Olivia Jenkins was born in Plymouth, England. She moved to Maui with her family at the age of eight and started her water sports career there. After successful years in kitesurfing, wingfoiling is now her new passion. We introduce the Water Woman in this interview.
Olivia, you have experience in many different water sports. Please tell us about your sporting career.
I started kitesurfing on Maui when I was 16 and was a professional kitesurfer for a few years. However, the most important thing for me is to spend as much time as possible on the water, so I've always been open to new things. I now do pretty much everything you can do on and under the water: Kitesurfing, wingfoiling, surfing, longboarding, prone surfing, diving. I would therefore describe myself as a water woman.
When and how did you get into water sports in the first place?
I grew up in England for the first few years of my life and we always sailed a lot. I remember we used to go on big sailing trips every holiday. That's why I've loved the sea from an early age.
What finally got you into wingsurfing?
I learnt to prone foil a few years ago - great fun. I also had experience of kite foiling, so the step to wings was naturally not far away.
You do all kinds of water sports. What fascinates you so much about wingfoiling?
One of the best things about wings is jumping. I just try to get as high as possible. Waving in the waves is also great. You can get quite a lot of fun out of moderate waves with little thrust.
I love the feeling of fear
You hold the record for the biggest wave ever surfed by a woman in kitesurfing. How do you deal with fear?
I like to put myself in situations where I have to get out of my comfort zone. Of course, I'm sometimes scared in huge waves, but I always manage to deal with it quite well and turn the fear into positive energy. I actually love the feeling of fear! Somehow I even look for it and try to surf bigger and bigger waves.
You're also really pushing it when it comes to wings and are already practising your backflips, aren't you?
I've taken myself apart a lot, but I'm going to stand the backflip. I realise that I have the commitment, I just have to automate making myself smaller in the air. Soon it will work...
How do you see the development of the women's scene in wingsurfing?
I think it would be good if the scene was bigger. But if you compare it to other water sports, the proportion of women in wings is quite high. I see a lot of women taking up waving. That's great.
You are now a new member of the Fanatic and Duotone team and took part in the photo shoot in Mauritius. How was that experience?
Mauritius was perfect. It's always fun to go out on the water with nice people. Everyone in the team is passionate about the sport. Above all, the experience of tacking in very light winds was new to me. On Maui, it usually blows at 30 knots and more in summer. The waves on Mauritius are perfect for waving, especially the long and gently rolling waves of Manawa.
You can also find more information about Olivia Jenkins HERE on her Insta profile.
