Meet Maria - our new kite girl

Hi everyone! It's finally time for a little update. Lots of fun things are happening and we’re stoked to welcome Maria to the Noora family! She’s been kiting for a decade, constantly pushing herself and exploring new spots. Maria brings a grounded energy and a real love for the sport, exactly what we’re about at Noora.

For you to get to know her a bit better, we hit her up for 11 quick questions:

11 questions with Maria

1. How and when did you discover kitesurfing?
My dad is a former windsurfer who later got into kiting. He taught me when I was 15, so that’s about 10 years ago now.

2. What made you fall in love with it?
The feeling of freedom, and of course, all the speed and excitement that comes with it.

3. Is there a special moment on the water you’ll never forget?
There are so many! Like the first time I landed a new trick, or when I discovered a new spot that I completely fell in love with. Those moments stay with you.

4. What motivates you to keep progressing?
I simply love learning new things. It feels very natural to me. And the beauty of kitesurfing is that there are endless opportunities to grow and evolve.

5. How has it been to grow up as a “Kite Girl”?
Inspiring! There are so many female kiters I look up to who motivate me to keep developing.

6. Have you ever felt that being a woman in kitesurfing is different?
Most of the time, it’s not something I really think about or notice. There are both positive and negative sides to it. On the one hand, you’re often warmly welcomed and appreciated, since there aren’t that many women in the kiting world. People are genuinely happy to see you out there. On the other hand, if you take up “a lot of space” at a spot, you can also face some negative reactions. It’s a mix of highs and lows.

7. What advice would you give to other girls who want to start kitesurfing?
Find a kite buddy! It’s so much safer when you’re not alone. And don’t hesitate to talk to people on the beach - we’re a community that loves helping each other out. Never be afraid to ask questions if you’re unsure about something.

8. How do you balance your passion for kitesurfing with everyday life?
It’s definitely more challenging with a full-time job, but it works! I’m lucky to have a flexible schedule, so when it’s windy, I can head out. I also make the most of the weekends when conditions are good.

9. What inspires you outside of the sport?
Nature! One of the amazing things about kiting is that it takes you to places you might not have visited otherwise. I often find myself surprised and inspired by the beauty of those spots.

10. What do you want to achieve in kitesurfing going forward?
I want to get better at strapless freestyle. I’ve been riding strapless for a long time, but mainly in waves, so now I’m excited to explore something new.

11. Is there any project or adventure you’re looking forward to right now?
My family and I have been going to Tenerife every winter for about 10 years to kite, so that’s always something I look forward to. And of course, the autumn storm season is just around the corner here at home and that’s always a blast!

In a few days Maria will get her very own Fullbody Seawoman to her doorstep (matching the rest of the kit with the white and black). We're so happy to have her in the team and provide gear so that she won't be freezing this winter.

Cheers!