Rita Arnaus has been going through a tough season of recovery and renewal. From a gruelling ACL tear to a broken arm that tested her resilience, Rita shares her challenging and inspiring journey back to the competition arena and coaching the Duotone Young Blood camp in IKSURFMAG’s latest Insight feature with Jen Tyler.

Rita, it’s been a while since we’ve had a catch up! How are you doing now after your recent injuries? Going from a torn ACL straight into a broken arm is brutal can you share with us how the accidents happened...

Hey everyone, thanks for having me back. It’s truly been a rollercoaster. But as you know, I always try to find meaning and positivity in setbacks.

I tore my ACL during the first competition of the year in Qatar 2023. After a year of recovery, everything was going great. I felt confident and decided to go on a snow trip since I had missed the previous winter. I was really looking forward to getting back on my snowboard.

I was happily snowboarding in Switzerland, wearing all my protective gear knee pads, wrist guards, helmet, etc. As it often goes, it was on the day's last run. We had just stopped for a bite to eat and were heading back down. Finding the wrist guards quite uncomfortable, I took them off and decided to take a shortcut through the snowpark. Watching all the pros hitting the rails, I was so excited that I got distracted. I missed an icy patch, slipped, and fell. A week later, I had a plate and eight screws in my right wrist.

Honestly, I felt dumb and useless. But I believe everything happens for a reason.

What were the biggest challenges you faced during your recovery process?

I don't have the words to describe how devastated I felt. Less than a year ago, I was staring at my knee covered in stitches and my leg looking super lean. Now, it was my poor arm, devoid of any muscle mass.

I tried to hold myself together. There were happy days, but I remember January feeling like one of the worst months of my life. The amount of effort and mental strength I had to muster was immense. Going through another rehab process and enduring the pain that comes with it during the winter season, no less was tough. The cold weather and cancelling my kite plans made it hard to find anything nice to focus on.

But enough of the drama! That experience taught me a lot. I must say I have developed significant resilience, mental toughness, and body awareness. I believe nothing but greatness is coming my way!

How did you stay motivated during your rehabilitation period?

Honestly, I've always believed that everything happens for a reason. I felt that with my knee injury, I still needed to take it easy, and this was a sign to do just that. Last November, while in Brazil, I pushed my knee too hard by returning to freestyle too early. Even though I was trying to be cautious, I ended up with tendinitis next to my kneecap.

So, I saw this new setback as a sign to slow down and take the extra time needed to continue working on my knee rehab. I wanted to make sure I came back stronger than ever.

How did you maintain your fitness while your knee and wrist were healing?

Maintaining my fitness during the healing process wasn’t a problem, as gym workouts were the only thing I could do. Fortunately, my wrist doctor did an excellent job with the surgery, and my recovery progressed quickly, allowing me to start lifting weights sooner than expected. Before I could lift weights, I got creative with my workouts, focusing on leg machines and exercises that didn't strain my injured wrist. I used various leg machines to keep my lower body strong and engaged in cardio exercises that didn’t stress my wrist or knee. This way, I could maintain a good fitness level and stay positive throughout rehabilitation.

Did you explore any alternative therapies or treatments for your injury?

The most effective therapy for me has always been consistency, no matter the method. Therefore, I opted for traditional treatments supported by a skilled team of physiotherapists and doctors. Their expertise and dedication made a significant difference in my recovery process. While I focused on regular physiotherapy sessions, I also incorporated various exercises to strengthen my muscles and improve flexibility. I followed a structured rehab program, which included strength training, mobility exercises, and a gradual reintroduction to sports-specific activities. This consistent and comprehensive approach ensured I healed properly and was well-prepared to return to my athletic pursuits.

We’d love to hear about your involvement with the Duotone Young Blood camps! Can you share with us what you’ve been up to? What's your favourite part of the project? 

I have wanted to get involved in this for a long time. I believe the younger generation is crucial for the future of our sport, and there is nothing more rewarding than seeing them motivated and being able to help and guide them through their journey. I always wished I had more help and guidance during my beginnings, as I had to navigate it alone. So, it’s a pleasure to join this project with the support of Porsche.

The vision is to awaken the passion of kids aged 8 to 18 for action sports like kitesurfing, foil wing, SUP, and biking and teach them the right techniques to enjoy these sports safely. At the camp, Duotone and Porsche will support the selected young talents, providing everything needed to start their pro kitesurfing careers. We will also highlight the incredible benefits of kitesurfing for both body and mind, such as improved health, confidence, mental strength, and focus.

Will we see you at Dunkerque for the next GKA freestyle stop at the end of August?

Oh my gosh, yes! I’m so looking forward to it. After spending half a year rehabbing my injuries, getting back to the water, and attending a few events one in Dakhla and another in France I realised how much I miss competitions. I miss everything about them: the mental game, the physical demands, the tricky conditions, the adrenaline, and the focus. I can’t wait to compete again!

What's next for Rita Arnaus?

I'm excited to return on tour and compete at my highest level again. In addition to returning to the competitive scene, I plan to participate in various kite events and host several kite camps. I'll focus on creating more professional content, so there’s plenty to look forward to! Stay tuned to all my social media channels for updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses of my journey.

Sounds great, Rita! We look forward to seeing you on the water!

Thanks, Jen!

By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.

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