Episode Highlights:
- The raw reality of a cancer diagnosis at 38, surgery, radiotherapy, and the hidden mental toll that almost ended everything.
- How one kite lesson created a three-hour “mental reset” — the first time in nearly a year Baris didn’t think about cancer.
- Why wind sports (especially kitesurfing and wing foiling) are uniquely powerful for rebuilding mental health and presence.
- The birth of Kite for Life Foundation: pairing survivors with their support person for shared beginner lessons, community, and stoke.
- How the foundation works — online prep sessions, kickoff beach days, partnerships with 11 schools, commitment fees, and fundraising to make it accessible.
- Real impact: 750+ people introduced to kitesurfing, powerful stories of renewed hope, relationships strengthened, and new chapters started.
- The importance of “plus ones” — supporting not just the patient but the partners and family who carry the load too.
Practical details on season structure, what participants can expect, and why even one session can be life-changing.
- Packed with honest emotion, practical insights, and genuine inspiration, this conversation shows how wind and water can heal in ways medicine alone cannot. Whether you’re a cancer survivor, supporter, or simply someone who knows the transformative power of kite and wing sports, Baris’s story is a reminder that one session on the water can shift everything.
Tune in for a deeply moving episode about resilience, community, and paying it forward through the stoke of wind sports.
Visit: kiteforlifefoundation.org
Follow on Instagram for more stories and ways to support.
This episode is brought to you by Waterspeed. Download the app — live tracking, deep analytics, and community vibes for every watersport adventure! Available on Andriod and IOS