Stefan Permien

I’ve first seen Kitesurfing in Denmark back in 2000.

I was stoked by the way to ride and perform high jumps even with mild wind, which is impossible when doing windsurfing. 
Besides I’ve frequently been at the beach to hang-glide with a Powermatte and experience the vast power of a kite.

When I was younger, the beginnings were pretty hard. The only chance to get to the sea was during my summer vacations and the gear was not as good as it is today by far. That’s why I had to find an alternate.
I was living in Schenefeld near Hamburg, Germany. There is a small beach at the river Elbe, where I first started Kitelandboarding.
As I turned 18 I got my drivers license and I was finally able to drive to the sea more often.
I’ve trained in Meldorf at the Speicherkoog quite often, since it is close to Hamburg (ca. 100 Km).
Most of the following summers I’ve spent on the isle of Fehmarn. I’ve learned a lot and improved my kitesurf skills more and more.
In 2004 I got my very first sponsor and became second at the Kitesurf-Trophy in 2005.

By now I’m three time german runner-up, tour champion and multi runner-up tour champion.

I’ve even won a worldcup and achieved several spots on the podium last year.

Hobbies:
If I’m not kitesurfing, I’m usually at the wakeboarding ground. Besides kiting, I’m studying chemistry at the Christian-Albrecht University in Kiel, which claims the rest of my free time.

Lifestyle:
Kitesurfing itself is a lifestyle already. I’m aligning my daily life to the wind:
If there is wind, I’m on water, if not, I’m at the wakeboarding ground or at the university.
In search of wind there’s lots of traveling, so I’m always on the road with my VW T5 bus,  to hunt the green bubble at Windfinder (16 knots and more)

Protection:
In some media, Kitesurfing is still characterized as a dangerous extreme sport.
I don’t mean to understate the risks, but Kitesurfing could be a mass sport by all means.

There are a few important rules to attend:
1. Go to a Kitesurfing school! No one drives a car without a license!
2. Everyone should be familiar with his/her protection system
3. For ambitious conditions you need a helmet and a proper wake vest.

I’m wearing Nutcase helmets, especially when surfing at the Kitesurf-Trophy and challenging obstacles.