my North Quiverbag

Nickname:
Kitegabi

Pro-Kiter since
2002, howeva: as well passionate Waterwoman of all kinds -Stand Up Paddle, Surf, Wake, Windsurf...anything related to my life-force THE OCEAN

Your sponsors:
North kiteboarding, ION, Oakley Eyewear

3 Songs, you always carry on your player:
Howie Day ‘Collide’, Wyclef Jean ‘Apocalypse’, Sashamon ‘Necta’

3 tings you definitely need on a trip:
Laptop, Photo-Camera, my Contact lenses 

3 riders, who inspire you:
Jesse Billauer (check out his website www.jessebillauer.com !!), Bethany Hamilton, Fabio Ingrosso

3 greatest movies you watched:
I hardly eva watch movies, TV or go 2 the cinema. I try 2 live my own movie every day. Howeva I read a lot, my favourite books: ‘High Surf’ by Tim Baker, ‘The Peaceful Warrior’ by Dan Millman, ‘The Alchemist’ by Paulo Coelho.

Did you have any bad Injuries in your career and how did it happen?
YES, I’ve had many injuries in my career, I reckon it’s ‘part of the game’ if you push limits (which is our job, right?) and go hard: 3 broken ribs (not at the same time, nope, one by one, several occasions, howeva all on landing a move in the water but not stickin’ it and crashin’ right onto the rib. Recovery of broken ribs is long and painful and there’s nothing really one can do apart accepting constant pain & wait...), several sprains, muscle & ligament tears, sprains, ... The worst injury, though, was without a doubt: tearing the crucial ligament in my left knee. It was a super strong, gusty wind-day in Canos de Mecca, Tarifa, I was totally overpowered on my 9m2... Back then I loooooved hardcore kiteloops and attempted the fattest loop eva...almost sticked the landing, I did in fact, just that it was as hard as jumping out of the 10th floor of a building and on absorbing the landing, one of my knees simply did not hold up... surgery, crutches for 2 months, very focused rehab, 7 months OUT of the water...but hey, back on the water: happier & stronger than b4  !!

Explain how you got into being sponsored?
Hard work: producing promo-videos, achieving good results @ comps, writing & getting articles and photos published – the key: persistency & commitment, simply never give up and dare 2 ride waves of passion & 2 live ur dreams !!

Wakeboarding/ Surfing/ Kiting is…?
My life! A form of active meditation, to be present NOW, right here in the very moment... feeling the flow interacting with the elements & inhaling so much life-energy from Mother Nature without taking anything away from her !

Your Favourite place to travel to…
any random paradise island far away from brainwashed western society, where friendliness, curiosity & love shines in people’s eyes and the words ‘envy & possessions’ don’t mean nothing, preferably some remote place where I can fish my own fish, camp on the beach with the swell breakin’ right in front of my doorstep, sun, like-minded mates around, appreciative of the wonder called ‘life’ and well aware of the privilege we all share !
Ok, a bit less philosophical now: I’ve never been to Tahiti nor Hawaii, both are huge dreams of mine...there’s so many more places, though, that I still so much wish to explore one day: Peru, Chile, the Easter islands, Coco and Cook islands and and and...

When I’m 50 years old I…/ after my career I will be…
What du mean with ‘after my career’, I’m planning on still be pushin’ it and rippin’ even bigger waves when I’m 50 !! Howeva, if no one wants 2 sponsor an ‘old bag’ I will still be living 4 and @ the ocean - also most likely will be writing a book about my personal wisdoms 2 happiness, life & living ones dreams.

What is important for you in life besides Wakeboarding/Kitesurfing/Windsurfing?
My family’s and friend’s health & happiness - ...not quite convinced, though, that u asked for such a ‘deep’ answer.
Personal development is truly important and I strive to develop myself continuously further in many contexts and by different means: travel, yoga, meditation, reading, writing, photography, lots-of-other sports... Travel is a great way of widening your view of the World, to get to know other cultures, habits, people and to learn from’em in order find a balance on this rather crazy but wonderfully exciting planet! I’ve been ‘on the road’ now for over 15 years, still have not settled down....One day will be writing a book of all the amazing experiences and adventures that I’m privileged to live !

Beer or cocktail?
I usually don’t drink... sometimes I do really enjoy a good glass of wine, though, and in Brazil: Caipirinha 

I didn’t become a banker because…
In fact, I’ve been in the financing industry right @ THE hotspots: in Hong Kong, for 2 years ! ...but had 2 realize that everyone there ‘lives 2 work and work = life’, most people not enjoying what they do, though, plus being sucked into the impression that money makes happy ... and that one needs more and more of it, thus working more and more and missing out on real ‘living’. 2day my job ‘kite-pro’ is also my life and I live 4 it, howeva, financially it’s waaaay less rewarding but who cares, it’s only a question of adopting your lifestyle. Money does not bring happiness, living your dream does and I would NOT change my job for the world !! (...how many people can say that, ey..?).

Other guys say I am…
crazy & lucky - I think… they are right.... i.e. crazy & lucky ;)

I’d never ride at…
I don’t think there would be a spot that I would not ride at if conditions were suitable...!?

Last movie you watched?
...I already told u, I’m not into spending time in front of a box...

Last place you have been to?
I am currently in Western Australia

Last song you listened to?
Jota Quest ‘So Hoje’, this morning in my car checking out the surf @ sunrise

Last words…
Dare 2 ride waves of passion, carpe diem & live ur dreams !