Polly Crathorne

I come from a family of kiters in the UK. During my 16 years of kiting experience, I have competed on British, European and Asian freestyle tours. Where I come fully alive is venturing on kiting missions in unusual and remote places. Some favourite adventures have included becoming the first female to kitesurf across the English Channel aged 16 and kiting across freezing waters in Tajikistan at the record-breaking, highest altitude regatta in the world on Lake Karakul. I have continued the expeditions on foot with self supported expeditions across the Jebel Sahro in Morocco, the Turgen Mountain range in Mongolia and traversing the Georgian Caucasus Mountains on the Czechnian border. I qualified as a gymnastics coach when I was 15 years old and have continued coaching on the water, with various freestyle kite clinics around the world including Limnos, Greece and Aitutaki, Cook Islands. I am a keen skier and paraglider and I live in southwest England.

I feel fortunate to have been involved with the Kiteboard Academy since 2018. I was the Head Coach and full time teacher for four years. From Peru to the Philippines, Brazil to South Africa, it has been a privilege to work with so many young athletes and help them navigate their progress on the water, learning in the classroom and growth in character. The Head of School role enables me to combine my experience as an educator in the field with World Class with my knowledge of the kite industry. It is an honour to work with this talented team of staff and students.