Brian Wheeler

Jan 4, 2008

Author: Lance Koudele

Who's That? You mean that guy chillin’ on the beach reading the Buddhist holy book Tipitaka? That’s Brian Wheeler. As far as I know, he’s the great Buddha reincarnated himself. I mean, the guy is the most kind, sincere, unassuming, intelligent person around. When he’s on the water, he’s quietly throwing the sickest S-bend to blind Kite Loops—Mad Matrix style, smooth like Bruce Lee, with enthusiasm and stoke to share with everyone.

He studied eastern and western philosophy in school—some hybrid combination of writing, science, mysticism, and deep consciousness. Heavy stuff. But as far as I’m concerned, it’s exactly what we need to learn more about as a society obsessed with paranoia, Prozac, and material possessions.

Wheeler has written some impressive political commentary on the current U.S. administration and the messed-up direction it is taking us. He’s done some blogging and currently is working on new material that he’s stoked to present. If Wheeler is excited, that means something.

It’s not all intense stuff, though. He’s the assistant editor for Aquarium Fish International (formerly known as Aquarium Fish Magazine) down in Orange County. Seems random, but it takes a Koi fish pond to make a Zen rock garden complete.
I remember the Bridge of Gods competition this summer when Wheeler showed up. He was going Richter. He managed to break a board, win the Kite Loop contest and take second place overall. Calm as a Buddhist monk, strong as a samurai.
He certainly has the hairdo of the monk; he just needs to work on that Buddha belly. But I don’t see that happening for a long, long time. —Lance Koudele


Brain “Wheels” Wheeler, a member of the U.S. North team, won the Best Kite Loop contest the summer of 2006 in the Gorge . He is also a regular contributor to SBC Kiteboard magazine. Koudele photo

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