Willow-River Tonkin

Photo: Ydwer van der Heide

One of the most promising up and coming young riders in wave riding, Willow looks just at home in heavy Mauritian barrels as many of the tour’s most experienced riders. Although originally from South Africa, he’s been lucky enough to spend much of his childhood in Mauritius so cut his teeth on the proving grounds at One Eye and his stoke is infectious â€“ he literally never stops smiling. He won the Best Rookie award in 2017 and we can’t wait to see how he builds on that in 2018 .One of the most promising up and coming young riders in wave riding, Willow looks just at home in heavy Mauritian barrels as many of the tour’s most experienced riders. Although originally from South Africa, he’s been lucky enough to spend much of his childhood in Mauritius so cut his teeth on the proving grounds at One Eye and his stoke is infectious â€“ he literally never stops smiling. He won the Best Rookie award in 2017 and we can’t wait to see how he builds on that in 2018 .

Age:

Nationality:

Mauritian

Sponsors:

CORE Kiteboarding, Kiteboarding Trictionary

Home spot:

Le Morne

Years riding:

Years competing:

The 2017 GKA stop in Mauritius was his first ever event!

Best results:

5th place at 2017 GKA Mauritius

Specialist discipline:

Wave riding

Favourite spot:

One Eye, Le Morne

Favourite trick:

Toeside 720

Favourite thing about competing on tour?:

I really liked the vibe and atmosphere around all the riders during the final stop in Mauritius. I'm really looking forward to joining the whole tour in 2018 and smashing it out there with the boys!

Standout moment 2017:

I think the craziest moment for me was my first heat in the main event when I beat Mitu. It was actually one of the craziest moments in my life. When i saw i was up against him in my first heat, I thought to myself that I might as well pack up my kite and go home. Instead i had such an insane session out there with him, shredding my home spot alone with the legend I've been looking up to since I started kitesurfing. That for me made it my standout moment of the tour.

Favourite competitors to ride against and watch:

I love watching Airton and Matchu. Those two are pushing it to the next level all the time. Absolutely insane!

2018 goals:

My goals are to push it as much as I can in both strapless freestyle and in the waves, while focusing on enjoying it and living it up to the max.

How do you train?:

I kite as much as possible. I also spend the same amount of time training my mind and I train regularly at home and at the beach.