Kitesoul Magazine #21 International Edition

panies when I met F-ONE but I immediately liked the
atmosphere within the company, the brand and I
was motivated by the prospects of working with the
likes Raphael and Robert (Graham). As a teenager I
was really into windsurfing so I was ready for a new
dive into the world of water sports. It is indeed quite
a change from the sailing-boating industry. I guess
the main difference is that we’re building smaller
items but we’re producing them in larger numbers.
Each world has its own conservatisms but I like the
dynamics we have here at F-ONE. I think one key for
me is that I can work on kite boards, SUP and foils
all in the same day. We are producing thousands of
parts but we are still able to react and adapt quickly.
There’s never a boring day.
FIVE YEARS AGO, YOU JOINED F-ONE. WHAT KIND OF
COMPANY DID YOU FIND AT THAT TIME?
When I joined in, F-ONE had just moved into some
new facilities and the company I found at the time
was starting a new cycle. So, although the company
was already very well established, there was still a lot
of potential development internally. The offices that
seemed so large and empty at the time are now feeling
a lot more crowded but the spirit hasn’t changed!
YOUR ROLE AS A DESIGNER IN THE COMPANY IS
PRETTY MUCH INVOLVED IN THE FOILING EVOLUTION
OR BETTER REVOLUTION, FROM RACING TO FREERID-
ING, IN THE KITE WORLD. HOW DOES IT FEEL TO BE
PART OF THIS?
I think Raphael knew he was at some point going
to design and produce foils when I was hired and it
is for sure one of the most motivating projects for
somebody in my position. The foil is bridging many
different sports/disciplines and that’s what is so
interesting about it. It can be tough because we’re
pushing boundaries, in terms of design but also in
terms of production. Nothing ever comes easy. But
I’m very happy and grateful to be somehow working
at the forefront of the foiling phenomenon.