Name: Simon Basler

Age: 34 (though I still feel like a child at heart)  

Place of Residence: Winterthur, Switzerland  

First Shaped Board: I believe it was back in 2006 when I crafted my first surfboard with a cut nose. It was amusing to see how many other brands followed suit in the years after.  

Kitesurfing Journey: I received my first kite as a child. In 2001, I bought a 5m HQ Beamer and started kitesurfing on a mountain board and on skis. By 2004, I acquired a 16m Peter Lynn Venom, and in 2005, I began kitesurfing on the water. Since then, I've been completely hooked on this sport, and since 2008, I've been flying Flysurfer kites.

Foiling Experience: I bought my first foil in 2016 and shaped my first foilboard. The board was only 1 meter long and strapless, which made it a bit challenging to get up on the foil. However, after an hour of trying, I managed to fly over the entire lake at Silvaplana! Since then, I've hardly ever touched a twintip again.

Biggest Success: I am so proud to say that I managed to get World Champion Titels, European Champion Titels and Olympic Bronce with my Boards. Riftboards is something I do in my spare time and is not my full time job. So it is even more great to have these success as such a small brand. 

Race or Freeride? I definitely need both. I love the adrenaline of racing on a foil and the camaraderie of battling it out with friends on the water. However, after an hour of going up- and downwind, I enjoy switching gears to a playful strapless session. I believe that strapless foiling enhances my racing skills, as it teaches me so much about maneuvering and dancing on the foil.

Twintip or Foil: It really depends on the location. While I love foiling, when it comes to going big and performing board-offs, I prefer a twintip.

Best Moments on a Kite: There have been countless incredible moments—epic snowkite backcountry tours, flying down mountains with my kite, foiling in almost no wind, riding big waves in Denmark, and achieving podium finishes on the Swiss Snowkite Tour, including two third places at Engadinwind.

 Scariest Moment on a Kite: My scariest moment occurred while riding my Flysurfer Speed 3 in 21m when I experienced some lift and flew down a mountain for nearly two minutes. It was my first flight ever on a kite! Fortunately, I landed safely and went up again for another flight.

Coolest Trick: Currently, my favorite trick is the "Around the World" on the foil or 

Name: Maximilian Maeder

Age: September, 2006

Place of residence: Singapore

Started kitesurfing: 2017

On a foil since: 10 years old

Best moment on a kite: Olympic bronce medal and World Champion 2023

Scariest moment on a kite: During training, a main kiteline wrapped around my finger and the kite went in to a loop. It nearly broke my finger and I got slammed into the water

My favorite place to kite: Bol, Croatia

Greatest successes: 2021 European open Winner, 2021 U19 World Champion, 2022 U21 World Champion, 2022 World Sailing Youth World Champion, 2023 World Sailing Youth World Champion, 2023 World Champion, 2024 Olympic bronce medalist, several Asia Kitefoil Champion

When there is no wind, I like to: Spend time with family, Play Videogames, Play Chess, Study

My biggest goal: Pursue Mastery of Kitefoil Racing

Why do I ride a board from Rift: The guarantee of quality coupled with impeccable performance is something found very rarely. The outstanding craftsmanship is also something to admire. All in all the boards are wonderful to ride.

Name: Bruce Kessler

Age: November, 1999

Place of residence: Chur, Switzerland 

Started kitesurfing: 2010

On a foil since: 2016

Best moment on a kite: There are countless good moments on a kite but if I have to pick the best moment it is probably when I Kitesurfed on of the best waves in Western Australia!

Scariest moment on a kite: Getting caught in small tornado during a Big Air session at Urnersee.

My favorite place to kite: Walensee / Western Australia 

Greatest successes: Winner and 2nd place at Red Bull Ragnarok / multiple Swiss Champion, 18th European Championship 2023

When there is no wind, I like to … do all sorts of outdoor Activities like biking, skiing, hiking, camping and many more.

Why do I ride a board from Rift: Because the Riftboards are a Swiss masterpiece and I love the design and shape of my board.

Name: Stan Keusch

Age: 04.08.1991

Place of residence: Interlaken, Switzerland

Started kitesurfing: 2011

On a foil since: 2015

Best moment on a kite: Kitefoiling during a Snowstorm at my homespot

Scariest moment on a kite: World Cup in Cagliari while Mistral was nuking 35knots off-shore

My favorite place to kite: All Lakes in Switzerland

Greatest successes: Tacking in 3-4 knots

When there is no wind, I like to... do other sports in the Nature like Paragliding, Biking or Snowsports

My biggest goal: Bivak Kitefoil Trip at a remote place

Why do I ride a board from Rift: Because I don’t change a running system. The innovation and the great importance to details on those boards fascinates me. I appreciate the communication with Simon and the opportunity to personalize and customize the products a lot.

Name: Elena Lengwiler

Age: June 1996

Place of residence: Walensee

Started kitesurfing: 2018

On a foil since: 2020, racing since 2022

Best moment on a kite: An olympic diploma! But moments I always do enjoy the most are: sunset sessions, winning tight fights while racing, or synchronized tacking and jibing with training partners

Scariest moment on a kite: It is always a bit scary to go for racing in strong and gusty offshore conditions – but slowly getting used to it 😉

My favorite place to kite: As long as there is flat water and more or less warm temperature, I’m happy. So Switzerland is quite perfect or alternative several spots in Sardinia. 

Greatest successes: 2nd place at the PanAmerican Championships March 2023 / 8th place at the Allianz World Cup June 2023, 15th European Championship 2023, 6th Place Olympic Games Paris

When there is no wind, I like to … spend time with family and friends, do other (outdoor) sports, work & study, play ice hockey or just do whatever I’m fancy to. 

My biggest goal: represent Switzerland at the Olympics 2024 in Paris and reach semifinals

Why do I ride a board from Rift: swissmade, best service, good performance and most beautiful board

Name: Cédric Baker

Age: November, 2006

Place of residence: Ticino. In Caslano that’s near Lugano 

Started kitesurfing: 2017

On a foil since: Autumn 2020

Best moment on a kite: I think one of my best moments on a kite was in Silvaplana when I just learned Foiling. It was at the beginning of Autumn. It was just super nice because the scenario just looked awesome on 1800 m over sea level, at 7 degrees water temperature and 8 degrees air temperature, and all the leaves of the forests around were all red, yellow, and orange. 

Scariest moment on a kite: One of my scariest moments on a kite was during winter training in Egypt when I went for a foil session in 36 kts with my 7m R1. At the beginning it was super scary because I was reaching speeds that I’ve never reached before. But afterwards I looked at it as a good session because I gained a lot of confidence in strong winds.

My favorite place to kite: I'm a bit undecided between Silvaplana and Soma Bay. I like Silvaplana because of the surrounding mountains it just gets this awesome feeling of kiting in the alps. It’s also nice that I know all the people. Silvaplana is my home spot therefore I like it the most. But il love Soma Bay because of the crystal-clear water.

Greatest successes: Yet to come ;)

When there is no wind, I like to... go to the Gym, fish, skate or just to stay with my friends or family.

My biggest goal: To go to the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles 

Why do I ride a board from Rift: I love the quality of the boards, and that Simon is always trying out new things to make the boards even more perfect. And I’m really happy to be part of this team.