Wind maverick
Rafferty Read on getting Pure Stoke from Every Session
2026 is off to a busy start for Rafferty Read, and it’s only getting busier! So far he’s already competed at the Wingfoil Racing World Cup in Hong Kong, he’s preparing for a busy event calendar, and he’s in the midst of getting the Holy Moly League under way – we’ll have more on that soon! In a rare quiet moment, Rafferty sat down with us to chat everything watersports, how he’s doing getting to grips with kitesurfing, and the pure stoke he lives for on the water.
Tell us about how you first got into watersports, and how you made it to where you are in wing foiling today.
My Dad was a big windsurfer, and I gave it a go when I was about eight, but hated it because it was too cold and wet! I tried again I was around 10, and I got the buzz straight away - the speed and going fast on the water. I went through all the ranks like the regional, international, international racing, techno, IQ foil, RSX.
When I got to senior age for IQ foil I was pretty high up in the world and nationally. But just to be competitive, I needed to put on a load of weight, and because I'm not that tall, I didn't really want to do that. So that was the time to see what else was out there.
Foiling had just become just become a thing, so I tried it, loved it, and somehow managed to make it work right from the start. I kept working at it, having fun and competing in the first international races. And now I'm here.
Who inspired you the most when you started out?
I'd definitely say my Dad.
Where do you call home and what’s your local spot like?
My parents still live in Oxford where I grew up, but we're lucky to have this place on Portland. So the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy is my home spot. It's not the most beachy, it's a sailing facility, but it's perfect, super easy in, wind all the time, can go in any conditions.
Can you talk about your riding style? what draws you to that way of riding?
That's an interesting question! Let’s say, I just go for it. Although if I don't know how to do something, I obviously don’t send it full power, especially with kiting. I haven't been doing it for long, so my technique might not be the best! But I'm not scared. I probably should be scared because I've had some pretty hard hits! But I just keep going for it, and learn that way.
What's your kiting setup? Why does it work for you?
I’ve got a Crave 3S A-Series 8 metre, a 12 metre Flite, and the Tempest board. They’re pretty sick, pretty wicked, and I've used both kites pretty equally, so far. I love how they're exactly what you want from kite surfing equipment. You want it super light and easy in the hands, but still direct and do what you want when you want it. If a kite is really direct, it can get heavy, or hard to use. But if it is super light, then you sometimes lose that strength, that directness. But with these kites, you have both directness and lightness.
It's easy to be better when you have great kit like this. You can be exactly the same as you were, but when you get new gear, you do so much better because the equipment performs well. And that's what I love, rather than having to adjust to it to get the full performance. You know, it's just bish, bash, bosh. See you later. Sending it.
The way the Tempest board grips is so good for boosts, and you can edge so hard into wind and then just pop. It's next level.
That's something that I've been amazed by when using it. It's just so easy to get the performance out of it.
It's easy to be better when you have great kit like this. You can be exactly the same as you were, but when you get new gear, you do so much better because the equipment performs well. And that's what I love, rather than having to adjust to it to get the full performance. You know, it's just bish, bash, bosh. See you later. Sending it.
Tell us about the best session of your life. Where was it and what made it unforgettable?
That is a huge question! For the best session ever, I'd probably have to think for a good amount of time! But this year was in Egypt and I had my first session with the 12 metre Flite, and it was so sweet. I'd been wing foiling there before, and found there's loads of rocks and shallow spots.
But when I went out kiting, I could just go over the shallow water, go over to the tiny islands and play around. It was really easy conditions. I was working my way around the bay, it was sunny, loads of people were out and it was epic. I was thinking, this is just dreamy.
But when I went out kiting, I could just go over the shallow water, go over to the tiny islands and play around. It was really easy conditions. I was working my way around the bay, it was sunny, loads of people were out and it was epic. I was thinking, this is just dreamy.
Are you tempted by the other disciplines, like Big Air?
I definitely am. My mate Mattea is very good at it - he runs PUKL, a Big Air kiting event in the UK (follow them on Instagram!). He was teaching me about how to go big. I've actually got a video from last week that I'm going to be posting soon. I tell you what, it did hurt a fair bit for a good minute! But after that I was like, yeah, let's go again. I'd love to keep going with Big Air.
Where would be your dream spot that you haven't been yet?
That's another big question! Probably somewhere like the Dominican Republic I think. I hear lots of good things. Or Chicama in Peru, where there's insane waves. I always see people posting from there. It looks amazing.
How do you stay fit when the wind's not blowing?
When I can't get on the water because of wind, I still try to get on the water and go pump foiling. That's my aerobics! I’m still on the water even when there's no wind.
What's your mindset before a competition or a big session you have to gear up for?
Well, obviously I make sure I know exactly what the outcomes and goals should be. But I've learned through the years that if I'm not having a good time, I'm not successful, so I still have the mindset of going to enjoy it. Sometimes I don't enjoy it during the session, but during those times I know I’ll feel good afterwards. So as long as I enjoy it at some point, then I know I'll succeed.
how do you see the Kite and Wing scene changing over the next few years? What would you like to see?
I see lifestyle kiting carrying on full power. Being being out there in nature and that kind of reset and relax - why I enjoy it - will carry on doing well, with more people getting involved.
I think also the spectacle of Big Air and tricks will continue to expand. Not many things are like it. You can be right next to the guy who’s doing massive jumps, and see how that's addictive. You can't really beat it.
It'll be interesting to see what happens with the Olympics too. The separation between kite surfing in the Olympics and “normal” kite surfing is too big right now. I hope they'll bring the sport more in line with what people can realistically do, so it is more accessible. Being in the Olympics is fantastic, but it has to be done right, otherwise it'll divide the sport further instead of bringing it together.
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to get into kiting or foiling?
First of all, do it in summer! I made the mistake of starting out in cold water and that's not fun. It's hardest when you're just starting out. So if you can start on holiday or somewhere warm where being in the water is nice, that's ideal - it's easier to get to the point it feels fun. You just have to keep going until you get to the moment that it feels fun. However long it takes you, when you get to that point, you'll be hooked.
And it's a good thing to be hooked on! It gets you outside, on the water, and into your own little world. So if you find it is at all fun at the start, you're in for a good time.
And it's a good thing to be hooked on! It gets you outside, on the water, and into your own little world. So if you find it is at all fun at the start, you're in for a good time.
Thanks, Rafferty!
We’re looking forward to seeing more from Rafferty in the coming months – his year ahead is looking pretty epic, between competitions with the IWSA, triple Defi, and the Holy Moly League. The team at Ocean Rodeo are stoked to be supporting him along the way, so watch this space for more!