Bruna Kajiya Wins the First Stop of the 2008 PKRA World Tour in Mexico!
Posted Sunday 9th March 2008

Best Kiteboarding is very pleased to congratulate International Team Rider Bruna Kajiya (ranked #2 in 2007), for winning the first stop of the 2008 PKRA World Tour, which was held this year, for the first time, in Playa Del Carmen, Mexico, March 5th - 9th.

In the world of freestyle, the first stop of the PKRA World Tour is always exciting: the riders have trained all winter, in preparation for the new season, working on new tricks and innovations. The first stop is the first chance to see how high the bar has been raised. And for the winnner, it's a great way to start the season, setting the tone, giving both a mental/competitive advantage, and at the same time, a measure of additional pressure, to continue on in the manner begun.

Last week, before she left for Mexico, Bruna took a few minutes to talk to us about her winter training and her thoughts about the upcoming year.

You hurt your knee towards the end of the season last year. Any problems with your knee now?

I had a small injury by the end of last season where I stretched a ligament on my knee but after physio and lots of work it's 100% already. Now I'm just making sure all my ligaments and joints are healthy and strong to avoid further injuries.

Did you do any training off the water to help with your kiting?

This winter I gave special attention to the off water training and I believe I got great results for this coming season. My trainer and I tried to cover all aspects of training from resistance to joint stability and so on.

What was your training regimen on the water?

I ride as much as I feel like and have fun with it because if I'm not inspired nor feeling my riding I won't get sick tricks so I get out of the water and leave it for later. For me doing the same trick over and over again doesn't work as good as just free riding and popping things as they come to my mind.

What moves are you working on now, and what was the hardest one you landed? Or, what you have you accomplished during training that you are most happy about?

I've been working on the back mobe and front mobe for the past months because they were the 2 last moves to have all the basic handle passes. I got both of them now and I'm super stoked about that!! The back mobe was by far the hardest move for me to learn.

The first stop is very exciting, as the top riders set the level for everyone else, bringing out all the new tricks they've working on. Where do you see that level headed, for the guys?

I believe the first stop is the most interesting for the riders because you get to see all the innovations. I believe this year will be riders being able to do proper kiteloop7's. Last year you could see that move some times but not very well executed and not very powered. I think this year those kiteloops will go BIG and powered, well at least I hope so!!

Where do you see the level of riding headed this year, for the girls?

I see the girls being able to do more and more variations of handle passes and as a normal evolution, after you got all of them regular, you'll go for the switch moves. I got to practice them this winter and soon I think I'll have new switch moves.

We all know that your goal for the year is to be #1. What is your strategy for the stop next week?

My strategy is to go to Mexico with a set mind of what I want and what I can do and not be distracted by other things. Just relax, go on the water, and do my thing.

Again, Congratulations, Bruna, for a job well done!

This year, Best will be represented on the international level by Alvaro "Tiger" Onieva (Spain), ranked #3 in 2007 in the Men's Division, by Bruna Kajiya (Brazil) in the Women's Division, and by Sami Gali, head judge of the PKRA (freestyle), in Course Racing.

Stay tuned for more news on the PKRA Mexico.