Hanglos meets Bruna Kajiya.

The second place for the women goes to the Brazilian Bruna Kajiya. Last year she was the world champ, but this year apparently Gisela Pulido was a little bit too strong. Bruna won the last event and with that score she took over the second place in the overall ranking!!
Bruna was really stoked

So how do you look back over this season? What will be the best memory of this season?

When I look back at this season and all that has happens, I’ve encountered so many obstacles that seemed like someone was just messing with me, so many things tried to stop me and to actually finish second is a big achievement to me. I’ve learned so much with all that and it’s been a very important year in my life.
The best moment just happened recently, I was 3rd on the ranking and I had the possibility to become 2nd, but something came up back at home where my presence was needed and I had to decide whether to go or not, it was a tough decision to stay, lots of sleepless nights, so when I won the event here and that gave me the 2nd place on the ranking it felt amazing.
It made the stay worth it and a whole new meaning to this achievement.

Who is for you the biggest concurrent, and why?

I see Karolina Winkowska as my biggest concurrent since she’s a very powerful rider and I really see her potential to do a good and proper heat. Funny thing is that my biggest battles always end up being with Gisela Pulido, probably because we have such different styles.


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?

The stress is there all the time, we all have it in our lives, to be able to live without it is an art and competition without it is almost impossible, so in the end you learn how to deal with it, and not let that come between you and your competition. The stress really hits on the final and title heats.

Are you superstitious?

Not really, but I do have things that I believe will give me protection or that makes me feel closer to home and people I love. For instance I have a necklace that I wear it all the time, specially on competitions, before going on a heat I take it off and put it on my boardies pocket so I won’t loose it.

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?

Hahaha many people will disagree with me on this one since we only had rain here on the Gold Coast, but truth is that it was one of the events that I had the most fun, I’ve surfed everyday and that’s a passion of mine, the place is cool with loads to do and I had good company which is essential.
Now the most challenging one goes to Argentina without a hint of a doubt! It was just so cold on the water, riding there is extremely hard plus the wind was super strong and gusty not to mention the huge chop on the competition area.

Do you ever get tired of competition?

Yes, sometimes, you can have the best job in the world and you’ll get tired eventually, the stress and the pressure can take the fun away the most interesting things, so it’s important to be able to step back, relax and find your passion for it again. I love what I do and I wouldn’t trade for anything else, but traveling this much has it’s negative side.








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

I think girls are a lot more scared and shy to compete, I know many girls that could be having a try on the tour but they are very self-conscious about finishing last and loosing. We al loose at the beginning, that’s a good experience too but not a very inviting one. We girls think too much, that’s our problem, guys just go and do it without putting any thought to it, and that’s their problem :).


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

I really like Alex pastor’s style, he’s always riding with the kite where it should be, really low, and he throws some proper grabs on the tricks.

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

No way! :) When I have holidays all I want to do is go home, chill and surf. If I travel for a holiday it would be either to the city to do some cultural tourism or a surf/snowboard trip.

Being a pro kiteboarder looks really nice, but every coin has another side.. You probably had to give up a lot of things, what is the thing you regret the most that you had to give up?

Every decision you make in life you give up something else, with kiting and it’s lifestyle is no different, for me what it’s the hardest is to be away from people I love, my friends and my house, sometimes you just want to have a normal life, to be able to go to your friends birthdays and Sunday family’s lunch, but I wouldn’t say I regret it, otherwise I would’ve stop doing what I do, I just really miss it and feel for not being there.

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?

Yes it’s very possible to live from it but unfortunately only a few riders manage to do it, it’s still a small sport with not much support from brands outside the industry. You have to be on the top or be a very good media person.

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 like to take things as they come, do what I love, so for now I’m just focusing in my riding and my kiteboarding career. I’m not following any studies but there are riders that manage to do online degrees while on tour.

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

Put your heart into it, do it with passion and don’t let a pro life take the fun away from your riding.

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?

I think we have to simplify life, make things as easy and as hassel free as possible, so I would be against having to go thru all that to go and enjoy yourself at your local beach. I think we need a bit more common sense and consciousness from the riders to preserve our sport and make sure we can all have a good session in any beach around the world.

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?

I think we are still a long way from the Olympics but we definitely have the potential to get there. The day we do get there I’ll be a lot older, if I can still ride I’ll love to participate and be a Olympic athlete ;)

How do you see the sport in 5 years?

It can go to so many directions and develop a lot, it all depends what we riders and the industry do with it, that’s very important and most people don’t see the real value of looking to the future and seeing where we want the sport to go.


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

Wave: straps or strapless: strapless
Single or girl/boyfriend: single
Most expensive ticket: 3.000 euros, don’t ask!
Megaloops: yeeeeep
Sliders and kickers: as good as it gets
Best spot ever: home
Favorite music: for now Turn your Lights Down Low with the voice of Lauren Hill


Bruna is sponsored by Flexifoil, Mystic, Red Bull
You can follow her on www.brunakajiya.blogspot.com


Read the other Hanglos Meets again:
Andy Yates
Gisela Pulido
Alex Pastor