Benjamin Rzo, Duotone Kiteboarding Ambassador

Hi Benjamin, tell us a bit about yourself:

Ben from Nantes, Benjamin Rzo on Facebook and Instagram, a rider dad and a professional project manager.

What does kitesurf mean to you?
It's a thrill-seeking sport above all, but also outdoor trips, friends, a challenge, a break, new encounters, a bit of sewing (repairs), reading, and a few hours of videos. it's a bit of all that at once!

Your beginnings: when did you really start having fun with kite?

I started in 2006, a bit by chance, during a solo road trip in Cabarete. Back on our local spots, I struggled quite a bit: few tips, only one 9 m² kite not suited to my size, and very few sessions per year. until I met a 12 m² (F-One Mach 5!).

That day, during my first session with that kite, I rode from Les Rochelets to L'Ermitage. A magical moment. even if the return was much more complicated!

Your favorite kitesurf discipline?

There are so many! Kite is a multifaceted sport. I mainly ride twin-tip, with the desire to progress on hooked tricks. I also go surfing as soon as conditions allow, or when the twin-tip has punished me too much.

Your tricks: favorite, the one you're working on, the one you dread?

Favorite: The Hand Drag Backloop, sensational, accessible, but unforgiving if the timing is off.
In progress: Board-off and variations. it takes time and repetition.
Dreaded: The kiteloop! Even if some say "just pull the bar back". to be continued!

Your encounter with GlissEvolution and your role as ambassador?

After some bad experiences with online sales, I looked for a local approach. GlissEvolution was the only North shop in the region that took second-hand gear.

Adrien handled it efficiently: very good customer relationship, which then evolved into an ambassador role. I met Greg and part of the team on different downwinds: great atmosphere, good advice, despite the whims of the weather.

My ambassador style: at my level, smiles, availability, advice, sharing shop info.

A word about Duotone?

Duotone (formerly North Kiteboarding until 2017) is the benchmark brand in kite: Neo, Evo, Dice, Rebel, Vegas. they have made their mark in all disciplines.

I currently ride with Evo SLS 9 m and 12 m: versatile, powerful yet smooth, fast like a Dice, stable like a classic Evo.
My board: Jaime SLS 136, incredible pop, sharp, and ultra lively when actively ridden.

Where can we find you?

Mainly Saint-Brevin and Pont-Mahé depending on friends, tides, and wind. Also: Fromentine, La Digue, La Baule, Le Veillon, Penvins. And of course, Dakhla in Morocco.