Moona Whyte - GKA Kite-Surf World Tour
Photo: Ydwer van der Heide

Moona hails from the wave riding mecca of Hawaii and is an out-and-out waterwoman. She’s got three world titles to her name and last year took her first GKA World Title after a tight final heat in Mauritius against local ripper Ninja Maria Bichler. Moona’s equally at home on her front hand as she is on her back hand and uses that to devastating effects in competition. Simply put, she can make it happen whatever the conditions offer up and we can expect a tough title-battle between her and Jalou Langeree on this year’s tour.

Age:
23
Nationality:
American
Sponsors:
Cabrinha, NP, Sticky Bumps wax
Home spot:
Hawaii
Years riding:
9
Years competing:
5
Best results:
2013 KSP World Champion, 2014 PKRA Wave World Champion, 2017 GKA World Champion
Specialist discipline:
Waves
Favourite spot:
Hawaii
Favourite thing about competing on tour?:
I love getting to travel to new waves and experience new cultures at the same time, and being able to kite with some of the most talented women in kitesurfing from all over the world.
Standout moment 2017:
Every single heat was exciting in Mauritius last year because the scores were always so close and the conditions were sometimes challenging. Luckily it kept going my way and it was amazing to win the world title there and an honor to share the final heat of the event with local legend Ninja.
Favourite competitors to ride against and watch:
Every heat is a hard one since all the girls are progressing so much each year, but one rider that I did not come up against last year and who I always like competing with is Jalou. We have come head to head in finals a few times and it's always a great battle.
2018 goals:
My goals are to ride my best at every event and defend my world title!
How do you train?:
I prefer to stay active by going outside rather than training in a gym. Now there are so many ways to get in the water in all conditions from towing to shortboarding and longboarding, to foiling, so I'm mostly surfing when I'm not kiting. I also hike and do yoga when there are no waves.