Shortcutting

The Tour was cut short, what a bummer!

The KTA for this season was cut to two stops because of potical issues and economic issues in Thailand and some more issues in China I guess.

O well, lets hope it’s for the best.

I am a bit disappointed with this news as I really prepared for the season, trained hard and cleared out my schedule.

Although, I guess this is not what the universe wants for me right now.

I always believe that the world turns its ways to change towards the where you need to be.

Now I’d have some time to manage a few new projects that landed on my lap which am really really stoked about!

This KTA stop was really fun! I had an amazing Girl on fire Kite Camp with the girls prior to the competition and then a lot of my local girl friends started doing more tricks and even joined racing which am really stoked about since this is one of the goals of putting the kite camp together. Women Empowerment!  - in the most absolute fun way which is for me kiteboarding! Just going out there and being able to overcome fear, overcome your own limits and stretching your goals!

Ahhh am so happy.

I also had a nice heat but unfortunately I didn’t make it through but hey competition is always about fun and giving your best !

Here are a few snaps from the competition using my Sony Xperia (PS this phone is really awesome! I swear! )

KTA Finals in China

this is it guys, the final stop for the Kiteboard Tour Asia 2013.
wow that was a long journey, but very well worth it.



i was soooo excited to come here to China, and yes it's my first time.
I've heard so much about the food in china that got me to panic buy oatmeal and protein shake before i headed out here. and you don't wanna be around me when am hungry. my luggage was packed with these and my new freedom dolly cruiser arrived on time for my flight!


Also facebook is not available in China which was a good thing for me for a week, but i didn't like the fact that youtube, vimeo and other cool websites like pinterest is also not available here. i was looking forward to catching up on watching kite and wake movies on the net and download some fun stuff. but o well everything turned out for the best. i spent the afternoons skating around with some of the riders at the boardwalk while we waited for our heat.


unfortunately on this tour stop my long wetsuit didn't arrive on time so i didn't do the twintip race because the water was freeeeezing.
i was ok with my shorty during the freestyle heat because it was only 7 mins.
but not with racing so i decided to drop out from that before i freeze to death.

again had the same problem from thailand and boracay of not having a sail big enough to race with, compared to all the rest in their 11s/13s and even 15s.
so next year i would really have to get a bigger kite than a 9m

The trip coming here to Pintan was long, but since i was traveling with the whole Philippine Kite Team it made it seem like its only 3hours long, hey it was almost 24hours.

I love that our team had matching shirts and we are all helping each other with our luggage, visas, etc.

i love my teammates. we have a good mix of every discipline and we did quite well on this tour stop as you can see in the podium.

this stop, we stayed in a really nice hotel and i was also sharing a room again with rebecka, our norweigan speed queen who flew in all the way to compete and defend her ranking.



I also got to hang out with the Pingtan kiters on their very cool shop just right on the boardwalk.

The Chinese Government and the Pingtan Sports Committee was very well organized especially with the meals. the dinners were held in nice big halls for banquets and there are people reminding us to go to dinner. haha that was great. reminds me of helpers from the philippines



i was a bit picky on the food, although it seem yummy i was extra careful with my consumption to avoid any allergic reaction especially with shellfish




Plus, China is known for big extravagant things.
The opening ceremonies resembles a celebration of a national holiday which i think the government did declare it as such. Complete with daytime fireworks, military representatives, high school girls holding flags of each nation ( where the participants are from) and paragliders







The wind was a bit light on this tour stop so we did a LOT of racing. i probably spent more time skating than kiting in this tour stop, which was of course also good. i havent skated in awhile.

plus
I was able to squeeze in a run through the beach with rebecka my running buddy and am so glad i did. the view was amazing. and since it was cold, i had a nice time running.


PS: DC sent me this really nice running shoes, yes DC now has running shoes with ultralite for that really lite feel on each stride. and it comes in funky colors too



the whole tour was a great experience for me, i learned a lot of things kiteboarding wise and on myself. i realized that i do not like to be in the middle of race protests and would only be racing on twintip and for fun. i also realized that i really am not comfortable riding straps, and will stick to my boots which is what ive been used with from wakeboaording ,and when practicing or going on heats ill be sporting a cute white helmet to protect my head. i do not care of people think i look like a korean tourist trying to kiteboard. lol


i would also like to give props to all the people that believed in me and helped me get here.
without you guys this will not be possible.

thank you to my support crew, loveyah guys!

Roxy and DC Shoes
Tribu Outdoors and Headware
GoPro
David Salon
Mango Riders
and
Kasbah

So now it's time to party again, for the last time for the season, KTA style.

i hope you guys enjoyed following us on one great season! til next year.

love Paula

Tea Anyone?

KTA - Boracay 2013

WOW! now that was a Long Busy WEEK!

A lot of speculation was going around a week before KTA Boracay

since it is almost the end of our season and the wind was a bit sketchy already.

But hence, Boracay still delivered.

it did put up to it's name as one of the most popular tropical 

island destinations of the world and also one of the windiest places in Asia.

The wind started light which was good for racing and a little bit of freestyle when i can lightly use my 

9m (my biggest kite sail), then it just started to blow like crazy during the last day, i was OVERPOWERED on my 5 that my bar was jsut slipping out of my hands, and some of the guys were having such a great riding session with 7 and 6s.

This tour stop showed how busy Boracay can be, especially at that time which is easter week.

I did not really participate in the race for this stop as i was really really busy with work and a lot of work plus i dont have a big kite for this.
Competing during the busiest time of the year for us, got an A on my busy bucket list.
although, at the same time it's good for the publicity of Kiteboarding in the Philippines, and the local establishments that supported this event, of course including KASBAH :)

all the photos and videos about the KTA here in Boracay showed sunny blue skies, clear blue waters, happy people, good winds and a great kiteboarding community. What more can you ask for?

I just wish we have better internet in general so we can broadcast almost on real time
but hey, it's just insanely slow.
Day5 video is not even out yet and its already almost a week after the event.
it takes a day to upload a hi res photo up on the web..
pssssss.
things like these really pisses me off.

but anyways here's the day1-4 videos from the event
As you can see, kite racing is a big thing in the Philippines,
we have very good representation on this discipline up in the podium,
to the racers of the Philippines, congratulations!!! great job.

As for us freestylers, the boys are doing well and landing bigger and better tricks with more style.
As for the women.. there are still a few of us and i really do hope more girls come in and get into freestyle and surf. X

I've made it my personal job to get my board-riding friends to go kiting but i am too busy with other things recently that i cannot get them out in the water as much as i want to. :(
Next season it is then.


PS: I really would like to be less busy and spend more time with my friends and family and i know that the only one who can do this is me. working on it.

I am only less than two months away from leaving for the USA and Europe. I am nothing more than excited to do this again for the 3rd year. and hopefully go somewhere new as well.
I really wish though some of my friends can join me on this trip!
-
Peace!

KTA Philippines 2013 Day 1 from Kiteboard Tour Asia on Vimeo.

KTA Philippines 2013 Day 2 from Kiteboard Tour Asia on Vimeo.

KTA Philippines 2013 Day 3 from Kiteboard Tour Asia on Vimeo.

KTA Philippines 2013 Day 4 from Kiteboard Tour Asia on Vimeo.

Thailand in my heart

Thailand always held a special place in my heart. I've been coming to Thailand for the Past 3 years, the last 2 years was for the KTA in Pranburi. Pranburi is this little town that i learned to love.
Last year, i went there to participate in the KTA for the first time ever, competing outside the Philippines for kitesurfing. And i won't deny it, i cried before my heat. I didn't expect to compete, also with a new kite that i've never held before, it was a bit embarrassing especially those who saw me like Su, Ali and Rebecka, but hey am human! lol These girls have always inspired me to ride harder and helping me with kiteboarding related decisions along the way, especially Su Kay who is now part of the KTA crew, super stoked about it.. the KTA media department has done a great job in communicating to the rest of the world what we have going on here in Asia and it's great! - Thank you Su!
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My canadian teammates Sam Medesky and David Drinkwater built a slider at Pranburi which made me wanna go there, plus there was a KTA going, a new cable park in Hua Hin and i just came from a very very bad situation in my life that i just had to escape and be alone for a bit.

I spent almost a month in Pranburi and it proved to be a place to heal my heart, mind and soul. Quiet, peaceful, and laid back. Everyday was like yoga, kite, cable, explore caves and mountains, eat thai food hang out with friends and do it all over again the next day.

Coming back to the place that healed me was a bit touchy, with the same people that i knew from before and a few good new ones too. Simple things made me smile like the same "Cha Ma Nao" - lemon iced tea vendor by the seaside, TRYING to drive a scooter - which i also learned here last year - and got to practice it again. This time i was driving more than 40. :) and many many familiar things.

i was so excited to kite here again, it may not be as windy as my homespot but the conditions here are perfect when there is enough wind for my 9m. flat, with little kickers. - ALWAYS the best conditions for my boots.. wiii! - check out the cool photos taken by my good friend, The infamous Game Face Pout captured yet again on camera by Anny Barlow!!! She also won first place for Women's TT Racing!! so proud!

 


This year's KTA was even more special as i won my first Singles Heat and am happy with my shared 7th with Polly Crathorne who is the current british freestyle champion at 18!!! wohooo

sorry guys i didn't make it up in the race ranks compared to Bintan, i didn't have the right gear for racing on light wind. :( but its ok, there is always a next time.

Adding more spice to this tour stop is Veso - a very awesome paraglider who was putting on a great aerial show for us AND filming from up above too!! Anny and sukie went on for a spin too!! i wish i also did :( - o well next time :)

Thailand will not be complete without some SHOPPING! i bought some nice rings from my lovely girlfriends back in Boracay and went on a food adventure with Kristiin, Rebecka, Stephan, Etc.

i adore this coconut ice cream!!! i don't know why it's not really available in the Philippines. grrr

Congratulations to all the winners, now am en-route home

to gear up for KTA Boracay in two weeks X

Check out all the videos That Frenchie made, this guy is a super talented 

filmmaker and rider as well!!!

We cannot even ride the cable together anymore like last year because he is busy with his awesome movies!
Great Job as always Jim!

---

aside from some riding action in Day 3, I also ended up presenting Day1 and some longboarding in Day2 (due to the lack of wind and too much energy)

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Also, a few days before KTA Thailand, my new Lifestyle/Kite movie with my Teammates Victoria and Helena was released, so for those who haven't seen it, check it here.

I miss Victoria in this Tour stop too! she was super cool to hang out with.

BLUSH #02 from paula rosales on Vimeo.

Enjoy Watching

PS: The Triple S Invitational 2013 riders list is out, so stoked to be part of it again this year!!!
Can't Wait!

Check the full riders list

Cheers and Windy Greets

Love,

P

PHOTOS AND VIDEOS taken from Kiteboard Tour Asia.

Kitezone KTA Thailand Day 1 from Kiteboard Tour Asia on Vimeo.

KTA Thailand Day 2 from Kiteboard Tour Asia on Vimeo.

KTA Thailand Day 3 from Kiteboard Tour Asia on Vimeo.

KTA Thailand Day 4 from Kiteboard Tour Asia on Vimeo.

Loving Indonesia

Indonesia was ammmmazing!

In the beginning everyone thought that the wind would be light so we brought our big kites in my case that is a 9m, and i had Dirk, our Sales Manager from BEST kiteboarding bring me a 12 m which i never really got to use since it was blowing like crazy that i actually needed my 7m.

I was so stoked that there were 23 girls that joined both freestyle and racing and not counting those girls that came in for the weekend to join.

It was a good show and a good place to hang out and kite.

On the first day i went with the KTA crew to a spot just bit upwind of the competition area for a nice kicker session and a little downwinder to the competition area which was fun as i got to see some small islands along the way. I also almost ran into som SUPers which was really funny. hihihihi

The Rest of the days were so windy so we ended up with so many races and was even able to complete the doubles. 

During one of the races i saw a sea turtle and a huge tuna while waiting for our start.

This was really cool. these experiences are those that make me go to these events and at the same time build some confidence in my riding skills.

While the rest of the competitors rested after the races i did enjoy the spot more by just riding over the reef and surf a little. And i must admit it was a bit too shallow but altogether fun as the direction of the wind which was side off shore was on a perfect angle to attack these baby play waves( at that time).

me and my teammate victoria was sharing a room, and we had tons of fun chatting and doing funny girly stuff.

On the last day, we did a little photo shoot with Alexandru in this nice resort/restaurant on wooden stilts that is over the water.

I finished at 9th on freestyle and 5th on race on my first international event of my season which is for me already a good result considering my riding experience compared to the rest 

--

Am still a rookie at this sport and loving every moment of it.

check out the videos from the 5 amazing days at Bintan courtesy of Kiteboard Tour Asia

I hope you guys are enjoying watching and reading about this as much as i do love sharing it with all of you

peace,love and good vibrations X

Paula

Day 1

KTA Bintan - Indonesia - Day 1 from Kiteboard Tour Asia on Vimeo.

Day2

KTA Indonesia - Bintan Day 2 from Kiteboard Tour Asia on Vimeo.

Day3

KTA Indonesia - Bintan Day 3 from Kiteboard Tour Asia on Vimeo.

Day 4

KTA Indonesia - Bintan Day 4 from Kiteboard Tour Asia on Vimeo.

Day 5

KTA Indonesia - Bintan Day 5 from Kiteboard Tour Asia on Vimeo.

some inner motivation

If there is one thing in this world that i would really put an effort on,

it would be dedicating my time in helping those who want to get into this 

sport that i just love to do.

Last week we just had a little girls camp supported by my Sponsors.

They are so cool for letting me do this project with their help.

It's nice to see all these girls who are just eager to ride and would spent time, hours,days, to just get on that board and have the best feeling on earth.

 last week i got to hang with the best girls in the world.

plus riding with Helena and Vika was great and really fun.

It brought me back to why i was riding in the first place.

Yes mom, i am a board rider. i love shredding rails, doing pops and rotating in mid air.

---

In two days ill be flying to Indonesia for the KTA, i really thought i was not gonna go because i felt that i was not prepared for this at all.
and now am going for real. so am super stoked on this trip

But hey, its fun to see the world ! and wow! Indonesia! what better way to explore this exotic place that by kite.

Now i can say i feel stronger that ever with my shoulder especially.

I have a few good people to thank for this wonderful recovery. i hope that this continues.

Again, my warmest hugs and kisses to those who helped in making the first ever Girl on Fire Camp Possible, i love you all!!!

one of our camp participants broke her neck while kiting a few days ago. She now in undergoing surgery. Olga get well soon.


Photo Credits:
Cara Cipolla, Anna Faustino, Rebecka Maudal and Thirtysix-O