Hi, I’m Brei.

I race kites on a foiling board – where we get the name Kitefoil! Check out the pictures, they explain much more than I can in words! I have just been selected to represent Australia at the Olympics in the fastest sailing class!!! Insane, I still haven’t got my head around it as I’m writing this little blurb. But I’m incredibly excited to say the least!

I am thrilled that kites will debut as a sailing class at Paris 2024, and to be a part of that is quite exciting. I really can’t wait to show the world what it’s all about. To me the Olympics is the stage where many sports can show off a little, and a chance to deep dive into a sport from more of the periphery. I’ve been Kitefoil racing for just over 6 years, and I’m well aware my sport is on the more niche side. But I’m excited for kites to take the stage. You can expect to see us racing at 30+kts (about 70km/hr), and it’s pretty fun to watch!! Cause, let’s face it, everyone likes to see a specky crash! There’s a bit more to it than speed though, with tactics and strategy, equipment and strength also coming into it. Which is why I love racing so much - there’s action and strategy. I’m hoping that you’ll find it as cool as I do!

We are so lucky in Australia to have some of the best beaches and waterways in the world - I can say that now that I have tested many of the world’s waterways out. It’s my hope that the addition of kites will add a new level of viewing experience to compliment the other sailing disciplines. That the fast and exciting racing will inspire new (and current) generations to get outside and enjoy being on our oceans, and to appreciate the environment we have around us more. The sport of kiting is so fun and it’s a great way to enjoy being outside!

I grew up sailing (and was pretty obsessed), but the Olympics was probably the first time that I watched women’s racing in sailing, and even considered it a potential path that I could take. I race against some of the most incredible women in sport and I think for these people to be the next role models is pretty amazing. I hope that I can build on that legacy and be the inspiration for girls around Australia to go out and try new sports. Stick at something even if it makes your hair messy and face red.

As a regional gal growing up in Townsville, I definitely know what it’s like to try and achieve, when competitions, teams and resources are mainly in capital cities, and understand the extra lengths needed to get there. But it’s taught me many things, like how to be resourceful and determined. If a few brick walls are built on your path, it’s just about finding another way around it. I am also extremely aware that these journeys are helped so much by the community around and without local support, my family and friends this journey is much more difficult and less fulfilling. I’d like to be an inspiration for other regional athletes and show Australians it is possible.

Unfortunately, money doesn’t grow on trees, and I am funding myself pretty heavily this year to get as much time on the water and racing the international fleet before The Games. We have a very regatta heavy start to the year with four major regattas happening between March and May. My goal is to get the most out of the racing and training at this time to give myself the best lead-in to the Olympic Games I can. This is great in theory, but funding long stints overseas without being able to hold down a consistent job or steady income can be a real challenge. While I’m doing my best, any support goes a long way to covering food, accommodation, travel and racing equipment.

If you have the capacity to support me and my campaign to the Olympics in any way, I will be incredibly grateful.

And just because I know you're thinking it, here are a few of the common FAQs about my sport:

How do you compete?

• We race the same as sailing, starting together on a start line, racing around a course set out by marks in the water. The first to cross the line wins. We have a series over 4 to 5 days with a total of usually 20 to 24 races and a final series with the top 10 to sort out the final places.

Do your lines tangle?

• Yes, yes they do. Everyone racing has spent a lot of time training on the kite so the skill level is high, and we have quite a few rules that sort out most of the situations that could occur. But racing is tight, and yes tangles do happen. Sometimes we get lucky and can continue the race, but often it means the race is over and a big rush to get to the next one in time.

What does kite foiling feel like?

• I was absolutely astounded by how quiet everything is when I first got out of the water and didn’t crash within the first 10sec. It is such an insane feeling, flying right over the top of the water. You’re close enough to feel the speed and the rush of going fast. If you have an opportunity to get into a foiling sport, I think you won’t be disappointed!

Thanks for reading my little spiel! I hope you’ve learnt a bit about me, and I’ve convinced you that you should give one of the various forms of kiting a go at the very least 😉. If you have donated or thinking of donating, a few dollars goes a long way and any support is greatly appreciated.