Same Questions - F-ONE
Issue 81 / Fri 12th Jun, 2020
This issue F-ONE get issued with the same questions, but as ever the answers are always different. Find out what makes the brand tick and where their ethos lies right here!
F-ONE have been with us since the very birth of our sport. Headed up by Raphael Salles alongside his wife Sophie it’s one of the few family run and owned brands in the business. Over the years they have morphed from making just kiteboards, to offering products across a vast range of water sports. It’s one of the most iconic companies in the business too, with products like the Bandit garnering an army of fans worldwide. This issue Rou Chater pitches the same questions once again to see where their ethos lies…
What is your core focus as a brand, and what do you think makes you different?
With our extensive knowledge and expertise within the kiteboarding industry, we thrive on creating the best gear that enables our riders to spend as much time as possible on the water.
Who makes up the main team behind the products and what experience do they have?
Raphael Salles, F-ONE’s founder and CEO is head of the R&D team. After a professional windsurfing career, Raphael founded F-ONE and gave it everything he had.
Raphael gets most of his product inspiration and ideas while he's out riding and Mickael Fernandez has been testing equipment with him for over 10 years. The duo have an extensive trial process while testing kites designed by Robert Graham, and boards and hydrofoils designed by Charles Bertrand.
How much testing and product development goes into making a final product?
Every single product we have in the range has been through an extensive testing process with a level of exigence like no others. Raphael is the boss and owner; R&D and testing are his passion, so there are no limits on budget or time limitations to create the best products.
Which product are you most proud of in your line and why?
That's a tough one! Being a family business, every product that we create is a member of it and is treated as such. We are especially proud of the number of new products and innovation we have been able to create and add to the range.
Recently, we have introduced: two Bandit’s, the V3 huge foil collection, the Magnet, the Bullit, the Breeze V3, the One and the foil kites.
What's the hardest part of running your brand?
We're a small team, and we're constantly busy, every day is intense! It's not like the skiing or biking industry, our numbers are smaller, but our customers require a high level of quality, innovation and communication from us.
What's the most rewarding?
When we go to the beach and see riders having an incredible time on our gear; that's what it's all about really!
What does the future look like for F-ONE, what innovations, different areas and new products are in the pipeline?
We have numerous new projects in the pipeline. Wingsurfing has been a big one, which we've spent quite some time on. As we are only in the early stages of the discipline, there are still new things we're discovering daily, which gives us plenty to work on.
We recently launched our new strapless board, the MAGNET, and its new Slim Tech unique technology.
F-ONE is becoming a multi watersports company, only because our customers are engaging in a variety of watersports, depending on the conditions. This is pretty much what we're all like at the office as well!
Can you describe who the typical F-ONE rider might be? - By this, I mean the guy who buys your gear, who are you pitching yourselves to, not the pro riders.
We have gear that caters for everyone; from kids to adults, men and women, and anyone eager to spend time on the water. We don't tend to pitch to a specific type of person.
Why should someone choose you over another brand in the shop?
No other brands handle R&D as we do! We don't create products to satisfy the needs dictated by marketing, we develop products to fully satisfy riders needs and help them have the most memorable sessions.
What phrase best sums up the brand?
Enjoy any conditions on offer, try our new equipment and expand your playground!
Videos
By Rou Chater
Rou has been kiting since the sports inception and has been working as an editor and tester for magazines since 2004. He started IKSURFMAG with his brother in 2006 and has tested hundreds of different kites and travelled all over the world to kitesurf. He's a walking encyclopedia of all things kite and is just as passionate about the sport today as he was when he first started!
