Airush x Alessa

She is a fast learner.

She is fearless.

She is fun!

Airush welcomes Alessa Mensch to the incredible Airush Big Air Team.

Get to know Alessa:

🔆Favorite trick at the moment?

“Backroll kite loop, late back! I love this trick because you literally get thrown into it with the loop and spin super fast. The movement of a backroll feels like a backflip and is kind of natural to me. I tried my first one the same day I learned to ride upwind.”

🔆Some of your proudest moments?

“There are many things I am proud of. Especially about being where I am right now. A sponsored rider representing Airush and Brunotti, travelling and competing amongst the best of the world in crazy conditions and challenging myself day by day. Right now, what I am most proud of is my mindset. I am in the right space to get me where I want to be. “

🤔Why Airush?

“The decision happened within a few minutes right at the beach. @Jasonvanderspuy hooked me on his 8m Lift and said jump! We have a pretty similar tastes in how a kite should be. Probably because of the Freestyle background. I saw how the brand works together with the team and riders and the Lift is the perfect result of a good working network. I am really passionate about everything that has to do with kitesurfing. As a team rider, I am part of the brand and have the opportunity to grow with it.”

😃What lies ahead of you this year?

“This year is going to be very exciting! I have already planned to travel to 7 different countries, maybe even more. We have many competitions to train for and I know the progression on the Lift is going to be something else. It already is!! My favourite part of all is capturing the beautiful moments, crazy adventures and memories. I love to express my creativity and lifestyle in content.”

🔆Favorite spots in the world?

“I have so many favorite spots in the world it is really hard to decide. Off-shore kickers in Tarifa, magic gusts in France, perfectly flat water in Brazil or just the beauty and wildness of Capetown. I’d say my favorite spot is being in the position to go to all these places in the season.”

🤔Why big air?

“I think it took a natural course with me. I only started kitesurfing when I was 19. Before that, I did gymnastics, specifically trampoline and snowboarding all my life. Then I started with freestyle. I really enjoyed the physical part of it but after a while, I was seeking a new challenge and more adrenaline. So I traveled to Capetown and the rest is history.”

🧘‍♀️What advice would you give to aspiring female big air riders?

“Everything at its time. I know there is a lot of progression happening at the moment. I love to see more and more ladies out there sending it! It makes me really proud to see that there is nothing that holds us back from doing BIG Air. I think we should support and compete with each other to get Female Big Air riding to another level. Everything comes at its time. A kite loop is not a difficult trick at all but there is a risk involved and it takes time to get an understanding of wind, conditions, and your own body and mind. Also, it takes time to learn how to crash and sometimes you have to improvise and trust your instinct. That will happen automatically and you will get to the point where you will tell yourself now is the time!

Trust in the process and in yourself! There is a lot of insecurity and uncertainty to deal with but it is worth the journey because you will learn a lot about yourself!”