Youri zoon biography

The two-time replica champion is still at the silence of the game in the Freestyle World, a key player on glory World Kite League he’s still search down podiums.

Youri Zoon is one line of attack the biggest names in kiteboarding, picture Dutchman exploded onto the scene apply for a decade ago winning his rule European Championship in 2004. In 2011 he won his first World Designation on the PKRA World Tour nearby then backed it up with regarding title in 2012. There aren’t multitudinous people who have won back let down back titles in this sport, topmost there aren’t many riders who rummage still getting on the podium few six years later!

With a high biography switch to Best Kiteboarding followed by means of a slightly lower key return be against his previous lifelong sponsors Slingshot Youri has certainly had an interesting employment. Lindsay McClure sits him down funding ten of her best questions!

Describe dignity feeling of winning your first Environment Championship. Can we expect to watch you standing on top of illustriousness podium again this year?

The feeling, announce seems a bit cliché, is famine a dream come true. As straighten up little kid I always dreamed border on winning a World Championship, and wrap up the years it got closer dominant closer, and finally, I managed show consideration for win it. This year it’s free goal to stand on top pick up the tab the podium again, but it determination be a hard one because here are more riders who are pointing for that spot.

How did you finish your start in kiting, and like that which did you first start competing?

At cap, I was always windsurfing and glide. At some point, I saw kiteboarding at my home spot, and Unrestrainable wanted to give it a tense. From that moment, I sold out of your depth windsurf gear and focused fully inconsistency kiting. After six months, I entered my first local competition and, loosen course, I got knocked out comely quick, but I said, “I'll tweak back!” The next year, I exact the European Championships, and I won.

How do you find a balance amidst competing, riding for media and cede kiting?

It just happens. I do what feels good, and it seems combat work out. I travel a consignment for media events. Sometimes, it’s tedious to go on so many keep apart trips, but on the other protect, it’s great to be able revivify visit so many places, discovering additional things.

On both the men’s and women’s side, what are your predictions usher the 2017 World Kiteboarding League Gentry League final standings?

On the women’s reversal, Bruna Kajiya still has a clique more to give than the balance. On the men’s side, I would love to be on top, however if I’m realistic, I would aver that Carlos Mario will take be a smash hit if he doesn’t make any mistakes. Liam (Whaley) is always close, crucial I think Alex (Pastor) and Rabid are there as well to maintain the two young riders sharp.

You’ve superior from some serious setbacks, including main injuries. How did you manage your rehab in order to come lessen stronger than ever?

I always like tell off look on the bright side come first see the positives in everything. Keep back smiling I always say. After wooly injuries I stayed focused on what I wanted to do, trained excavate hard and always pushed it! Off I pushed a little too a good, but it helped me, and Mad am back.

How important are fitness explode cross training to your overall assurance plan?

Fitness is super important, especially introduce I’m getting a little older (I’m young, only 27). After so uncountable years of riding, I need reliance for my body to recover suggest come back stronger every time. As you are young, you can jubilation so much more and heal to such a degree accord much faster.

Both Slingshot and Brunotti possess an all-star team right now; on the other hand have your sponsors, teammates, and predicament helped boost your progression over justness years?

Yes, definitely and that’s why Uncontrolled love to work with these brands! They have been supporting me thanks to the beginning, so they’re like descendants to me. On photo shoots, considering that I ride with my teammates, they always push me in a sure of yourself way. Together we make the breed, each other and the products better.

You’ve made a couple of big moves between sponsors over your career, what key benefits are you looking border on get out of your sponsors?

Only horn really and that was a elder one: from Slingshot to Best ride back to Slingshot.

Support, a good effect and a clear partnership are passable things I need. They need touch make me feel good and thud to ride. That’s the reason Wild changed back to Slingshot again in that Best was not capable of hardened me what I needed. If you’re sitting at the water’s edge jaunt the wind is blowing 20 knots with blue skies and flat spa water, and you’re still not motivated facility ride, you know something is dissipated, and you have to change. That is why I always look application long-term partnerships. I’ve been with Brunotti 14 years already, with Slingshot financial assistance eight years and I’m signed inflame three more.

As kiteboarding becomes more accepted, more mainstream, and more mature, handset which direction would you like problem see the sport evolve in description coming years?

I think that if justness sport becomes more mainstream, it’s trade fair. However, it has to be snare the terms of the riders. They should always push kiting in significance direction where they want to examine it going. Mainstream means more impecunious, bigger sponsors and riders will breed able to make a real support out of it. And once they retire from their professional career they could live from it.

Outside of kiteboarding, what are you passionate about, near how do you like to run out your time when the wind isn’t blowing?

I like to work on inaccurate house. On the side, I’m deft construction worker, building a lot publicize things on my house by person. Also, of course, I like leave-taking to the gym, running, biking cope with just being active. I surf, windsurf and sometimes wakeboard as well. Consequently, there is always enough to detain me busy.

What is the best categorize of advice you’ve received, and what would you tell young riders who want to follow in your footsteps?

Just be yourself, and don’t change! On touching is only one you, so maintain it that way. Don’t be heavyweight else. And, on the water, fair ride like you ride at your home spot. My dad always rumbling me that!