Earlier this year, in April 2016, Simon Lamusse and Louka Pitot — two Mauritian kitesurfers — stood on the highest steps of the podium after finishing second and first in the junior Kitesurf Freestyle World Cup. Kitesurfing — among the most popular sports of its kind — allows you to ride the waves while the wind is pulling you by a veil. Soon, we expect to see the names of kitesurfers appearing next to the kings of other board sports, such as Tony Hawk, Kelly Slater and Shaun White.
It's been a few decades since kitesurfing has gained ground, and has become popular around the world. Gradually, those fascinated by the sport are shifting from spectators to learners, and are then turning into masters of the kitesurfing techniques. Born in the 1990s, kitesurfing is becoming a fashion and a way of life for many, and ever since its birth, it has been speaking directly to the hearts of its fans.
Ravi Le Rochus arrived in Mauritius in February, 2014. The 35-year-old French indulged into kitesurfing, and quickly found happiness in the sport that so genially combines sea and air. He didn't have to wait long to put his passion into practice, and soon created his own company dedicated to kitesurfers — beginners and veterans. Ravi is the founder of a mobile application and a website, which bring together all kitesurfers in Mauritius. It's an information hub for visitors in Mauritius interested in kitesurfing — classes, equipment, weather, and especially wind updates, and best kitesurfing spots on the island.
Expat.com meets the energetic kitesurfer and entrepreneur, who explains the Mauritian kitesurf universe, his ambitions, and why the island favours an expatriation that allows for entrepreneurship and board sports to fit.
Mauritius' kitesurfing reputation is strong, especially when it comes to its heavenly places and sea culture. Ravi says: “The best spot to practice kitesurfing is Le Morne due to its location gifted by nature. It's a strip of land perfectly exposed to the right wind. In addition, Le Morne peninsula has the advantage of crystal clear waters and a great beach, and the mountain rising above is a UNESCO World Heritage”.
A lot of professionals are traveling to Mauritius to practice kitesurfing, and when Ravi started this sport, he shortly realised the wide range of insiders. “When I was learning how to kite, I was observing around me, and I noticed that the profiles of learners like me were very broad. This sport attracts the tourist population, from 25-years-old all the way up to 60! But the most common range is between 25 and 45. For the time being, there are more men kitesurfers than women, but the trend is being reversed, and kitesurfing increases in popularity among women. The equipment evolution and security measures make the sport completely accessible now.”
As opposed to surfing, also in demand in Mauritius' bay of Tamarin, kitesurfing doesn't require a perfect physical condition. “Watching someone kitesurfing, gives you the urge to try, just as skiing or surfing does. But, skiing on one hand is very localised, and surfing on the other is difficult — it demands an athletic body. On the contrary, kitesurfing is very simple. You can see people of every age and sex kitesurfing because you don't need a particular strength, you're pulled by the wind”.
However, Ravi points out that kitesurfing is still an expensive sport. Due to the equipment, kitesurfing amounts to a higher cost when compared to other nautical sports. “The cost of this sport generates a juicy business. For example, nowadays we have kite camps where a professional is paid to train the C.E.Os or the managers of big companies, and it works well. It's an extreme sport, totally ecological, and is practiced in heavenly places”. The profile of business leaders has changed over time, and kitesurfing is a pleasant escape for hard workers. Ravi says: “Kitesurfing combines fun with ethical notions, as it doesn't pollute. These characteristics are in agreement with the image of a successful entrepreneur.” Richard Branson, the C.E.O of Virgin brought forward the sport, when in 2012 crossed the English Channel kitesurfing.
With his application, Ravi also wants to bring kitesurfing to a greater audience. “My application doesn't target the entrepreneurs especially, because I have a more democratic approach. I would like this sport to become more accessible, even to those who have fewer resources. The difficulty is that a kite course is expensive, so it is applicable to a small portion of the population. It's a shame when you see this happening in the country considered as a Mecca for kitesurfers”. One of the main goals of Ravi's application is to achieve affordable prices, and for visitors to find the cheapest kite courses. In this way, Ravi aspires to expand the circle of insiders.
If you want to discover a new sport while starting a new business or working abroad, Mauritius is the place to be. Ravi agrees: “There are a lot of opportunities in Mauritius. It's a great field of development. It has the advantage of having an almost European comfort, and an incredible quality of life. This is the perfect combination for an entrepreneur”.
