I L
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