When the wind is howling at Melbourne’s Brighton Beach, Natalie Clarke is usually in it, boosting, laughing and screaming at the top of her lungs.
“The thrill of it never fades, not even after four years in the sport,’’ she said.
The Victorian competitor has dominated the women’s division since her debut in the sport in 2005.
She’s also made a splash on the national stage, winning the Damien McKay memorial in 2006.
But what’s most unusual about Clarke’s kiting triumphs is that she has managed to do it while raising two children (Bailey, 10, and Maddy, 8), along with her supportive husband Dean as well as helping teach children with learning disabilities how to swim.
“I’m really focussed on kiting and more often than not the kids are making noodles for themselves, but I think they understand,’’ she said.
The Caulfield community advocate says kiting comes first these days and she now spends more time than the kids on the trampoline practicing new tricks.
“I’m always busy and find there are never enough hours in the day,’’ she said.
“What I do is drop the kids off at school, get some paperwork done and hope to get a kite in before school pick up at 3pm. Several week nights are spent coaching a swimming team and the weekends are spent at the swim school which the kids usually come along to.
“But every spare minute I have I try to kite.
“I love having the swim school for special needs kids as it is so rewarding to be able to teach these kids how to swim just to see the reaction on their faces. I also love seeing the parents sitting there proudly watching their progress.’’
Clarke says she will now focus on trick development in the lead up to the Coconet Classic, April 8-12 (Easter weekend), which she hopes to do well in. Being a team rider for SHQ this year has boosted her confidence enough to move onto some bigger competitions.
“Riding freestyle and wakestyle is the thing I like best,’’ she said.
“There are few tricks that I have up my sleeve that I won’t reveal yet but you can be guaranteed you will see them at the classic.’’