Jean de FALBAIRE #Kitefoil

Jean started kitesurfing at the age of 9. Over the years, he competed in a series of local sports competitions and, at the age of 16, participated in the junior world championship. Initially specializing in freestyle, Jean quickly started racing, eventually discovering the kitefoil: an exciting and challenging experience, involving new equipment and procuring a new sensation of speed.

“I have always loved kiteboarding! I spent all my childhood and teenage years on the water practicing this activity, so it was obvious for me to go as far as possible in this discipline.”

Three times African champion, gold medallist at the 2019 Indian Ocean Island Games and currently ranked in the world’s top 20 kitefoilers, Jean's track record impresses and inspires. He is a role model for young Mauritians looking to dedicate their life to this sport. A true ambassador of his island, he is proud to introduce Mauritius to kitesurfers from the world over, during his multiple competitions.

Jean’s sporting feats are not about to end! He is currently in the running for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He trains with his sailing club in Pointe d'Esny on a daily basis, as well as in Perth, Australia, where the training conditions are also adequate. When winter comes in the southern hemisphere, he heads to Hyères in Europe, where he likes to spend his summer training alongside the best French and international kitefoilers.

Having grown up in the lagoon of Pointe d'Esny, Jean holds the protection of the ocean at heart. When the Wakashio oil spill occurred, he was particularly touched when seeing his lagoon turn into a huge oil slick. He spent 6 months cleaning up this environmental disaster, reminding everyone of the importance of protecting our beautiful lagoon.