Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Kuznitz.
Kim started surfing at 40 years of age and fell in love with it. One, because of the freedom and beauty the ocean gave her but the other thing it gave her was, awareness and heightened instincts. You had to be ready to go at a moment’s notice. “You can’t change mother nature, you have to change for her.” The other part was bringing back childhood memories of the beach and body surfing. Who wouldn’t want to be in the warm weather, sun and water everyday!
Kim learned to surf on the East coast at Long Beach, LI, Montauk and Rockaway Beach. The waves there are fickle and inconsistent so water time was difficult while trying to build up her Pilates business in NYC. Also, the winters were brutal and she couldn’t get herself into the water when it was snowing out or below 45 degrees. One time, she did, she lasted all of 20 minutes in 32 degrees weather and 38 degrees water temperature. Plus, it took almost twice as long, getting out of her wetsuit with numb hands and feet. That’s when she took surfing into the studio.
With not enough water time, Kim’s timing, balance and paddling were not up to par. After various experiments such as rigging up the Reformers and doing pop-ups on the foam rollers as well as exploring other types of equipment, Kim discovered that the balance discs, combined with a surfboard placed on top, worked the best to simulate water. Carefully exploring what Pilates exercises transferred over to surfing and combined with cardio Surfilates was born!
She worked on her workout everyday and when she would surf, she would take notes what worked and what didn’t work and change or add to the workout. Eventually, it has become a specific technique and a training manual is written so she can train others. Still she wasn’t satisfied. She had to surf everyday and needed to move to a place that was warmer and close to the ocean. She picked San Diego. Now, between surfing and training people and bringing her technique to the West Coast, Kim is finally at home.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It has not been a smooth road at all. I ran a Pilates studio for 12 years in NYC called BENT Pilates and the stress and expense of owning one, didn’t add up to actually making a living and having a life. I closed it after I realized it was going to get harder and harder to break even and I was already in burnt out mode. I missed teaching Pilates and enjoying it.
I created Surfilates which became my true passion. I also realized if I want to pursue this, I had to put all my time and energy into it. The biggest dilemma was money. My studio no longer funded the Surfilates and when I would get the ball rolling on Surfilates, the Pilates studio would eventually win all my time. So, I chose Surfilates and closed the studio, took a financial hit and moved to the west coast. It still has been a struggle since I got here but I knew, it would since it was unfamiliar territory. I looked at it as an adventure was willing and ready for it.
I say at any age, if you feel a passion for something and it is calling you over and over again, even though it sounds crazy, go for it. You can always have plan B. There are always choices. If you are following your dream they seem less scary.
Please tell us about Surfilates TM.
I teach Pilates, but my specialty is working with clients with injuries, Multiple Sclerosis, EDS and other auto immune diseases. I created Surfilates which helps surfers with injuries and making their movement more efficient for surfing, but the technique can be used for anyone. I like to create workouts and play with movement, that’s how Surfilates came to be. I am most proud of this technique because it combines my 2 passions, Pilates and surfing and it works. This, definitely sets me apart from everyone else in the Pilates world.
Often it feels as if the media, by and large, is only focused on the obstacles faced by women, but we feel it’s important to also look for the opportunities. In your view, are there opportunities that you see that women are particularly well positioned for?
I think, the year 2018 is the year of the woman. Women are speaking out and supporting one another in different industries. This allows to make the playing field even. It will take time, but it has started and that is progress. I cannot name any specific opportunities since they are not clear yet, but support is the word that stands out.
Contact Info:
- Address: 205 North Coast Highway
Solana Beach, CA - Website: www.kimkuznitz.com or www.surfilates.com
- Phone: 917-539-9340
- Email: kkuznitz@gmail.com
- Instagram: surfilatesnyc
- Facebook: KimK Pilates and Surfilates
Image Credit:
Josephine Dorado, Laura Andriani
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