LocalKiteSpots.com interview with Dimitri Maramenides

April, 2010 Our local rider profile series continues with Outer Banks, North Carolina riding phenomenon and founder of Epic Kiteboarding, Dimitri Maramenides. Dimitri shares some his favorite riding spots, his unique Speedo riding style, and some great information about his new 2010 Epic Kite line.

We've edited Dimitri's responses for clarity. As Dimitri says, "English is my 3rd Language".

How did you get into kiting, how long, what other sports are you involved with?

I started kiting in 1999 as soon as my father passed away. I used to compete in Windsurfing. Somehow my dad saw Kiteboarding on TV and asked me if I ever tried that. But I never did and 5 months after he passed away I decided to try it for him.

I am always on the move. If it is not windy, I play soccer, do martial arts, play tennis, surf, snowboard, skateboard, and work out.

Where do you ride locally? What spots do you recommend for new riders?

I do travel a lot because of what I do but when I am home I do kite in few beaches up and down the Outer Banks, NC. The Outer Banks is by far one of the best places to learn kiteboarding, because of the shallow waters and good winds. The best spot for newbies will be in Kitty Hawk Kites in Waves, and Day Use Center in Salvo, a mile north of Avon on the sound of course. Kite Point is also great, just a mile past Avon. In the Outer Banks, you can always find other beaches especially if you are renting a house on the sound.

Have you been on any good trips recently? Where?

Because of my new kite company, I do travel a lot. This year I have traveled to so many places. The best so far have been BARBADOS (See Silver Sands spot below), ISLA BLANCA in Cancun a special place, PUERTO RICO (Shacks, Hobos for waves, and La Parguera on the South side of the island. WEST COAST OF CALIFORNIA such as Laguna, Pismo, Waddel, Ocean Beach in San Fran, BAJA, and so on.

Describe your riding style, or dream kiting session

From what I have heard, my riding style is very different than anybody out there. Maybe because I kite with my SPEEDO! :-) Editor's Note: Speedo image omitted :-) I like to do a mix of tricks that involve boards offs and power moves plus few other tricks I come up with on my own and I guess this makes your style very different then any body else.

I love kiting with my son Cameron who is 7 years old. The only thing I hate is when he comes towards me and tries to jump me while both of us have our kites in the air. I also like kiting with friends.

What's your favorite conditions for riding wind speed, wind direction, waves or flat water?

I love riding in the waves and also in flat water. I like to do a 1 - 2 hour down winder session in the waves, then go and kite in the flat water for free-style moves.

My best wind speed in the waves is 15 to 25 Knots. In the flat water I like the wind speed to be 18 to 30 knots. Don’t take me wrong I also like kiting in 30++++, but this is for another type of riding.

Name a couple favorite or project tricks you're working on?

I never name my tricks. I have so many that some times I forget which one is which. People come to me and ask me what was that trick I just did?

Whose riding impresses you today?

You have so many good riders now that it is hard to name them but for sure Aaron Hadlow and Ruben Lenten are always good to watch.

What new 2010 gear / products you are excited about?

I just started my new kite company called EPIC Kites. I use to be with ECLIPSE but things did not work out with my partner so I decided to go on my own and start all over. It has been crazy. We are selling out so fast. In the million years I would of never have believed this.

Starting a new company is very hard but I wanted to make sure to bring one of the best kites in the market with the best quality, best performance and best customer service, so every body can enjoy kiting. I came up with 2 models: SCREAMER and the RENEGADE but then had to add another model because my son Cameron Maramenides who is 7 years old. He needed a kite specifically for him. So we came up with the JUNIOR PRO 4m.

The kites speak for themselves. All you have to do is try them and I am sure you will be amazed. Just check any reviews on the kiteforums and you will see what people think about the EPIC kites.

We are working on the boards and should have some by 2011. But you can find some very nice board made by MAELSTORMGEAR.COM which I design called the DIMITRI PRO.

If you want to know more about EPIC kites please check out www.epickites.com.

Calling all Local Riders

Local riders make local spots work. To have your local rider story published on this site, e-mail Bill Walseth at bill@wcg-itx.com