photo by Jay Davies

NAME: Tina Harrison
AGE: 32
RESIDENCE: Perth, Western Australia
SPONSORS: Kitechicks, Airush, Flying Objects, Kaenon.

I met Petra and Kite Chicks when I was travelling around Australia in a minibus promoting Airush, with my Fiance Darren. I immediately thought that Petra's idea of promoting girls sporting clothes was not only a fantastic way of looking great and feeling comfortable on the water, but also a way of getting more females involved and inspired by the sport. I mean - those boardshorts that button up athe front - always seem to find a way to come "unbuttoned" - and the dark blue and black rashys just mix in with all the other guys rashys - it also looks better in magazines which in the end can only benefit our sponsors!! So one of my many missions last year was to help females into the sport and to show them that we can not only be competant on the water, but we can also have our own identity.

For the summer of 2003/2004 I competed in the Australian kitesurfing league which was a series of competitions held all around Australia. I also competed in the Australian nationals. I managed to win both titles which was a great way for me to finish the summer season and the trip around Australia. Unfortunately I have noticed this year that alot of the competitions have been cancelled other than Mambo and the nationals, due to
insurance reasons. This is a real pity and an ongoing problem for us here in Australia. The highlight for the 2004/2005 summer so far has been the Gravity Games which were held in Perth. WE had all the great guns out
competing. There were no women in the kiteing section - but I have heard that this will change next year!

My plans for this summer ... well there has been a slight change. I am currently very round - well 4 months pregnant!

I still will promote kitechicks but maybe in a slightly different way when i have a child. I think it's great to see a mum out there on the water still having fun, looking healthy and ripping it up - whilst the father is playing with the child on the beach. Of course we would share the water time - although I have told my other half that I have started counting the time off the water so I will have alot of credit up my sleeve by the time next summer comes around!!!

Keep having fun,
Tina Harrison