NAME:Christine Borges (CJ)

AGE:34

HOME:South Florida

YEARS KITING:3

ABOUT ME:I am a Physical Therapist and love my job. I also love kiting, wakeboarding and cable park pulls when it is not windy.

HOW DID YOU GET INTO KITESURFING? I was at the beach and saw some kiters and went out and got lessons soon after that.

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT KITESURFING?The freedom..to ride and unwind.It is my "me" time.
I love being on the water and the excitement of being out in the element...the ocean is my playground.

HOW DO YOU DESCRIBE KITESURFING TO PEOPLE WHO
DON’T KNOW WHAT IT IS?Like windsurfing but with a kite instead ,and a smaller board. You also get to jump off the water depending on how you fly the kite.



TELL US ABOUT A KITE EXPERIENCE YOU’VE HAD;
I was out learning how to kite in the Florida Keys with my friend Irma my best friend who teaches kiting. It was super gusty but I was determined to get to ride and go upwind. Irma advised me of the strong and gusty conditions ,but I took the 9M kite and tried to ride anyways. I was getting tea bagged an lofted as she followed me in a chase boat...Out of control, I was petrified an way overpowerred an wanted to let go and pull me safety. When I let my bar go (I was wearing a wrist leash) I let go and my kite didnt depower...yikes!!! My wrist leash was hooked into the WRONG ring on my bar and the kite never depowered. Instead it yanked me up and out of the water and then a second later snapped off my wrist and was heading downind... out to sea. My friend Irma asked if I was ok and I shouted "YES!!! Go get the kite please!!" They took off in the boat to retreive the kite...then I noticed my right ring finger was dangling there deformed lookin and completely snapped and broken..I waited and waited and could see my friend in her boat near my kite ..but they were not coming back. Thank goodness I was wearing a life vest! 45 min had passed.. staring at my crushed hand, I wondered why they were not returning to get me..the kitelines got stuck in the boats engine. Just my luck. The finally came back and I was so happy to get in that boat! I was off the water for 4 mnths and needed surgery and 2 pins to fix my hand. Now, I am more educated and know what my limits are and repect Mother Nature and always wear a leash( No more wrist leashes though)whew!

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE SIZE KITE? 11M GK SONIC

WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU LIKE IN A BOARD? Rocker and width. I love my 131 Best Drive, It is great in high wind and rips upwind like I am on a magic carpet!!!

WHAT IS IMPORTANT TO YOU IN LIFE? Keepin it real. Living in the moment like it is my last.. and time with family and friiends.

WHATS ESSENSIALS DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR BAG?
water, Sunblock and my green lucky hat.

MUST HAVE BEAUTY PRODUCT:Pink zink and lots of drinking water.

MONEY OR LIFESTYLE? Lifestyle fo sho!

DREAM WHEELS? I am not sure how to answer that one...lol. My PT cruiser?

IS THERE ANYONE WHO HAS HELPED YOU GET WHERE
YOU ARE TODAY? Yes . Irma Harris my best friend.

TIPS FOR GIRLS GETTING INTO THE SPORT:
Every time you pick up the bar, you learn something new. Practice makes perfect...so get as much time in on the water as possible. DONT GIVE UP!!!! It will be the healthiest addiction you have!