In love with riding waves

The Global Kitesports Association (GKA) has the blessing of World Sailing to run World Championships and World Cup events in the kiteboarding expression performance disciplines of wave, strapless freestyle, big air, and twin-tip freestyle as well as slider/obstacle events.

This world of kiting has a confusing history, as various organizations have claimed authority, but the GKA is in charge now, and the conclusion of the 2023 GKA Kite World Tour has awarded the 2023 World Championship title to Moona Whyte (USA).

After a break from competition, 2023 saw her return to the tour with a bang as she added to World Titles she earned in 2013, 2014, and 2017.

“I’m so happy, I can’t believe what just happened,” she shares. “It’s so hard out there but I’m so happy to make it through. I felt like I wasn’t doing very well but I found the best of what was out there.”

Whyte hails from the wave riding mecca of Hawaii on the North Shore of Oahu, and is currently living her dream of traveling around the world as a professional kitesurfer.

“My dad taught me how to kite when I was 14,” she explained. “I was immediately hooked and fell in love with riding waves. Since then, I’ve learned almost all forms of surfing- from longboarding and SUPing, to short boarding, and now foiling.”