Hannah Whiteley: Essence

Video Details:

Professional Kiteboarder from the UK, Hannah Whiteley spent the 2014 winter in Cape Town, South Africa. Here is an insight into what she got up to..

Shot and edited by Andi Jansen

hannahwhiteley.com

Follow hannah on Facebook: facebook.com/HannahWhiteleyOfficialPage

Instagram: instagram.com/hannahwhiteleyofficial

Youtube: youtube.com/channel/UCOXq-tcD4X_QmksdqWsfIrA

Songs featured: Coffee (Cousin Cole & Nacey Edit), FAUL & Wad AD & Pnau - CHANGES

Sound affects by SiNCH: facebook.com/SiNCH.producer

Interview with Best Pro - Hannah Whiteley:

We had a chance to chat with Hannah about her transition to Best Kiteboarding and her other interests. Here is what Hannah had to say!

How has the transition as a Best team rider been for you? 

HW: It has been great, thanks. All the crew at Best have been really supportive and made me feel like part of a family. I am really enjoying riding the gear and have had some great trips with the team.

Seems like there are a lot more female riders out there lately; why do you think that is? 

HW: Maybe more girls are realizing the boys shouldn't be having all the fun! Kites are also so much more safe now and it's easy to get lessons, so this makes kiteboarding a lot more welcoming to women and men.

Best advice for other females looking to get into kiteboarding? 

HW: The sooner you start the better. :-)

Thoughts on the difference in prize money for men and women kiters at events? 

HW: I think prize money should be equal. Women should not be penalized just because they are not at the same standard as guys. We still put all the same effort and hours in training and competition is not easy on the girls; it's usually a pretty close call in the finals as with the guys.

What is your dream quiver? 

HW: That's a hard one. I'm really enjoying Best's TS, Extracts and GP kites. I think a mixed quiver of GP and Extracts would be great.

Describe your dream session? 

HW: Summer sessions at my home spot in Lytham, UK are really special. When it's one of those magic days, no session anywhere else in the world can beat it. 9m weather, big empty flat water lagoons, just you and your friends. The beach goes on for as far as you can see. I have stayed out kiting for over 5hrs when it has been these magical conditions. It's hard to describe; I'm just lost in that moment and that's my favorite place to be. :-)

Who would you rather have your back in a bar fight: Ruben Lenten, Youri Zoon, Gisela Pulido, or Chris Bobryk? 

HW: Gisela has been pretty good at looking after me in the past!

Besides kiteboarding, what other outlets do you have to get your zen/stoke/shred on? 

HW: I love to skate, ride cable, rock climb, trampoline and generally throw myself around at whatever sport. It's more of a case of there are too many awesome sports to do and discover and not enough time.

How does trampoline training help you with kiteboarding? 

HW: I think it helps your with your air awareness. Knowing where you are mid-trick is very important.

Tucker wants to know what's up with the fruit boots? Just kidding. What is your best trick on inline skates? 

HW: Haha, yeah, I've heard it's not very 'cool' to rollerblade/inline in the US. Luckily I don't inline to be cool though. :-) I think people are most impressed when they see me do flips on my rollerblades. To be honest, doing some tech grinds is a lot harder but probably looks a lot less impressive. I'm pretty good at doing switch grinds, i.e. switch sweat stance is one of them.

So when will we see you riding the Great Lakes and with the MACkite crew? 

HW: I'm pretty keen to come over to the US next year so a session in the Great Lakes could be arranged :-)

What music is on your playlist to get you amped before a session? 

HW: My playlists are always changing, Eminem never grows old on me though; he always gets me amped! Pretty into Lily Allen and Arctic Monkeys too.

Want to shoutout to any of your sponsors? 

HW: I would love to say a big thank you to all of my sponsors for supporting and believing in me. Best Kiteboarding, Chiemsee, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Prolimit.

Closing thoughts?

HW: Thanks for interviewing me, hope to catch you all in the US in the near future then! :-)