Meet Amber Skinner: The Young Kitesurfer With Big Dreams

July 10, 2024

If you haven’t heard of her (yet!), Amber Skinner is a local kitesurfer with a super bright future ahead of her. At just 13 years old, she’s already working hard towards her huge ambitions and dreams. She has achieved impressive competition results, including being the Australian Wave U18 Female Champion for 2023 and 2024, the WA State Wave U18 Female Champion for 2023 and 2024, and securing 2nd place in the WA State Wave Women’s 2024.

 

Recently, Amber has also joined the World Class Kiteboard Academy, an international boarding school with an athletics program for kitesurfing. The Academy has six teachers and 18 students, following the North American school year and teaching core subjects like Math, Science, Language Arts, Humanities, and Spanish. This setup allows for shorter school terms and more time on the water doing what the students are most passionate about, kitesurfing!

 

Amber discovered the World Class Kiteboard Academy online and, after a lot of convincing, her parents let her try it out when the Academy did an Australian leg earlier this year. She got to see how everything works and couldn’t think of a better way to spend her school days.

 

This opportunity isn't just about getting better at kitesurfing - Amber is going to gain many life skills and experiences that will shape her both on and off the water. We’re all cheering for Amber and can't wait to see where this journey takes her.

 

Here's what Amber had to say about her exciting kitesurfing journey:

 

When did you start kitesurfing?

I started kitesurfing at the age of 10. At first, it was a bit hit and miss, but after a while, I got into the groove and haven't looked back since.

What is your favourite kitesurfing style:

Big waves are my absolute favourite, but I enjoy all types of kitesurfing, including Big Air, Foiling, Racing, and chasing Woo records.

What have been your proudest achievements in kitesurfing so far?

I'm proud to be the current Under 18 Female Australian National Wave Champion and to hold the all-time world record for the highest jump on Woo by an under 18 Female.

 

Where are your favourite kitesurfing spots?

I split my time between kitesurfing waves with our downwinder crew between Madora Bay and Secret Harbour, and I'm also a regular at The Pond. I love heading down south to Main Break for waves and Augusta for boosting.

What is your favourite kite?

I ride the Duotone Neo in the waves and the Duotone Evo D/LAB for big air. I've just got an Ozone Hyperlink for light winds and I'm looking forward to seeing how that goes. Board wise, I have my beloved 5’7 Duotone Wam, and I use a 133 Duotone Jamie for twin tipping.

What is your favourite kitesurfing trick?

My favourite trick is the Darkslide kite loop, just like Marnix, the Emperor of the Pond! I’m also currently working on new tricks, recently landing my first backroll on the foil and my first 360s at the wake park. Honestly, I'm always working on something new.

Where to next?

I've been accepted into the World Class Kite Academy, so I'll be heading to Brazil in mid-August, then onto Peru, Cape Town, Dakhla, and Tarifa.

What are your kitesurfing goals?

I aspire to become the GKA World Kitesurf Champion and tackle the biggest waves in the world like Nazaré and Jaws. In Big Air, I'm really hoping for a female Red Bull King (Queen) of the Air event, and I aim to compete at that level.

Anything you are scared of?

I get notifications on WOO, and there's a German girl who kites a lot and is close to my WOO record. Every time I get a notification, I get a bit scared that she's surpassed me but I know that I can always improve, so I’m loving the challenge.

 

Follow Amber on Instagram to follow her journey >> @amber.z.skinner

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