Kitepix Magazine No.6 April - June 2015 | Page 152

positive attitude to the things that are going
on around you, this will help positive things
happen in your life as well, and something
I have definitely learnt over the last twelve
months.
My 3rd and final goal was achieved on
Sunday 15th September. I had become
2013 Amateur men’s British Champion, in
Troon, Scotland.
This gave me a great sense of achievement.
In ten months, I had gone from an injury
that threatened to stop me kitesurfing,
to becoming the Amateur men British
Champion. It had been an ambition of mine
for a long time, and I had come so close last
year, and without my injury was planning on
stepping up to the pro’s, but winning the title
so soon after my injury, definitely gave me a
great sense of achievement.
This injury certainly taught me a lot. No
matter how close you are to giving up, that
with the right self belief, caution, love and
help, anything is possible.
Unfortunately with our sport, when you are
trying to perform at the highest level you
can, injuries are something we risk. The
top riders are a prime example, Youri Zoon,
Ruben Lenten and Aaron Hadlow, have all
fought injuries, and have proved that it’s
not something that should keep you down.
Physically, most injuries will heal over time,
but I think the main thing to make them heal
fast and well, is your state of mind. If you
can keep positive, set yourself goals as I
did, then you really can help your body do
amazing things.
By Craig Smith

“

The top riders
are a prime example,
Youri Zoon, Ruben
Lenten and Aaron
Hadlow, have all
fought injuries, and
have proved that it’s
not something that
should keep you
down.