What is it that you love about kitesurfing?

RM: The whole feeling with kite surfing is about freedom, there are no limits on what I can do: kiting, surfing the waves, riding long distance, flying in the air. You’re not always stuck on the water since you do both flying and surfing. All the time I can do something different. You have both the waves and the wind to rely on. What I like most about my job being a pro kite surfer is it gives me the opportunity to travel and discover new beautiful places and new people. It’s my way of discovering the world while doing what I love the most.

How did you become interested in kitesurfing?

RM: I grew up with watersports, so naturally when kiting became popular (15 years ago), it was something I had to try. My family always loved the ocean, and I was raised with an ocean education. I came to vacation very often to St. Barths, so I had the opportunity to almost learn my entire kiting here in St. Barths. After years of learning, I became an athlete within kiting in 2003.

How does it compare with other watersports, like surfing and windsurfing?

RM: You have a unique combination of wave surfing, riding and the wind. Kiting definitely takes a lot from the other sports: body surf, tricks from wakeboard, wind knowledge from the sailing and windsurfing. Take a bit of all of these sports and put it into one sport – there you have kitesurfing. Also as a kite surfer it’s easier to travel with your equipment since they don’t take as much space as with a regular surfboard.

What sets your style apart from other surfers, and do you have a favorite trick?

RM: People in the kite surfing network/world usually make fun of me by calling me, “Mr. Style.” When I do ride, I like to do it with style and I’m more fluent in all of the parts and not specified in just one thing. I don’t necessarily do the hardest things; I’m more focused on doing it in a stylish way.

What are the ideal weather conditions for kiting?

RM: There are two types that I love: either storm condition with very strong winds and big waves so that you’ll fly higher than ever; Or 20 knot winds, sunny and flat water in a lagoon, for learning and improving tricks and style.

What makes St. Barth’s such an attractive kitesurfing destination, and what is the best spot on the island?

RM: Best spot is right in front of Le Sereno because it has a shallow water lagoon, nice steady winds and some of the best waves to surf. St. Barth’s is St. Barth’s, a beautiful island with great kite conditions.

Where are the best places you have ever been kitesurfing?

RM: I have three favorite spots:

North Brazil – because of the constant steady and strong winds combined with the white sandy beaches.

Western Australia – because of the beauty, really good waves, and the many options for kitesurfing.

Venezuela/Los Roques – flat water and beautiful scenery (it’s like skiing on new powder snow).

Also one amazing kite experience was when we went kiting in the red sea; There were so many wild dolphins so you actually kited along with them.