Maxime Tosatto, Core Kiteboarding Ambassador
About me:
My name is Maxime, but everyone calls me Max. I'm 44, I live in La Turballe, and I'm a salt marsh worker in Guérande. I was born into a family of windsurfers, so naturally, my dad put me on a windsurf board at the age of 6.
In 1998, in the Bay of Bourgneuf, I saw a kite for the first time. Curious, I asked to try it... and I've never let it go since. Since 2002, I've permanently swapped my windsurf board for kitesurf.
I've seen kiting evolve from 2-line kites, the first 4-line kites, and the bridles on the Best Waroo, all the way to modern materials like Aluula and carbon. And I've also been through all the stages of Glissevolution: the shop in La Baule, the one at the port in Pornichet, right up to the current one.
In 2020, I discovered the foil. At first, it was a real rodeo, but once I tamed it... what a feeling. An incredible, silent, addictive glide. So much so that I've left all my other gear behind.
After testing a ton of gear (foil kites, LEI kites, race, foil), I found what really gets me going: big air. Boosting 20 metres high, no matter the conditions... that's what I love the most.
As for gear, I'm currently riding with:
- F-One Escape 430 or 530 foil
- Flysurfer Sonic 4 foil kite for lightwind
- A quiver of Core XR PROs as soon as the wind picks up
For me, the XR PRO is the LEI kite that comes closest to a foil kite: huge stability, insane performance, monstrous hangtime, and ultra-precise handling. And the Sensor bar, with its automatic untwisting feature, is just perfect.
I mostly ride between La Baule, La Turballe, Sorlock, and Pont Mahé, depending on the tides. In the winter, I head for warmer places: Brazil, Martinique, Madagascar, Morocco...
I'm a licensed FFV member at the Newkite club. I'm easy to find on the water and always up for a chat, giving advice, or letting you test some gear. If you want to talk about kiting, foiling, or travel, don't hesitate to say hi!
See you on the water!
