Just recently it was made official that kitesurfing will make it into the olympics! I have been coaching around the south coast of the UK listening to the aftermath of such a decision and absorbing what I hear. Firstly I would just like to make clear that Im truely sorry for the RSX windsurfers who evidently have suffered from this decision as windsurfing has now been axed. The British windsurfers are talented and extremely strong contenders for Olympic gold this season and I can only hope they have taken this decision to help them focus on that medal. What a decision to make at this time. However being a kitesurfer through and through I am certainly happy to see kitesurfing make its way in to the Olympics even if for now it is the course racing discipline.
We have many names to thank for their hard work including our own Steph Bridge from Edge Watersports in Exmouth who helped pave the way and of course we need to thank Markus Schwendtner who lobbied to have kitesurfing taken on as a sailing sport which then put kitesurfing within a category that could make it an olympic sport.
Its interesting listening to my own thoughts of kitesurfing in the Olympics. Of course Im happy that it will bring more funding in to the sport and open up opportunities for our talented youngsters. For me its ignited a new fire in my tummy! Its a new step in taking kitesurfing forwards. The sport breeds a young age of rider and many of whom I have had the pleasure to ride and compete with over the years. Is this their chance to excel in the most infamous sporting competition of all time? Or is it mine? Do I pick up a course racing board and channel my competitive spirit in to this discipline? Could I do well? Who knows, but it makes me dream!
Right now, Im happy to be riding a race board in my spare time, a waveboard in the swells and my twin tip as regularly as I can. Going for the tricks, taking on the power and soaking up that adrenalin is my addiction from which I doubt I’ll ever overcome and so their will always be a twin tip along side the rest of the kit in the back of my van. Aside from that I plan to continue my focus on kitesurfing coaching! I’ve been lucky enough to coach people of all ages over the passed few years. Kids from as young as 4 all the way up to ladies and gentlemen in their 60′s. I’ve even had the pleasure to coach men in the Marines, Navy and Airforce. Its an extremely fulfilling experience seeing those happy smiles after endless hours of frustration when the move finally clicks. Its the exhilaration of seeing the competitive spirit in someone elses’ eyes. I’m going to continue on my mission to help people improve, train and win at competition because thats where my passion lies! So come on the Rio 2016. I look forward to the new energy that you bring in and hope that one day you can take on freestyle too!
For now watch out for athlete training programmes and youth training trips. Im excited to do my part in helping the British youth take on the world!
