A multi-sport athlete with an instantly recognisable style, Alina Shalin has been making waves on the water and on land! From her windsurfing background to riding any and every board out there, she's a force to be reckoned with! In this Insight exclusive, we ask Alina about her love of the ocean, business endeavours, and what it takes to create top-quality content every day!

Alina, thanks for joining us for this interview! Kitesurfing wasn't your first water sport, so for those who don't know your story, can you tell us about your origins with wind and water sports? 

Hi Crystal, thank you for having me! Indeed, it wasn't. I started windsurfing when I was seven years old. My parents were windsurfers, too, and they passed the passion for wind and watersports on to my two brothers and me very early. We grew up chasing the wind with them during our school holidays. Born and raised in Munich (Germany), we spent most of our holiday trips in Italy and Spain.

When and why did you make the transition from windsurfing to kitesurfing?

On my first trip to Cape Town, I was still windsurfing. I took a kite course in Langebaan, but it was only for two hours. Although it was fun, we left Cape Town a few days later, and I never had the chance to try it on the water properly. A year later, I decided to do an internship here, taking a semester off from university and bringing my younger brother along to spend the European winter season together in South Africa. 

At that time, my brother was already very good at kiting, and he taught me within a few days. I picked it up quickly and immediately fell in love with it. What truly made me fall in love with the sport was when I tried a strapless board for the first time. Within the first hour of having that board under my feet, I knew it was my thing. Everything felt naturally easy, and I was eager to learn how to ride waves with it properly. I've always been fascinated by waves…

You're originally from Germany but spend a lot of time in Cape Town. When did you first travel to Cape Town? What about this spot made it the right fit for your second home?

My first trip was with my mum for two weeks in 2015. Since 2016, after the season with my brother, I have returned here every European winter season. I have loved Cape Town since day one. It's this magical place that, even after almost ten years of coming here, never gets boring. It offers endless opportunities to be on the water, from a morning surf session to multiple kite sessions until after sunset; the days feel so long, making it really special. It's very rare to find a place like that where you can enjoy beautiful hikes, explore incredible beaches, or take a road trip along breathtaking nature on days with no wind or waves.

I also met my (now) husband, Adam, here. This place has allowed us to create the best memories of our life. We met here, got married here, and it has become our second home. I can't describe in words how it feels to come back here every season, but every watersport-lover who has visited a couple of times will relate to that moment when reading the sign 'Welcome to the Mother City' upon arriving at the airport, Table Mountain, the incredible sunsets, the people who return here every year. Everything makes you feel like you are coming 'home.' 

Kitesurfing has taken you to some incredible destinations! What has been your most exciting kite trip of all time? What was special about it?

That's a very tricky question to answer. I've visited many places around the world, including South Africa, Mauritius, Cape Verde, Indonesia, Namibia, colder destinations like Iceland, Norway and Ireland, and, of course, Europe (Greece, Italy, Spain, France and Portugal). There are so many more on the bucket list!

I think picking just one would be impossible because every destination has its own charm and special memories. The most exciting trips are always when we are chasing wind AND waves while exploring new and unknown places. Last year, we did that in Sumba and Lombok. Kiting where there is literally nothing but palm trees and empty beaches around you was incredible. For me, the perfect trip always needs to have waves.

However, I get equally excited to go on road trips with our van through Europe because it also holds new surprises every year. My advice if you like adventure: Use Google Maps, zoom along coastlines, check wave and wind angles, and then just follow the forecast. That will always be the most exciting trip you can go on.

You took up winging a few years ago and caught onto it in a flash! Did your windsurf background help on the wing?

I think it definitely helped. But foiling was COMPLETELY new to me. I like the opportunities it opens up on very low wind days and on flat water, conditions that weren't my favourite in kiting, so it's a perfect fit for me.

What has been your favourite wing session or winging experience so far?

It was probably still the first time I got up on the foil; it was unlike anything I had done before – like flying. Some of my favourite sessions were in the turquoise lagoons of Mauritius and Lombok. The combination of crystal clear water underneath me and the breathtaking nature around me made those sessions super special.

You've been on the FLYSURFER team for several years now! When did you join? What drew you to the team?

Yes, FLYSURFER is like a family. I joined in 2017 when Chris Hesina reached out to me, asking if I wanted to become a team rider. They had just released their first tube kite, 'STOKE,' and it felt right from the start, also with the people working behind the brand. What I value about the brand is the constant effort put into improving their products. I've always been treated with a lot of respect and felt valued. To this day, I am very thankful to Chris; he is one of the people who played an important role in me becoming the kitesurfer I am today. Becoming a team rider at that time gave me the extra push and support that made me want to become the best I could.

Since then, I've had the most fun pushing my level in waves and growing together with the brand. I appreciate small things about the brand, like the FORCE Bar being available in different sizes (S, M, and L). Luke and Maxi are doing an excellent job on the development side, not only for the STOKE but also for the new big air kite, the ERA, and many other products. 

Wave riding is your main activity - what's your ideal gear setup for riding in the waves? 

My favourite sizes to ride are the STOKE in 5m, 6m and 8m. As for my board, the Appletree Klokhouse Noseless is definitely my first choice to ride. I would 100% recommend it to any smaller, lighter girls. 

You're also a talented surfer and a frequent visitor to the river waves in Germany! Do you prefer ocean surfing or river surfing? What about surfing versus kitesurfing?

River surfing, I absolutely LOVE when I am in Munich (my home). It's our most special wave, right in the city, working seven days a week, day and night. It's definitely one of the things I appreciate most about home. Also, ocean surfing is something I enjoy a lot. It's challenging to get really good at it when you don't live by the ocean and do it every day. My ultimate goal in life is to be so good at ALL watersports that I can go out in every condition and just have fun. I don't need to become the best rider out there… I just need to have fun and collect sessions that put this smile on my face for the rest of the day. I've never been very competitive. I am passionate, like pushing myself, and want to spend as much time on the water as possible. That's what makes me happy.

Cold weather doesn't seem to be an obstacle, as you're often on the slopes! Do you find a lot of crossover between snowboarding and kiteboarding? If so, what are the main similarities?

One thing I've learned growing up is that all board sports connect, whether on land, water, or snow. You just want to get into this feeling of flow in the turns and know that you can improve on any board in any conditions. I think what's so good about doing different board sports is that you never get bored or over it, and it brings so much variety and fun into your daily life.

Yet another boardsport that you've excelled in is skateboarding; what do you love most about skateboarding? Do you think the stakes are higher on concrete? 

It's my little exploring vehicle. I love to ride coastal roads, palm tree roads, and pump tracks. I take it on all the trips with me. I know if I would leave it at home, I would regret it. 😉 Yes, the stakes are higher on concrete, that is for sure!

You're often on the water with your husband (Adam) and your mum. What does it mean to you to be able to share your passions with the people you love?

It means everything! It's one of the things I am most grateful for in my life. I get to live and share my passions with the people I love most. Being on the water riding and sharing that stoke together is the best. I am beyond grateful that I found my soulmate in life who is equally obsessed with chasing wind and waves. I do not take that for granted.

Also, it's super cool my mum is so stoked with kiting and winging now as well; she's the best example of how it's never too late to start. Now, she is learning to ride in waves, and she just gets so stoked to be on the water. Watersports can be done at all ages and keep you so young and fit.

When you're not on a board, you've got a few business interests! Tell us about PreciouSea Jewelry! What inspired you to start this business, and how do you manage it while also being a professional athlete? 

Yes, we started PreciouSea purely out of passion and creativity. We both love everything about the ocean, not just the sports we do, and that is reflected in the jewelry designs (shells, waves, surfboards, kites everywhere - haha). We use only high-quality materials that can be worn in the ocean, too, which is very important for us.

My mum is handcrafting the jewelry herself in our little workshop in Munich. We design them together, and I am doing the website, graphic work and marketing. It was our main goal to create something unique, special, and high quality that is waterproof and long-lasting - and it was also very important to be as sustainable with the business as we could. I think that is our responsibility that we owe to our beautiful planet and our oceans. The last three years have just been the most special journey. We are the best team, and we have way too many ideas to realise! 

I am studying for a Master's in Marketing Management as well, so even if people think everything looks like I am on holiday 24/7, there is lots of work going on behind the scenes, too. I love this work-life balance; it makes me feel very fulfilled in every way.

Social media is an important part of your career, and you've built a massive following and are partnering with several brands in sports, fashion, and lifestyle. Would you consider yourself an influencer? Is it quite a significant task to create and share content? 

Influencer is quite a negatively associated word nowadays. I like "content creator" more. Obviously, a lot of time and work goes into creating content for brands, but I feel like I found a very good way that does not mean I am talking to my phone all day. We create content alongside our travels, and it is always about things that I truly love and do. Creating content is then fun because I work with brands that fit authentically into my lifestyle. It doesn't feel like I am staging things or placing products unnaturally. Instead, I only show what I really use and like myself. But also, not everything is brand work. I like to share ideas, places, and sports and inspire people the same way I get inspired as well.

What are your thoughts on Instagram vs Reality? Do you focus on sharing a positive/curated image online? What is reality like for you?

I am not a big fan of tears or sad images/videos online. Not because that's not reality, but because I personally would never open my phone camera when I am sad. It's something unnatural to do. So when do I open my phone? When I am happy, seeing beautiful nature or funny things that happen. When I open Instagram, I want to be inspired, laugh, and smile. 

In reality, we all have ups and downs in life, and I think we all know everyone has good/amazing and bad/hard days. But personally, for my content, I choose to share positivity and smiles and try to inspire people to do sports that make them happy. I don't judge people who choose to do differently, but in my personal life, the people I surround myself with are such funny, positive people. So, if I share something on social media, I hope it makes people feel happy or inspired to do something that makes them happy.

You also help behind the camera for Adam's company, AALVAA Media. You two make a dream team! Do you enjoy spending some time behind the lens? Does having a professional videographer as a significant other help bring your digital career to the next level?

I do! He has taught me a lot, and I have become better and better at editing footage, as he is very busy and can't help me with every Reel I want to do. And yes, it does help; I would lie if I said no. His passion and skills behind the lens have played a big role and definitely benefit the content. But we've also become a great team for each other. He loves to windsurf and surf as well, so we take turns a lot. If that means I skip a session to film him, or he does to film me, that's what love also means, I guess. 🙂 

We find a good balance between filming and just enjoying sessions for us, no cameras, just enjoying the moment - because it's not all about social media; there is a real world out there, and in that world especially, I want to have fun and live to the max.

The last few years have been full of action and adventure… What's next for you this year?!

Since COVID happened and even before, I have realised most of the things we plan happen differently than expected. Being self-employed, you learn how to live by the opportunities given to you at the last minute. You change plans quickly, and you plan less long-term ahead. There are a few very exciting things in the line-up for the year, which I am very excited about. It will be another adventure-packed year that I am looking forward to

By Crystal Veness
Editor at IKSURFMAG, Crystal Veness hails from Canada but is based in South Africa. When she isn't busy kitesurfing or reporting on the latest industry news for the mag, she is kicking back somewhere at a windy kite beach or working on creative media projects.

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