Sophie Mathews - Blog Page

2009-11-11T13:15:00.003Z

ROCKET DOG .co.uk

I am really excited to have joined the Rocket Dog team. They produce funky shoes, boots, pumps, heels, wedges, sneakers among many other youthful products for fashions conscious females.

Check out thier website. www.rocketdog.co.uk.

I can guarantee you will find it hard to not fall in love with the shoes.

2009-10-12T12:17:00.003+01:00

Rehabilitation

Here in Madrid I am working with 2 physiotherapists. They both specialise in different areas but complement eachother in order to speed up recovery.

1 of them concentrates on the internal nevous system, which after an injury such as mine, becomes affected and slow. This was very clear in my first session. I did a series of tests working first the right side of my body, then the left. It was as if the left hand side of my body was asleep and the tests became extremely frustrating. We are working mainly on Proprioception, which is very important for any athlete. Proprioception is the unconscious perception of movement and spacial orientation arising from stimuli within the body, i.e.. Balance. If you have poor proprioception then you are more likely to become injured and it also limits your performance.

The second physio concentrates on soft tissue; ligaments, tendons and muscles. For the moment we are concentrating on restoring balance throughout the body. When you are injured your brain automatically tries to protect the area, so often if the problem in the foot, it is not uncommon for your hip, neck and back to become affected.

As my surgeon told me, the brakes in my ankle have healed completely, an as there was no soft tissue damage really there is no problem. Now it is a case of re educating the brain and body in order to return to normal function.

2009-10-12T12:00:00.003+01:00

Madrid.

After 12 weeks in plaster and on crutches, I am finally back on my feet and working hard to get back to the water as soon as possible. According to the doctors it will be a few months of intense rehabilitation, so I am taking this opportunity to learn the other side of the events, organisation and promotional side of sports.

I am now in Madrid working for a Sports Marketing and Communications company. For the time being it is a temporary thing, but it is something that has always interested me.

As the world of Kitesurfing and Extreme Sports continues to grow there is always a necessity for athlete representation and event organisation. Although the company I am working at is not Extreme Sports specialists, we have just finished doing the NBA basketball Europe Live tour here in Madrid. It was fascinating to see exactly how much works goes into an international event of this scale; looking after the athletes, generating media interest, ticket sales, event promotion, the list is endless.

I am looking forward to see what next week has in store. Will keep you posted.

I hope you are enjoying epic kiting conditions somewhere in the world, hopefully it wont be too long before I am back out there.

2009-09-04T16:36:00.003+01:00

Injured again......

A heavy landing during the competition in Tarifa left me with a broken Tibia, fibula and a dislocated foot. I spent a week in Algeciras Hospital on a morphine drip whilst waiting to be flown home.

Pre Op.

I went to the same surgeon as before, James Calder who was stunned at the mess I had made. He did a fine job piecing my ankle back together. 8 screws and 1 very large plate held the fibula in place and 3 heavy duty screws were inserted into the tibia.

Post Op

I spent 3 weeks at home in a "back slab" sleeping. I returned to the hospital to have my stitches out and was tranfered from the bandages into an Air Cast boot.

Post Op

Having been told to come back in another 3 weeks I went to Tarifa to spend time recovering in the sunshine amongst friends. A great way to boost the morale.

I was so well looked after by everyone and I went everywhere on my crutches. So much so I wore through the bottom 2 times.At least my upper body is still in shape.

2009-07-26T23:24:00.005+01:00

PowerKite Shop

Kiting in 50 knts can be tricky at the best of times, but thanks to my latest sponsor POWER KITE SHOP supplying me with wetsuits and harness from Mystic at least the ride is a comfy one.

This is a tip for anyone. When taking part in kitesurfing, a comfortable harness and wetsuit can make the difference between a great and bad session. So check out thier website and browse the collection.I can guarantee there is something for everyone. www.powerkiteshop.com

I recommend the Luna ladies harness for chicks that ride.It gives great all round back support and the pull from the kite is consistant around the waist.It is also incredibly malleable, allowing the body to move freely, and never creates the love handle look that we all try to avoid!

Photos- Pablo Windoses they bravest photographer I know.

Location - Valdevaqueros Beach, Tarifa. Levante wind 45knts.

2009-07-26T23:12:00.005+01:00

Sponsors.

I would just like to thank my sponsors. They are a great support not only to me as a Team Rider but to the sport too. As we all know Kitesurfing is still not a mainstream sport and still fairly unknown so the more involvement the better. Over the past few years it has grown at an unbelievable rate, so lets hope that continues.

So thanks again to;

Nobile Kiteboarding, Dwarf 8 and Powerkiteshop.

please check oute thier great websites.

www.nobilekiteboarding.com

www.dwarf8.com

www.powerkiteshop.com

2009-06-30T09:10:00.004+01:00

Competition Time

kpwt, Tarifa

The competition season has started again, and although I missed the first stop in Germany due to the Nobile photoshoot in Egypt, I will be kicking off my season with the second stop of the KPWT kiteboard pro World Tour here in Tarifa. It is set to be a huge event and there will be great riders from all over the world, not to mention the hot locals and the Womens world champion.

Today is registration day, so i will keep you up to date over the coming week.

Movistar, Arnette, Havaianas, Mini and Andalucia are the main sponsors of the event.

2009-06-30T08:47:00.002+01:00

Nobile Photoshoot

Hurghada

I have just spent a fantastic 2 weeks in Egypt with "TEAM NOBILE". We were there for the 2010 product shoot, testing the new kites and boards, and training together.

It is really motivating when we all get together and push each other to try new tricks. The guys are always eager that us ladies push ourselves to go higher, faster and more powered. I learnt a few moves when i was there, and thanks to Asia giving me a few technical tips i was able to nail the moves that i have been stuck on for a while.

We were based at Colona Watersports, but we went of on a boat trip to capture some film and kite in a magical spot. The water was as warm as a bath crystal clear and incredible flat. It is always much easier in conditions like this, but it also an absolute pleasure. Moments like this make me realise how lucky I am.

The equipment for next year is looking great. With a bigger range of kites and boards Nobile is proving to be making very positive developments. It is exciting to be part of such and innovative and fun team.

Many thanks to Colona Watersports who made everything so easy during our stay, and keep an eye out for the up and coming film from our trip.

2009-06-03T10:07:00.003+01:00

Renault for RipCurl Photoshoot

Renault has joined forces with the renowned surf and activity clothing speciaist Rip Curl to produce a special edition Clio that should appeal to the younger car buyer with an active lifestyle.

Last week Jo Ciastula (fellow kiter and Tarifa resident) and I took part in the photo shoot for the advert, which will be shown internationally in the next few months.

It was extremely exciting to work with a large and talented group of people. With the director of the project coming from Barcelona, the photographer from England and others from France, it was a very enjoyable experience.

Keep your eyes open for the advert coming this summer, and check out the new car www.renaultbyripcurl.com

Ankle Operation

2009-01-09T10:34:00.005Z

A complex therapeutic arthroscopy of the ankle, with multiple bony, joint surface, and soft tissue procedures. Also a full reconstruction of the Lateral collateral ligament complex.

After returning from Brazil In October 08 with what I thought was a simple sprain to the Ankle Joint, it became evident that it was more complicated than anticipated. If i ever wanted to compete or Kitesurf at a high level again, surgery was the only way to fix the problem.

Taking a decision that puts all your future plans on hold can be very disheartening. When told that it would be 6 months from start to finish I felt disappointed. Thinking about it, I realised it was my only option and I had to see the positive in what seemed a bleak situation.

I was told that once the operation was done I had to be 100% commited to extensive Physiotherapy. Only a small percentage is down to the surgeon. The rest would be up to me.

James Calder, a top Orthopaedic Surgeon who specialises in Sports injuries of the foot and ankle, carried out the following procedure, to repair the damage that had been done during a heavy crash in Brazil.

Entry sites for the Arthroscopy.

I had the operation done just over 2 weeks ago. Yesterday I had my cast off and stitches out. The surgeon was very happy with how it has healed, and said the joint is a lot more stable. The ankle itself feels much better although the exterior is painful due to cuts and bruises.

Sport Babe of the Week

2008-12-17T06:41:00.005Z

This week I did an interview with Sport.co.uk. They have a weekly feature called "Sport Babe of the Week".

I am pleased that I took part, as it is another oppourtunity to promote the sport, which is still fairly unknown amongst the masses, and as some of the past "Babes" include Olympic Athletes such as Gold medalist Victoria Pendleton.

To have a look please click on the link.

www.sport.co.uk

Back to Tarifa

2008-11-17T17:33:00.005Z

After 3 weeks of intense physiotherapy I decided to head back to Tarifa, to recuperate from my ankle injury.

Tarifa is the perfect place for this. It is still beautifully sunny every day, which is great as I can be on the beach doing the long list of exercises set for me by the physios. Although it is very frustrating, as the strong Levante wind is here and everyone is out on the water.....but not me.

Me and Angela Peral.

It is great to be back and see familiar faces after such a long season. The World Tour has run from March untill now, not leaving much time to catch up. At least now I have time to do this.

Balneario (my local spot)

Today I was in Balneario, my local spot, watching people training. It was actually great to be watching, as you can learn so much. The wind was incredibly strong and the guys were riding kites from as small as 5m, but the level was extremely high and very pleasurable to watch. Who wouldn´t enjoy being in this spot. Just looking at the photo above, it is obviously paradise.

I will keep you posted on my progress.

2009 NOBILE VIDEO TRAILER

2008-10-27T12:22:00.004Z

check out the trailer for the new 2009

NOBILE KITEBOARDING VIDEO

The Nobile Kiteboarding Team is let loose in Egypt on a luxury yacht, with mountains of equipment and perfect conditions.

The full version with be available in the next issue of Stance.

www.vimeo.com/1976042

www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GpM2HCeMPY

KPWT - Brazil

2008-10-24T12:17:00.005+01:00

The Kpwt Super Kite was held in Cumbuco, Brazil.

Cumbuco is a small village in the region of Ceara, north west Brazil.

Having become one of the most popular destinations for Kiters over the last few year due to the consistent winds and warm waters, I was really looking forward to the competition.

Unfortunately, during my heat in the Quarter finals in the Single elimination I had a heavy crash which left me unable to finish the competition.

To Find out more information about the event visit the KPWT homepage.

www.kiteboardpro.com

England to Brazil - Sept 08

2008-09-03T20:06:00.003+01:00

4 days to go and I am off to one of my favorite kite spots in the world.

Cumbuco will be hosting the 6th stage of the KPWT world tour, and I am ecstatic to be taking part. A beautiful place, familiar faces, great Brazilian hospitality and fantastic music to dance the evenings away.

Not only am I there to compete, but I am looking forward to working with my one of my sponsors. Brazilian born Greenish Clothing

After the competition I will be staying on a couple of weeks to train with some of the elite and catch up with local friends.

Stay in touch as this is sure to be a good 'un !

IKSURFMAG.COM INTERVIEW

2008-08-17T21:15:00.004+01:00

Another riders profile interview with the UK based online kiting magazine www.iksurfmag.com

Things are really going good at the moment. I hope they continue to do so !!!!

please check out the interview in issue 10 . www.iksurfmag.com

Interview with Kite Movement

2008-08-17T21:00:00.004+01:00

When I was in Portugal Santa Cruz I met up with Capi from Kite Movement online magazine to do an interview.

Please check it out online. www kitemovement.com

HOME IN TARIFA

2008-08-13T20:27:00.005+01:00

It´s so good to be back home in Tarifa. The conditions have been perfect every day for more than 1 week. There is a reason why this place is famous for its winds. We have had a mixture of poniente and levante, which is great for training.

Since being away and going from one competition to the next I have returned with more motivation than ever to train hard and improve before we go to Brazil.

One thing I have learned is that i need to be a bit more technical and consistent in my riding if i want to go up in the rankings. So I have been training everything to switch with a surface pass, and now to blind.

Today I focused soley on Blind. Railey to Blind, slowly increasing the power each time as I started to feel more confident with the move. I really felt happy with the results and started with the S bend to blind.

Kiting is a progressive sport so one tricks leads on to the next. Trying to run before you walk will mean improvement will be slow.

I will be starting on a video next week with Thomas Auriol who is the KPWT official video man. To check out some of the stuff he has done with his brother Antoine go to;

www.riders-contest.fr/site/member/?id=190

WAVE MASTERS

2008-07-25T19:47:00.005+01:00

WAVE MASTERS

Santa Cruz

Portugal

I am now here in Santa Cruz, Portugal for the KPWT wave masters. The spot is renowned for its good winds and swells.

The last few days have been with zero wind, which has tested everyones patience. However, the waves have been excellent so we have been surfing all day everyday.

Today I did something new. Tow in surfing behind a jetski which was great fun. It is an amazing sensation to glide full speed into the wave. It is defiantly something that I will be doing again sometime.

We also had around 10 knts of wind, which was not enough to run the competition, but after 4 days of no kiting all the riders went to the water, catching waves but then walking back up wind.

The conditions were not ideal for testing, but I am loving my new "Shinn" wave board. It allows you to cut back on the waves aggressively, planes early, and is super maneuverable.

The forecast is looking better over the next few days, so i hope we can run the competition

ITALY - KPWT comes to an end

2008-07-08T18:42:00.004+01:00

Results

9th Freestyle

7th Course racing

The competition in Italy, Lake Como has come to an end. After a frustrating start to the week due to light wind, the conditions improved for the last few days and we were able to finish the freestyle and course racing, although we didn´t get a chance to do a double elimination.

I had some bad luck just before my freestyle heat, as a huge music speak fell on my hand. Unable to move my little finger, but with some good strapping and sheer stubbornness I went on the water.

The week was great fun, with the main sponsor, FIAT organising a freestyle motorcross show. This display of true madness was of course the highlight of the week, with two of thier riders performing mind blowing tricks such as back flips and the flying superman off the ramps.

Congratulations to Ania Grzelinska and Leander Vvyvey who were the Freestyle winners.

For more information on the competition, photos and videos, please visit the official KPWT website - www.kiteboardpro.com

I am now sitting in Athens airport en route to Istanbul for the next stop on the tour. The competition will be starting on the 12th and the main sponsor is JIM BEAM.

Hopefully there will be some good wind so I can train before the comp and get used to the spot.

KPWT - ITALY

2008-07-01T15:47:00.005+01:00

Day 1 on the third leg of the KPWT and the competition has kicked off here in Italy in a spot called Colico, Lake Como. With beautiful surrounding landscape it truly is a magical spot to hold a competition.

The wind has let us down a bit so far and the singles of the mens freestyle had to be post-phoned as the conditions were not quite strong enough. The rules say that the heats can only be run if there is a minimum of 12 consistent knots.

So we are all here playing the waiting game. I will keep you up to date with how it goes!

TARIFA

2008-05-27T12:33:00.007+01:00

After a fantastic trip to Lanzarote and Fuerteventura I am back home in Tarifa. The water is not quite as warm and crystal clear, but the wind has been great so far, with text book Poniente. I have been on the water everyday with my 7m or 9m Nobile 666 training hard. I am still absolutely loving the kites.

I am going to Egypt in June for the Nobile 2009 equipment photoshoot, so I am really excited to see where the development for next years kites are going.

Other things that I have been working on are travel and competition articles for VIDA magazine. They are online, so please have a look. www tarifadirect.com/en/kite-surfing

Yesterday I partook in a Fashion photo-shoot for VIDA magazines up and coming summer issue. The theme was "Whats hot in Tarifa this summer" and included a variety of styles, ranging from surf beach wear, to more elegant evening wear.

I am going to be here for the next few weeks working on a few other projects I have in the pipe line, and training hard for the competitions, which are just around the corner.

Fuerteventura

2008-05-19T12:14:00.004+01:00

Fuerteventura

After Lanzarote we went to Fuerteventura. The first two days were very light and offshore but I managed to get some good hours on the water, training some new moves on my 12 m 666 Nobile which I am loving. The kite is so stable that I never have to worry about where it is.

I am now feeling much more confident landing my moves blind, after sailing in perfect glass flat water. So hopefully now this will be something that I can pull off during the competitions.

The wind picked up a lot on the third day, with the wind being strong enough to use my 7m. This meant that the water state changed becoming choppier and a little more challenging. However I feel that since being here and in Lanzarote I have improved a lot. So I am feeling very encouraged.

For those who are not familiar with Fuerteventura the landscape is dramatic with dry desert land and crystal clear turquoise waters. It is unlike any other place I have ever been. I recommend it to all.

Tomorrow evening I will be heading back to Lanzarote for a couple more days training there.

Lanzarote

2008-05-19T11:33:00.002+01:00

LANZAROTE

I am in Lanzarote for a few days training. After the competition in France I am extremely motivated to up the level of my game, and improve on my last result. As a competitor, I think it is very important to be able to sail in all conditions and make all my moves consistently.

Since training in a different place I am trying new tricks, as in you local spot it is very easy to get into a routine, and only do the moves you know. So taking myself out of my comfort zone has done wonders for my improvement.

The pictures are from Famara Beach on the North side of the island. Tomorrow I am heading off to Fuerteventura, so I will keep you all posted.

First Stop on the KiteBoardPro World Tour

2008-05-08T10:55:00.004+01:00

France - St Gilles Croix de Vie 28th April - 4th May 2008

My results

5th Freestyle

8th Overall

I travelled from Tarifa to St Gilles Croix de Vie by car with Soufiane Hamaini and Ania Grzelinska both from the North Team and both very experienced competition riders. I had plenty of time to ask a mountain of questions and gain as many tips as possible in the 23 hour drive.

This competition was the first leg of the Kite board Pro World Tour which is celebrating its tenth year. Held in St Gilles Croix de Vie, four hours north of Bordeaux on the west coast of France, it was a great road trip from southern Spain. We left at 5am and arrived many miles later the next day at 3.30am.

After a few hours sleep we were greeted by beautiful blue skies and the right wind for my 9 m. So this was it - the day before the competition, the time when the riders arrive from all corners of the world and get on the water to test the conditions.

The tour seemed very international with riders coming from far and wide, Australia, Hawaii, Cabarete, Cape Verde and many other exotic and warm places as well as some chillier ones. The boys from the Dominican Republic ventured out without wetsuits as there was a bit of sun, and left all other riders shivering in our 5mm suits. Not good as a starter ! They were certainly in for a shock the following day.

After Testing the wind and water, I felt fairly happy with how I was sailing. It was my first competition as I only started in Jan 07, I felt very inexperienced amongst the other 49 riders. However there is a fantastic attitude and outlook coming from everyone who is always more than happy to share their past experiences and advice. This came through more than ever with the girls, and I felt warmly welcomed into the group of competitors.

The alarm was set for 6.00 am so we could have breakfast and be ready for the skippers meeting at 7 am. The wind was forecasted for 3 days, and on the KPWT tour there are many disciplines to get thgough. Freestyle, Waves, Racing, and Big Air.

Walking out of the hotel we were hit by 30 knots of freezing cold onshore wind, and rain. I had to resist not to run back into the hotel and dive into bed. During the meeting we were explained the rules and general running of the competition. There would be a draw of the heats and we would get started with the girls asap. The first heat was to start at 8.15am ; thankfully I was in the second heat - 15 minutes later. The wind looked fairly stable, but then dropped very quickly so in my heat all the riders were left underpowered and struggling to stay in the competition area - so very frustrating.

I went through with fairly simple, but solid moves. The water conditions were very difficult. The onshore wind brought waves but not in any organised form, making it a bit tricky to time my moves. The wind picked up for the next rounds leaving me with more power to do my moves. My confidence built gradually through the heats and I was happy with my performance, but crashed a Kite Loop right at the end of my heat - Shame.

I made it through the first two rounds and then in the quarter finals got knocked out by Marine Sudre from Australia, but I loved every minute of the week and can´t wait for the next competition.

For photos, videos and information for up and coming events check out the KPWT official website - www.kiteboardpro.com