GABI STEINDL

Top 3 kitesurfing spots?

• Western Australia
• New Caledonia
• Japan

Favourite gear setup?

Pro Wam 5’10’’ + Neo 7m2

The biggest achievements in your kiteboarding career

Several victories in the World Cup & other events. But to me, my “freeriding” career is much more fulfilling than any comp has ever been. Dedicating my life to searching for the World’s best “new” kitesurfing spots and perfect waves off the beaten track, I organize explorer missions all across the globe. Having been to over 70 countries, I’ve published over 100 articles in several languages and have been featured in numerous TV and film productions. And there will be more :)

Your hobbies aside kiteboarding?

Surfing, travel, photography, mountain biking, camping and trekking. Pretty much all sports and anything in & around the ocean.

What do you do on a day without wind?

I hope the swell is pumping and go surfing.

What style of music are you interested in?

Anything apart from Heavy Metal or Techno. I’m into chilled out tunes, Soft Rock etc.

How and why did you start kiteboarding?

Ha, that’s a long story, not easy to put it into a few words. Back in 2000, I was living and working in Hong Kong as Worldwide Marketing Manager for the leading media group for extreme sports & adventure travel in Asia, “Action Asia”. One month we featured “Kitesurfing, the new Sport of the Century – A Revolution in the Water” in our beautiful, award winning, glossy magazine. I had heard about that “new” sport for a while but I had never seen any pictures. From the moment, I first saw the images, I was obsessed “I gotta learn this. This sport is perfect a synthesis of everything I already loved doing: wakesurfing, snowboarding, skateboarding, skydiving…” And so I did. During a business trip to Bali, I did a kite course and bought some second hand equipment. A few months later, I quit my career in Hong Kong and decided to go for it: to follow my heart and to dedicate my life to kitesurfing.

Why are you riding for Duotone?

Because the products are truly the best on the market – premium quality & high-end performance. The brand name is new, however, the team behind it has been developing top-notch gear for nearly two decades.  No other brand puts as much into their R&D or comes up with ground-breaking innovations like Duotone. I’m super proud to be in the Duotone team and just simply couldn’t wish for more, because I’m already part of the best. I want gear that helps me to push my riding, to constantly progress and to feel safe on the water, no matter how remote a spot I explore or what crazy conditions Mother Nature dishes up.

What is your main goal for the future?

To stay healthy and to still be kiting when I’m an old granny….”kite granny” :).
I couldn’t imagine living without the energy, stoke and happiness that I feel from playing in the ocean.

What training do you do to stay fit?

For as long as I can remember, physical exercise and sports have always been a main priority for me throughout my life. Having competed in Show Jumping in my teens (2x National Junior Champion), I’ve gotten used to regular training regimes from a very early age. One day without any sport and I’m going crazy! My training depends on where I am. Whilst travelling it’s a bit harder, however, when I’m at home, if there’s no action on the water (kiting, surfing, diving…), I go mountain biking, swimming or to the gym.

What would have been your job if you wouldn´t be a pro kiteboarder?

Well, I had a corporate career in the business jungles of London and Hong Kong, but I gave it all up to follow my heart. Working and being successful in international business was an incredibly exciting and a hugely valuable experience, however, I would not want to go back there. You only live once and spending 12hrs++ in the office every day is definitely not what I’m here for.
I reckon I would have created “my own thing”, something adventurous around photography, travel, writing, health & wellbeing.

What´s your favourite food?

Fresh fish! I’m very lucky as my husband is an amazing fisherman.

What did you always want to say?

Follow your heart! Dream, believe, commit – become.