Insight: Hannah Whiteley
Issue 95 / Wed 5th Oct, 2022
Hannah Whiteley has been a kiteboarding icon for as long as we can remember and is one of the most talented female riders in the world with an innovative style and a mile-long list of titles and awards! In this feature, Jen Tyler takes Hannah on a journey down memory lane, finds out about her recent move to Cabrinha, talks about kiting in high heels, and gets the inside scoop on her Scotland adventure. Find out more in this exclusive interview with Hannah Whiteley!
Hannah, we've wanted to feature you in Insight for ages, and this interview couldn't have been more time-appropriate with your exciting move to Cabrinha! We've got loads to ask you, but for starters, can you give us an intro to how you first got into kiteboarding?
Thanks, guys! It's always a pleasure to be featured in IKSURFMAG!
My dad, Peter Whiteley, introduced me to kitesurfing. He came from a sailing and windsurfing background, and in 1998, he was the first guy in the North West of England to start kitesurfing.
Well… let's just say "health and safety" is not my father's strongest point! Little Hannah got absolutely launched down the beach - and head first into a rock! After a few more attempts at kitesurfing, I could ride along but was not in total control. I got dragged down the beach again, smashing straight into wooden breakwaters on the beach (fences) with my kite doing death loops, continuing to drag me. I remember being in a calm state of mind as I quickly approached the Fleetwood pier without a worry in the world. It did not cross my mind for a second to pull my kite safety! The next thing I knew, a random guy jumped on top of me and gained control of the kite just before we hit the pier! My introduction to kitesurfing was a pretty bumpy ride; it put me off kitesurfing entirely for five years.
Finally, at 15, I decided to give kitesurfing another shot. I quickly realised how special the sport was and got completely hooked.
Having a father like Pete, who has won the senior men's British Freestyle Championship five times, must have been a blessing! Were your parents supportive of your desire to pursue kiteboarding as a career?
Funny enough, dad never believed I could make kitesurfing a career. Instead, he encouraged me to push kitesurfing as a passion, always encouraging me to learn new tricks and maximise every windy day. He made it clear from the beginning that he would not financially support my kitesurfing; I needed a real job and to think about my future. Kitesurfing was my hobby and a huge passion I loved sharing with my Dad. Being a professional kitesurfer never really crossed my mind. I was working and doing an apprenticeship, but I took every opportunity to go kite.
I started kitesurfing professionally in 2007, and it looked like I could make a career out of my passion. I still pinch myself. I am grateful for my sponsors, Cabrinha & Chiemsee, and all the brands I collaborate with. My parents have given me the best advice and mental support, and I will always be grateful for the support and encouragement from my family.
The UK isn't exactly a freestyle hotspot and can have some pretty gnarly conditions, especially in winter! So how did you find training in the UK when you first started kiteboarding, and how did the conditions affect your riding style?
Your surroundings are definitely what shape you as a rider. The UK's diverse conditions have helped me adapt to challenging competition conditions. I believe it's one of the reasons I'm more of an "all-round" rider, into freestyle, big air, and foiling. If you want to maximise your sessions in the UK, you've got to do it all!
Where is your favourite kiteboarding location around the UK, and what keeps you coming back to that spot?
My home spot, Lytham St Annes, will always be a special place to me. We get some lovely flat water lagoons depending on the tide state. When the Fleetwood channel is working, that's a great flat water spot too. Rhosneigr in North Wales is great for waves and has a flat water section.
What drew you back to the UK after spending so much time travelling to the world's best kitesurfing locations?
I have always had my base in the UK. I have an amazing family in the UK and often miss them. I spend a lot of time travelling around the world, and I always look forward to returning to the UK to catch up with my family and friends. Summertime in the UK is great; wintertime, on the other hand, is a bit more of a challenge!
What has been your favourite kiteboarding shot (of you) ever taken?
There are many shots I have loved, and I've worked with fantastic photographers over the years; I love working with different creatives. However, I think the lockdown studio shoot will always be my favourite shot. Why? Because of the story and what went into making the shots. I believe that's what makes something special. I was struggling mentally at the time. It's the process and journey you make which makes something so rewarding.
The lockdown shoot featured on our cover in Issue 87, and we loved it! But, that epic studio shot resulted in a few interesting comments! How do you deal with negative feedback?
Honestly, people will always talk about whatever you do. If you do what you believe is right, that's all that matters. It's so easy to let one negative comment rule over 100 positive comments. It's human nature to create problems where there isn't one. I am here for the love of the sport and to give back what I love. I simply don't have time to entertain negativity!
One of your most famous videos was your high heels on a kiteboard shoot, sitting at over 100,000 views on YouTube! Can you tell us more about what inspired that shoot and how it turned out?
I can count on one hand the times I have worn high heels! So I thought it would be fun and different to try kiting in heels and bring a feminine touch to a male-dominated sport. It was definitely a laugh; I was way better kiting in the heels than walking down the stairs in them!
There's no question that you are a badass, and your skills on the water prove it! So how do you balance being a tough-as-nails extreme athlete on the water with being a glamorous risk-taker and trend-setter off the water?
A lot of practice and failure makes something look effortless or badass. If kitesurfing in a bikini is glamorous, I guess I'm kiting somewhere hot and probably trying to get a little tanned. Otherwise, I'm rocking it in my wetsuit in the very glamorous Blackpool.
Tell us about your Scotland adventure! What islands did you visit, and what route did you take? It looked magical!
It was a fantastic road trip to Scotland. Living off the grid is undoubtedly magical in itself, plus the Scottish landscape is stunning with white sandy beaches, turquoise water and humbling hills. We did a follow-the-wind tour, which took us to the North West of Scotland. Kiting with Castle Stalker was my favourite session on the mainland. Then, we headed to the Isle of Tiree in the Hebrides. The island is totally orientated around water sports; everyone is a kitesurfer, windsurfer or surfer. It was a cool experience on Tiree. Fun fact: Tiree is the windiest and sunniest place in the UK!
Congratulations on your recent move to Cabrinha; that's super exciting! How do you like your new quiver, and what's your go-to set-up?
Thank you, I am honestly surprised how well I have bonded with the Cabrinha crew and gear already. Everything feels so at ease and natural. I have enjoyed getting to know the fantastic staff at Cabrinha and teammates Keahi De Aboitiz and Deury Corniel on my recent trips to Germany and the UK.
The FX2 is a great kite for freestyle and big air, and I have been having a lot of fun on the water lately. I'm impressed by the quality of the Cabrinha equipment; it makes me feel confident on the water.
What does the statement 'Live Free Ride Free' mean to you?
A huge sense of freedom that kitesurfing brings. There's something special about just being you with your kite in the middle of the ocean.
How was the UK Cabrinha Demo Tour?
I enjoyed joining the demo tour in the UK. It was lovely to meet new people and share the Cabrinha stoke, and we scored some great sessions in Hayling island and Cornwall!
What was the best piece of advice you have ever received?
"Nothing ventured, nothing gained."
Wind is on! Who is the first person you text for a session?
My Dad, Peter Whiteley!
What exciting plans do you have lined up over the next few months?
I have just arrived in Brazil with a cool road trip planned. I'm excited to get shooting some fun content. Then, I have a few more shoots scheduled before the end of the year in Cape Town and Mauritius. I'm looking forward to getting creative and doing my thing.
Thanks, Hannah! We're looking forward to seeing where this new chapter takes you!
Thank you for having me on this feature. I'll see you on the water, Jen!
Videos
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.
