‘I needed it’

But it’s been a good experience, in a way, because it forced me to think about what I want, where I want to go, why I’m doing what I do. I would say, in a way, I kind of needed it. Yes, it was tough not to compete. I still want to compete. I still want to win. I’m definitely hungrier now, then I was then.

Q: In an interview with Bruna Kajiya, she said almost the same thing: that she was injured and that helped her step back and refocus a bit. Do you feel the same?

JC: Yes, 100 percent. It forces you to step back. You don’t have a choice. If you don’t accept what’s going on, it just makes you feel so much worse. You really just have turn it off, and be like, look, it’s not my time now. It made me think about other things and step back.

Being on tour full time and training full time, it takes a lot of hours and there are things that don’t get done. It’s a good chance to sort all those things out. So, in a way, it’s been good.

Q: Was Bruna able to help you with that process?

JC: Absolutely. 100 percent. She’s such a champion. She’s obviously been through hell with her knees; injuries in the past. She’s been there, been where I was, multiple times. She definitely helped me. Gave me some really good advice, and things like that.

Q: Your hope is to get back for the Kite-Surf tour this year for Sylt in August and complete the season?

JC: Yes, that’s the plan. I think I’m going to be 100 percent by August. I’ll probably be 100 percent before that. I probably could make it to Cape Verde [16-25 February, 2024], but I’m not going to go to an event that I’m not going to win. So, I’m planning to get back in August, in Sylt, and go for another world title.

interview: Ian MacKinnon
images: Samuel Cárdenas

Source: https://www.gkakiteworldtour.com/recovering-carew-hungrier-than-ever-for-titles/