Athlete of the Week: Kevin Turner

What first got you into the sport?
I was 15 and out on the beach with my dad skimboarding. We saw a bunch of people doing it and had no idea what it was, so we walked up and talked to the instructors. My first time was out at south Lido, and my instructor took me out on her Jet Ski. I was flying the kite at the same time on the back of the Jet Ski. I got up and went, and I’ve never stopped since.

Are there tricks involved?
Most of the tricks are wakeboarding tricks. I like it, because when you’re surfing on a regular surfboard, you have to wait for waves. When kiting, it’s nonstop wave-riding.

It seems you guys are always jumping up into the air. How high have you jumped?
I’m not one of the guys to go too high. I’m pretty light, but I jump maybe 15 feet. I’ve jumped 20 feet, but that’s a little scary.

What keeps you kiting?
I’m always doing something new, and it’s a new sport. Kites are expensive, but the wind’s free. It’s great being out there and being pulled by Mother Nature.