kyra & victoria

Kyra works at an animal shelter and runs a clothing brand (www.wildboneswear.com) whose identity encourages women to embrace their wild selves and get outdoors. I know her to be a very artistic, adventurous, and brave person. She grew up around horses, dirt bikes, and skiing. She has a talent for shooting and editing video and a huge heart for animals. Her mom gave Kyra a surfboard years ago and when she went to college by the ocean she took to the waves. Kyra has experienced forms of anxiety and depression for a long time. When she told me this today I was surprised; I guess I figured that someone as gifted as Kyra would be immune from any earthly pains. As a result of her anxiety there have been things that Kyra wanted to try but didn’t try. Surfing is something that gives Kyra peace. Her eyes widen with excitement as she talks about being in the water: “The ocean is powerful.”

Victoria and Kyra met through mutual friends and have gone surfing together a hand full of times. Upon meeting Victoria expertly backed the Bronco into position for the photo op near a cliff and received direction with confidence and focus. Victoria was raised on the Maine coast and was exposed to surfing from an early age. Victoria’s dad was a professional bull rider and she herself shows horses and used to barrel race. Needless to say, she knows a thing or two about danger and like Kyra grew up accustomed to action. She is engaged to someone she loves dearly. Despite years of not surfing, Victoria and her fiancé‘s journey and struggle to start a family brought her back to her roots in the ocean after a session with a reiki practitioner who encouraged her to do things that made her happy as a child.

Both Kyra and Victoria spoke passionately about supporting other women through adventure sports. Their advice for girls who want to get out and try something new but are afraid to because of social pressure and stigmas is to grab a friend and do it together.