This young and talented kitesurfer has been catching our attention for a while, from the first time we saw her in Brazil displaying a style that mixed together engaged power and feminine style.
An ambassador for Sensi Bikinis and also the top female rider for North Kiteboarding she has been showing a multitude of talents tearing up the cable parks and sliders always in boots, mixing it with the Na Blend crew.
We will stop the suspense there because without further delay KiteSista is proud to present to you the delightful Colleen Carroll.
KSm: Hi Colleen, can you tell us a little bit about yourself, …where you grew up? …and how you got to where you are now?
CC: Hi KiteSista! About me …always the hardest question to answer! Well, I grew up outside of Seattle, Washington on the west coast of the US. I spent most of my time as a kid snowboarding, mountain biking, and wakeboarding. Pretty much just getting into whatever cool sport my older brother was doing….other than rollerblading, I never went there.
How I got to where I am today? Very long story short, a good effort from my dad to teach me to windsurf as a kid in Hood River, Oregon sparked an early desire to kite.
Fast-forward through college and many years spent chasing an endless winter and what was meant to be an in between job at a kite shop quickly turned into 5 years of chasing wind around the Pacific Northwest and in the last two years, around the world. I also want to add that there were many key people along the way who helped me get to where I am. Many thanks are owed!
KSm: You are part of the North international team and in our opinion leading the way for the younger generation of female riders. How did this deal come about and what does it mean to you?
CC: North International brought me on last year to join the mostly male international team. More recently, North has been really pushing the wakestyle side of the sport and lucky for me, they wanted a female rider from the States to help them do that. I can’t say enough how amazing this opportunity has been for me. Being on the international team has given me the ability to see parts of the world I never thought I would, allowed me to have input on all of the products I use, and hopefully continue to lead the charge for women in kiteboarding.
KSm: As well as the North team you also ride for Sensi Bikinis …we are great fans of Sensi Graves and her products, …so can you tell us a little bit more about how this partnership started.
CC:? Let me start by saying that Sensi Bikinis are the best! I love wearing them for their functionality as well as flirty look but I am also happy standing behind them because of the woman and the mission behind the company.
Sensi Graves and I met only two years ago but have quickly become good friends and kite sisters. We always have a blast traveling together and are constantly testing suits, and by testing I mean kiting, surfing, riding cable, or anything where our hands get sandy and our bikinis are at risk of malfunction.
KSm: You are good friends with Claire Lutz, …but, have you had a chance to meet or ride with fellow North rider Sabrina Lutz (our German angel)? …because you can never have enough Lutz in your life.
CC:? I love Claire! But no…haven’t had the chance to meet the beautiful miss Sabrina. Sounds like a girls trip may be in order. Think we’d have to invite Paula Novotna too, another ripping chick on the North team I’d like to meet.
KSm: After seeing some of your recent videos it is clear that you are definitely a big fan of the sliders and wake style. Was this a natural direction for your riding and what is your view on the growing number of girls hitting the sliders and cable park when there is no wind?
CC:? I grew up snowboarding and wakeboarding so the progression was almost innate. I get so stoked to see new girls in the park or trying to learn progressive wakestyle moves. Especially on sliders I think girls have huge potential for progression since so much of it is about technique and creativity and less about strength. The cable is actually a great example of this, you tend to see a lot more girls at the cable killing it than the kite park and hopefully this is a trend we’ll see spill over to kiting soon.
KSm: Does your time spent training in this area mean you focus a little less on free-riding and the other disciplines like strapless surf, or away from the videos do you find time to balance all aspects of kiting?
CC:? I definitely spend the majority of my time on the water on sliders or flatwater but I also enjoy the occasional strapless surf session. Someday, I’d love to live at the ocean and surf and kitesurf everyday!
KSm: We secretly knew the answer to that because you absolutely destroyed the Triple-S event earlier this year picking up 1st place overall for Sliders, Slick AND Surf, …how much of an effect has this had on your public profile and media attention, …and also your confidence in yourself as a rider?
CC: Winning the Triple-S was something I never thought I could do. I feel very lucky! I can tell the media attention has gained me some recognition, people I’ve never met before will know exactly who I am and offer congrats. Which is a very cool feeling. As far as confidence, I’d say it was a lesson to go after things you may think you can’t do but on the other hand the event also showed how high the level is getting in the women’s riding and makes me motivated to keep progressing.
KSm: Can you give some advice to girls who want to get more into the freestyle and wakestyle riding in boots but are hesitant to switch from straps?
CC:? Boots aren’t for everyone. I’d say if you are scared to try boots then don’t. Give yourself some more time and later in the game you may be more keen on the idea, don’t let yourself get pressured into them because ‘everyone’ is riding boots these days.
On the other hand, if you are intrigued by hitting sliders or like the idea of having more support in your ankles and find it frustrating to keep losing your board mid-trick then give them a try. Find a pair that fit nicely and go for a cruise. Don’t feel the need to try every trick you’ve ever landed your first session. Give yourself some time to get used to the differences and chances are before you know it, you’ll never look back to riding straps =)
KSm: What other sports do you do to compliment your kiting, and how important is having a balance of more than just kiting to you?
CC:? Oh boy! I am also nuts for mountain biking, snowboarding, cable, yoga, trail running, the occasional SUP session, or I’ll attempt to surf when the opportunity presents itself. Kiting is my ultimate passion but my body and mind appreciate mixing it up once in a while.
KSm: In addition to being an excellent rider you are without question a very beautiful girl … we want a beach beauty secret please, something for the girls?
CC:? It’s no secret but I’d say #1 is to wear sunscreen!… or a hat. While I love a little vitamin D, too much can leave you looking a little worse for the wear. I also put it in my hair and relax in the shade instead of the blazing sun. Also I try to drink as much water as I possibly can.
KSm: Clearly this worked as you are currently with the rather gorgeous specimen of Craig Cunningham (look him up girls if you don’t already know). How did this come about, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of having a boyfriend in the top level of the kiting industry?
CC:? Well I do know that he thinks I look cute in a flatbrim so maybe my hat trick worked ;). Craig and I met two years ago in Brazil each while on a kite trip. We became friends at first and were busy each with our own agendas for traveling but would always stay in touch and bump into each other here and there at various kite spots. Before long we realized how much better it was when we were travelling to kite destinations together and how great it is to feed off of each other’s energy and support. However, it can be tough for both of us traveling year round since sometimes we need or want to go to different places which can lead to long time periods apart. That’s where Skype steps in!
KSm: Can he take advice and criticism from you??
CC:? He asks for it! Not with everything, after all he is a guy, but with a lot of projects we work really closely and he is always asking me to edit his writing, critique videos, or for my opinions on new projects/ideas.
KSm: With your pretty intense schedule is it hard to find time to spend with family and friends off the water, and of course time for yourself?
CC:? Luckily for me, most of my friends and family also kite so I get to spend time with them on the water doing what I love but yes, it can be challenging to feel like I am giving them as much time as I would like. I have a handful of very amazing girlfriends from growing up that are my best support system and none of them kite. It can be hard to get our schedules to line up but when I do ditch the kite for some good quality girl time, I never regret it! Jessie, Alaina, Hillary, Lauren, Natasha, Shay, Jess, I Love you girls!
KSm: What new projects do you have coming up that you can tell us about?
CC:? Next thing coming up is a laid back couple weeks in Ontario, Canada with Craig. We have a bunch of places to explore around the Great Lakes and a few crafty slider ideas to play with. After that it will be off to Brazil for some nice hairdryer conditions where the NA Blend crew has some big plans in the works. From there things are still up in the air but ideas are being thrown around about visting Peru, Colombia, SA, the Philippines, Caribbean, Panama, or really who knows where?
KSm: A huge thank you for spending the time to talk to us, as is tradition the floor is open to you, …a few words of wisdom to finish …
CC: No matter what you do, have FUN!
