Latest news with #kiteboarding
New York Times
16-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Ellie Aldridge, from making Olympic history to trying to break into SailGP: ‘The stakes are very different'
Feel the fear and do it anyway. Ellie Aldridge has long since overcome the anxieties that come with crashing on the water at high speed. Last summer in Paris, she even conquered the world and made history, becoming the first Olympic gold medalist in kiteboarding. The 28-year-old should be the ideal fit for SailGP, the close-to-shore sailing competition where the foiling catamarans can hit peak speeds of 50 knots (almost 100 kilometers an hour — 60mph) while racing close to each other. Advertisement Twelve national teams, comprising six crew members, race in identical carbon-fiber catamarans head-to-head over a 12-month season, which runs from November to November. The high-tech catamarans, known as F50s, travel at a pace so rapid that even the petrol-powered chase boats can't keep up. The difference is, in kiteboarding if something goes wrong, she's only got herself to worry about. In SailGP, a bad decision or poor maneuver can put teammates at risk. 'I'm used to standing on a 1.4m board that weighs 2.5kg and being in control of everything,' she told The Athletic. 'Whereas the F50, it's faster, it's bigger, it's just so wide and you've got all these other boats around you. We're used to big fleets in kiteboarding, too, but with these reaching starts in SailGP, things can change very quickly. You have to be very, very aware of what's going on around you.' Aldridge, from Poole on England's south coast, is a reserve strategist for the British team that lies fourth in the standings and will soon experience the thrill of competing on home waters when the championship heads to Portsmouth, 60 miles or so along the coast from her home town, this weekend for the seventh leg of the 12-round championship. She is effectively the understudy to current strategist Hannah Mills, the 37-year-old double Olympic gold medalist who also happens to live in Poole. Clarity of decision-making is essential to the role of strategist, as it is they who plot a weaving path through the high-speed traffic for the driver steering the F50. But for Mills, and even the rest of the regular race crew, time on the F50s to hone such skills is precious, with opportunities to train and race on these specialized catamarans in short supply given the boats themselves need to be transported from venue to venue for the Grands Prix, meaning the only opportunity to be on the F50s themselves is during the Friday practice before race weekends. So for a reserve sailor such as Aldridge, her access to the boat is limited. She managed to grab an hour on Britain's F50 during the build-up to last month's New York Grand Prix, a precious and rare opportunity. Still, she's biding her time in the belief that one day her chance to race will come. The problem for the next generation of potential SailGP athletes is gaining experience. Sometimes opportunity only arises through someone else's misfortune, and that very nearly happened at the Auckland SailGP event in January. Advertisement 'The team got in touch to ask what I was doing and if I was interested in seeing what SailGP was all about,' she said. 'I was planning to spend the winter down south in New Zealand anyway, so the timing worked out perfectly. I was in Auckland during the event when the Canadians had a crash and their flight controller (Billy Gooderham) got injured and couldn't race. 'There was a message sent out to see if there were any spare flight controllers anywhere and there was none in the whole of SailGP. There was not a single spare flight controller. 'There are a lot of good people who are trained up but they're already on boats and there's no spare. There's no one that's up and coming that can be there, just in case. And when all these new teams come up (in future seasons), like, who's gonna sail them?' Next season, two new teams will enter the championship, a sign of the growth of a sport that is just six years old but with that comes teething problems. Gooderham's injury meant Canada had to sit on the sidelines for day two of the Auckland event. Aldridge would have loved to leap into the breach, but without the necessary experience, knows it would have been a fool's errand. 'I just thought, 'I've been given this opportunity to come, see what it's like,' and yes, everyone expects me to train up to be a strategist, which is really cool, and I am really enjoying learning that role, especially in the GBR team. But it has motivated me to train up in the other roles as well,' she said. 'So I've been on the simulator as much as possible, and on the boat whenever we've got the time.' One job she'd really like to try is flight controller, responsible for maintaining the F50 in steady flight above the water. The higher the boat rides, the faster it goes, but the closer it is to crashing off the foils. Running that fine line between top speed and wipeout is what Aldridge has been perfecting for the past six and a half years of her Olympic kitefoiling campaign. 'We've only got one foil when you're kiting, it's underneath you and you're controlling it all by your toes, and your feet, and tiny, little movements,' she explained. Advertisement 'When you break it down to the basics, it's exactly the same thing as what you're trying to achieve from the F50.' Except, it could be argued, she has already mastered the art of riding foiling's equivalent of a unicycle; so learning to ride a bike should be a simpler learning curve for her compared with most sailors from a more traditional background in conventional sailing boats. Each team in SailGP needs at least one female crew member. While there hasn't yet been a female flight controller, there are no barriers to entry for this role. With Anna Weis already operating in the highly physical grinder's role for the U.S. team and Martine Grael recently driving the Brazilian team to its first race victory in New York last month, it seems only a matter of time before SailGP will have its first female flight controller. Aldridge said she would jump at the opportunity, although she was mindful of the responsibility that came with the role. 'Riding high is what makes the boat go fast, but obviously you're close to losing control and the stakes are very different. It's not just you and your board, which is maybe bad enough, but now you're carrying the safety of everybody with you,' she said. Still, if you're looking for someone with nerves of steel, you couldn't do better than Aldridge. Going into the final day of the Olympic sailing competition, the British sailing team was facing the prospect of departing a Games without a gold medal for the first time since Atlanta 1996. It was all on Aldridge's shoulders to bring home a gold from the one remaining opportunity — women's kiteboarding. This would require her to beat the clear favourite, Lauriane Nolot, France's reigning world champion, on home waters. Unfazed by external pressures or expectations, ice-cold Aldridge duly delivered. Team GB's blushes were spared. Double Olympian and former 49er skiff world champion Stevie Morrison coached Aldridge to her gold, so he knows her mental and technical strengths better than most. He is also one of the commentators for SailGP's live broadcast team. 'Ellie's certainly got the right temperament for the flight controller's job,' Morrison told The Athletic. Advertisement 'Her ability to stay calm in the moment, when going really, really fast, and knowing where the edge is, it's pretty unique. Racing at the Olympic Games, the fact that she could stay totally in the moment, totally on the edge and knowing where that limit was, that was the defining factor between her winning or not winning gold. That makes her the perfect candidate to take on a flight controller role in SailGP.' Having etched her name in Olympic history, you wouldn't rule her out of creating SailGP history, either.
UAE Moments
02-07-2025
- UAE Moments
El Gouna Unveiled: Hidden Gems Off the Beaten Path
El Gouna might be known for its resorts and lagoons, but there's a lesser‑known side to this Red Sea gem that's calling your name. Whether you're chasing secret surf spots, eco‑friendly escapes, or Insta‑worthy foodie finds, these hidden treasures will level up your Egyptian getaway. 🏄♂️ 1. Secret Kiteboarding Spots Skip the tourist beaches and head to local-only kite zones like Abu Tig Marina, Zeytouna Beach Bar, and the mangroves near Tawila Island. Calm, shallow waters and consistent wind create ideal conditions for beginners and freestyle riders. 🚣 2. Lagoon Boat Tours & Tuk‑Tuk Journeys Glide through El Gouna's emerald canals in a traditional boat or soak up the vibe on a tuk‑tuk tour past palm‑lined streets, marinas, and local artisan spots. It's the perfect way to uncover the town's architecture and baked‑in chill factor. 🐠 3. Under‑the‑Radar Dive & Snorkel Sites Beyond Abu Hashish Lagoon (off the Hurghada coast), explore colorful coral walls and marine life teeming with turtles and rays—without the crowds. Perfect for those who want underwater beauty minus the bustle. . 🌿 5. Eco‑Conscious Stains at Egyptian House & Fish Farm Feel good about holiday shopping at Egyptian House, where handcrafted linens support women artisans. Or chill at the lush El Gouna Fish Farm, a picnic-ready garden oasis with koi ponds and dog-friendly vibes. 🥗 6. Local Flavor Hotspots Wake up at Boho Café harbor‑side for eggs Benedict and smoothie bowls. Go evening‑casual in downtown's Chicha for Peruvian tacos or Zia Amelia for wood‑fired pizza vibes. 🎭 7. Cultural Pulse & Festival Scene El Gouna Film Festival and regular performances at the cultural hub bring a dose of cinematic and artistic flair—no tourist trap here, just real local creativity. ✅ Pro Tips From adrenaline-packed watersports and desert escapades to indie vegan cafes and cultural hubs, El Gouna has a whole other vibe ready to surprise you. Perfect for a chill yet adventurous holiday that's Insta-worthy and soul-feeding.
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Travel + Leisure
16-06-2025
- Travel + Leisure
This North Carolina Island Is Home to a National Seashore, Quiet Beach Villages, and the Tallest Lighthouse in the U.S.
Stay in one of the residential-style suites at Edgecamp Pamlico Station. Spend a day learning to kitesurf on the Pamlico Sound; Kitty Hawk Kites offers lessons. Try the famous Apple Ugly from Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe. See the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, the tallest lighthouse in the U.S. Plan your visit for the fall, when the temperatures are still mild and the summer tourists have left. 'There are things we just don't have here,' Karla Jarvis, the president of the Hatteras Village Civic Association, tells Travel + Leisure. 'There are no big-box stores, no McDonald's, and you won't be going to a theater to catch a movie.' But that's the beauty of Hatteras Island, North Carolina—it's wild, rustic, and laid-back, even in peak tourist season. The southernmost of the Outer Banks' main barrier islands, Hatteras Island and its seven villages—Rodanthe, Waves, Salvo, Avon, Buxton, Frisco, and Hatteras Village—are all located within the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, a 70-mile stretch of stunning sandy beaches, salt marshes, and maritime forests. The island is surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean on one side and the Pamlico Sound on the other, leading to ideal conditions for kayakers, fishermen, and paddleboarders. This particular geography also creates a haven for kiteboarders; the reliable winds, shallow water, and flat sand have led Hatteras Island to become one of the most well-known kiteboarding destinations in the world. Even if you're not interested in harnessing the power of wind for sport, Hatteras Island is still worth a visit. Its storied history, classic charm, and calm, relaxed energy are all reasons to plan a beach trip to this part of the Outer Banks. If you aren't careful, though, you may find you want to stay forever. 'One week is never long enough,' says Shirley Wicker, director of Hatteras Island Ocean Center. A guest room in Edgecamp Pamlico Station. Opened in 2024, Edgecamp Pamlico Station is the most stylish hotel on the island. Designed by Jonathan Adler, the 700-square-foot one-bedroom suites have kitchens, living rooms with pull-out sofas, and outdoor spaces. When you're not resting in your room after a long day of kiteboarding or exploring the seashore, enjoy the property's sauna, cold plunge, and hot tub. There are even Therabody massage guns and yoga gear in the rooms, just in case you need to work through any soreness or stiffness from your chosen outdoor activities. If you're traveling with a family or a larger group, or you're planning on staying on Hatteras Island for an extended period, your best bet is to rent a vacation home. You can look through Airbnb or Vrbo, but there are also a number of other rental companies, like Surf or Sound Realty, Hatteras Realty, and Sun Realty. The National Park Service (NPS) operates four campsites on Hatteras Island: Oregon Inlet, Frisco, Cape Point, and Ocracoke. Each campground is open year-round and has spots for tents, trailers, and RVs. Depending on the campground, you either make a reservation or request a site day of, but all payments are made online. Interior of the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum with exhibit. 'Hands down, the best thing you can do is walk down the beach barefoot,' says Jarvis. 'It's such a sensory experience. You feel the sun, the sand; you smell and taste the salt. The sound of the waves and seagulls just grounds you.' Aside from simply walking or relaxing on the pristine beaches, you can go shelling—keep an eye out for the rare Scotch bonnet, North Carolina's state shell—or venture down the shore on horseback with Equine Adventures. There have been a few versions of the historic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse; the first one, a 90-foot-tall structure, was completed in 1803. The current lighthouse, built in 1870, stands at exactly 198.49 feet, with 269 steps up to the lens room. In years past, visitors have been able to climb all the way to the top, but the lighthouse is undergoing restoration efforts and, according to the NPS, likely won't reopen until summer 2026. You can still take all the pictures you want of the iconic black-and-white striped structure. 'Hatteras Island has a lot of history woven into its tapestry,' says Jarvis, who adds that visitors should keep their eyes out for all sorts of historical markers and signs and make it a point to visit the various museums and educational centers on the island. 'The Lost Colony Museum in Buxton houses artifacts from our earliest inhabitants forward; the Graveyard of the Atlantic Museum is a great place to learn about maritime history; there's a museum at the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse, and in Frisco, there's the Native American Museum & Natural History Center that showcases native history,' she says. The Atlantic Ocean is to the east of Hatteras Island, and the Pamlico Sound is to the west, creating plenty of opportunities to get on the water. 'We have charter boats, head boats, ferry boats, all kinds of boats. You can also rent kayaks and other water gear. At our Ocean Center here in Hatteras Village, we offer guided kayak tours where you pretty much show up and paddle,' says Jarvis. Several companies in the area have rental services; check out Hatteras Parasail, Hatteras Watersports, or Slask Creek Outfitters. Kiteboarders of all skill levels flock to Hatteras Island—and for good reason. This part of the Outer Banks is known for its consistently strong winds, particularly in the spring and fall, and the Pamlico Sound offers the flat, shallow waters that aid in teaching beginners. Take a class with Kitty Hawk Kites, then test your new hobby at Kite Point in Buxton. A white house in Buxton Village on Cape Hatteras. If you're a Nicholas Sparks fan, Rodanthe will ring a bell; Richard Gere and Diane Lane starred in the movie version of the author's 2002 novel 'Nights in Rodanthe.' This enclave is part of the Tri-Villages on the northernmost end of the island (Rodanthe, Waves, and Salvo are located right next to each other), and it's where you'll find the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge, a safe place for migratory birds to rest and winter. The village of Waves is known for two things: water sports and a quiet atmosphere. So grab your surfboard or kiteboard—or rent one from Real Watersports—and enjoy a peaceful day on the water. Similar to Waves, Salvo is popular among water sports enthusiasts and visitors in search of a restful retreat. Nature is another draw; Salvo sits right between the Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge's wetlands and the Salvo Day Use Area, which has a beach, restrooms, a picnic area, and a couple of grills. You'll find Avon at the halfway point of Hatteras Island. One of the more developed communities on the island, Avon has several restaurants, gift shops, a spa, a medical center, and the area's only chain grocery store (Food Lion). Anyone visiting Hatteras Island will eventually make their way to Buxton, home to the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse and several restaurants and shops. It also has the most year-round residents on the island. Secluded but still convenient to the stores and other amenities in Buxton or Hatteras Village, Frisco appeals to visitors who want to fish, surf, or camp; the Frisco Woods Campground has cabins, tent sites, and RV hookups. 'I have to say, I'm pretty partial to Hatteras Village. I grew up here, I still live here. It's at the end of the island, and it's just a little quieter down here,' says Jarvis. Located on the southern end of the island, Hatteras Village (or just 'Hatteras') is one of the best spots in the Outer Banks for fishing; the Gulf Stream, which is just 15 miles away, brings in warm water and, with it, warm-water fish. The entrance and pastries from Orange Blossom Bakery. You can't go to Buxton's Orange Blossom Bakery & Cafe without ordering its famous pastry: the Apple Ugly (basically an apple fritter). While there, pick up a few donuts, walnut sticky buns, and cheese danishes. It is vacation, after all. 'I can say the best smash burger I've ever had came from our village food truck, Toucana,' says Jarvis. Located on NC Highway 12 in Hatteras, Toucana also serves up burritos, tacos, hot dogs, and breakfast sandwiches. It's the perfect pre- or post-beach stop, and you can even order online to pick up on the go. Hatteras Island is a casual place, and The Froggy Dog embraces this attitude while simultaneously serving up delicious fare. The menu has something for everyone—chicken wings, Hatteras-style clam chowder, jumbo shrimp, and quarter-pound hot dogs. According to Jarvis, 'You just can't beat breakfast at Sonny's.' Family-owned for more than 40 years, the Hatteras waterfront restaurant is somewhere you want to arrive hungry. Expect hearty breakfast entrees, like homemade biscuits and sausage gravy or pancakes, or come for lunch or dinner and order the hushpuppies and crab cakes. Interior shots of Buxton Village Books. 'Our locally owned grocery stores—Conner's Supermarket in Buxton and the Village Market Red & White in Hatteras—are great options for your grocery needs,' says Jarvis. Both are historic island businesses, with the former dating back to 1959 and the latter having roots that go back to 1866—although Village Market Red & White was renovated and renamed in 2018. 'Lee Robinson General Store has some great specialty grocery items and an unsurpassed wine selection,' says Jarvis. The Hatteras Village staple, which Wicker also recommends, has been around since 1948, providing locals and visitors alike with all kinds of sweets, snacks, and souvenirs. If you need to pick up a beach read, Jarvis recommends Buxton Village Books. A local favorite, the independently owned bookstore is now in its 41st year of service (it first opened in 1984), and it has everything from the newest bestsellers you keep meaning to read to children's books, mugs, and T-shirts. A couple walks along the beach on Cape Hatteras. According to Wicker, early fall is the best time to visit; the weather is mild—expect temperatures between the mid-60s and low 80s—the beaches are less crowded, and there are still plenty of opportunities to fish, kiteboard, and gather around a beach bonfire. (Note that bonfires require a permit and are only allowed in specific areas of the island.) But, says Jarvis, the best time to visit Hatteras Island is determined by your perspective. 'I love the fall, but if you're in it for the beach, you're going to love the summer. If you have young children, summer is probably the right time to visit.' Even in the height of summer, temperatures on the island are relatively comfortable. The average daily highs in July and August hover around 86 degrees Fahrenheit. Marc Basnight Bridge on the way to Cape Hatteras. Most travelers drive onto Hatteras Island via NC Highway 12 on the north end. There's also the option to arrive by private boat, and there are a few marinas on Hatteras Island. If you plan on flying and then renting a car for the final leg of the journey, you'll want to look at flights into either Virginia's Norfolk International Airport (ORF) or Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) in North Carolina. ORF is roughly three hours from the island, and the drive from RDU will take just over four hours. You'll need a car to explore the island; there's no public transportation, and the island's towns are a bit too far apart to comfortably bike between them. That said, you can bike around the individual villages, and rentals are available from Slask Creek Outfitters in Hatteras and Island Cycles, which has locations in Rodanthe and Avon.
CTV News
13-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
‘Like a day at the beach': N.S. company adds ocean water to products give customers ‘Salty Hair' outside the water
The feeling of salty, ocean hair was one Mike Petrosniak wanted outside of swimming, so he created it. He started his Salty Hair business because he was in the water often as a kite boarder in the Lawrencetown, N.S., area. 'And loving that feeling of my hair after I get out of the ocean, and basically trying to replicate that feeling,' he told CTV News on the beach in Seaforth. 'I have a chemical engineering background, and a bit of an entrepreneurial drive. And so I wanted to see how I could combine these different passions, and started to experiment with how I could replicate that feeling of right after you get out of the ocean and started with literally a bottle of just ocean water.' But that didn't do the trick. 'Didn't do a whole lot, so I needed to pivot,' he laughed. 'I went through about 80 prototypes, to get to the final product. And I do use real ocean water in the production of it. I filter it, I concentrate it. So Salty Hair is several times the salt concentration of the ocean,' Petrosniak said. 'And then I add in a bunch of plant-based ingredients. So, I don't know if you've ever squeezed an aloe leaf, but that gel that comes out I was really after, other plants that had those sort of plant-based gels in them to add moisture, additional hold texture, those sorts of things. And so Salty Hair, our main product, is made up of that concentrated, filtered seawater.' 'And those plant-based ingredients that add texture, hold more moisture, that sort of thing. And it really leaves your hair feeling like a day at the beach.' Though Petrosniak was excited about his endeavour, not everyone was on board right away. 'When I was first telling my mom about the product I asked her, 'You know that feeling right after you get out of the ocean? And that, that salty feeling?' And she was like, 'Oh, yeah. So you're trying to fix that?' he laughed. 'I'm trying to give you that salty feel every day, even when you can't make it to the beach.' Salty spray Coconut flavour spray by Salty Hair. (Brianne Foley/CTV Atlantic) Petrosniak is a resident chemical engineer at Dalhousie University and since it took him quite a while to develop the spray he enlisted students to expand his product line. 'I brought the project to Dalhousie, really for the development of our second product, which is now our shampoo bar. And, I do have to tell you, the students did a great job with it. Number one, it took me a long time to develop that first product because it's a lot of trial and error,' he explained. 'And it does take some time to get that done. So really tapping into the knowledge of the four students, a TA and a prof that were on the team to help design that shampoo bar to speed things up. It also brought a lot of fresh new minds and thoughts to the product development and really turned out with a good product.' Supervising professor Amyl Ghanem said the students involved loved the project. 'They love going and doing hands-on projects, so they were developing, ordering materials, formulating and trying different formulas,' she said. 'Apparently you can get long locks of hair from Amazon, so they had little bits of hair hanging all around the lab where they were testing formulas, really scientifically.' Focusing on the environmentally conscious aspects of cosmetics, Petrosniak also gives back to the ocean as much as he takes from the water, which he feels resonates with people. 'It gets people pumped about giving back as well. Like thinking about what types of packaging they use. Again, using a shampoo bar that can be packaged in cardboard was important for us so that we're getting away from plastics as much as possible.' 'And to get people pumped about buying into a product that gives $1 from every product sold back to the ocean. We work fairly closely with the organization Reef Life, who is our main partner in regrowing coral reefs.' That concept resonates with students too. 'Traditionally, chemical engineering wasn't focused on the environmental impacts,' said Ghanem. 'It's increasingly important for us to recognize the effect we have on the environment, and our students are very much aware of that. They've grown up in that kind of world, so I think they are very mindful of it.' Salty Hair can be found in salons throughout the Maritimes and parts of Ontario, and is expanding thanks to the salons that stuck with them through the process. 'Local barber shops were buying it. There were several times where I stocked out, and thankfully the barber shops were very loyal and stuck with our product and kept stocking it.' Since Petrosniak collects the water himself, he can make about 500 bottles per batch now. 'I think people love hearing your water actually comes from Seaforth Beach, Lawrencetown, Crystal Crescent. We do move it around a bit, although this is my favourite beach to source from,' he explained in Seaforth. 'Sourcing the ocean water actually looks like getting into my wetsuit, getting my booties on, my gloves on, swimming out a little bit, filling up big 25 litre jugs of water, several of them.' And while he has plans to expand, he also knows the draw of Salty Hair. 'I think one of the reasons that people are buying the product, whether here in Nova Scotia or even in Ontario or across the country, is they do love the feeling that it gives you. I think there is something different about the feeling of actual ocean water than just water with salt in it,' he smiled. 'There are other salt sprays on the market. A lot of them have alcohols in them, which help dry the product in your hair faster, but it also leaves your hair feeling a little brittle and crunchy. So Salty Hair literally uses, again, those two components, concentrated ocean water and plant-based ingredients. And it leaves your hair feeling kind of really full and really texturized.' For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
