OpenRoad Driver
Volume 11 Issue 1
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Cover Me
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PM 40599157
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VO LU M E 1 1 I S S U E 1
Be Ready in Winter | Wondrous Whidbey
Invested in Style | Favourite Street Eats
The MINIster | 10 Newest Cars | Taken by Bath
Perfectly Port Moody | Top 5 Driving Apps
Victory Lap with Darryl O’Young
Who better than the Canadian kiteboard
champion to grace our cover alongside the new
2014 Mazda3? They’re both sporty, fast and
sexy. Stefano Rista is the two-time defending
national champion in kiteracing.
I N F R O N T O F T H E L E N S : S T E FA N O R I S TA
BEHIND THE LENS: JIM HEGAN
FA C E B O O K . C O M /J I M . H E G A N
Canadian Kiteboard Champion: 2012, 2013
Based: Vancouver year round, Squamish in the summer sharing
a house with other kiters
Birth place: Cape Town, South Africa
Surfing: 10 years
Hours boarding: 2-5 hours in the summer 2-3 days a week
Favourite place to kite: Squamish – a very special and unique
place
Photographer Jim Hegan has spent years photographing
events and athletes. Affable and easygoing, his keen ability to
capture the action sets him apart. He is particularly drawn to
kiteboarding and winter sports, and we think he has delivered
the perfect photo elements for our cover.
Tell us about your favourite boarding moment.
That’s tough to say but by far some of my most memorable have
been in big waves in either Hawaii or Australia. The wind has great
power and energy on its own. Combining that with large, powerful
waves gives us a unique opportunity to appreciate what an amazing
world we live in and just how special every moment here is.
What’s your regular day job?
I design boats and other watercraft. The business I run, Walker Bay
Boats, manufactures boats, paddling products and other things that
make getting out on the water easy and fun.
What do you love about kiteboarding?
The thrills and adventures with friends. You know, I’ve been lucky
enough to win the title of Canadian Kiteracing Champion a couple
of times but there are a few other outstanding kiteboarders equally
deserving of that title and I’m grateful and fortunate that they’re
great friends of mine.
Photographer: 6 years
Based: Squamish and the Sea-to-Sky Corridor
What are you passionate about photographing?
I love shooting live music events and festivals, and sports such as
Nordic. These include biathlon, cross-country skiing, ski jumping,
luge, bobsleigh and skeleton. I really enjoy photographing kiteboard
racing, too.
Why do you love shooting kiters?
It’s up close action and Squamish gives me such an amazing
backdrop.