Women wildcards go head to head in Kite-Surf World Cup

THE waves and the wind are good at Point Danger, and the women are back in the water this morning in the final leg of the GKA Kite-Surf World Cup.

Two of the first competitors in the women’s side of the draw were Anna Williams (originally from Germany, now in Sydney) and Frances Kelly (originally from Canada, now in the NSW coastal town of Foster), who won wildcards in the national championships and went head to head in the same heat. They sat down for a chat with us earlier this week.

 

Q: How’d you get into kite-surfing?

FK: Some friends were planning their second annual trip to Aruba, and I’d become friends with them, and they said “come and learn how to kite-surf!” I’d never heard of kite-surfing but I said “okay”, I went to Aruba, found out about this crazy spot and took a lesson. That was probably 2012, but it’s only been the last three years it’s been a lifestyle.

AW:  My husband kitesurfs, so I guess he dragged me into it. When I was still living in Germany, I was going back and forth between Germany and my then-boyfriend in Australia, but when I properly moved across in 2007 when I properly started kitesurfing.

 

Q: How are you finding it being part of the World Tour?

FK: Stoked. I’m really excited, really nervous, it’s crazy to see all the people on the livestream and now they’re here.

 

Q: Is it a hard sport to get into?

FK: The beautiful thing about it is that almost anyone can learn how to kite. I think it’s much easier than learning how to surf in terms of really pursuing it.

AW: I agree with that. It’s much easier. And I think most people think it’s much harder than it is, people seem to be more intimidated by it, but it’s more accessible than most people think.

 

Q: What are your expectations this week?

FK: We’re both in the same heat and only one of us can go on, so…

AW: Which is awful!

FK: Yeah, but the opportunity to compete is awesome, and you want to make it as far as you can.

 

Q: Have you ever been to Point Danger before; are you familiar with the conditions?

AW: I’ve never kited here, but I’ve been to Torquay because my husband is from Melbourne so whenever we come down we also sometimes come down here but I’ve never kitesurfed here. Last week (in the national titles) was the first time.