In 2001 when I was a little ten-year-old I rode my first meters on a kitebaord. This moment changed my life. In my early childhood I have been surfing and windsurfing but kitebaording meant a totally new dimension. The sport was so much easier - soon I was doing my first jumps and found my idols. Martin Vari, Andre Philipp and Jaime Herraiz meant the world to me and I met all of them at my first competition in 2002.
Ever since I try to push my own limits and contribute my style to the sport. In 2005 had I won my first German Championship and over the years I managed to win eight of these national titles. Competing internally was the most fun – travelling to undreamed locations with the best riders of the planet. Some of my greatest results were the PKRA Best Trick Tarifa (1st), PKRA Slalom China (2nd), KPWT Freestyle Germany (1st) and PKRA Freestyle Venezuela (3rd).
The European Tour was by far the biggest challenge during my career. In 2010 and 2011 I ended up runner-up and the title became the biggest goal during that moment of my life. Winning the European Championship the three following years is one of the things I am most proud of.
Nevertheless kiteboarding is not only about competing and always meant a great deal more to me. Most of my friends I have met at the beach and even after more than two decades I truly enjoy every ride with my family. Travelling the most beautiful and also the most polluted seas around the world illustrated how much our natural playgrounds depend on us. This is why today I want to contribute to a more sustainable way of kiteboarding by launching my own brand KOLD shapes and our organic sunscreen yu&i.
At this point I am very thankful for this journey and everyone coming along! I am very excited for the future and I am sure it will always evolve around kiteboarding, foiling and great people!
Mario Rodwald
info [at] mariorodwald [dot] com