Johara Freedom Sykes-Davies

by Johara Freedom Sykes-Davies
(North Wales, UK)

Where are you from? Sunny North Wales in the UK, which has the most awesome spots for kitesurfing!! But now mostly wherever my Mazda Bongo called Daisy is parked!

Your age? 26
Website: www.joharafreedom.com
Where did you grow up? I grew up in North Wales which was amazing as there is sea and mountains to do EVERYTHING outdoors the whole time. After school I went to university in Southampton (south coast of England) and did a BA in Maritime Leisure Management. I then lived in B.C., Canada for a year for skiing, and that is where I found my love for kitesurfing!

Any kite sponsors? Who? My sponsors are Flexifoil kites, Turbulence Extreme Sports shop, Brewin Dolphin investment company, Surfanic boardwear, Prolimit wetsuits, Bollé sunglasses, goggles and helmets, The Buzz Gym and Lost Cause Boards. I am stoked to be supported by these companies as they provide the best products and services, they ROCK!! Thanks guys, I couldn't do what I do without you!

Special achievements...? Ladies Pro Champion in the British Kitesurf Association Tour for 2007, staring in the BBC 1 "Kite" Ident alongside Team Turbulence (shown 40,000 over 4 years!), winning Senior Sports Woman of the Year in Conwy County and winning a weeks holiday in a 5* hotel in Guernsey when I was 6 with a painting of windsurfers!!!

Life occupation besides kite... I compete in both kitesurfing and snowkiting, am team manager for Flexifoil kites, do journalistic work for kite magazines and websites, run girls kite events and holidays as part of the Turbulence Angels, make jewelry and arty bits and occasionally teach skiing!

Tell me a little bit about yourself?
In brief - water baby... snow bunny... happy... blonde... smiling... pooch lover... pink obsessed... warm hearted... determined... committed... constantly searching for inspiration... independent... rebellious... unique... live music... rock & punk... writing stuff... taking pictures...

Loves: mountains... sea... beach... snow... freedom... space... travel... adventure... kind people... eco stuff... fitness... healthy living...

Music? I love playing, making and listening to all kinds of music. I am a bit of a rock, punk and scar chick mainly but some more chilled moments too! There is a time and a place for most kinds of music!

Interested in..? ABSOLUTELY everything fun and worth doing!?

Food? I think food is important when doing any kinds of sport a lot. It is important to eat a little and often and make sure it's all nutritious to keep your energy levels up. I am into eating organic with lots of fruit and veg. I'm also allergic to dairy products (anything that comes from a cow that is!) so that cuts out lots of unhealthy stuff for me!

Heroes? My heroes include anyone with constant motivation and drive for what they love doing.

Favorite kitesurfing spots for you? There are so many amazing spots across the world; the little kickers at Jericoacoa, Brazil, or La Ventana on the California Baja, but I still always come back to West Shore Beach in Llandudno, North Wales and think it must be the best!! It is two minutes from my mums house, five minutes from the kite shop Turbulence, has two long butter flat lagoons at low tide and flat water inside the rock groin at high tide - perfect!!

Places you have been kiting at... All over the UK, Dakhla in the Western Sahara, different spots in Morocco including snowkiting in the High Atlas mountains, Egypt, Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, Canada, all over Europe... and I plan for many more!

How long have you been kitesurfing? For four years now!

Why kitesurfing? One word and it's my middle name - FREEDOM!!!

?What does your family think of this? My mum is super patient with me as I am always dashing off to the beach if the wind picks up. She also looks after my dogs Saki and Saffi when I am not in the UK (which is quite often!) She's a legend!...

What does this sport mean to you? It means the world! What else is there?!?! ;-)

Favorite tricks? Always the trick I just learnt...

What does this sport demand of you It demands so much from you! balance, strength, focus, a good mind set, you need the right combination of everything...

Have you ever been in an accident? Kitesurfing? Yes I have had two little injuries, one with each foot! They happened when I was a little over excited and going for it a little too much in gusty conditions. Accidents happen; you just have to respect the elements and not be stupid!

Vision...you wishes for the future: I wish to do the best I can in kitesurfing and snowkiting but also wish to help others to get the most out of kiting and to enjoy it in any way they wish. Further in the future I wish to do my best to help charities who help animals, people and the environment. So many people dedicate their lives to amazing missions, I have so much respect for them, I hope one day I can join them.