My relationship with Levitaz began nearly a decade ago, during an exciting time in the racing scene when foils were starting to replace traditional race boards. I was eager to partner with a brand that shared my vision for long-term collaboration and product innovation, and so was Levitaz. The headquarters being just a couple of hours away from my home town was a significant advantage, especially for hands-on prototyping and development. Sharing the same language also made it easier to discuss details and technical aspects. The fact that we were all friends created a foundation of trust, which is invaluable when building a brand together.
These days, my role at Levitaz combines my passion for the sport with a new focus on the business side. My day typically starts early, with a couple of hours spent tackling daily tasks like emails and operational updates. After that, my responsibilities are incredibly varied. From developing sales and marketing strategies to collaborating on product development and managing team riders, no two days are the same. At the moment, my primary focus is on our new freeride lineup. I work closely with Michael, our Product Manager, Andreas, our Engineer, and Emily our marketing manager, to analyze market trends and identify what’s needed to strengthen our presence in the freeride segment, which had taken a backseat as we focused heavily on racing in recent years. Keep an eye out for our upcoming freeride model, launching end of this summer, which brings together our expertise in high-performance foiling with an accessible and fun riding experience.
Kite-wise I am still very much connected with Flysurfer, although on a smaller scale than before. We continue to support each other, especially in areas like expedition snowkite races and product development, where our innovations complement one another.
Looking back, one of the best decisions I made during my athletic career was prioritizing education alongside my training. For young athletes, I cannot stress enough how important it is to invest in your future while pursuing your sport. Not only does this provide a safety net for life after competition, but it also keeps your mind fresh and your love for the sport alive. Injuries can happen at any time, and there’s no guarantee you’ll return at the same level. Unlike in mainstream sports like soccer, there’s often not enough financial security in niche sports to rely on savings alone. Education gives you the freedom to fully enjoy your career without fear of what comes next – something I’ve found invaluable in my own journey
