We had the good fortune of connecting with Kim Kuznitz and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kim, how do you think about risk?
I think risk taking is an awesome thing to do. It has played a major role in my life and career. For starters, I was a ballet dancer and in my senior year of high school, I graduated 6 months early to pursue my dance career for the NJ Jersey Ballet Company and was paid. I got perform at the paper Mill Playhouse dancing in the Nutcracker and performing dance lecture/ demonstrations to children in the public schools in Northern New Jersey. From there, I learned I will never lead a “normal” life, but loved every minute of taking risks as a performer. Fast forward to age 30, I embarked on teaching Pilates and in 6 years opened a my own Pilates studio called BENT Pilates which I ran for 12 years. From the moment I was a performer in the arts, it has taught me about taking risks in my business life.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My new business called Surfilates is my most accomplished project. It is a marriage of both of my passions: Pilates and Surfing. Surfilates is the Pilates method applied to surfing. The class is designed on a specially designed surfboard that assimilates water on land. I also have classes that are not on the board that can be done any where anytime and online. It has not been and still is not an easy road I have chosen to pursue Surfilates. I am trying to break into a male dominate field the surf industry, but more and more women are blazing trails so why not try. I also have a double handicap, I feel I am considered “old” in the surf industry ( I am 52) because it portrays men and women mostly in their 20,s and early 30’s in the media. But there are so many older men and women surfers that can keep up with younger ones that they need notoriety, too! I started my creation when I owned my Pilates studio, BENT Pilates, in NYC. When I started surfing Surfilates began as my own workout and it took on a life I was surprised about. It became a fun class for my non surfer Pilates clients, It has been a teaching tool for paddling and pops ups for beginner surfers, injured surfers that need to balance their bodies and older surfers that need mobility. I am still learning the challenges of starting a new technique. I would say Covid has been a major player in the challenge area, but I feel Covid has made me more focused to pursue Surfilates and create new classes. I am an artist before a business woman and have the need to create so Surfilates is my passion to create and has become my life’s mission in a way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to any of the North County Beaches and if they wanted to learn to surf I would do that. I also love North Park. It reminds me of Willamsburg Brooklyn in NY. I would take them to Way Point Public and Belching Beaver to experience the microbreweries that San Diego is famous for but, I would also take them to the vineyards in Escondido. They have some excellent wine and the views are breath taking. As for restaurants, I would head to Carlsbad Village. There is Paon, Jeune and Jolie, Campfire and Vigilucci’s.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
A book called Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself by Dr. Joe Dispenza has helped me learn to meditate and kept me on my life’s mission. I found surfing later in life and it has replaced dance and become my so to speak Church. My surf club the San Diego Surf Ladies has been my rock moving here from NYC four years ago. There are so many beautiful, strong, caring and fun loving surf sisters who support each other in and out of the water. It is such a special club that needs to be known.

Website: www.kimkpilates.com & www.surfilates.com
Instagram: Surfilates_inc and kimkpilates
Facebook: Kim K Pilates

Image Credits
Photos by Terri Denning and Camille Cunningham and my iPhone

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