I have to say Tiree is one of the most special places I have been in the world and I’d like to say a massive thank you to the incredible elements that sweep across it, the friendly local seals for accepting us at their spots, the lovely locals and residents, and the incredibly special kiters who came on our Kite and Yoga course. Also a massive thank you to Helen and Seb for letting me share their homes, the Scarnish Hotel for letting us use their idyllic, panoramic room for the yoga (and the great pint of Guinness afterwards!), and to CalMac Ferries for getting me and my van there!

Thanks also to my amazing sponsors North for their epic boards and kites which allowed me to kitesurf in the wild wind and waves that we were blessed with, (having confidence in your equipment in 40knots and big swell is a nice feeling!) to ION for their fantastic wetsuits and accessories which kept me warm and cozy in any harsh conditions! And to Animal and Mercedes for the van that takes me and my equipment, bed and wardrobe everywhere!

Also thanks to James from Steez Productions for traveling up to Tiree and doing this short video clip that gives a taste of this sweet enchanted island.

http://vimeo.com/30785357

From the wild, remote shores of Tiree in the North, I drove the stunning, long drive home through Scotland, the Lake district, and then finally through the valleys of Wales to my home for a quick cup of tea with Mum and Dad, a walk with my dog and a surf in Pembrokeshire before flying over the Atlantic and South America to another wild, remote coast and ocean. Its now time for some Peruvian wind and waves, and the KSP Kitesurf world tour competition at Pacasmayo, one of the longest peeling waves in the world! www.kspworldtour.com

Tiree photos, courtesy of my special friends Loic, Seb, Helen, Norma and Janna!

And for those who want to tame and shred the waves………….

September 10^th – 14^th – Kitesurf Progressor and Yoga

September 17th – 21st – Kitesurf Wave and Yoga

Scotland – Isle of Tiree

A highly rewarding trip to the wild and epic North coast of Peru, incorporating bespoke kitesurf coaching, yoga for the body and mind, surfing, Stand up Paddle boarding and exploration!

Designed and run by Kirsty and the experienced team at Downwind concept Peru. You will be taken to the best spots for what you want to achieve and experience, you’ll tune in and connect with the incredible elements, nature and culture, get in the sea everyday, and learn valuable skills to take your kitesurfing, body and mind to new realms.

More Info and bookings visit www.downwindconcept.com info@downwindconecpt.com or email kj@kirstyjones.com

Cycling, Yoga, SUP and free diving has helped me keep mentally and physically strong through my injury and to really appreciate all the things I can do, not what I can;t do.  Injury has also made me realise that everything happens for a reason and that sometimes we all need to face our biggest fears in order to evolve, go deeper and catch the next big wave!

The toughest part now is too hold back in the waves and let go of my competitiveness until the knee is fully ready as this is the time many athletes go back to their sport too early and re – injure.

‘What doesn’t destroy us only makes us stronger and wiser’

I hope to be able to help others get over their own injuries and obstacles and achieve their goals in sport and life.

Watch this space for my forth coming kite/ yoga and surf retreats, workshops, courses and adventures!

First day back kiting!

Woopieeeee!

Thanks to Animal and Mercedes I have the new Vito Sport van with me in the Canaries!

Doing my yoga and physio training for my knee before a surf session.

On it everyday at 7am and reckon my knee will be ready to rip up the waves again soon!  Never thought I would say this but I’m a converted runner to biker now!

www.diamondback.co.uk

A week of wind, sun, laughter and Zen was had by all in the desert!

Every morning began at sunrise with an hour of yoga and breathing exercises before breakfast, to energize and awaken the body and mind ready for an exciting day on the water.

After a long breakfast watching the wind build and the sun rise higher, everyone would head over to the kite station for a kiting technique talk with myself and a personalised action plan for the day, usually involving a goal to attempt a new maneuver or trick!

As the wind blew all day everyday for 5 days solid everyone certainly put in the hours and effort on the water trying new things, improving technique and mostly using small kites in the strong wind! I videoed everyone riding most days to monitor and track progress and improve technique, and also to have a cheer at the best wipeouts and efforts at the end of each day!

After a superb Moroccan lunch everyday it was back on the water for an afternoon kiting session, reinforcing what had been discussed and viewed in the video feedback. By the time the sun started to go down everyone’s bodies were crying out for the restorative evening yoga session to deeply stretch, realign and relax the body and mind after hours of kitesurfing.

Each evening the most incredible display of bright stars lit up the desert sky and everyone filled their bellies with another typical Moroccan evening meal, chatting and laughing until our abs could take no more! Most nights everyone was ready to collapse into bed by 9.30pm but some nights we really pushed our limits and stayed up until 10pm!! This usually involved having one more beer and watching the video feedback. (which meant some of the crew were even battling in their sleep trying to pull off their new kitesurfing tricks!)

Every day I felt that everyone was getting more and more into the flow of the yoga, pushing their limits on the water and developing a unity with body, mind, kitesurfing and nature. I think by the end of the week we all felt an inner freedom, connection with the elements and the realization of what is really important in life.

I’d like to say a big thank you to all the participants of the kite and yoga week for their energy and commitment, to Gemma and Soufiane at Kite Morocco and to my  sponsors North, Animal and ION for supporting me and giving away product for everyone on the course. Thanks to Gemma also for the great photos and magic memories!

A special thank you to the elements, the ocean, wind, waves and land for all that it gives us.

15 % of Kirsty’s profits from the course will go directly to Sea Shepherd.

‘Sea Shepherd’s mission is to end the destruction of habitat and the slaughter of wildlife in the worlds oceans in order to conserve and protect ecosystems and species’

www.seashepherd.org

The Kite and Yoga Crew! – Dana, Tim, Mike, Gemma, Philipp, Kirsty, Sophie, Zoe, Anne, Ross and Christian.

‘Comments from the week –

‘Hi Kirsty

Thank you so much for such a fantastic week in Dakhla. I would recommend this trip to anybody who wants to improve their riding and tricks!
We had the opportunity to try new things, come out of our comfort zone, get excellent feedback from you, see our pictures, videos and learn from our mistakes. Its just the perfect way to improve quickly … together with your expert help and the beautiful Dakhla nature,  huge flat lagoon, sand dunes, great people and great food this trip will belong to one of my best holidays!

I also had an opportunity to see how well yoga works together with kiting. It was just so nice to wake up and stretch our bodies and also improve our flexibility while watching the sunset! I felt in love with sun salutation and head stand, I try to do it few mornings back in Guernsey now!

We had such a good mix of people from all over… Denmark, Scotland, England, Austria, Slovakia, Spain… I hope we will keep in touch and hopefully meet all in June for Christian’s birthday in Tarifa!

Keep smiling… you always do
Dana

Xx ‘

Hey Kirsty!

‘It was an amazing week, such a good time! A great group with lots of laughter. I left with a huge smile on my face and felt ready for anything! Your instruction and coaching were the perfect balance between being professional but great fun and relaxed. I thought the pace of the week was perfect and was adapted to everyone’s needs. I really don’t think you could have done any more to improve the week.

I have nothing but very happy memories

Ross’

‘ Kirsty, It was an incredibly nice kiting, relaxing and motivating week. You are really good at communicating, coaching and making people feel special. Thank you for sharing your warm and sweet energy with us.
Hope we meet somewhere again.
Besos y hasta pronto

Christian ‘
(Spain)

‘kirsty is a truly inspirational person. She makes nothing seem impossible in kitesurfing and has an answer for everyone – from beginner to almost-pro. Despite being a beginner, I had a fantastic time at the camp. The perfect mix of people from all over the world, wind conditions, Yoga sessions and Kirsty’s instructions that seem more like advices from a dear friend made the camp a unique and special experience – it was so much fun!
I can’t wait to get onto the again after all what I have learned. I would definitively go back for some more Yoga and kitesurfing with Kirsty!
Sophie

Another Fantastic day!

Sand dune training!

Check out Kirsty’s profile on Breathe Unity www.breatheunity.com/profile/kirsty-jones and follow her on facebook for the latest happenings www.facebook.com/Kirsty-Jones-Professional-Kite-Surfer

The 2011 Fanatic Team sponsored riders:

• Kirsty Jones/Great Britain
• Charlie Grey/Great Britain
• Chase Kosterlitz/St. Pete Beach, Florida
• Gabi Steindl/Austria
• Fred Bonnef/Spain & France
• Rob Small/Great Britain
• Alessandro Onofri/Italy

Craig Gertenbach, Fanatic commentated “I am very happy to announce our International Fanatic SUP/Surf team. At Fanatic, our team riders have always had a close link in product development and promotion to the brand, for a true boardriders company feeling. Our current Windsurfing Team is one of the most successful ever, so we hope to emulate this with our SUP/Surf teams in the future, keeping the great family atmosphere amongst the riders as one of the winning ingredients. Look forward to watch the progress of Chase, Fred, Alessandro and Charlie on the National and International SUP circuits, whilst the images, special events and input from Kirsty, Rob and Gabi will keep inspiring us to make the most innovative and fun to use products on the market and most possible PR! Plus we do have our International Windsurf team riders with Nayra Alonso, Marcilio Browne, Klaas Voget and Victor Fernandez as well as our National Opinion Leaders, who are also representing our Fanatic SUPs whenever the wind is not blowing.”

To see the Fanatic Team SUP/Surf International visit the website for more details.

Kirsty Jones, UK. See Kirsty Breathe Unity Elite Athlete profile

Kirsty Jones in full SUP action