Insight: Moona Whyte

Born to a family of surfers in Oahu, Hawaii, Moona Whyte first hit the waves when she was only five years old. Moona lives a life of surfing, creativity, and sustainability while travelling the world to wherever the wind takes her. In this issue, she gets our 'INSIGHT' spotlight and tells Jen Tyler all about it!

Moona, we're stoked to have you featured! Growing up in Oahu, Hawaii, we'd expect you to hit the waves before you could even walk! Tell us how and when you first got into surfing?

Thanks for having me! Yes, surf culture is huge in Hawaii. Both my parents are surfers, and we lived on the beach my entire life. I was about five years old when I first got on a board, but it wasn't until I started kitesurfing that I became obsessed!

Living as eco-friendly as possible plays an enormous role in your life, from what we can see. Are there any major tips you'd like to share with us to help others live a more sustainable lifestyle?

After learning about our footprints and the impact our choices make, I started changing daily habits and haven't been able to stop. Some of the best tips I can suggest are to eat more vegetarian meals (even if it's just once a week); this can reduce your impact and cast a vote for organically grown veggies rather than factory farms. Another tip is to be an intentional consumer, which means only buying what you need, buying second hand, and supporting brands with ethical supply chains and recycled materials. Another good tip is to watch your single-use plastic consumption by purchasing products from the farmers market, drinking tap or filtered water from a reusable bottle, and carrying your own utensils or containers. 

Sabfoil | View in Mag

Cabrinha | View in Mag

If you travel a lot as I do, the best thing you can do is offset your air travel with companies like Seatrees, which plant mangrove and kelp forests that absorb carbon out of the atmosphere; I could go on forever! But lastly, vote for politicians that will support action on climate change issues on a larger scale. 

You are one of those people that emits positivity; what is your secret?!

People only see what I share on my social media highlight reels, but the truth is, I'm just like everyone else! For me, having a kite and being by the ocean is the key to happiness! 

We've got to ask, when and how did you and Keahi meet?

I first met Keahi when I was 18 years old at my local kitesurfing beach. He came for a Cabrinha photoshoot, which was fascinating to watch, plus I was impressed by his riding and his Aussie accent! I guess it was love at first sight; for Keahi and Cabrinha, haha! 

What's it like being a team rider for Cabrinha? What does your role entail?

It's incredible to be a Cabrinha rider, and I am fortunate to be part of this team. They have given me the freedom and support to pursue different passions like competitive kiteboarding, following the World Tour, and, more recently, chasing the best waves around the world. My role is to be at my highest level, create content that reflects the fun and high-performance gear, provide feedback on equipment, and be a good ambassador for the brand.

Tell us about The Shallow Reef Studio? Do you design your t-shirts, or do you have other designers working with you?

The idea for Shallow Reef came while I was taking a screen-printing class in college. We learned how to print on t-shirts, and all I wanted to do was design and print clothes I wanted to wear! So, I started the business, doing everything myself from sourcing shirts to designing, marketing, and selling. I probably should have scaled the company to enlist some help, but I was too busy kiting and travelling!

Sabfoil | View in Mag

Duotone | View in Mag

If you weren't a professional kitesurfer, what would you be doing instead?

I would probably be a graphic designer. That's what I majored in in college, and I love the whole process of design. But no matter what, I would always make time to be in the water because that's my first love!

If you could relive a moment in your kiteboarding career, what would it be?

My first competition on Maui was a very special one. It opened a whole world of kiteboarding and kickstarted my kiteboarding career. But also, every competition and trip since then has been so special and memorable that I would relive it any day.

What was your least and favourite aspect of competing? What would you change?

My favourite aspects of competing are travelling somewhere new, hanging out with other kiters, and the feeling of accomplishment after having a good heat. I struggled with feeling extra pressure to do well and not performing my best because of it. On a more surface level, I miss having more pure wave events. Still, I think the GKA and all the competitors are doing a fantastic job adapting to challenges and restrictions and are doing well to elevate the sport through existing and new disciplines.

Your 'Sessions with Moona' vlogs make us want to pack our bags and travel. Can you tell us about your favourite vlog so far? Are there any plans for a full movie in the pipeline? 

My favourite episode would be from a trip to Beran Island in 2019; it was my first time there. I love having captured my first glimpse of the place and first experiences full of excitement and shared with good friends. I also got a little more creative with the editing since I didn't get as much kiting action footage as I wanted to! I would love to work on a longer length piece once we start travelling again.

Having the travel bug, what was it like being stuck in Oahu during the pandemic? (We can think of worse places to get stuck!)

I'm grateful to have spent quarantine life here! We had a great season of waves throughout all the lockdowns and restrictions. We were always able to go in the water, which was a huge lifesaver. Even though I'm itching to travel, and after being "stuck" here, it's still a hard place to leave!

Cabrinha | View in Mag

Duotone | View in Mag

Board sports are your thing, and we've noticed you've been winging and surf foiling loads recently; what do you enjoy about it, and how does it compare to a kitesurfing wave session?

Foiling and winging are another thing that saved me in quarantine! I used to get bored in summer at home because the waves are small, but this time I had so much fun learning to wing on a small board and riding tiny waves. It opens a whole new set of conditions, so suddenly, we're excited for when it gets flat and windy. Like kiting vs surfing, rather than choosing one or the other, I like to say that each sport has its time and place and having both in your quiver allows you to enjoy anything the ocean throws at you.

What are your plans for this summer?

I'm getting my COVID vaccination soon, and I'm hoping we'll start travelling again. If not that, home is still a great place to be, and I would be perfectly happy finding fun ocean adventures to have here!

Thanks, Moona! It's been great to catch up!

Thanks, Jen!