Chris Sal -

IKO Level 2, Australian IKO Contact Point, Vice President Kiteboarding Victoria.

Chris' passion and dedication to kiteboarding has seen him constantly striving to be at the cutting edge when it comes to his schools' instruction techniques and safety procedures. The goal that Chris has for his schools is to make kiteboarding more accessible and safer for everybody, this is what the team work towards every day.

Chris' silky smooth riding style and drive for constantly pushing the boundaries and improving makes sure both he and his team riders are creating a spectacle along the St Kilda shores that they call home.

Timo Hagele (German)-

IKO Level 1, International Teaching Experience

Timo's passion for kiteboarding and quality of life have taken him all over the world in his quest for adventure. A serious rockclimbing background has taken him throughout many countries in Europe and pretty much every decent climb throughout Australia also.

Still loving the outdoor experience of climbing his focus changed in 2005 with his discovery of kiteboarding and the ultimate lifestyle and adrenaline rush it provides.

Beginning on the Snowkiting side of the sport Timo quickly fell in love with the freedom and enjoyment that kiting provides and continually challenged himself in his quest for improvement.

The ultimate of perfectionists Timo refused to progress forwards to new tricks until he could comfortable perform them on both tacks!

One of Melbourne's most in demand instructors Timo has taken this love of the sport and his drive for improvement around the world and has an incredibly strong teaching base upon which to draw from when out on the water with his students.

Nathan Lord - IKO Level 1

Kiter by day, Musician by night. Nathan's teaching skills are rivalled only by his talent on the guitar. Unfortunately for his students later evening lessons are often not an option as Nathan is often performing around Melbourne.

The ultimate nice guy and one to rope in with his guitar for any party!

Heidi Lange - IKO Level 1

You will not find a more passionate kiter or instructor on the water!

In 2007 Heidi took a chance and broke away from her musical and office based lifestyle to start kiting with Kite Republic. She came through the school and still remembers her tentative and cautious approach as it was outside of her normal comfort zone.

As soon as she felt the rush of being out on the water her life changed. Still working as an Aerospace Engineer (although part time now!) through the days Heidi has taken her positive experience with Kite Republic and as a seasoned rider now she is sharing this feeling with others.

Completing her International Kiteboarding Organization Instructor Qualifications earlier in the year Heidi is rapidly becoming one of the most sort after instructors in Melbourne.

Allan Kirk - IKO Level 1

After working as a snowboarding instructor for a couple of seasons Allan's love of kiting took over. Nowdays he's much more likely to be found on a tropical island with Kite Republic Tours than up in the snow over winter!

Another instructor that has come through our schools over the years and is now living the life that he'd always hoped for and having a blast!

Dan Mackay - IKO Level 1

From the land of Fush'n'Chups this kiwi is known for his megaloops and a certain high speed pass in Rosebud that finished with him skimming nearly 80 metres across the top of the water before finishing perfectly balanced. A finalist in the Victorian Titles last year he's a solid contender out on the water also known for lighting up the St Kilda skyline!

If high speed passes and aerial skills aren't enough Dan's impression of a chick pea at Hari's 'Hari Chrishna theme'd 30th is still talked about to this day!

Lorna Magoris (English)- IKO Level 1

Lorna is joining the team in late November with a background in both windsurfing and kiteboarding instruction throughout France and England.

We look forward to welcoming her to the team and telling you more about her soon!

Jack Naylor-Hampson - IKO Asst. Instructor

A summer regular in the team now Jack has been counting the days until his studies are completed so he can be out here with us full time. Based in Altona you'll often see his surfy hair cut flying high across that end of the bay!

Jack's talents don't just lie in the kiting area, he also has a passion for drama (not the same type as the English instructors, haha) and when he's not on the water or being Romeo in a theatre somewhere he's probably producing movies. Click here to see a short flick he made recently!

Andrew Garth - IKO Asst. Instructor

Andrew's passion for being airborne clearly started before his kiting career leading him to become an Aerospace Engineer.

I can guarantee for those of you that are technically minded and want to know the theory of how everything works before you do it, this is your man!

Leo Bieling (German)- IKO Asst. Instructor

Leo's strong background in snowboarding made him an absolute natural when coming through the school. His bright personality and love of working with people has made him very popular on St Kilda Beach.

Leo had the opportunity to travel through New Zealand kiting earlier in the year and it was at this point that he knew that teaching kiting and joining the Kite Republic team was where he wanted to be.

Marc Plumeridge - IKO Asst. Instructor

Mark's happy go lucky nature, yet great sense of direction regarding his lessons has made him a very popular addition to the school.

If you passed him in the street you'd have to have a second look to make sure it wasn't John Lennon, on the water however it'd be hard to work out who it was as he's generally either a blur as he races past or spinning through the air, or he's way up above the St Kilda skyline too far to get a decent look!

Andrew Bell - IKO Asst. Instructor

With a strong background in outdoor pursuits and years of experience in teaching outdoor education Andrew was a perfect fit for the team.

Coming through the school a couple of years ago Andrew is generally the first to the water and the last to leave whenever the winds up. His enjoyment and passion for being out there himself and sharing the experience he has fallen in love seems endless.

Brett Pearson (aka 'BP')

Beginning his kiting while living back in WA, BP's super smooth style and drive to add that extra grab or kiteloop to his tricks has created substantial crowds along the St Kilda sidewalks many times.

His love of flight and the endless opportunities it presents is shown also in his day job. When he's not on the water he's generally captaining one of Qantas' 747's somewhere around the world, if not captaining he'll be at 'The Vinyard' practicing his other moves!

Jason Noble (aka 'Hari')

As BP's partner in crime Hari is known for being on the water kiting 25 minutes after landing at Tullamarine. Another Qantas pilot, Hari can not get enough of spending time in the air, thus another St Kilda local known for putting on a show in the water.

Learning his silky smooth style from none other than Shannon Best himself Hari is one you don't want to miss on the water.

Lenny Furlong (aka 'light wind Lenny')

When he's not potato farming this little Irishman is on the water, or rather in the air somewhere over the St Kilda skyline. Lenny has a freakish ability to be out there on the water getting upwind 5-10 knots before anybody else.

He is the Hookstock 2008 reigning BIG AIR champion and spends more time on the water than at work.

Known for his riverdance to 'a' over 't' at his 30th this year Lenny is probably the most well known kiter in St Kilda. A great personality combined with silky smooth skills makes him a great team member.