Name: Andrina Kelly           Kit: 7m BEST TS 2012
D.O.B: February 1978               10m BEST TS 2012
Nationality: British              14m BEST TS 2012
Living in: England                KB Signature pro Model Board 2010 + 2012
Years riding:7
IKO Level 2 Kitesurf Instructor

I got into kiting about 7 years ago, but can happily admit that the first two 
where a write of, i learnt on c kites, and was not a natural born kiter!!
 A long slog was ahead of me,  i had my first lesson up at telscombe cliffs
 through  local kite shop Boost, on a 2 line land kite, it was such a windy
 day, all i did really was get dragged through the grass and dog poo,
 but I loved every minute of it, and i wanted more.
So the next week , I went back to the shop and bought my first land kite, 
i would spend all my free time just flying my kite on brighton beach, 
 trying to not take out OAP's and barking dogs   It paid off, I had my 
first water lesson, and I didnt crash the kite once, but I neednt have
 got all big headed. At the second lesson, board starts, all went wrong, 
I spent the whole summer trying to get up on the board. I  was getting 
to the point of giving up, when I decided to go on
my first kite trip, which was with Boost to El Gouna in Egypt.
 And guess what,
 
flat, warm, shallow water, I got up straight away, I was so happy I had
 persevered. After that kiting took over my life, after a coulple of years 
not getting to kite as much as I would like, not really progressing and
not living close enough to a kiteable beach I gave up working full time as
a hair dresser. I went self employed and moved closer to the beach, giving
me much more time on water, but even though I was getting out more, I still
 did not feel like my skills were developing. I had had a few kite mares,
 quick release not working on a few occasions, kite looping all of a sudden
 on land :-/ body dragging on pebbles is not that much fun!!
So in  2009 I decided to do my IKO instructor training to able to teach 
people how be safe and independent kitesurfer and to build up my own confidence.
It was one of the hardest weeks ever, but worth it. I am much more relaxed
 and up for trying tricks now I know  how it all works. You learn so much
 by teaching others, and seeing their mistakes makes 
it easier for you to correct yours. And  you get the biggest buzz when you
 see the students out there up and riding with big smiles!
Then in May 2010 I went to Egypt for a month to freeride, and take part in
 my first KB4 Girls event. It was a pivitol point in my kiteing for many
 reasons. First of all, I had never seen so many female kiters together at one
 spot, and they were good!!! Kicking boys ass good, it was so inspiring to be 
around the girls, to see them do tricks and to get them to show you.
And they were all super nice, most of them out there for a while , for training,
 to just hang out or to do their IKO. Great times were had!!

Then too finish it all of the KB4 girls event, at which I got to meet 20 female 
kitesurfers and the amazing Kristin Boese. Who is my biggest inspiration, and 
always motivates me to keep trying, dont give up and keep giving back!!
Kristin then asked me that year to be an ambassador for KB4 Girls, which I was 
super delighted and chuffed to do. I am very proud and honoured  to be part of 
something that is bringing female kiteboarding on the forefront, bringing women
 from all walks of life and levels together, whilst  raising funds for local 
charities and having lots of fun together. My Kiteing has improved massively
 since this, and I have met so many amazing new friends. It does'nt get better
 than this.
And then just to top it all off, BEST Kiteboarding asked me to be a team rider 
this summer, we are currently setting up a UK girls team. Interested? Get in touch!!
                           
 I am really excited about this, and looking forward to seeing
 how this develops. It has already been a great  year already with BEST,
 I love riding with BEST and they are also great for teaching with. 
At http://www.brightonkitesurfingacademy.co.uk/
 where I am based we only use the latest BEST kit. 
 So heres to next year,bring on 2012!!!