"Can Kai stay with you in your house during the World Cup in Klitmøller?" Naish Germany's stadtholder Bossi Güven asked me on the phone recently. "I don't want him to have to crash at some wild chaotic place - that's not his world." The concern is understandable, after all it is Kai's first visit to Klitmøller and he is not yet 18 years old. But when you read the Hawaiian's flight schedule, you think to yourself that he can probably manage quite well on his own. Photo and film productions, competitions, sponsor and promotional appointments and much more have taken Kai around the world several times in the first nine months of this year alone. During a short stopover in Hamburg, from where he was travelling on to Brazil, he found a few minutes to answer a few questions about his extraordinary life.
Where have you been this year?
KAI: I've really travelled a lot this year. I've travelled to the west and east coasts of Australia, then I've been to Fiji twice, France three times, Tahiti, the mainland USA, Germany, England, Spain, Portugal, the Canary Islands, Holland and now I'm on my way to Brazil. Then it's straight on to Denmark, back to Sylt, on to Cape Verde and I hope to go to a few other interesting places.
Many call you one of the youngest waterman because not only do you windsurf at the highest level, you are a gifted surfer, SUP rider, kiter and so on. How would you define a waterman?
Someone who can do anything in the water, someone who is at a top level in the ocean, no matter what. A waterman must love the ocean with every fibre of his body. A true waterman is someone who convinces through action and not words.
Who are the greatest Watermen for you?
I feel inspired by people like Dave Kalama, Buzzy Kerbox, Laird Hamilton and Robby Naish. They look at the water and do what suits the conditions best. I also admire Duke Kahanamoku. He was not only one of the greatest watermen, but he embodied the aloha spirit.
Do you have role models?
I always look up to Robby Naish. He's still a great athlete and it's great fun to be on the water with him. I also admire Laird Hamilton for the way he surfs big waves like Jaws. I'm also impressed by the way they run their business. Robby still has almost the same sponsors as when he was my age. And he's still sponsored as an athlete.
How did you become a Waterman?
I hope that one day I will have the honour of holding this title. I believe that you are only a true Waterman when you feel it from the inside. You can't fool yourself. You have to feel that you are capable of doing everything right in all kinds of situations, with the necessary knowledge and self-confidence. I think it's a long road to becoming a real waterman. There are no shortcuts, you have to learn everything step by step.
When did you take your first step?
I started surfing when I was four, windsurfing when I was six and kitesurfing, foilboarding, stand-up paddling and tow-in surfing when I was nine.
You are said to have written a letter to Robby as a young boy asking him to support you.
I always loved his products and I always wanted to be sponsored by Robby's company. But then one day someone from another brand came to my dad and made us an offer. My dad showed him my room, which was wallpapered with posters of Naish and pictures I had painted, all with Naish products. Later, my dad asked me if I wanted to ride the equipment from this other company. I told him I would rather ride Naish and be sponsored by them. My father then advised me to write to Robby and explain to him why I absolutely had to join the Naish team. Today I am really proud to be a Naish team rider.
And what about the school?
I'm doing my schooling online. At the end of the year, I'll finish year 12, even a little earlier than planned. That was also the deal with my parents: as long as I do well at school, I can do anything. But by travelling a lot, I get a much more important education.
Is it sometimes hard to be travelling alone so much?
I actually enjoy travelling a lot, but sometimes I get lonely. Then I'm glad when I meet my parents somewhere, or when Robby is with me in Fiji, for example. Michi Schweiger comes with me to Sylt.
You are an exceptional talent. Which other young drivers impress you?
Definitely Philip Köster. I'm particularly impressed by the way he jumps and it drives me on. Philip rips!
What do you think your life will look like in ten years?
In ten years' time, I want to be the best at what I do. I want to achieve the goals I have set myself and enjoy everything I do. And above all, I hope that I still love the ocean as much as I do now.
Thank you for your answers, see you in Klitmøller.
