NickName: Richie Bap / Age: 32
What do you rep? I rep Liquid Force Kites. Pretty damn hard these days.
Where is home? Hood River, OR.
Best part of living in the Gorge? Multiple activities is the best part about living here, duh.
Favorite board and kite: Back in the day, Underground FLX was my jam! Now it’s the Echo + NV v9. The ultimate shred quiver.
Best kite memory? Getting stuck in the pier at Rodanthe with Nick Baines. I was in the ocean, in a dry suit, super kook status. I almost drowned. Ok, maybe that was my worst memory.
Worst moment? Oh we mixed it up, my worst moment is above. My best kite memory is doing my first 720 in the Triple-S about three years ago. All my friends were lined up along the Slick and shouting at me to throw the 720. So I did and I nailed it and it was the best feeling ever. I repeated this trick only one other time in my entire kiteboarding life so far.
Kite heroes? My best friend Brandon has to be the ultimate kiteboarding hero. Have you seen him ride? Yeah, he can do everything. Other than him, the list is deep. Andre Phillip, Jason Slezak and Alex Fox are at the top.
Favorite riding spot? My slider park here in Hood River. Other than that I would say anywhere where the water is clear enough to see the bottom and warm enough to wear board shorts. BVI is pretty hard to beat.
Ride with? Your friends and don’t take any of this too seriously. It’s kiteboarding, that’s all. Please stop taking it seriously. It’s fun.
Dream hookup? This is a trap, I’m not biting.
Breakfast spot? If I want lots of food and I am hungover, we go to Betty’s that’s for sure. If I am trying to care a bit about what goes into my body, then we go to Egg Harbor.
Best Lunch spot? Twin Peaks Drive Inn for a delicious grease burger. Or Rinconcito Express for a cheap but massive burrito.
Best trip? First time I went to Cape Town. Furthest I have ever traveled and the destination was insane. If you haven’t gone to Cape Town, it is a necessary part of any kiteboarder’s journey.
Bucket list? Jump out of an airplane. Have a pet. Have a kid. Wait, same thing? Also, travel to Hungary and Prague.
Music? Spotify me, you’ll find the definition of eclectic music taste. Taylor Swift to the Psychedelic Porn Crumpets. Low Fi Beats has been killing it in the work place.
Drink of choice? Sadly it’s a bottle of Coke! If it’s beer, get me any IPA made by pFriem Brewery and we are gravy.
Props to? Anyone who is trying to make a living in the kiteboarding world. It isn’t easy. Also to all my compatriots who pee in their wetsuits. The other people are nuts.
Last words? Too depressing, not answering.
