Mark Shinn

Mark Shinn

Biography:

Mark Shinn is one of kitesurfing's most progressive and successful protagonists. Living by the motto "Nothing endures but change",  Mark has consistently redefined himself and his riding as the different sports around him have evolved over the years. After starting out as a professional windsurfer, Mark decided to join the kitesurfing revolution in order to secure his place at the heart of a new and exciting sport. In 2002, Shinn achieved the unthinkable when he won the PKRA and KPWT world titles in the same year, and has since gone on to become one of the sport's most iconic figures. From his long-standing base on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Mark has always prided himself on his ability to drive kitesurfing's progression, not only though his own performances out on the open water but also via his quest to research and develop the very best new technologies and products. In 2009, Mark proudly launched Shinn Boarding - his own independent kiteboard brand. In addition to running his own business, this tireless kitesurfer is pumped to keep leading the freeride scene wherever the wind takes him in the future.

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Q: What has been the biggest highlight of the past 12 months for you?
A: The launch of Shinn as an independent kiteboard brand has been a really special experience for me and re-ignited my passion for kiteboarding.  

Q: What's the best thing about riding for a living?
A: The best thing about riding for a living is... riding for a living! If you can get out of bed every day to do the thing you have been dreaming about while you slept, that's not a bad way to live!  

Q: Who do you enjoy riding with the most, and why?
A: That's a hard one to answer because I enjoy riding with different people. Kiteboarding is a pretty diverse sport and not every rider enjoys all of its aspects. It's hard to beat riding with friends though - that's what it's all about.  

Q: Other than home, where is your favorite place to ride, and why?
A: I just returned from a trip to Barbados and that's a pretty fun place to ride. A lot of variety of conditions and a great atmosphere. I guess it depends on the time of year, in the summer when it's warm there are a lot of good spots in Europe.  

Q: What are your main goals and plans for the next 12 months?
A: I'm really into strapless riding right now and I'm motivated to press on and see how far I can go with it. My main goal is to stay stoked on my sport. As long as I'm having fun and enjoying kiteboarding, I'll be happy.   

Q: How do you see your sport evolving in the next few years?
A: Hmmm, tough one. No one has been able to predict the future of kiteboarding until now so I guess it would be naïve to think I can do it! I think the days of radical material improvements have passed and the focus is now on style, where it should have been all along. I hope kiteboarding can stop trying to be wakeboarding or surfing and develop into being kiteboarding.  

Q: Have you got any plans to film a new video part, and if yes, with which film company?
A: I filmed with a Polish video company in Barbados over New Year and the results will be appearing on my website. Check out www.shinnboarding.com for more details!  

Q: What do you do for fun when you are not riding?
A: I'm easy to please so long as it involves sport! Surfing, windsurfing, mountain biking. It's all good for me though given the choice you can be sure I'll be kiting.  

Q: What achievement are you most proud of so far in your career?
A: I've had some reasonable competition success until now but if I had to highlight one aspect it wouldn't be that. I'm proud that if I look back over my riding career I never behaved in a way that would embarrass me now!  

Q: If you didn't ride for a living, what would you have liked to be doing now for an occupation?
A: I think preparing to fail is no way to go through life. If I didn't ride for a living then I would be working at 110% to be able to ride for a living. Having a contingency plan means you thought about failing and if you think about failing then you have a commitment issue!  

Q: What trick do you enjoy the most?
A: The last one I learnt! A lot of my enjoyment from kiting comes from learning new moves. Once I've done it a bunch of times the feeling wears off and it's time for something new!

Achievements