Rita Arnaus has been on the scene for a while now, the Spanish rider has been leading the charge for women's freestyle and spent this year chasing the GKA World Freestyle tour around the world. Jen Tyler asks her about her past, present and future within the sport.

Born into a family of Spanish Windsurfing Champions, it was inevitable that Rita Arnaus would have a deep-rooted attachment to the ocean. Rita's father was one of the kiteboarding pioneers in Spain and first got Rita on a kite when she was only two years old! When Rita was eighteen years old, she realised that becoming a professional kiteboarder was all she wanted to do.

Rita, it's great to talk to you! You've been all over the place this year, and you must have taken an insane amount of flights! Can you tell us a little bit about where you've been?

Hey guys! Thank you for featuring me as your Female Focus this issue!

Yes, it's been intense! Within the first couple of months only of this year, I'd already been to six different countries including the Grenadines, Miami, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela and Antigua! Pretty much all the spots I visited had incredible kiteboarding conditions, crystal clear waters and sunshine! On top of that, I had the GKA Freestyle tour to follow; it's been good, I can't complain!

It must be nice when you can finally get some downtime at home! Can you tell us a little bit about where you grew up, your family and how you got into kiteboarding?

Absolutely! I love being back home, having a routine and spending some quality time with my family and friends.

I grew up between Barcelona and a kite spot in Costa Brava, Sant Pere Pescador (my parents have been going there since the day they met!) It has always been the perfect balance between city life and the outdoors.

Growing up, I spent every weekend at Sant Pere Pescador, watching my parents kitesurfing and windsurfing. When I was ten years old, my mother and I would windsurf together there when my father first got into kiteboarding. Before learning how to windsurf, I used to love dancing, and I took several classes, including classical, jazz and oriental. My parents never forced me into watersports though; they let me decide that on my own!

When I was fifteen years old, everything changed. I got sick for about five months, the virus stripped me of all my strength and muscle, and I had a long way to go to be able to get back into good physical shape.

By the time I was finally back on my feet and feeling a little better, quite a few of my friends had started kiteboarding, and naturally, it caught my attention. Windsurfing required stronger winds, and I wasn't physically prepared for that yet, at all. Kiteboarding seemed like an easier alternative, so I thought I might as well learn how to fly a kite on the beach and not long after, I was on the board riding!

Within a month, I was already landing my first backrolls. I realised that I could combine dancing in the wind, being in the ocean and flying a kite; and that was it, I was hooked! I started eagerly awaiting those windy days until I could get back on the water!

How did you manage to keep up with school, homework, friends, family, kiteboarding, competing and training? Any advice you'd like to share with the younger generation of kiteboarders?

I had just turned sixteen when I got into kiteboarding, the same year I was about to start my higher education (The European Baccalaureate).

During the two years that followed, I started unhooked tricks and entered my first competition. I came in 3rd in the European Juniors in France. At that point, I was pretty good at managing my time with training, studying and competing, but that didn't last long! Kiteboarding quickly became my priority; I couldn't even concentrate in class as soon as I noticed there was wind!

The decision was clear what I had to do next; I started saving money to be able to study online and travel the world! Even though this was the best decision I ever took, it was emotionally tough to leave, but my mind was set. I had one year to prove to my parents that I was able to get good grades, good competition results and support from my sponsors. If not, I had to go back home - that was the deal.

My advice for the younger generation would be: be smart, fight for what you dream of and even though times get hard, there will be a way to make it work! Where there's a will, there's a way!

You've been competing for many years now, do you still feel the same thrill, anticipation and excitement you felt when you first started? Where was your most memorable competition?

I do feel the same excitement as before, but now it is even better and more fun! In the beginning, I was lost; it took me a few years to get the experience and to figure out what I had to do. I never had a coach, so everything I've learned is self-taught and from training with friends!

My first most memorable competition was the Kite World Cup stop in Tarifa in 2015. I had never done a kite loop before, and I was hesitant to sign up for the Big Air part of the competition. However, I ended up entering and decided to throw in my first ever kite loop, and I landed it! I even made it to the finals and came in 3rd! I was so stoked, and I realised that the only limitations we have are the ones we set in our mind!

Another standout moment for me was in 2017, where I got on the podium in 2nd place in the Freestyle World Tour stop in Akyaka, Turkey. All my hard work finally felt like it was paying off! I finally felt like I was achieving what I had been working so hard on.

You've always had an active lifestyle, trained hard and exercised but recently you have taken your fitness to a whole new level! Can you share with us what instigated that?

It was a combination of things, but mainly when there was no wind, I still needed my dose of daily exercise. I have always worked out at home and occasionally ran, but that was about it.

I got myself a few books about nutrition and fitness a bit more and found it very interesting. I started with yoga and went on a yoga retreat and then started collaborating with the Metropolitan Fitness Club and got myself a coach. I have a healthy balance between sports on and off the water, and it is the perfect combination for kiteboarding. It keeps me active, and it has helped me build muscle mass, improve my strength and equally, helps avoid injuries.

What does your weekly workout schedule and meal plans include?

It depends where I am, but generally, when I am at home, I have a more balanced routine which plays a vital role, of course. I got to the gym six mornings a week, lifting weights, working on different muscle groups and then, 1 or 2 kite sessions in the afternoon if it's windy!

When I'm not kiteboarding in the afternoons, I mainly focus on HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) 2 times a week and lifting weights 2-3 times a week.

Regarding my diet, I got a 'lean plan' from a certified nutritionist. I was mainly trying to lose as much fat as possible while keeping the muscle mass. Over the past few months, I have made some major changes in my diet; mainly eating lots of proteins, vegetables, fruits and nuts.

How were Brazil and the final stop of the GKA Freestyle World Tour? What are your goals for next year?

Brazil has been amazing! I found myself surrounded by so many incredible people, as always, we had so much fun and enjoyed every kite session.

The final stop of the GKA in Cumbuco went by so fast! We were all training together and having a good time that even the competition felt like another training session!

However, I was still very determined and knew which tricks I wanted to land in the competition. Everything went as planned the way I had visualised it, I had two solid heats, landing all my tricks and I made it to the finals! I was so stoked; it couldn't have gone better!

I made it to the podium coming in 3rd place and overall ranking 4th place overall in the 2019 GKA Freestyle World Tour.

My goals for next year are to improve this last overall result, and most importantly, to keep evolving and performing at my best.

Tell us about your gear? What is your quiver of choice, and how has Slingshot helped you during your kiteboarding career?

I feel like my gear was made for me! The kites and boards that I'm using have helped me a lot to improve my riding. Brunotti boards are developed by riders for the riders, delivering the perfect requirements for every specific type of riding. I'm riding the Riptide 136cm which gives me the perfect pop to perform my tricks. Slingshot's RPM kites give me this little extra power I needed to go bigger and better. I feel super comfortable in any conditions, from choppy to flat, to hydrofoiling to freeride sessions!

Where is your favourite place in the world to kiteboard and why?

It's so hard to choose; the world has so many gorgeous spots, every time I discover a new one, it becomes another place I want to visit again!

I believe that no matter where you are if there are wind and friends, you will have a good time! However, Cumbuco and Taiba do hold a special part of my heart! Every year, all the riders go there to train in warm weather, surrounded by friends, good vibes and palm trees - it is what it's all about!

Who is your primary motivator to train with while you are on tour, and what do you learn from them?

Therese Taabbel! We both met on tour during the World Cup back in 2014 in Germany, and we instantly knew we were going to get along!

Since then, we've always pushed and encouraged each other. We are both very determined, and I couldn't have asked for a better partner!

In your opinion, who has the best riding style from the guys on tour?

I like Liam Whaley's style; he is one of the most talented riders on tour, and I have been following his kiteboarding career from the very beginning. He has always been consistent in his riding and seems always to bounce back from injuries, stronger than before; ranking in the top 3 kiteboarders in the world!

Valentin Rodriguez is also impressive; claiming that world title at only seventeen!

Rita, thanks for taking the time to chat with us! Before you go, can you share with us the best piece of advice you have ever received?

Live a life you will remember and make every day count. No regrets in life, just lessons learned.

Thanks for having me, Jen!

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Rita Arnaus - Female Focus - #78
By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.

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