As an original member of Harlem Kitesurfing, Victor has worn many hats: rider, team manager, and creative mind behind the lens. In this interview, Jen Tyler sits down with Victor to explore how his passion has helped define Harlem’s spirit, his journey through the world of kitesurfing, and what it takes to grow a strong, connected community around the sport. Dive in!

Victor! Great to finally meet you. You’ve been with Harlem Kitesurfing from the start, and we thought it was time to learn more about you! You’ve worked across a wide range of snow and surf schools—how did kitesurfing come into your life?

Hi Jen, thanks for having me! I’ve been passionate about action sports since I was young. When the opportunity arose to turn that passion into a career, I became a kitesurfing instructor during the summer and a ski and snowboard instructor in the winter. Eventually, I decided to embrace the endless summer and fully commit to kitesurfing. This was also when Harlem Kitesurfing came into my life; they were looking for someone to take the plunge!

Can you tell us a little about your job role at Harlem Kitesurfing? How did you transition from being an instructor to a team manager?

I kicked things off as an ambassador for them, creating content. I liked it, but I also mentioned that I wanted to do more to help build a community. So, the next step was becoming a team manager as more people joined the family. This all happened from 2018 to 2020. 

Then I moved to the Netherlands, which gave me the chance to help out even more wherever I could. We also spent time on research and development until the team expanded, and that’s when I took on my role as team manager in full.

What does a typical day look like for you as a team manager and rider?

Being the team manager at Harlem isn’t my only role—I’m someone who can handle it all! One of my primary tasks each day is to check in with all the riders every week and see how they’re doing. I’m here to help with whatever they need. Additionally, I serve as a liaison between the riders and the company, as they often have a lot on their plates and may just need a gentle reminder to keep moving forward!  

What about Harlem Kitesurfing stands out to you in today’s kite industry?

We remain one family, united in our mission to create the best gear possible and be the brand that everyone wants to be part of. What truly stands out is our gear and our riders, who are pushing the sport to new heights!

You’re also a photographer—how did that side of your work develop, and what drew you to it?

Like I mentioned before, I’ve got many mini-talents! I picked them up over the years. If you want to be a great brand ambassador, you’ve got to create tons of content to show what you can do and keep building your connection with the brand. Even though I can’t pull off the craziest tricks anymore, I still love capturing those moments!

Do you find your rider experience influences how you shoot, and vice versa?

100%. I can tell what the riders do and when they go for it, as you can see in their speed and takeoff. 

What kind of photography excites you most—lifestyle, action, or behind-the-scenes?

To be completely honest, my favourite type of photography is animal photography. I enjoy the element of surprise, and capturing images of animals, whether small or large, can be pretty challenging. 

When it comes to kites, I particularly love taking super close-up shots during action or product shoots.

Can you share your favourite photo you’ve taken and the story behind it?

In Picture 1, you can see Lorenzo, captured while I stood in the water where the waves occasionally crashed against me. It was extremely challenging to keep the lens clean and maintain a sharp image, but we managed to get quite close without using a water housing.

Picture 2 was taken by Stig Hoefnagel before the Force was in its final design. I love doing short line shoots because the photos turn out exceptionally cool! This was also the last time I was one of the top riders in Harlem. After this, I was joined by a fantastic team of top 10 riders who could perform even better. This memory holds a special place in my heart.

What exciting things are on the horizon for you and Harlem Kitesurfing?

This is tough because there are so many exciting things happening! However, I have to hold off on sharing everything for now. What I’m looking forward to is showing that sustainability and performance can totally work together in our industry. I’m hoping that in a couple of years, we’ll be able to fully recycle a kite to help keep our world in great shape!

As a team manager, what do you look for when it comes to team riders and ambassadors, and what makes them stand out?

The key to joining the family is to contribute something unique to it. This could be something small, like acting as an ambassador in a local area, sharing our amazing products with riders who aim to set World Records and become champions.

It’s also essential to ensure that we don’t have too many people with the same goal, but rather that we diversify across many locations.

What’s the hardest part of the role?

Keep all the riders happy while also satisfying the marketing and sales teams. Remember, it’s not just about enjoying the kite sessions! 

Sometimes, one of the hardest parts is having to tell amazing riders that they can’t join us, whether because the timing isn't right or the team is already at capacity. We believe that keeping the team at the right size is essential to providing the best support, opportunities, and attention that every rider deserves.

What do you enjoy the most about working for a brand like Harlem?

I am most passionate about joining a company that supports my vision and collaborates with me to reach new heights, rather than just working for financial gain. 

When you pursue what you love, the money will follow, as hard work truly pays off. While we may never become millionaires in this industry, living a good, simple life with purpose and earning respect for our work is what makes this industry so rewarding.

Amazing, thank you, Victor! 

Thanks Jen!

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By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.