Gavalda Sébastien, Duotone Kiteboarding Ambassador
Hey riders! I'm from Perpignan (66000), I'm 1.72 m tall and my weight varies between 83 and 90 kg.
I discovered kiteboarding in 2009 at my uncle's shop and school, where I worked as a "kite caddy" and salesperson (the school/shop is now closed).
At the same time, I started STAPS (Sports Science). I juggled a student job in a ski/snowboard shop and a position as an assistant instructor/kite salesperson during school holidays. This allowed me to practice intensively and test a lot of different gear and brands.
In 2012, I discovered wakeboard and immediately got hooked. In 2014, I put kiteboarding aside to focus solely on wakeboard. In 2016-2017, I fractured my femur on an air trick. Big operation and rehabilitation: a year without riding.
After this accident and some complicated attempts at wakeboard, I decided to return to my first passion: kiteboarding. Since then, I've been living this passion to the fullest!
I've developed quite a few tricks in my quiver. I ride with the ambition to progress as much as possible, with my two left hands and (probably) some psychomotor issues!
In 2022, I created a Facebook group: SLK (Saint Laurent Kitesurf Crew). It brings together riders from an on-shore spot exposed to the tramontane wind. The goal: protect the spot from closure threats, raise awareness, keep the water safe, and bring together a real local community.
If you come to ride there, whether occasionally or regularly, you are welcome!
Right now, I only ride kite. My style is a mix of wakestyle, freestyle new school and old school. When I've had my fill of jumps, I often finish with strapless surf to end the session peacefully.
I love shallow water spots: it allows you to get back on the board quickly, and believe me, you have to take a lot of crashes to progress in wakestyle!
Kiteboarding brings me a lot of things: sometimes arguments with my wife when I tell her I'm leaving for three hours and come back five hours later. Other times, it's still arguments because it's dark, and she thinks I'm dead, when in reality I'm probably sharing a drink with friends under my poncho.
There's also anger, when the wind is rotten and I end up at the other end of the spot. And at the same time, with each session, that mix of excitement and apprehension that tightens my stomach as I head to the water.
Kiteboarding is an outlet when things aren't going well, an indescribable joy when tricks land and conditions are perfect. It's also those weird moments where I catch myself singing really bad songs in the middle of a ride. And above all, it's incredible encounters and a real community.
Kites: Duotone Dice SLS 8 m / 10 m / 12 m, Duotone Dice 8 m, Duotone Vegas 6 m / 9 m / 12 m, Duotone Neo 5 m (my wife's)
Boards: Duotone Team Series 139 × 41, Duotone Gambler 139 × 42, Duotone Whip D/LAB SLS 5’1
