Interview with Gabriella Eliah Bella who comes to us from Hawaii and who is at the event again this year.
Hello Gabriella, can you introduce yourself to the French who don’t know you?
My name is Gabriella Bella I am 21 years old and from Maui Hawaii. I don’t come from a water sports family but I’ve always loved being in and around the water, I dabbled with surfing as a kid and swam competitively as well. When I was 15 years old a family friend introduced me to kitesurfing and it immediately became all I wanted to do, fast forward a few years and my passion and obsession for water sports redirected to all things foiling and I couldn’t be more grateful for what this sport has done in my life
How long have you been foiling and how did you get into it?
I have been foiling since the summer of 2021 . A friend from kiting was learning to foil at the time and could not stop talking about how amazing it was. When he outgrew his beginner wing foil setup, I started to take it out at Kanaha after kiting, and by day three of learning to wingfoil, I was hooked. I started prone foiling that summer as well, and a season later, I got into downwind foiling.
You’re known for your ability to be equally at home in waves and downwind. Will you be participating in the three events and why?
Yes, I plan to compete in all three events. I believe that competition is an amazing way to identify what you’re strong at and where you can improve. I’m most experienced with downwind racing and have had the opportunity to race for a few seasons now but I’m much fresher to surf foil events and I’m pretty much a newbie to the dock start scene. I’m excited to get amongst it and I really like the format that the Crozon Foil Festival has as it allows us to take advantage of whatever foil discipline is best for the conditions that day.
Have you been to France before, and what are your expectations for coming to the Crozon Foil Festival?
Last year’s Crozon foil Festival was my first time in France and it was such a great experience. The event organizers did a phenomenal job of making it a great experience for the riders and the international field that the event attracts led to great vibes all around. I am very excited to return to the Crozon foil festival after last year’s experience
What do you think of the number of female foil riders around the world?
Is that okay with you? I would love to see female foil participation grow m, and I strongly encourage women to sign up for these types of events and put themselves out there. Back home on Maui, there is a thriving community of women who foil, and they inspire me so much. My hope is to see that become more common throughout all foiling locations and communities.
