Lindsay McClure chats to Katie Potter, the talented rider from Down Under to find out her plans!

Lindsay McClure chats to Katie Potter this issue about kitesurfing, the competition scene, and travelling the globe...

Can you share with us a little bit about how you learned to kiteboard, and what attracted you to the sport?

I drove past the beach every day when I was a kid and always saw kites out on the water. Seeing them jump and float in the air just seemed like so much fun. That’s when I knew I had to get into the sport.

Describe for us the kiteboarding scene in Australia.

Australia is an awesome destination for kiting because no matter what time of the year, you can always a place where the wind is cranking, and the conditions are excellent. There are some fun kiteboarding scenes in Australia, but Melbourne by far is my favourite because the kiting community is huge. All year round there are mad keen kiters who will go out riding in all conditions. One of the local shops, Kite Republic, throws an event every month where at least 50 locals catch up to talk about the best stories from that month.

What lessons have you learned from kiteboarding that apply to other areas of your life?

Life can get pretty serious sometimes, but you shouldn’t forget all the fun there is to be had. Make the most of each day; the wind isn’t always perfect, but there is always fun to be had, you just have to make it yourself. Another thing I love about kiters is that we always put the wind before everything else, which makes for a healthy work/life balance. Not many other sports get people so crazy about getting out for that next session.

You spent last summer in America, how was that trip?

America was one of the best trips I’ve ever had. Hatteras, Maui and Hood River are incredible locations; it’s not just the stunning scenery but also the awesome people to hang out with. I loved it so much that I had to come back for the season this year.

What are your plans for the rest of this year? You're going back to Hood River, so what else is on the schedule?

I started in San Francisco, and I’m about to spend a week in Yosemite. Then I’ll head up to Hood River for the season, with a road trip up to Squamish in between. After that, I’ll head down to South America for three months to check out Colombia, Peru and Brazil. I should be back home for the Australian season unless I get the travel bug and just keep on going to new places!

What are your favourite conditions, and what motivates you to keep progressing?

My ideal conditions are a consistent 20 knots in butter flat water with only a few friends out. I rarely get these conditions because kiting is becoming so popular, but even just riding with friends at the same level who are stoked to progress helps you go out and land that next trick.

What is your setup of choice, and what to you like most about your equipment?

I’m currently riding the Naish Torch and Naish Alana; this combination is perfect for me because I don’t weigh very much. The Torch gives me just the right amount of pop and slack throughout the whole trick, and the Alana is the right weight for me to control my moves with confidence in the air.

What's the best advice you've received as an athlete?

Take care of your body; without it, you can’t do too much. Also, do what you do for yourself, not for anyone else.

What is your opinion of the state of ladies kiteboarding? Do you think that girls are fairly represented by the media, by brands, and with competition opportunities?

This is always a hard question because a lot of the girls out there just kite to have fun not compete. I’ve been trying in Australia for years to get more girls competing and progressing through clinics. This year the clinics have been a huge success, and it’s fantastic to see the level improving. I feel like once more girls are comfortable riding with their own style and competing we’ll have a stronger representation in both the media and at competitions.

Who inspires you, and how?

I get inspired by people with a positive attitude, real skills and that constant drive just to keep bettering what they do. This mind-set has a contagious energy that rubs off on everyone around them.

What impact would you like to have on the sport of kiteboarding?

I’d like to change the stigma around girls who ride at a professional level. Just like surfing has done over the last few years, I believe that kiting can make the distinction between kite models and professional riders. For this change to happen the word needs to spread and everyone needs to get involved in the matter: brands, media, riders and the general kiting community.

Outside of kiteboarding, how do you spend your time?

This past year I’ve only had time for kiting and university; but now that things are slowing down I’m going to learn Spanish, spend plenty of time adventuring outdoors and hanging out with friends.

What do you prefer, competing or working on media projects, and why?

I enjoy both. When the place I’m in and the landscape is so encapsulating, I love to film. I see film as an excellent way to capture memories, and they are always so good to look back on. I used not to enjoy competing as much, but over the last few years, it’s grown on me. Being able to push yourself at that moment and catch up with everyone from around the country is enjoyable.

What is your dream trip, where would you go and who would you travel with?

I’ve been dying to visit Brazil for at least four years, and it feels surreal now that it’s almost about to happen. I’ll be going there with Ewan and some of our other friends from around the world. I can’t wait!

Videos

Katie Potter - Inside Out - Kiteboarding
By IKSURFMAG

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