Jeremy Burlando is a young, Italian rider who is on a tear through the kiting world. Get used to this name. He has his sights set on the biggest prizes in kiteboarding, and he’s only 12 years old!

Jeremy Burlando is a young Italian rider who is on a tear through the kiting world. Get used to this name. He has his sights set on the biggest prizes in kiteboarding, and he’s only 12 years old! We caught up with Jeremy to find out what life is like for one of kiting’s fastest rising stars.

How did you become interesting in kiting, at what age did you learn to kite, and do you have advice for young riders who are looking to get into the sport early?

I have always lived near the sea, and my father has always been really into kiting. He rides almost every day. When I was 6 years old, my dad was carrying me on his shoulders or on the board. I liked it so much. Then, at 7 years old, I started to use the trainer kite. I had fun making it loop and doing handle passes on the beach. When I was 8 years old, I started wakeboarding which really helped me develop balance and stability on the board. At 9, I started kiting and everything was easier than I thought.

Ours is a sport that drags participants beyond the limit and makes us feel free, driven by the wind and the sea. It gives me the passion. I hope that many guys and girls can have my luck and have the opportunity to learn this sport. My advice is to respect the sport and follow the rules. Use the right equipment, recommended by experts. Be determined and keep charging day after day, always keeping fun first!

Congratulations on your victory at the WKL Junior Freestyle World Championship in 2017! What does this victory mean to you?

It was a great, emotional moment. I had the honor to meet riders who are more experienced than I am. Everyone was very nice and enthusiastic. They welcomed me in an exemplary way, and I felt like I was already part of the family. The conditions were right for me that day. Thank you all!

What gear do you ride, and have you had to modify any of your equipment to fit your smaller stature?

The material that I use is the same as the other riders. I’ve made a small change with my fifth line so that I can relaunch my kite easily when it falls into the water. For a year, I’ve ridden with Core. For freestyle, I use the Core Impact 2  kite. It’s extraordinarily fast for tricks with hard bar pressure that gives me good stability for freestyle. I also like the Impact 2 for big air because of its great hangtime and looping performance.

I’ve had the opportunity to meet the owner, manager and many other people who work at Core, riders included. They’ve all welcomed me, listening to my ideas on how to improve the brand. This is very important for me, and I think Core is the very best in the market.

With the little experience I have, I still find the need for more control from my equipment. Core is improving the technology and, above all, the safety compared to the first kites that were very heavy and slow.

Good luck at the St Pierre la Mer Junior Championship in France that’s coming up! How did you train and prepare for that event?

Thank you! I always train in El Medano, Tenerife. It’s a very difficult spot for freestyle with very high wind and powerful waves. It isn’t the most suitable place, but if I can learn my tricks here I can land my tricks anywhere without problems.

For me, I do not focus on off-water workouts as much as I just try to ride as much as possible. Sometimes, when there is no wind, I still go to the beach. I try to fly my biggest kite, just hoping the wind will pick up. I don’t set specific goals with deadlines, I just try to improve a little each session by concentrating and trying my hardest.

The happiness that I find in all weather conditions helps me to feel satisfied after every session. Life is better when you’re kiteboarding is my motto.

What are your short and long term kiting goals?

My long term goals are to participate in many events and become World Champion. I will participate in the following events during the 2018 season: Spanish Kiteboarding League, Italian Championship, Mercedes-Cup, the Global Kitesports Association events, and more. In short, I’m on a tour de force!

Now, I'm only 12 years old. For sure, I would like to continue travel and discover many new spots for kitesurfing. I see so many people like my father kiting every day. I'm glad to watch them and see what’s possible when I get older.

How to balance kiteboarding, school and time with friends and family?

It’s easy! This is how I spend my time:

School 55%

Kiting 43%

Family 1%

Friends 1%

How does your family help support your goals?

I live with my father. He is my personal coach and sponsor. He dedicates all the time necessary to help me reach my goals. Big thanks to my father who is still making a thousand efforts to help me, without denying me anything. We are looking for a second sponsor that will help lighten the costs, there are many from hotels, flights, and so on. I am sure that with my determination and desire to do this sport it will all work out. My ultimate goal is to be sponsored by Red Bull. Hopefully soon!

In which languages do you speak and how to be fluent in so many languages helps you become an aspiring kiter?

Fortunately, I can speak and write in five languages: Italian, English, German, Spanish and Arabic so I can communicate with pretty much everyone!

Do you focus primarily on freestyle, or do you also practice other disciplines?

My primary discipline is freestyle, but I also like big air, strapless, TT:R and hydrofoil. I’m improving in these areas as well, so why not? I would like to participate in the Red Bull Megaloop Challenge and the Red Bull King of the Air as soon as possible... maybe in 2018?

Who are your favorite kiteboarders, why and what did you learn from the current top rider generation?

My idol has always been Aaron Hadlow. I’ve been lucky to meet and ride with a bunch of riders who I look up to. Ideally, I would like to become a mix of the determination of Carlos Mario, the elegance of Liam Whaley and the power and diplomacy of Youri Zoon.

I think your generation will reinvent the sport of kiteboarding, taking it to new levels. What do you think is possible within the kiteboarding world that has yet to be realized?

Yes, there are lot more people coming into kiteboarding and the creativity that kids have is incredible. I believe that, in five years, tricks will be much more powerful and the level will be so much higher. At the moment, there are already many riders who have invented many tricks I hope one day to invent a new one.

Videos

Marius and Jeremy 2017
Big Air Madness El Medano, Tenerife
By Lindsay McClure
Lindsay is a pro rider from Hood River in the USA, she works for IKSURFMAG as our Features Editor and is an integral part of the team. Lindsay is really into wakestyle riding and can be found in the Hood River Slider Park during the summer months, she also travels all over the world with the World Class Academy helping younger riders develop through kiteboarding!

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