Interview with Sensi Graves I Being a Pro kiter & Learning to Wing

Hey, what's up guys? I'm Rygo.

I'm Sensi.

And today we're going to do another interview, and we're going to chat with Sensei Graves here. So it's been kind of a big year for you, a lot of change, a lot of things happening. You just got onto Slingshot. Do you mind sharing about that experience?

Represent, yes! I actually was on Liquid Force for eight years prior to this. They went out of business, I broke my wrist shortly thereafter, and so I wasn't stressed at all about finding a new sponsor because I couldn't ride anyway. So I took my time meeting with different people and it was actually a really fun opportunity to find a brand that I really aligned with. Slingshot is based in Hood River; my fiance also does the R & D for them and I am good friends with a lot of those guys already, and so it was just a really great fit and they totally stepped up to support me and now- representing! Local Hood River.

So, switching from all the gear you were on with Liquid Force, how has it been adapting to it? I guess you're riding the RPX now?

RPX and also Rally GT, and then I have the Luna board and the Asylum, which is the park board, park style/freestyle, a little bit heavier weight for hitting features on, and I'm loving it. I have the Sentry bar. It's fun to get new gear because I've been on another brand for so long that just experiencing new products I'm like, "This is exciting." It's also really high quality. The bar is super sturdy, which I really like, and I don't have any problems unhooking at all, which I really appreciate. The RPX really doesn't move at all in the sky, so super great for hitting park and features, and then I love the Rally GT for riding my foil. It's really sturdy, super quick in the sky. So it's just been fun to get my hands on a lot of new product.

Yeah, for sure. And I've noticed as well, like you mentioned with the durability and everything, going from Liquid Force to Slingshot, they really have that mantra of making the most heavy duty gear out there. It's bombproof. That's Tony's thing, is they want their gear to be indestructible, right? I guess, as well, I've noticed that you're doing quite a bit of winging these days. That's a big change; how was that?

Yeah, it's funny because I first tried winging two summers ago during AWSI and I was like, "What the heck is this? This is so stupid." And then last spring I totally got into it, was completely addicted, absolutely I'm loving it. It's just so fun, I think number one because it's really challenging, so when you get it you feel super successful, and then number two, you can really ride the river swell. So in Hood River we have a lot of rolling swell that comes down the Columbia Gorge and it's just so fun to let the wing completely go and just carve on your foil on the swell, so I've really been enjoying that part of it.

So I gotta ask, going from being a high level rider and some of the more difficult disciplines in the sport, how is it crossing over to something that's more accessible? We have so many more people getting into winging because it's a little less intimidating, right? How is it just learning a new sport? Has there been a learning curve for you at all?

Oh, yeah. When I first started I was like, "This is really hard," and I think that makes it more enjoyable when you finally get it because you're like, "Okay, this is so hard, so hard, so hard," so it's so rewarding when you finally get it. But you're right; more people are like, "Oh, you're winging!" as opposed to park riding. People are like, "Wait what? What are you doing? You have floating features in the water?" But people are already recognizing winging more. They're like, "Oh, I think I could do that." So that relatability and, you're right, the accessibility is pretty awesome. I think it's just going to encourage more people to get in the water, more people get outside, and who doesn't want to share water sports and the healthy, active lifestyle that we all love so much?

All right. So last, but not least, you've been running your business since 2012 now, right? How is that going for you? Anything new on the horizon?

Yeah, it's been going well. You know I've been really hard on myself this whole entire time of running the business. I've wanted to quit a thousand times, but in 2021 I was just kind of like, "I'm just going to keep trying. I'm just going to let go of all these ideas of success that I have and just show up," and that's what matters and it's working. This is definitely our best year that we've ever had. We've introduced more inclusive sizing, so right now we go up to 2XL with hopes of going to 4XL across the board, which has been awesome. And then we're really working on increased sustainability. Right now we are carbon neutral. I use all recycled fabrics. We donate one percent of sales to environmental groups. We use compostable packaging and we're made in the U.S. Are we truly sustainable? No, but that is where we're heading and I have big goals around that part of the business as well. So, all positive things.

That's actually pretty incredible, especially considering you're not a massive, giant corporation. You're an individual running a business and you're still making a focus to be inclusive and ethical and that you're the best you can be; I think that's actually pretty commendable.

Thank you. Well yeah; it's all in line with my values and that makes it easy to sell and to market because you're like, "This is what I'm doing, it's awesome, I stand behind it, and I can say that wholeheartedly," and I think people really resonate with that.

And one thing, as well, that I really like about your business mantra--this is a bit older one--but the whole thing was like, "The girls who rip" and everything. I like how you bring that about because in sports, a lot of times, we get so caught up in pushing the limit of the sport, but a lot of times as well it's about just pushing personal limits, and I think a lot of people, especially women, the messages they receive are, "Oh, you're not good enough, don't bother, don't try, no one's going to care," and I think it's great that somebody's putting that message out there that you're having fun, you're trying, it's okay, you're pushing it.

Yeah, that's really all that matters: that you show up and that you try, and I really say that. You don't need to be the best out there. You don't need to be the best at anything. You're probably not going to be, honestly.

Only one person can be the best, right?

Yeah, and all you need to do is be better than you were yesterday. It's only a competition against yourself, and if you just let go of the expectations, let go of the comparisons, and just commit to looking stupid and failing and learning, you're going to have way more fun.

Isn't that the truth? Well hey, I appreciate the time for this interview. So I hope you guys enjoyed this video and if you did, give it a thumbs up, hit that subscribe button. We'll catch you next time.

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