Duotone Mag 2024

Regarding mindset, being successful means achieving my career goals as a professional athlete but also enjoying the journey. I’m always staying focused on what my goals are instead of comparing myself to other competitors. I agree with Arrianne on the love-hate relationship. For the most part, I really enjoy competing, however, that’s not the side of the sport that I love the most. I feel the most connected to the sport when I go out on the water with my friends. When it’s not an actual training session, but rather just fun and fooling around but also pushing each other. That’s when I have the most epic sessions. How would you describe your connection with the sport of Kiteboarding, Mika? How does being on the water make you feel? Mika: I’ve been kiting since I was 8 years old, so for 11 years now. Whenever I go out on the water and do freestyle it feels like an extension of myself, it’s very natural and not like I’m doing something hard. This also goes for other disciplines, like when I’m doing big air for example. I tried Big Air for the first time last year and straight away won the world title the same year. All the tricks are relatively comparable to freestyle, like rotations and landings, I just had to put it all together and it ended up making perfect sense to me. I’d actually say that freestyle, being so technical, is the perfect basis for learning most kite disciplines. Regarding competitions, it usually feels like a regular day for me. I was much more nervous during the first three or four years on tour, sometimes it was overwhelming. By now I don’t feel stressed anymore, I simply go out and get the job done. Sometimes, I feel it wouldn’t hurt to be a bit more nervous again. But it’s hard to get that back when you’ve grown so used to it. And, Arrianne, what does Windsurfing mean to you? Arrianne: For me, it doesn’t matter if it’s Windsurfing or Wing Foiling. It’s something that water sports, in general, just gives me to be really in the moment whilst doing it, almost like meditating. I stop thinking about all the things going around in my head that might have bothered me on land and instead focus on enjoying myself executing the moves or riding waves. Being on the water allows me to connect with myself and feel grounded. What values do Windsurfing or water sports in general convey that you want to pass on to your daughter? Arrianne: Windsurfing and, in fact, any water sport means freedom. They symbolize the ease of life, finding your passion, living it, and the possibility of letting go, and that’s what I hope to pass on to Aya. Also, the specialness of growing up in a beautiful community of water addicts, all living for the joy of stoke from their sport. And I want to ensure she gets all my love and attention. My daughter Aya has already been on a windsurf board and played with a wing. I now realize the immense positive influence water sports can have on someone’s life. She can become whatever she wants, but sharing your passion with your kids is the best. “Regarding mindset, being successful means achieving my career goals as a professional athlete but also enjoying the journey.” D U O T O N E D U O T O N E 42 43 W H Y C H A L L E N G E S