Ambassador Portrait – Kinkin
Personal presentation & background
Kinkin, 40 years old and 90 kg, is cheerful and settled in Le Havre after traveling quite a bit for work. With the sea just a stone's throw away, it's hard to resist the call of the sessions. "I have no choice, I go in the water almost every day," he jokes.
He discovered wingfoil from the very beginning. The attraction was immediate, but the learning curve proved to be tough. "I really struggled," he admits, before adding that the rapid evolution of the equipment changed everything. Today, wingfoiling has become a real pleasure and each session is an opportunity to progress. He's been sailing for about 3 or 4 years, even if he admits he doesn't really count anymore.
His connection with Takoon was natural: a customer from the very beginning, he later became an ambassador. He particularly appreciates the quality of the equipment and the performance/price ratio, which he believes remains unbeatable.
His Takoon setup
To cover all conditions, Kinkin relies on a versatile setup.
He rides a 5m VX Pro to deliver good speeds and a 4m V3 Pro for the swell. On the foil side, he uses an HM V2 mast, a short aluminum fuselage, a Flare 1400 for light conditions and small swells, and a Flare 850 for medium and swell. His Glide 160 stabilizer has been "tuned" to a Glide 130 for more responsiveness. He completes the package with a Glide ML 85 L 6'0 board.
This quiver allows him to sail between 8 and 30 knots, allowing him to enjoy almost every session without having to worry. "Quick choice, more time on the water," he sums up.
A clear preference
While he's dabbled in several disciplines, wing-boarding is what he's most passionate about. On windless days, he turns to pump foiling, which he finds physically demanding but perfect for keeping busy in calm conditions. He also has his eye on parawing, a discipline he plans to try soon.
His main playground is his home spot in Le Havre. The water isn't always tropical—20°C in summer, 8°C in winter—but we sail there year-round. He doesn't have any particular ritual before going on the water, other than a quick weather check. His equipment is always in his van, ready to be used at any time.
Memories & Progress
Each session is a good memory for him, because each one brings something new. As for the challenges, nothing dramatic: just a few tense moments to get through the shorebreak and the pebbles, but "the god of luck was always with me."
For beginners, he strongly recommends taking lessons to progress faster, and choosing the right equipment and conditions to get started. As for his goals, he has two: reaching 30 knots in speed and getting serious about parawing.
A vision of the community
Kinkin follows a lot of riders on social media and remains impressed by young people who perform incredible tricks at just 12 years old. Among his inspirations, he cites the Boyer brothers in particular.
For him, Takoon is "a brand close to his heart" and one he's been following since the beginning. As for the foil/wing/pump community, he describes it as laid-back, friendly, and always up for a drink after the sessions.
Out of the water
When he's not on the water, Kinkin lives "the real life," balancing work and family. A passionate cook, he admits that his favorite meal after a big session... isn't a meal, but a large pint of locally brewed L'Havrais Beer.
And to conclude: “Enjoy all your sessions and don’t be afraid to try, fail and start again.”
📲 Find Kinkin on Instagram: