Kiter.com:
What is your full name?
Bri Chemel: Bri Ashley Chemel
Nick name?
Breezy, Breezer, mini-me
Age?
19
Years kiting?
Just over a year.
Favorite move?
Unhooked roll to revert handle pass. Oh yeah, today I
learning an unhooked s-bend/forward roll one-handed to
underloop ending up going the other way to handle pass.
That was SO fun!
What move are you currently working on?
All unhooked, handle passes, ralleys, working up to do
an aerial handle pass.
You have probably heard that Jaime Herraiz is
offering 500 dollars to
the first girl to stick a mobe. Do you think you'll be
taking Jaime's
money?
Gee I’m not sure about that, the only thing I can
do is try, but since I only have another month of training
before I go to school for the year, it may be tough. But
I have to say, that I got the trick then handle pass deal
going, so now all I have to do is combine them, wouldn’t
that be cool!
What are your plans for your kiting career?
My plans are to have fun, compete, ride and train hard
every day, and balance kiting with my school career, which
will be tough.
What are your other interests/hobbies outside
of the kiting world?
Well, I am going to school to study architecture, I like
making movies with my camera and editing system, and I
love working with photographers.
Who are your sponsors? I would LOVE to thank RRD for putting me in
the place that I am today. I would also like to thank
Excess Kiteboarding and Da Kine Hawaii for the help that
they have given me. Also, a thanks goes out to Black Flys
Eyewear, and X-Rated Kiteboarding.
What direction do you see the sport taking?
I see this sport getting more and more extreme every year.
Professionals are going to keep pushing their limits,
and equipment is going to keep getting better and better,
so the sport can grow. I see this sport going down the
rode of technical tricks, such as handle passes, and wakeboard
style moves, combined with the intense lift and power
of the kite.
Do you prefer competing or doing videos/photos?
At times, competing is really fun, especially if you are
out riding with your friends and having fun. But my true
passion is working with photographers and gaining coverage
through that. I love traveling on travel stories, and
I love shooting and going for that perfect sequence or
shot.
Who/what inspires you?
My parents have been my main support my whole life! Also
my boyfriend Jeff, who is an AWESOME kiter, he inspires
me to try new things, because he has great style. He also
inspires me to be the best person that I can!
What do you feel is unique about kiteboarding
for women in
Particular ?
I think that a lot of women have a very smooth and beautiful
style. I think, as a bystander, it is very inspiring to
see a beautiful woman kiting with her hair down and laughing.
It is such a free sport!
Where do you dream about kiting but haven't yet?
AUSTRALIA…………… well I did
once when I was learning, but that is different, I want
to go back now, it would be so amazing.
What other than kiting (i.e. cross training) has helped
you most in
Your training ?
I grew up playing soccer and snowboarding, and just switched
to kiteboarding last summer, so I think that I already
had the muscle to help me succeed in this sport. Also,
I try to run when I can.
What is your opinion of the current PKRA world tour? Is
that a goal
of yours ?
Umm, maybe in the future if I have time and I feel like
taking my whole summer to travel. But right now I would
rather ride and learn new things everyday, and travel
to selected places to do photos.
What do you hope to achieve as a result of
kiting?
I think that being a professional kiteboarder allows
you to learn a lot about business, in many different
ways. It is a stepping stone to learn how to sell yourself,
so that people want to support you. I also would love
to travel the world and see many exotic beaches and
waters.
Who is your favorite kiter? why?
Honestly, I don’t really have one, but I love
watching Andre Philippe, he’s well… lets
just say good!
What is your favorite style? what is your style?
I like unhooked things, it brings a whole new dimension
to this sport of chicken loops!
Talk boards.
I ride a 102 cm custom board with only 4 small fins.
I love a small board, one that I can still stay up wind
on but yet still go super fast on. I am only 5’1”,
so that is why I have a 102!
Talk kites.
I absolutely LOVE my Airtype RRD’s. I also can’t
wait for the Type X to be out. These kites have so much
lift and loft it is amazing, and still turn super fast.
They don’t pull you like a bulldozer, and are
so playful and quick. They are great!
Do you make any special modifications on your
equipment or do you
ride it stock?
Yes, I ride my bar to be fixed 4-line, with an inch
of over-sheeting to where I unhook. I just use my de-power
strap to adjust the pitch of my kite. I make my lines
into 27 meter lines, and I also ride a custom board.
Besides that, it’s all stock!
What is your opinion on the safety issue in kiting?
I think that you always have to be cautious, things
can get out of control when you least expect it. Also,
don’t ride downwind of beginners or someone that
drops their kite a lot, DUH! And, any new people who
are getting into this sport, PLEASE take a lesson, don’t
learn from your buddy or by yourself!
Do you participate in any R&D?
RRD does most of their R&D in Italy, and I hope
to make it their
Any words of advice?
Just please be safe and don’t do stupid things
like jumping over rocks!
Who would you cancel and why?
Well, I don’t think I would actually cancel anybody,
but seriously I think the board-off think is done. I
never thought it was too cool and I still don’t.
Shout out??
Thanks to Brad Duffy and Roberto Ricci, RRD and Bill
Morrissey of Da Kine, and Dave Curtis of Excess. Thanks
to my parents (Mike and Jeanie), Jeff Roberts, and all
the cool people I kite with for making my experiences
fun. Also, thanks to Ryan Riccitelli, Dan Gavere, Mike
Ellis, Erin Calmes, Peter Foley, and Jim Semlor. You
guys are all awesome photographers! Oh yeah, and Dave
Tyberski for giving me my first lesson!
