Young WA ripper Billy Hampton has joined Ozone Kites Australia, as a National Team member. Billy grew up in Margaret River and as has learned to kite in the large and gnarly conditions Margs is known for. Nearby to home though is Augusta, an amazing flat water spot in the estuary of the Scott river where Billy works on his freestyle skills. Billy also foils when the winds are light, his skills are all round, and he surfs and SUP's as well.
We are really glad to have Billy join our small, skilled and close team in Oz, and so along with support from Axis Kiteboarding, I'm sure you will see some amazing media from Billy and his Dad Mark this summer and beyond.

Ozonekites.com.au profile page
http://ozonekites.com.au/billy-hampton/

Intro video

Thanks Ozone for the great opportunity. Im Looking forward to the future with you guys.


P.s please don't make Rowdy disciplinary coach

waveslave said..

Do team riders actually influence your purchasing decisions ?

Or does creative advertising alone con you into buying more stuff ?

Maybe it's a combo of both methods along with pimping on forums that moves kite product the best.

Good questions. I would love to know the answers .

Personally I think one of the biggest influences on people is the better riders at their own beach. Also any "pro" riders that they have met that have given them some help or time. I guess the best videos/ photos also have somewhat of a subconscious influence on many buying decisions.
My personal thoughts is that social media (things like Instagram) are very over-weighted when considering what's really selling gear. I think this is so because people love statistics and things like Instagram and Youtube can be quantified whilst day to day interactions and conversations cannot.

Billy will be a fine ambassador for Ozone .
Having watched Billy grow up in Margs he has talent ...no doubt about it .
Good work Ozone

rite on Bill,

Also, Rowdy should definitely be head of Discipline. Billy definitely needs some haha.

handyman said..
Well done Billy. Looking forward to seeing you rip even more
Dad seems to like the new gear
Ps Terry, the river that gets kited in Augusta is the Blackwood

I knew that was wrong, but Google Maps threw me with that place name, thanks for the correction!
Awesome spot.

Kamikuza said..

Drury said..

sir ROWDY said..

Kamikuza said..


Usually, I'm like "omg they must be good, riding such crap gear..."

I think this every time I see a talented freestyle rider on a bow kite .

Agreed. ^^^


I think a lot of team riders make it easy to hate team riders haha. To me it's about being nice to people and inclusive on the beach. It's important to ride gear that you're stoked on so you can lend your stuff out and get other people stoked on it too! Are people going to like a team rider answering every single gear related question on forums with "oh you should definitely get xxx!!!"? ... not really and especially when it's clearly not the best option. I try to always be objective and offer options other than the brand I ride for. I'd like to see team riders become "brand ambassadors" and actually get people stoked on gear instead of pissing them off with incessant pimping!

Team riders? Lend... gear? Gedoudahere! Have enough trouble borrowing gear on demo days...

You need to find a better shop/riders. I love seeing people get stoked on my stuff!

I'll back that proposal Rowdy!! Great Idea to have an Aus team discipline Coach.

handyman said..
Well done Billy. Looking forward to seeing you rip even more
Dad seems to like the new gear
Ps Terry, the river that gets kited in Augusta is the Blackwood

the magical Blackwood that is

sir ROWDY said..

Kamikuza said..
Team riders? Lend... gear? Gedoudahere! Have enough trouble borrowing gear on demo days...

Have you ever asked one?

If the gears that good and they're proud if it, and they're ambassadors for the brand, you shouldn't have to, should you.

Might just be this place...

sir ROWDY said..

You're right, I bet Lowndesy is just throwing his car at strangers.

p.s.
I was trying to surf at snapper the other day and it was super crowded but it wasn't the people in the water that were in my way it was the fact that I pretty much had to fight off Mick, Joel and the crew asking me every other minute if I wanted a go on their boards, seriously those guys need to settle down a bit.
Seriously though I think most times you need to ask, I don't know anyone that's just walking around asking every single person if they want to try their gear and if they were I doubt they would be kiting much. If you're in a conversation about gear and asking how it is I think there's a fair chance most Pros would ask if you would like to try it.

... who?

I kind if assumed the situation was something like that conversation. And assuming if they have to pay for it, they got a fat discount for promising to be a beach ambassador and loaning the gear out...

The conversation:
"Hey, that the latest model huh? How's it go?"
"Better than last years; the 12 turns like a 9 and powers like a 15, even more pop but a smoother ride... etc etc. Why dont you take it out for a spin?"

Compare that with demo days here... Cabrinha dealer demonstrates the gear by riding it for you, North and LF won't offer unless you kiss their asses, Ozone sends the factory seconds one at a time. Slingshot dealer throws gear at you (as it should be) and Flysurfer is proactive too, so I guess it's not all of them here...