How does a Welsh girl become a worldwide waterwoman?
I sailed the Pembrokeshire coast from the age of 3. As I grew older I wanted more excitement, so I dragged my father to Portugal to learn windsurfing. At 16 I became a windsurfing instructor and worked summers so that I could spend my winters travelling and practising in countries such as South Africa and New Zealand.
What was your route into kitesurfing?
I was training in Hawaii in 2001, tried kitesurfing and loved it. I then shelved my windsurfing plans and competed with kites back in the UK. I became the British women’s champion in my first season.
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Flying kites; bit Mary Poppins, isn’t it?
Which is exactly why I’d never flown them on land. I just wanted to get out on the water and surf. But when you put the two together, a big powerful kite with a control bar and a surf board, it makes all the difference.
So you reached “up to the highest height”?
Height is the real difference between kitesurfing and windsurfing. The superlight equipment gets you up high in the air and lets you hang or do tricks underneath the kite for ages before you come back to the water. With a windsurfer, you’re weighed down with the heavy equipment.
You must need arms the size of a gorilla’s.
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People think that kitesurfing needs brute strength but, like gymnastics, it’s all about technique. Once you’ve mastered launching the kite, you use a harness to take the weight off your arms. It’s then about the body working in harmony to control kite and board.
You’ve kitesurfed across the Irish Sea for charity. Thinking of broadening your horizons?
I’m hoping to cross the English Channel next month. I find charity fundraising a really soulful side of the sport, so different from the more self-centred nature of competition. Crossing the Irish Sea took me five hours to cover 90 miles.
So is keeping in shape penury or pleasure?
Every now and again I accompany friends to the gym, but I’m afraid that I find it boring and pointless. Exercise is about relaxing outside while doing something that you love.
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But do you ever work out on dry land?
If I’m surfing all day, I practise yoga only in the evening. If not, I run, swim in the sea and do yoga, which I began practising regularly a year ago. Since taking it up I’ve noticed a massive improvement in my mental and physical health.
What tempts your tastebuds?
Healthy food but I travel a lot so have to be prepared to eat anything. Recently I was living with some guys on a boat in the Red Sea; we’d catch fresh fish every day and eat them raw, dipped in olive oil. Delicious.
Ever count the calories?
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No, I have to eat loads of calories to keep my energy levels up. I rarely eat anything greasy or sweet — not because I’m on a diet but because it makes me lethargic.
What’s in your fridge: champagne or soya milk?
I only have room for a little cool box in the van, so it’s fruit and cereal. I go to the market every few days to stock up on fresh food — but I have an admission: I eat out lots.
Got any vices?
Food in general; gin and tonic in particular. If I’ve been out all day I’ll have one drink and conk out . . . I’m a cheap date!
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The sea can be lethal. Has it ever dealt you a serious injury?
A few weeks ago in Lanzarote I was feeling poorly, but I had an event coming up so forced myself to train. Pulling one of my usual aerial tricks, I crashed into the water, bashing my ribs badly. Back ashore I began to feel very ill, and was soon after hospitalised with food poisoning. The experience has taught me to listen to my body: I’ve recovered from the poisoning but my ribs are still really sore.
Green tea or your GP?
I’ve been to a doctor once or twice in my life but, if I’m feeling ill, I practise reiki on myself. Funnily enough, I get sea-sickness really badly and reiki stops me feeling queasy.
Ever worry about becoming walnut-faced from life in the UV?
I put factor 30 on without fail. I don’t want to look like a bit of old leather.
What’s your greatest fear?
Drowning in big waves. In South Africa I was caught in a really heavy “set” of waves. The first ripped my board away and pinned me under water. As I came up, the next did it, too; the same with the third, and I breathed in seawater. I thought I would drown, but I was lucky. Now, if conditions are beyond me, I stay on the beach and watch in awe.
Do you have a life philosophy?
Perhaps. Living simply is very inspiring. I’ve seen people living on so little in Africa, so happily. And I exercise my soul by spending time alone with myself every few days.
And what’s your ultimate ambition?
To make a difference in life; being world champion would be nice, but it’s not important; helping other people to really enjoy life is — that comes way above personal success.
INTERVIEW: SEB MACKENZIE-WILSON
Kirsty Jones’s attempt on the English Channel next month is in aid of the Ellen MacArthur Trust, a charity which takes children with cancer or leukaemia on sailing trips. For more information call 01803 732094 or visit www.ellenmacarthurtrust.org