What do pro kiters do once kite career is over?

[Osprey1]

I’m curious, since there is not a lot of money to be earned as Professional kite boarder what do these althletes do after they are no longer paid to travel and kite? What careers besides teaching kiting do they persue? What happened to guys like Yoori Zoon, Flash Austin, Lou Wainmann, etc?

[Toby]

That would be interesting to know!

Some are still in the industry and working with the sport. Here few I know:

Sky Solbach - Duotone
Nick Jacobsen - Team Manager new North
Gisela Pulido - Kite Center
James Boulding - Cabrinha marketing
Elliot Lebou - Video productions
Randy Hereman - online poker
Karolina Winkowska - Pro Kite Camps
Alberto Rondina - Kite Center
Alex Pastor - Kite Center
Abel Lago - kite center

[Bill C]

Sell real estate.

[Toby]

Sell real estate.

That would also be Martin Vari. I think it is their family business.

Who do you refer to?

[Bill C]

Sell real estate.

That would also be Martin Vari. I think it is their family business.

Who do you refer to?

No one in particular. Former athletes can leverage some of their notoriety.

[SENDIT!]

As Toby was illustrating, some of them manage to find spots inside the industry where they can put their skills to use. Just a few that I can think of off the top of my head:

Damien Leroy-sales rep for Cabrinha/Neil Pryde and also involved with the development of the Lift eFoil.

Neil Hutchinson- sales rep for Slingshot/Ride Engine

Chris Gilbert-designs the harnesses you love to ride from Dakine.

Jeff Tobias-runs a kiteboarding shop on Oahu. Also one of the first guys I ever saw do a kiteloop, way back in 2002!

OR they find something else to do:

Darian Smith (the Pitbull): was working construction (flipping houses? can't remember) when I saw him a couple of years ago.

[edt]

I know this is probably before most of you were born but it was a sad sight to go to Caesar's Palace just to hit the buffet and play some blackjack back in the late 70's and see the mighty Joe Louis at the front door like some Walmart employee saying "Have a nice day." Just because you are great at one thing doesn't mean you are great at everything else in life. History is replete with stories of faded athletes going broke, and pro kiters are no different. Some will be able to make money when their youth has faded some won't.

[pj sofine]

I married an older wealthy woman and spend 6 months a year in a buffet line on cruise ships. I'm doing ok.

[grigorib]

I’m curious, since there is not a lot of money to be earned as Professional kite boarder what do these althletes do after they are no longer paid to travel and kite? What careers besides teaching kiting do they persue? What happened to guys like Yoori Zoon, Flash Austin, Lou Wainmann, etc?

I wouldn't call "pro kiter" a career to start with. A job is not only supposed to pay for travel expenses and equipment - it's supposed to pay for work you do.
Last I heard proriders are not paid well. I mean, a school teacher is making $40k-$60k a year and it's very modest salary. Do proriders get more than that?

Not speaking of "prorider career" is kind of short to start with - few years back wakestyle was big, today it's foiling and guys seem to deliver about the same over and over again. Tricks get old and manufacturers move on to new models and new trends.