Heather Larsen
/
Colorado USA
FOLLOW ME
www.facebook.com/bretsullivanathletics
Date of birth:
1985.11.06
Hometown:
Boca Raton, Florida, USA
Sponsors:
Best Kiteboarding,
Smart for Life,
Wear Your Ambition,
Joshua Tree Skin Care,
Hobbies:
Surfing, Wakeboarding, dancing, weight training, hiking
Favourite athletes:
Raph Derome, Travis Pastrana, Kelly Slater, Parks Bonifay
BIO
I am 29 years old originally from New Jersey but now residing in Boca Raton, Florida. I have been a multi-discipline athlete for 25 years. I train in the sports of Kiteboarding, surfing, wakeboarding, and weight training, however I specialize in kiteboarding. I have been kitesurfing for 5 years and use South Florida and the Florida Keys as my home base to train. I moved to Florida to pursue a professional kiteboarding career and to study Exercise Science and Health Promotion at Florida Atlantic University.
I grew up with a background in gymnastics, sailing, surfing, and pole vaulting. Growing up I played many sports such as football, baseball, basketball, Track and Field, and Gymnastics. However after nearly 10 years of traditional sports I became bored and action sports seemed more exhilarating than traditional team and individual sports.
I ride professionally for Best kiteboarding and Smart for Life, with additional sponsors such as Wear your Ambition and Joshua Tree Skin Care. In 2014/2015 season I am the Collegiate Kiteboarding Association’s (CKA) North American Champion. This has helped launch my career into the professional realm, since the CKA is the only amateur tour in the United States. I believe variety is the spice of life and am always keen to try new experiences and travel to far away new places. I enjoy a challenge and love to learn new things.
After college I plan to travel fulltime and ride professionally developing content for riders of all ages and skill levels. I also intend to use my knowledge athletic training to open a health and wellness consulting firm, to help people lose weight and make healthy lifestyle changes. Through the use of actions sports people can improve the quality of life, learning to live a happier more fulfilling life.
INTERVIEW
What are you looking for to accomplish?
My goal is to inspire someone to live outside of his or her comfort zone, to achieve a more fulfilling lifestyle through the use of action sports. While also helping expose our adventurous lifestyle to the world, in an effort to help grow the industry.
Riding professionally, hosting clinics demos, to give back to the industry that has given so much to me.
What would be your greatest achievement?
To live a healthy successful lifestyle, doing what I love – action sports more specifically Kitesurfing. Dare to be different, be successful as an athlete.
What kind of difficulties does your sport’s performance involve?
Contest riding puts large amounts of stress on the body. High intensity interval training, increased power output, and prolonged endurance training are necessary to keep up with the physical demands. So much strength is required to increase joint stabilization in order to withstand high velocity freestyle maneuvers and hard landings.
These forces imposed on the human body require the highest level of training possible.
What makes you feel satisfied when performing your sport?
Progression: learning a trick, grab, or variation. Also filming and creating content of my travels, sessions, and experiences.
Where do you practice your techniques when being alone?
On the water, in the gym, and in my meditation room. Visualization is a key factor to be able to achieve proper technique.
What do you do during your training which is key to your success?
I do what’s called sport specific training, this simulates the exact scenario of my next session. Whether it be a 10 minute contest heat with back to back tricks, Or a mellower video shoot.
What are you most nervous about when competing?
It’s my experience that during contests you go bigger than ever. Adrenaline is pumping, the pressure is on, and you’re more charged up than ever to do well. With that, the risk of injury sometimes makes me nervous.
Who would you say is your biggest fan and why?
My biggest fan is the kitesurfing weekend warriors, and the kids. Guys and girls who love to kitesurf as much as I do but cannot dedicate the time.
What is the best piece of advice you have been ever given?
The person who thinks the furthest ahead usually wins. Whether it’s preparation for a free ride session or contest. The more you visualize and plan everything accordingly the more success and fun you will have.
What are your future plans?
After Graduating college I plan to travel and ride professionally for a few years. Then work and go back to school for my MBA and possibly become a teacher or business owner later in life.
What are your tips for those who begin now?
Dedicate yourself fully, don’t hold back, and enjoy the experience whether it’s good or bad. Learn and progress every session, even if it’s small advancement it helps.
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