Catch Up with Kauli

With Kauli Seadi (99NoveNove / Hot Sails Maui / MFC) announcing his decision to leave JP to join the 99NoveNove International Team we caught up with the Brazilian to find out about his recent move, his plans for 2015 and much more. Read the interview below:

Hi Kauli, where are you at the moment?

KS: “I’m in Sao Miguel do Gostoso, Brasil.”

So… you are working in your Windsurf Center in Gostoso, how is the season going?

KS: “Season has been really good , windy and sunny everyday, warm water and some fun little waves to keep practicing some wave and freestyle moves.”

Last year saw you leave NeilPryde to join Hot Sails Maui… many people were curious if you would stay with JP for 2015 or not, since JP and NeilPryde generally go hand-in-hand… Did the move to Hot Sails Maui prompt your move to 99NoveNove at all?

KS: “Time passes and goals change, over these last 2 years I have decided to invest more on free surf trips, to explore around the world windsurfing spots and I needed to have a break from competition on all those onshore spots on PWA.  That choice of mine wasn’t really matching the goals of NP and JP, as they really like results on the PWA World Tour.:

“So back then Jeff from Hot Sails really gave me an injection of hope and supported me on my new goal, and now 99 also really likes the idea to work together and has designed some really good boards for my down the line tour… ahahah.”

You had several offers from many brands, in the end why did you choose 99NoveNove?

KS: “Because of the fact that the guys who created the brand are passionate windsurfers since many years and they know how the market is and they will not matter what because we love windsurfing and to keep improving and going to new stages.”

Cesare Cantagalli invented the first forward rotation in windsurfing, and you are one of the most important sailors, who has pushed the new era of multi-fins over the last several years. Now Cesare and you are on the same team… what can the world expect from this incredible union?

KS: “I believe he has a lot of knowledge from all the experience over the years on windsurfing and this definitely helps a lot on the development process of the new shapes of the boards from all the line. Also Gianni is extremely talented and well experienced shaper and I believe he will be able to put my particular ideas on the shapes to make some amazing new boards.”

Can you already tell us something about your new wave board developments with 99NoveNove?


KS: “They are a surprise for the moment, but they are really going to be special wave toys!”

Are you going to work on different set up fins for the new 99NoveNove boards?

KS: “I mainly ride quads, but thruster sometimes can be fun to ride , so maybe we do something multi-fin, so we can play around depending on the conditions.”

Are you going to collaborate with Gianni Valdambrini for a new and different shape for the next 99NoveNove boards?

KS: “Definitely, already working on some protos, hope to try them in Cabo Verde.”

Any development with regard to your sails?

KS: “Now sails only have 2 battens… just a joke, still the KS3 from Hot Sails with the 3 battens. 

We have been making some small modifications and growing the range on the bigger sail sizes, now we make a 6.4 on 3 battens that is really good. I always tell Jeff and Tom that those are the best sails I ever had, they don’t need changes, they have everything you need, feel light, powerful, stable…”

Are you going to Italy to meet 99NoveNove’s team?

KS: “Maybe later this year, but for the moment we have decided to meet in Cabo Verde instead of Italy, so we can already do some tests.”

What is your plan for the next months?

KS: “AWT in Cabo Verde, Maui, Tahiti, Cook Islands, Tonga, Peru and Aloha Classic at end of the year.”

And what about your boat trip looking for new and amazing spots? 

KS: “We are going to the French Polynesia, where we will meet some friends on their boat and stay with them for 2 months until Tonga.”

Last but not least, you got married last summer. How is married life treating you?

KS: “Married life is awesome, my wife is really good with me, we really support each other and she loves adventures like me.”

Thanks Kauli and good luck with your up coming projects.