Triple-S: Sun. Style. Swag.

LF Team Rider Claire Lutz shows off her kite scoop.
Now shut your mouths boys, that's not polite. ;)

Ok... so maybe that's not what REAL Kiteboarding's Triple-S Invitational stands for (Surf, Slick and Sliders) but on Thursday June 7, the hottest action by far was found off the water.

That evening marked the second annual Sunset Swim Charity Runway Event.  All the models were (quite awesomely) fellow kiters! My favorite photo is of the front row guys gawking at Liquid Force rider Claire Lutz as she strutted her kite scoop across the runway. Even more bonus for supporting these lovely ladies, all proceeds from the auction went to support Athletes For Cancer. KB4C has their annual Hood River event during RoSham this July 13-15th, whoop! 

Props of the night go to LF and REAL team rider Sensi Graves. Not only did she win a wild card competitor position, her new bikini line SENSI --for kiters by kiters-- showcased in the fashion show. This girl's got mad skills and an even bigger heart.

Becky Willard strutting her stuff in original
 Gretta Kruesi hand-painted SENSI bikini

Sensi asked me while we were on Maui last winter to hand paint one of her bikinis as a donated item for the fashion show/  auction. I've done shoe art, street art, and board art...but this was my debut on swimwear. I found it a bit tricky with the ruching already sewn in. Fabric paint is pretty thick and difficult to use, which is why it's best known popularity was in the 80's and early 90's as puffy paint and tie-dye. However. As cool as I used to think my big sister's custom sweatshirts were, I opted for using a brush technique, to soften and add sophistication to the neon generation of wearable art.

In the end was happy to see it quickly bid upon, raising money for the cause. And stoked to have my first swimsuit worn by, and hometown of Charleston represented by fellow Naish rider Becky Willard.

For the Triple-S being such a bro-fest, Thursday night was all about the ladies.

For full Triple-S coverage go to: http://www.realwatersports.com/news/category/triple-s-invitational/

How to Be a Successful Entrepreneur

...If only it was that easy! To me this title is a lot like the millions of ads on "how to successfully lose weight." There is no magic pill. We have seen a million different opinions, variables, thought leaders, and methods to subscribe to. Some are good, some fads, some gimmicks and quite honestly like diets, most start-ups fail. You can blame it on genetics, lifestyle, income, whatever. But in the end it simply comes down to dedication and effort. Here's a few tried and true tips that carry over from your body to your mind, to get you on your way. Only you can control the results.

1. Define your goals. True success can only be measured by defined goals. The more specific the goals, the more specific success. Take an honest assessment of what you wish to accomplish, then breakdown strategies, barriers, assets, and create a timeline for each goal. Success doesn't happen over night. 
2. Track progress and log results.  By breaking down the steps and creating task-oriented mini-goals with deadlines, you can celebrate each step of the way. This makes the whole process of starting a new company much less over-whelming. Just take it one step at a time. This will also help you see problems and patterns that arise, and time to work through them.
3. Be realistic. Of course I want my body to look like a Victoria Secret model's. Even better if I can manage it by Susi's pool party next weekend (kidding, sort of). Again, those kind of results don't happen over night and especially not in any lasting manner no matter what bandwagon I jump on. Yes it's true, instagram sold to facebook for $1billion dollars fifteen months after it started.  But they had also proven their worth with millions of users, and millions in funding. Miracles do happen. Just don't bet on them.
4. Stay positive. A study by Discovery Health found that  "Self-talk is very powerful. By repeating the same thoughts over and over, the mind actually comes to believe they're true. We tend to act in ways consistent with our deepest internal beliefs. So, frequently, the statements become self-fulfilling." There's a reason why The Secret has been so successful, and meditation has been practiced for centuries. Believing in your self is key to any success.
5. Buddy Up! Surround yourself with like-minded people who can help you stay motivated. A friend you can call on when times are tough, compare notes with, or plan weekly meetings with, will help keep both of you on track.
6. Call in the experts. Just know it's gonna cost you. When it comes to dieting, if you want a beach body in six weeks, individuals will spend hundreds to thousands of dollars on personal trainers, gym memberships and clubs. If you want your new business to take off sooner than later, you might also have to call in the experts. The amount of time it takes to learn code, might be worth hiring a developer. Or if you're strong suit is tech, reach out to those who's specialty lies in marketing. A good team that brings different skill sets to the table greatly increases your chances of success. No man is an island.
7. Don't quit your day job. That's right. Until your company is self-sustaining think twice before letting go of a sure thing. Don't stop everything you're doing (although sometimes it's nice to take a week to do just that). Rather, get up extra early, squeeze time in at lunch or go to classes at night. The key is simply make the time. Any successful entrepreneur will tell you huge success only happens with great risks. That's 100% true. But it also takes huge sacrifices. Be prepared, and realistic about what that means, and what you're prepared to do.
8. Think outside the box. Einstein said insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. If you do the same thing as everyone else, how do you expect to break the mold. You must think differently if you want innovate new methods and products.
9. It's a lifestyle. Yes, we all want to make money. But the reasons why successful people are able to take risks, and think creatively, is they are hard wired to do so. Passionately. To be truly successful you have to love what you do. Maybe not all the time (there's a reason it's called work and not play) but it's critical to have conviction in the products and brands you stand for. It's a lot easier to risk it all for something you believe in than something you don't. Success comes after years of trial and error, and habitual dedication.

By: Gretta Kruesi

Kiteboarding flies through Olympics Committee

On May 7th, it was announced that kiteboarding will replace a windsurfing spot in the International Sailing section of the 2016 Rio Olympics. This is huge news for the kiteboarding community and the legitimacy of the sport. Props to all involved.

Article from BBC Sports:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/17980607

Kiteboarding to replace windsurfing at 2016 Rio Olympics

Kiteboarding will make its Olympic debut at the 2016 Games in Rio after the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) dropped windsurfing.

The decision has been met with surprise and frustration within windsurfing and an online petition has been set up to keep it as an Olympic discipline.

British sailing’s John Derbyshire said: “We’re disappointed for windsurfing.

Kiteboarding v windsurfing
Kiteboarding - a wind powered surface watersport using a kite and a board to move across the water.
Windsurfing - a wind powered surface watersport using a sail attached to a board to move across the water

“[But we are] looking forward to working with kiteboarders to develop the talent pathway for this new event.”

The decision was made by the ISAF at a meeting in Italy on Saturday and Derbyshire added: “While an exciting prospect for a new discipline, the decision to replace windsurfing will of course be a huge blow to the windsurfing community.

However, he added: “Kiteboarding made a solid case for its Olympic inclusion at the March trials and, although a surprise that ISAF has voted it into the Olympic programme at this stage, it appears they wished to seize the opportunity, rather than wait until 2020.”

Trending Derby Daze

The Kentucky Derby is legendary. Ridiculous actually.

Over 150,000 people go to Louisville every spring donned in pastels, ladies in big hats, and men in bow-ties ready to bet their bottom dollar on the races and mint juleps. Makes me proud to be a Southerner. Thought I’d be arriving in style on my friend’s private jet…until I realized that we were one of nearly 300 private jets to arrive that weekend and had to park in the ‘overflow’ section and shuttle in. All in all it’s a huge a party with high fashions. And like most southern women’s fashion, when it comes to hats, bigger is better. A big fashion no-no…wearing your hat out at night, especially nights other than on saturday Derby Day. Ladies, I know you just spent a fortune on this one-time accessory, but save it for daytime use only, and preferably on the day of. You can always trade with your girlfriends.

Happy to have made Elle Magazine’s 2012 Derby Fashion Picks…

http://www.elle.com/Fashion/Street-Chic/Hat-Trick-Style-at-the-2012-Kentucky-Derby/(imageIndex)/22/(play)/false#mode=base;slide=22;

Art in Action

Just want to give an update that I finished my first street art mural. Yay! We had a party tonight at the Venice Crawl to celebrate. I'm sure I'll have better/more photos (or you can check out the facebook page). This project was truly a grassroots event. All the money raised has gone toward creating the first ever action sports program for the youth of "dogtown" aka Venice, CA. It was incredible to have so much support, and involvement from students, teachers, parents, athletes, fellow artists, friends and community members. The ripple effect building from this effort, might be one of my proudest accomplishments to date. (Not because of the scale, (although stoked to have painted a huge ass wall) but for what it stands for. One student told me working on this has inspired him to start his own clothing line...and he's now got shirts and designs ready to print. A teacher from Beverly Hills High came out to give personal thanks. Many more offerer services, help and gratitude. It was an honor to be recognized and part of a true community event where everyone gathered to support each other and our youth. All together, we made an impact. There was a lot of love this evening, and it made me appreciate all the people in my life who have inspired me. Many of whom, do not live in LA and could not be there. It makes me sad to be so far away, but I'm grateful for the unwavering love, support and understanding. Family is the greatest community of all.

Putting up the finishing touches. Man, do I love that scissor lift.

Breakwater view details inside the barrel.

 All lit up.

 Grassroots baby!

 Students tagging the bottom half of the wall. They're not allowed to use spray paint in school, so this is an extra-curricular skill.