A word from - Jo Wilson

I started kitesurfing at University while many of my friends were windsurfing. That sport looked a bit lame while kitesurfing looked exciting and adrenalin driven. From watching others while supposedly watching my friends it seemed as though it was fast to learn and something that I could imagine myself doing.

Since 'giving it a go' I have fallen in love with excitement, the unpredicatability, the being out there in the elements. The risking of life and limb in the extreme wind/waves and the relaxation and zen at its sunniest calm days.

I love kitesurfing for the freestyle and the constant learning curve as I keep pushing myself to new levels and I love the endless fun factor that there are so many other disciplines to develop when I start to tire of the twin tip!

A word from ExPix

Jo Wilson is probably one of Britains better known and most accomplished kiters.

Having won the British Tour in 2006 she moved on to the World Freestyle Tour ...the PKRA  and her best overall performance has been 4th to date.

Jo from Plymouth is also one of the only kiters in the country to make a living from her sport either by sponsorship or by writing articles, selling equipment and is now venturing into coaching course/holidays. Probably one of the most powerful female kiters around and a feisty girl you would always want her on your side, she never gives up, sometime to her own detriment as no one can take the poundings that she seems to deliver herself when training.

She is very proactive about the sport promoting it where ever she can. She writes for most of the industry magazines and also submits to a wider audience with articles in  ........ . Her promotional work doesnt stop there with several appearnces on TV her last one was a part in the documentary / reality tv show  Dangerous Jobs for Girls.

DOB ....................................... 23/11/80- spring chicken !!

Height....................................178cm

lives .......................................Plymouth is home but I spend most of my time travelling

favourite Kite Spot...........  Brazil. The area is remote. There are lagoons and ocean to kite on. The atmosphere is relaxed as a smooth consistent wind blows all day. The light is exotic and the water deliciously warm like bath water lapping over your feet by the evening. Its relaxing and sociable to sip milk out of a coconut by the waters edge watching other riders while you gather energy and inspiration for a second and third session to come. The days are divine and the knowledge that they are all like this makes your sessions all the more luxiurious.

 has kited in ..........................UK, South Africa, Brazil, France, Morrocco, Feurte, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Belgium, Venezeuala,

Favourite food................... sausages

Equipment........................... Niash, Protest clothing, NPX wetsuits, Sunset beach hotel, Brazil.

Listens to .............................almost anything

film.......................................... Stardust

When not kiting.................. eating, biking, sleeping not necessarily in that order

Why kiteboarding.............. beacuse its fun, unpredictable, adrenalin driven, water based and fresh

Your phylosophy................. if somethings worth doing its worth doing well.

Who would you most like to meet........... (past or present and please give an explanation) David Attenborough.  I studied Zoology at University based on the fact that I wanted to take over his job.  I am mystified at how animals have evolved to live in their environments, how they synchronise their actions to perform mass displays and how they have adapted to be uber efficient at their forms of movement e.g. swim, fly, dig, dive.  I love how people look to nature to develop modern day technology and I am envious that David Attenbrough gets to travel, study and narrate.  I’d love to find out more and hear about his experiences and passions within his work.

How ExPix met Jo Wilson

We first met Jo on the British Tour around 2003 - 2004 a cheeky blonde girl who didnt look like she could hold a kite let alone fly one, and boy were we wrong! Its not until you see her on the water that you realise the power that this female dynamo of a kiter actually has. Its always a pleasure working with her as she always gives it her all, probably sometimes to her own detriment (we've never seen anyone with a training regime as punishing as hers!!!!!!! ) Alway professional Jo knows theres a time for play and a time for work.  

One of our favourite  photograph of Jo is one whilst she was competing in a heat at Rhosneigr Angelsey in North Wales where we caught her checking her watch during the finals. Even when she was just starting out her competetive nature was visible, ever the competitor she is calculated and driven in her quest to suceed.

Since that time we have photographed her on several occassions in several different countries, the last place being South Africa. She had to cut short her stay to fly to Autralia to take part in the TV show mentioned above.

She has won the British title twice, placed 4th overall on the PKRA tour , been around the world, written numerous article, been filmed and interviewed for programmes, promotes the sport and her sponsors  yet still has time to catch up and say hello to her mates!

Her determined approach to kitesurfing is what has captured the imagination of many people male and female alike!. Always willing to help, Jo is very approachable and always has time for anyone on the beach! Just dont interupt her during her training sessions.

Having watched her progress over the last few years has been a pleasure and we congratulate her on her achievements.