Kari Schibevaag: MIGK 2011 Winner

Interview with Kari Schibevaag

Kari Schibevaag is one of the top 10 Finalists in our “Most Influential Girl Kitesurfer 2011” competition!

We caught up with Kari recently for an interview…

Kari, tell us a little bit about yourself or your story.

I am a girl from beautiful Norway. I love to do all kinds of sports but I’m spending nearly all my time kiting. I am currently snowkiting and kitesurfing and love both.  I am competing in both sports and have won world titles in each. I am now spending more and more hours in the waves and I love it most of all.

Video: Kari Schibevaag in Dakhla!

Where are you from?

Norway, Stavanger

Where do live and kitesurf now and what brought you there?

I live in Norway where I am from and there are amazing conditions for riding waves and flat water. I am also traveling a lot for competitions, camps, training and photo shoots.

How often do you kite?

I try to kite everyday there is wind… if there is no wind, I try to SUP, surf or do other stuff.

Kari Schibevaag | Photo by Youri Zoon

Favourite kitesurfing spots?

Cape Town

Do you have any sponsors? Who are they?

Ozone, Varme og bad, Seabrokers Groupe, Dr Zipe, Prolimit, Dwarf8

Apart from kiting, what are your other Interests?

I love to make hats and otter stuff so I spend a lot of time doing this. I also love training, making food, being with friends and family and watching a nice movie.

How did you learn to kitesurf, who taught you and when did you start?

I learned it in Norway from 2 guys giving courses. It was light wind so we did not learn a lot but it was fun and I bought a kite the next day. I went back to my home spot in Stavanger and I spent hours trying to learn to get on the board. I was thinking of giving up but after a trip to Brazil I got in to it and then it was the best thing ever.

What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your kite career and how did you overcome it?

Kari Schibevaag | Photo by Youri Zoon

To get on the board. It took me a long time. (I had a big board and a big kite and it was not easy because I am a very small person) I bought a smaller kite and board then everything started to work.

What is your proudest achievement?

First time standing on the top in waves in 2009.

What is your preferred riding style?

Waves!

What would you like to learn?

To get a more aggressive style in the waves.

Who influenced you to start kitesurfing? Is there anyone you really look up to?

I was just looking at some pictures and thought kitesurfing looked cool.

Describe a time you inspired someone to start kitesurfing?

This must be on the camps.

When I am holding camps it’s cool to see how happy people get when they are trying it for the first time. It’s amazing and I see myself in them. I was just the same, full power and really want to learn.

Video: Dakhla Kite Girls Camp 2011

How has kitesurfing changed your life?

I am happier and I am doing what I love the most. Before I was working with drug addicted kids and it was a hard job. There were a lot of “not very positive” people at work so I am happy to get out of it and be around happy people.

Besides kitesurfing, what are you most passionate about?

I love to make food and I went to school to learn this and I love to try out different things. Also I love to make hats and stuff so my time is often spent doing these 2 things.

What are you doing for Kitesurfing in your community or globally?

I am holding camps in Norway and outside Norway. I love this and I hope I can do this more.

How do you think winning the 2011 Most Influential Girl Kitesurfer will shape your life and the positive work you are doing now?

This would be really nice. It’s super to just be on the list for the Most Influential Kitesurf girl but to win it would be a pinch in the bum to start working more for the sport I love the most.

What do you think the future holds for kiteboarding / Kitesurfing and what can we do to improve our sport?

I think kiting will just grow every year and take over the water sport industry altogether along with surfing. It’s a nice sport where you can choose your level. It’s not a sport where just the best athletic people can do it, that’s why I think this sport will be big in the future.

What do you hope to achieve in the next few years?

I hope I can keep on doing camps for kids, girls and men in both waves and freestyle. I also hope I can compete in the PKRA for more years and maybe manage to stay in the top.

Congratulations to Kari on winning the 2011 Most Influential Girl Kitesurfer!

Video: Kari Schibevaag Riding Ozone REO

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