Duotone Mag 2024

We met up with these three inspiring athletes in Cumbuco, on the windswept northeast coast of Brazil. Mika (born 2004, GKA debut 2018), the Brazilian Kitesurf prodigy, has already won seven world titles at the tender age of 19. Only a few women in the sport’s history have achieved in their entire careers what the Brazilian already has so early in life. Dutch Arrianne (born 1986, PWA debut 2010) has made her mark on Freestyle Windsurfing over her thirteen years on the PWA World Tour. Becoming a mother a few years ago has changed Arrianne’s life in many ways, while what hasn’t changed is her commitment to a lifestyle based around water sports. Nia (born 2007, GWA debut 2021), the 16-year-old shooting star on the Wing Foil scene from Tarifa, was on fire last season, claiming a double world title in 2023; the sky has no limit for this young Spanish power woman. Mika, at only 19, you have already achieved more than most professional kitesurfers could ever dream of in their entire career. What is yet to come? Mika: That’s a tricky question. Yes, I’ve won many titles and am very proud of that. However, I have to admit that the thrill that I have been gaining from winning has diminished a little over the years. Thus, securing more titles is not necessarily my absolute top priority anymore. Something I’ve started getting really excited about lately is getting more people involved in the sport. Big Air is growing fast, but things have slowed down a bit in the freestyle kiting scene. It’d be amazing to amp up more young people to get into it and make an impact with this. I will do my first coaching clinic, a girls’ kite camp, in Sicily at the end of June, which I’m super pumped about. Also, I want to step up my social media game to get more people keen about freestyle and be an inspiration to others. You’re mentioning that your focus has shifted away from solely chasing titles. Do you feel “old” at 19 with the younger generation coming up? Mika: Well, I’m still quite young; nonetheless, it’s the natural progression of the sport that the next generation will have to start coming up. Funnily enough, some people still call me a “grom” even though I have been on the tour way longer than them in most cases. I started competing when I was 13, so I guess it just stuck that I’ve always been the youngest. And no, I don’t feel old, but rather more like one of the more experienced riders. Arrianne, you are also one of the more experienced riders in freestyle Windsurfing. These days, however, you only participate in selected tour stops as you’ve been focusing on other parts of your career and life. What made you decide to taper off your involvement in the competitive side of the sport? Arrianne: I’ve been on the PWA Tour since 2010. All the travelling and the lifestyle that comes with following the tour taught me that there is much more to being a professional rider than ‘just’ competing. Unfortunately, freestyle Windsurfing is even more of a niche in Windsurfing than kiting, making things tough. After coming second behind Sarah Quita for several years, it became clear that there was little to gain for me, let alone the ability to make a living out of it. That’s when I started my windsurf clinics, teaching yoga and offering personal coaching. I’ve really enjoyed the change; motivating people and helping them improve their Windsurfing has been super rewarding. “ I started competing when I was 13, so I guess it just stuck that I’ve always been the youngest.” D U O T O N E 35 C H A L L E N G E S D U O T O N E W H Y