Progression in extreme sports is always a journey. You think you have reached your plateau and yet you arrive at another mountain. I guess we chase the thrill of summiting the mountain and secretly hope the next mountain challenges us even more. Are we all chasing our potential? Sometimes, yes. Other times, the hike, assessment of weather conditions, the jump &  landing safely all create a unique, personal experience of self-actualization. I fly because I love it. Through in and through out. Similar to the old powder hound trekking for fresh tracks and untouched lines. We fly because it makes us feel whole. This year, I have lost quite a few friends in the community to accidents. Even with tragedy, I still hold on to my love of wingsuit flying. There is something about it I can’t… I won’t give up. Try explaining to this your dad Anyways, while the rest of the world is oblivious, judgmental or just plain angry about dark times, we have to keep spreading the stoke. You don’t quit living because you lost someone or many. I know my friends wouldn’t want that. Each and every one of them taught me to be kind, be strong, and be stoked!

Blue Skies, this video is dedicated to Matt, Rami, JVH, Brandon Jackson, Dario, Chris La Bounty, Gage Galle, Kat Donahue, Uli, Alex Poli. Thank you for being my friends, and inspiring me to be a better human

Interviewing Jen Jones on behalf of Spread Stoke is our Co-founder, Tori Sowul.

There is something to be said for aspiration. It acts as a fuel, energizing our soul every time we get one step closer to a goal.  Aspiration may bring tears but never defeat, because the paths opened from you reaching toward a dream will be abundant.  As a huge dreamer myself, I have always been fascinated with the visionaries, or any artist who paints their imagination onto life’s canvas.  In my own quest to manifest my love for the outdoors into a career path, I feel an immense joy in supporting my friends who are already doing so.

Moxy International is a creative collective of talented athletes and professionals working on projects that make a positive impact on the world. They also happen to be some incredible friends of mine from a town that is very close to my heart, Hood River.   Jen Jones, producer and director of Moxy International’s latest project, ‘Where the Wind Blows’ tells us about her own ambition and how it led to working with four ripping kiteboarder ladies!

Spread Stoke: Hi Jen – first tell us a little about yourself?

Jen Jones: Hey Tori! I’m excited to share a bit of my journey with you. I consider myself a bit of a dreamer… floating between the space of imagination and possibility. It’s not the most stable soil, but I’m really enjoying the ride :0) I grew up in Florida believing the world was my oyster and spontaneously moved to Oregon about 5 years ago. I love traveling and taking photographs, surfing, tending to my garden and creating with my uber talented friends. My most exciting endeavors this year have been joining the Kiteboarder Magazine team as the new Art Director and of course producing Season 2 of Where the Wind Blows.

SS: How did Moxy International come into fruition and what was it like developing a team? Where did the name come from?

Jen: I’ve been freelancing for over 6 years now and working by myself was starting to feel stagnant and a bit lonely. I wanted to create a company that could represent the work and intention of multiple individuals. Creating the team was easy because most of the people involved inspired my idea to expand. “Moxie” by definition is a force of character, determination, or nerve… all things I felt necessary to embody while getting the gears going. International because my first client as a freelancer was a global corporation based out of the UK, so working internationally was absolutely something I wanted to continue.

SS: Your focus project has been capturing the lifestyle of four bad-ass kiteboarder girls through a webisode series called ‘Where the Wind Blows’. What was it like getting the project started and forming a group of athletes?

Jen: The concept behind Where the Wind Blows was planted when I was first got involved in the sport as a photographer. The story grew organically over the years of submerging my work into the Hood River community and developing relationships with the ladies involved. My partner happens to be a super talented film maker, so getting him on board really set the project on fire.

SS: These ladies RIP – seriously! What has it been like working with these lovely female athletes? What do you think they bring to the sport of kiteboarding? Do you see an increase of female participation in the sport over the last ten years?

Jen: No kidding! The girls are amazing and a blast to work with. There’s an impressive amount of encouragement and sisterhood support in kiteboarding that you don’t find in every action sport. I think their stoke for getting more girls on the water is definitely making an impact on the number of ladies you see out there. I’ve only been on the scene for a few years, but have for sure noticed an increase in the number of women on the water.

SS: You are based in Hood River, Oregon, a kiteboarding mecca! Outside of living in such an incredible community, what have been your favorite places to travel and explore? What specifically draws you there?

Jen: Funny you ask this, as I’m writing to you on a plane ride from India to Baja, Mexico. Someone pointed out to me a few years ago that I’m “solar powered”, haha! I’m a Florida girl at heart and love being in the ocean – especially when the water is warm! My favorite thing about traveling is letting go of everything western society has taught us to be “normal” and truly submerging myself in an unfamiliar place. It may sound hippy dippy, but this disconnect with what I think I know, connects me with things that I didn’t know even existed and puts me in touch with a higher power. It makes the world feel smaller and that’s comforting to me.

SS: Kiteboarding can be intimidating! How can other girls be encouraged to partake in kiteboarding or action sports in general? Do you have any advice on how to not be intimidated?

Jen: Yeah it is! It took me years to get off the beach and give it a try. I think the first step to anything that freaks you out is to tell yourself that YOU CAN DO IT. Most of us aren’t going to be able to ride up wind the first time we fly a kite, but if you believe in yourself and are truly passionate about whatever activity you’re learning, then over time it’ll get easier and you’ll progress. Speak up about what you’d like to do and chances are people around you will help make it possible. The worst thing that could happen is that you find out it’s not your thing and move onto the next dream.

SS: Are there any challenges you have faced during production?

Jen: Oh no, I typically have a pre-production meeting with the wind Gods ahead of time and everything lines up perfectly ;0) Weather conditions are defiantly our biggest challenge! Getting 6 busy and hard working people to be at the same place at the same time a close second. I can’t tell you how many times we schedule a shoot and it’s not windy, or we’re hours from home and it’s super windy and we only have big kites. When it’s on with smooth and steady winds, we’re all humbled by mama nature and super stoked.

SS: How do you fund such amazing adventures? Are you sponsored or have any partners?

Jen: We did partner with a renewable energy company this year, which was an absolute perfect match for Moxy Int. The “selects” had some support, but the time that went into production was still a labor a love. It’s important to me that we stay true to our vision of promoting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle, which means working with companies that we organically align with.

SS: Season two has recently come out! Have there been any major differences while creating the second season? What are the ‘Select’ cuts?

Jen: I think the second time around doing anything is always a little bit easier. Of course we had the weather and scheduling obstacles, but our team’s relationships have grown exponentially since starting out. Our communication with each other is more open and production is fun and light hearted… everybody goes with the flow pretty well. The ‘Select” cuts are mini profile features of each of the ladies. They give an inside glimpse of their lives outside of kiting and some insight into what makes each of them “tick.”

SS: What are your future goals for ‘Where the Wind Blows’ and Moxy International? What do you hope to achieve with both it and the community who check it out?

Jen: This is a big one. My goals with Moxy International are to create projects that have a global impact, to grow stronger with each production and to make a positive mark on the world. Where the Wind Blows is a vehicle we’re creating to achieve those goals and with this particular project, I hope to inspire an audience to believe in themselves, treat their bodies with respect and think about the impact their making on the world.

SS: How can individuals and organizations get involved? Is there anything you would like to promote or plug?

Jen: Right now is a great time to get involved! We’re in the stage of figuring out if, when and where we’re continuing the project and would love to collaborate with individuals and organizations that feel aligned with our message! If this is you, then defo get ahold of us! I also have to mention a couple of amazing companies that are run by some new friends of mine in India:

First, The Shaka Surf Club which is bringing surfing to India. A first effort of it’s kind spearheaded by power couple Ishita Malaviya and Tushar Pathiyan.

Second, the Holy Stoked Collective is teaming up with individual sponsors and city planners to build skate parks in rural neighborhoods in India. Co-founded by Poornabodh, bringing skateboarding to India is giving kids a recreation outlet and great hopes for their future.

SS: Great, thanks so much Jen, it was a pleasure to catch up!

To our readers, learn more about Where the Wind Blows and Moxy Int. via these lovely links. We’ve also scored some Where the Wind Blows “select edits” of the athletes below for your viewing pleasure. Enjoy!

• Watch  the episodes and meet the athletes of Where the Wind Blows here: http://www.wtwboregon.com/
• Follow Where the Wind Blows on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wtwboregon/
• Follow Moxy International on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/moxyinternational
• Follow Jen and Moxy Int. on Instagram here: @jenjofoto | @moxyint 

Moxy International in associated with Redtidepictures presents “Where the Wind Blows” // Featuring Colleen Carroll, Sensi Graves, Laura Maher and Linsday McClure // Produced & Directed by Jennifer Jones, Cinematography, and Editing by Wiley Watson // Additional Footage provided by Vincent Bergeron

It’s been awhile since I’ve blogged on the coolest site ever.  Spread Stoke embodies exactly the type of flying I like to do.

Since January, I’ve been flying a new wingsuit, the Aura from Squirrel. It has opened the world’s most amazing cliffs that are only flyable with a certain type of suit. I trained all year skydiving and in BASE  with some of the most experienced pilots in the world. I spent the end of the summer hiking in Switzerland, Italy and France. I learned so much in 5 weeks  flying off legal cliffs. This is why so many of us save all year to travel to the alps to fly, because we are welcomed there as long as we obtain the proper insurance and landing cards from the locals.

It’s amazing to travel through different countries, hike the tallest mountain and fly down to your car. I am so grateful to explore the world through human flight.

This is an edit of some of my wingsuit jumps in Europe

Thank you Scotty, Pat, Jeremy, Hart, Eric, Ellen, Laurent, Roberta, Dieter, Carson, Matt & Iza dog for sharing these wonderful experiences with me. Spread the stoke on mountain flying!!!!!

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Nicaragua

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Costa Rica

Nicaragua

I’ve been on the move this winter, traveling as a kiteboarding coach and teacher with World Class Kiteboard Academy. During my travels I put together this short video with clips from Costa Rica, Panama, and Peru.

Since winters no longer exist out in the Western U.S., I decided to head to California for some surf.

 

Scoring!!!!!

 

 

With all the epic waves, the pros were stacking footage for their latest videos or trying to score a cover shot!

If you look closely, you can see the surfer on the outside wave. Gives you a good idea of how big the swell was in some spots.

Can you spot the 3 surfers about to get crushed by this closeout bomb? “When the wave breaks here, don’t be there, or you are going to get drilled.”, says Turtle from the movie North Shore.

Only in SoCal!

Slashing!

Empty lefts.

Sunsets were not to shabby.

Seriously the waves were perfect!

 

Here’s some shots from Timmy Turner and the Rat airin’ out in Southern California.

Photo Credit: Timmy Turner

Photo Credit: Timmy Turner

Photo Credit: Timmy Turner

Photo: the Rat’s GoPro

Photo from the Rat’s GoPro

]]> http://spreadstoke.com/water-and-air/the-rats-airin-out-rats-surfboards/feed/ 0 http://spreadstoke.com/water-and-air/wingsuit-flying-in-a-december-desert/ http://spreadstoke.com/water-and-air/wingsuit-flying-in-a-december-desert/#comments Fri, 12 Dec 2014 03:58:31 +0000 http://spreadstoke.com/?p=4054 I learned to fly off cliffs in Europe this past summer. Thankfully, I returned to Utah for a late winter. Instead of skiing this weekend, we took our wingsuits to the desert. Amazing second flight in my home state Thank you Hartman for the great advice.  ]]>

I learned to fly off cliffs in Europe this past summer. Thankfully, I returned to Utah for a late winter. Instead of skiing this weekend, we took our wingsuits to the desert. Amazing second flight in my home state Thank you Hartman for the great advice.

In search of new a challenge, the ladies venture west to the Oregon Coast. The Pacific Ocean, vast and powerful, provides a large arena for our girls to show their skills. Through the fog and waves, Laura, Sensi, Colleen and Lindsay find some luck and score wind and waves in less than ideal conditions. Follow along and come enjoy the final chapter of Where The Wind Blows.

Where The Wind Blows is the story of four diverse professional kiteboarders, who despite their exotic winter adventures, find their way back to the Gorge each summer. Their friendship, passion for kiteboarding and sustaining health connects them in a way that will inspire all viewers. The Oregon summer experience is a multidimensional story that is rich in wholesome food, beautiful scenery, and great adventures. Join us as we follow Colleen Carroll, Lindsay McClure, Laura Mayer and Sensi Graves through the rich fabric of the Columbia River Basin, Oregon Coast and beyond

This was a spur of the moment trip to film a commercial for a company that waterproofs electronic devices.  We were the only people on the lake, the weather was 80 degrees, and the water was warm enough that no wetsuit was needed. Who would’ve thought that you could still enjoy summer in November?

This photo was at the end of the film shoot, and we tandem jumped this perfect cliff.  We got this shot as a result, and it looks like a game of human Tetris to me.

Where The Wind Blows continues eastward as our group of women chase wind along the Columbia River Gorge. The girls display there diverse skill set as conditions proved tough; gusty winds and fierce currents kept the ladies on edge.

Being a complete kiteboarder requires performing well in all conditions, Colleen, Sensi, Laura and Lindsay, show the power of collective energy, as they push each other to bring a high level of riding to the session. This is Where The Wind Blows.

 
WATCH THE NEXT EPISODE: Where the Wind Blows Episode 3 – Coast Bound

Where The Wind Blows is the story of four diverse professional kiteboarders, who despite their exotic winter adventures, find their way back to the Gorge each summer. Their friendship, passion for kiteboarding and sustaining health connects them in a way that will inspire all viewers. The Oregon summer experience is a multidimensional story that is rich in wholesome food, beautiful scenery, and great adventures. Join us as we follow Colleen Carroll, Lindsay McClure, Laura Mayer and Sensi Graves through the rich fabric of the Columbia River Basin, Oregon Coast and beyond

Here is Episode 1 of Where the Wind Blows -  a web series that celebrates the pursuit of outdoor adventures, highlighting the beautiful landscape of Oregon, the fulfillment of an active lifestyle, and nature’s bounty on earth.

Follow these four professional female kiteboarders as they chase wind and show off the natural goodness of their local playground.

Where The Wind Blows is the story of four diverse professional kiteboarders, who despite their exotic winter adventures, find their way back to the Gorge each summer. Their friendship, passion for kiteboarding and sustaining health connects them in a way that will inspire all viewers. The Oregon summer experience is a multidimensional story that is rich in wholesome food, beautiful scenery, and great adventures. Join us as we follow Colleen Carroll, Lindsay McClure, Laura Mayer and Sensi Graves through the rich fabric of the Columbia River Basin, Oregon Coast and beyond

WATCH THE NEXT EPISODE: Where the Wind Blows Episode 2 – Chasing Wind

I caught my first ever bankroll on camera with the handle mount cam. I got so stoked!

I caught my first ever bankroll on camera!

A little compilation of  speedriding runs and shots taken in the French Alps. I thank the athletes who participated in this movie. And especially one that I filmed there since its inception almost four years.

Saturday October 18th.  The day I made my first solo flight.

I woke up at 7:15 am Saturday morning, just like every other morning for the past 6 days,  and headed out to the St. George Airport.  After doing my preflight check, I taxied out to the runway with my instructor sitting in the right seat.  After take off we flew 2 right and 4 left traffic patterns with touch and go takeoffs and landings.  On the 6th landing we brought the plane to a full stop and taxied off the runway.  I dropped my instructor off at the hangar and taxied back out to the runway.

‘This is it.  This is my first solo flight.  You can do it!’ I thought to myself.

“St. George Traffic, Cessna 19187 departing runway 19, St. George,” I said over the radio.  I then taxied onto the runway and took off.  I had to do 3 take offs and landings, two of which were touch and go’s and the third was to be a full stop.  Turning left 90 degrees I said “St. George Traffic, Cessna 19187 crosswind runway 19, St. George,” over the radio.  A short five seconds later I turned another 90 degrees to the left onto the downwind leg of the pattern.  Turning another two 90 degree left turns I was on my final approach to runway 19.

I landed the plane, once, twice, then three times!  After the first landing my nerves had completely disappeared and a smile was on my face.

After my solo flight my instructor congratulated me by cutting the back of my shirt off and marking the date of my flight on it!

It’s finally fall break at the University of Utah!!  I am spending my week down in St. George, Utah.  Today was filled with about 3 hours of flying with 17+ touch and goes.  If you are wondering, I am working on my private pilot’s license.  Maybe I will solo before the week is up??  Anyway, this is the first time I have ever been a Pilot in Command outside of Michigan.  Flying in Utah is different from flying in Michigan.  For one, there are major terrain differences between the two states mainly that Utah has mountains and is higher elevation.  Well, I don’t know about you but I am excited for the week to come!

This Summer, I took a trip down to the world renowned kiteboarding mecca Hood River, Oregon. Accompanied with myself was the incredible Aaron Kawak and Croshane Hillyard. My 1st time here could not have been more fun! We found some sliders, huge cliffs and of course, some prime phenomenal wind. Here is a quick recap of the trip, check it out …

Thank you to our following sponsors & affiliates:

North Kiteboarding, Discrete, Goal Zero, Nectar Sunglasses, Exult Kitewear Australia, Spreadstoke, 3b extreme, Rossignol, Ivue, and RuggedTec

Music: Fitzpleasure (Betatraxx Remix) – alt-j
Rider: Andrew Muse
Gainer: Aaron Kawcak
Videography and Editor: Croshane Hillyard
Cameras: 5d mk2, Lumix Gh4

Saturday afternoon surf session on Fox Lake, Wisconsin.  Some much fun getting the first timers on the water.  Suns up, surfs up!

I had my first paragliding experience last fall and it was hands down one of the most amazing things I’ve ever done. Ever since, I’ve been dreaming of geting back out there on a glider and I’ve been telling everyone I know to do it at least once in their lives. Hanging in the sky and floating on an air stream is simply an incredible feeling that can’t be described in words. But it’s more than just a feeling.

The paragliding world is made up of a tight-knit and supportive community passionate about creating positive change in the world. Whether that is enjoying a motor-less way to fly to educating students to follow their dreams, paragliding athletes and entrepreneurs are doing incredible things to leave this world a better place than they found it.

This morning, I was sent an incredible story about Nick Greece & the Cloudbase Foundation, both committed to supporting and giving back to the communities where they fly. Watch and share their story about using passion to make a positive impact on our world.

You can learn more about the Cloudbase Foundation and Keen’s “Follow Your Feet” campaign here.

Related Post: 

• PARAGLIDING AT POINT OF THE MOUNTAIN WITH UTAH PARAGLIDING

Wake Surfing on Lake Mendota on 8/9/14.  Madison, WI with Tori Sowul.