Hanglos meets Gisela Pulido

Gisela Pulido is probably a name that everybody in kiteboarding knows.
The 16 year young girl managed to win her 7th World Title this year!
It is the 3th time that she is PKRA World Champion.
Last week I had the chance to ask her some questions:

Gisela, you're 16 years young and this year you took your 7th World Title in total. Last year you did the KPWT, but now you're back on the PKRA. It is really amazing that you already took 7 titles!How does it feel to be on the top of the podium for the 7th time?

I’m super happy I’m World Champion this year. For me, this is the most special tittle. Last year there were two tours. The PKRA and the KPWT. But this year, there was only one. The PKRA Tour is the official, recognized by the ISAF and the IOC. It’s amazing to be the unique World Champ :)

This season you came back and took the first place again. How do you look back over this season? What will be the best memory of this season?

This season has been the most difficult one I ever competed. Last year I injured my knee. That left me out of 2 of the 4 events that the PKRA had last year. My rivals had a lot of time to train while I was recovering of my knee. Clearly they were better than me, so I went to train in Dakhla this February before the first stop of the year.

My goal in Thailand was to be on the podium, but it was a big surprise for me that I won there. I was so stoked. After this competition I started believing in my possibilities again, and got better during the season. So definitely the best memory is Thailand.

What is it that makes you a stronger competition rider than the other girls? What's your secret?

I’m very competitive. When I’m in the final I try to keep my mind very cold. That makes me less nervous and ride better. Also, to train in Tarifa is good, because you get very solid. Landing the tricks in harsh conditions, with chop, gusty and strong wind.

Who is for you the biggest concurrent, and why?

Karolina Winkowska in the biggest one. It was very hard for me to fight against her this year. She is the most powered girl. Her tricks are really aggressive. She is 20 years old and I’m 16. She is stronger than me.

I can imagine that a rider has a lot of stress during competition, on what moment is stress really hitting you, and what do you do about it?

I sit behind my kite and try to get focused. I think in my heat, what tricks I’m going to do and in which order. That relaxes me a lot. Afterwards I go for it!

Are you superstitious?
No I’m not. I think the results are the physical and technical trainings during the winter period.

As we all know, 2010 was a nice busy year with 10 tour stops, what was your favorite and your most challenging tour stop this season?

Definitely, Argentina was the most challenging event. It was very difficult to ride with those harsh conditions. It was really choppy. You didn’t know where to jump or land your maneuver. The wind was very strong. I rode with the 5.5m and that makes it more complicate. Also the low temperature was killing me. We had to ride with a thick wetsuit, but still your hands and feet get frozen.

New Caledonia was awesome. The wind conditions were a bit strong but I loved the flat water.
It was so warm, and the color of the water was so blue. To ride there was really nice!

Do you ever get tired of competition?

This year has been a very long season, with 10 events around the world in the 5 continents.
I started with a lot of energy, but at the end of the year you get a bit tired. I’ve been away from Tarifa for 3 months. I didn’t see my family or friends. That’s why it can be a bit difficult sometimes.
But for me it’s the best to travel following the tour stops in different places. Meet new people or find new places to ride. It’s just great!

Most of the time there aren't a lot of girls competing, any idea why, and how would you motivate other girls to compete?

The kite brands don’t support the girls, who want to compete, so much. I think this is the main reason. The brands only support men, they are a bit male chauvinist. The other reason is that the level is very high. Karolina, Asia, Bruna and me are very strong and it’s difficult for the other girls to get good results. This is also happening with the men.
Some years ago the competition draw was full (32 men) and they even had to do trials. There were as well many girls, but now the sport is very elitist. You have to train really hard during the whole year. In other words, you have to dedicate your life.

Of all the PKRA guys, who's style do you like the most?

Youri Zoon. He’s riding sick.
In Brazil, when he was training in Cauipe, I went out of the water just to watch him.
He’s was going full speed, keeping the kite super low and doing so powered tricks.. Insane!
In my opinion he is the best of the world. I wish him luck for next season, he’s gonna kill it!

The holiday of a pro kiteboarder, how does it look like? Is there a 'not kite' holiday for you?

For me, it’s totally opposite than other people. Just staying at home, meet my family and friends.
Disconnecting of the competition and resting all day long. Of course, riding when the conditions are good. I also love to watch a lot of movies!

On Hanglos there came a question about how a pro kiteboarder lives financially. Is it possible to live from it, or does all the money goes to traveling?

I can live from this sport. I have sponsors as Movistar, Red Bull and Nissan who support me financially. We do spend a lot of money in traveling, hotels, food,... Especially because I travel with my dad. But this is a great life. I want to thanks everyone that supports me. I really appreciate it.

About the future, what do you see yourself doing in 10 years? Do you follow any studies and is it possible to do both kiteboarding and studying?

I do follow my studies. This year I started online high school. That system works perfect. I keep studying and doing what I love. After High School I will do University. I’d like to study journalism. As I’m a sportswoman, I know how that we feel when we compete. I think I could be a good sports journalist.

Is there something you want to say to young talents that are heading for a pro career?

If they want to be professional kiteboarders, I want to say that they have to fight for it. You have to fight for your dreams, or afterwards you could regret it. My advice is to live today as it's the last day of your life! Train hard and be healthy.

As you probably know the sport is having a hard time in some countries due to kite accidents. For example in Belgium they want to make a kite certificate with an exam, what is your opinion on that?

This is perfect. I totally support that. Kitesurfing can be dangerous sometimes, if you don’t have the control. A good way to see if you are able to have the control is doing this exam.
It’s also good to see how many kitesurfers there are around the world. It would help the sport to get bigger.

Next to that there is also the discussion to become Olympic, do you see that happen, and if yes, will you do course racing if that will be Olympic?

Kitesurfing has a lot of possibilities to become an Olympic Sport. My dream is to win a gold medal, representing my country, Spain. So, of course I’ll be course racing to go to the Olympic Games.
If the sport is Olympic it will grow a lot and become more important in the whole world.

How do you see the sport in 5 years?

Sincerely I don’t know, but I do know how I would like it. I’d like it to be an Olympic Sport.

Answer in a few words what comes in your head when you read:

Wave: straps or strapless: straps with big waves. Strapless with small.
Single or girl/boyfriend: single!
Most expensive ticket: brisbane-new cal
Megaloops: adrenaline
Sliders and kickers: Nice feeling when you slide or do 360 from kickers
Best spot ever: Rio Jara, Tarifa.
Favorite music: Hip Hop or Rap. Eminem my favourite artist.


Gisela is sponsored by: Airush, Red Bull, Movistar, Nissan;
You can follow her on www.giselapulido.es