You know her from her phenomenal Insta-Reels "What your foil brand says about you". But who is this young woman who got to the olympics in 2024 in kite foiling?

In this episode of Up on Foil, Daniela Moroz, a prominent kiteboarder and Olympian, shares her journey from growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area to becoming a six-time world champion and competing in the Olympics. She discusses the evolution of kiting and foiling, the challenges of Olympic training, and the importance of funding and support in Olympic sports. Daniela reflects on the pressure of competition, balancing passion with professionalism, and her aspirations for the future. She also touches on the role of women in water sports and her experiences with social media and personal branding. The conversation concludes with Daniela sharing her adventures in foiling and her thoughts on the fun side of water sports.

Takeaways

Daniela grew up in a windsurfing family and started kiting at a young age.

She fell in love with racing and foiling early in her career.

The transition to Olympic focus changed her training and lifestyle significantly.

Funding for Olympic sports in the US is primarily private and performance-based.

Daniela faced burnout during her Olympic training but learned to balance her passion and profession.

Qualifying for the Olympics involved a rigorous process and significant pressure.

She emphasizes the importance of having a support team in her Olympic journey.

Daniela wants to inspire young girls to pursue sports while being realistic about the challenges.

Her social media presence includes humorous content about the kiteboarding industry.

Daniela shares thrilling experiences and adventures in foiling, highlighting the excitement of the sport.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Daniela Moroz

01:06 Early Beginnings in Water Sports

03:43 Transition to Foiling and Competitive Racing

11:43 Olympic Aspirations and Challenges

16:38 The Business of Being an Athlete

20:03 Burnout and Finding Balance

23:18 Olympic Qualification Journey

24:58 Weather Challenges at the Olympics

26:43 Technical Aspects of Kite Foiling

29:07 Reflections on Olympic Performance

32:17 Looking Ahead to LA 2028

34:28 Exploring Other Sailing Opportunities

35:21 Navigating the Challenges of Women's Sports

40:19 The Humor in Kiteboarding and Foiling

46:20 Exploring New Water Sports: Winging and Surf Foiling

50:16 The Alcatraz Triathlon Experience

55:46 Adventures and Misadventures on the Water