Sensi Graves

Sensi Graves is a professional kiteboarder, entrepreneur, speaker, kiteboarding instructor, and writer. In 2007, she tentatively signed up for a kiteboarding lesson in North Carolina’s Outer Banks and immediately fell in love. Just two years later, she applied to be a kiteboarding coach, relocated to the East Coast, and started collecting accolades. The Hood River, Oregon, local regularly places in the top three at some of the biggest international kiteboarding invitationals, garners continuous coverage in kiteboarding magazines and leads women's kiteboarding retreats worldwide. In 2012, Sensi launched her eponymous swimwear label, Sensi Graves Bikinis, to meet the demands of her sport (after losing one too many string bikinis in the surf, she decided to tackle the job herself and design suits that actually stay on in rough conditions). Today, Sensi Graves Bikinis is manufactured in the USA from recycled fabric. Her vision is to create the most ethical, sustainable and transparent swimwear brand in the world. Her mission is to empower women in watersports and give them the confidence they need to go out into the world and be awesome.

American

Hood River, Oregon, USA

37 years old

Wing foiling since May 2020

Gear

Slingshot

Sports

KiteSurfSUPWing Foil

Questions & Answers

What other water sports do you do and how long?

Wakeboarding for 20 years, surfing for 10 years.

What do you like about wing foiling?

I love that you can catch swell and really surf the wing!

How did you learn and how long did it take you to wing foil?

It took me about 10 sessions to really get it. I learned this Spring because my partner started getting into it and I didn't want to be left behind!

What is your favorite gear combination and why?

Slingshot wing with Ride Engine Escape Pod.

What was your favorite wing surfing session?

Doing a 10 mile downwinder along the Columbia River gorge in massive swell!

What do you want or believe will significantly improve the wing foiling gear?

A comfortable and minimal harness for upwind tacks!

What tips or recommendations do you have for anyone who wants to start?

1. Start on a bigger board. You don't need a boat but something you can kneel on and stay floating will help you manage the wing. 2. Find a semi-shallow area. Somewhere that you can still ride a foil but where you can touch as well. It helps to be able to jump off the board and wing and still feel safe. 3. Keep the wing above your head and use your back hand to increase/decrease the power in the wing. 4. Don't get in over your head. Start small and stay close to shore. Big downwinders are not what you want to do right in the beginning 5. Pace yourself. It’s tiring! 😥

What is your biggest water sport achievement?

Regularly placing top 3 on the KPL world tour.