Chatting with Simmo the Orangeman
Simmo, as a super stoked kitefoiler, what inspired you to take up kite foiling initially?
I’ve been a surfer since when I was 14, but as a sailor I’ve always been attracted to kitesurfing as well, so in 2018 I decided to go for a kitesurfing lesson and I got completely hooked up!
So I started kitesurfing but the only one problem was that where I live the wind is mostly super light or not even blowing...when I saw some YouTube videos of people riding in almost not wind (5/6 knots) at more than 20 knots with their hydrofoil then I thought: I must learn that discipline! And here I am a few years later!
How has your Atlas influenced your kite foiling experience?
I just love it because I love to check datas both during and after my sessions...especially racing wise I’m always training alone, and with the Vakaros I can try to set different ways on riding by checking the results on the instrument...let’s say it’s my personal sparring partner.
What features of the Atlas do you find most beneficial for your foiling sessions?
In my opinion in kitefoiling everything happens very fast so you don’t have much time to check too many datas during the session, but definitely I often check my speed and course over the ground and from those datas I know if I’m going good or not. Then after the session I like to check more data details on the vk app.
Can you describe your ideal kite foiling session and what conditions make it perfect for you?
Well I love long distance marathon cruises...my last one was pretty sick, I went upwind all the way from Genova to La spezia and return for a total of 222km in 5hours 50 minutes. In general I guess I love flat sea and constant light breeze conditions.
What do you enjoy most about kite foiling compared to other water sports?
I think what really attracts me and every time gets me super stoked is the ability to ride at more than 25 knots in extremely lightwind conditions, when all other classes/boats are barely moving on the water.
Why did you choose the color orange for your gear, and does it have any special significance for you?
I always had an addiction to Neon Orange...even my toys when I was a kid were neon orange! So when I got into kitefoil I started ordering my neon orange board...then I painted my helmet...then I found some neon orange wetsuits then I became the “orangeman” ...now people call me more by that nickname than my real name. Now even my vakaros cover, box and board mount by Madmounts are neon orange!iI just love them!
Do you have any tips or advice for beginners looking to get into kite foiling?
Guys...at the beginning ot might feel too hard to learn, but trust me if you keep trying you will succeed for sure...100% guaranteed...I struggled a lot learning the maneuvers/transitions but when you get there it’s just something unbelievable.
