Edition #55 | Free distribution
FAIR
WIND
Brazil emerges as one of the great destinations in the world for the practice of kitesurf, a sport that is an international fever
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COVER
GOOD WINDS ON
Mohamed Ahsan
THE COAST! The Maldives islands, with clear and transparent sea, in the Pacific Ocean, are also a paradise for kitesurfers, a nautical sport that attracts more and more fans around the world 20
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It grows internationally between men and women the interest for kitesurf, nautical sport that will also debut in the next Olympics. And Brazil, with its fantastic coast, attracts people from all over the world in search of good winds and unique landscapes, besides being the homeland of world champions!
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Sveltana Romantsova
COVER
The sport has changed the life of Brazilian Carlos Mário Monteiro da Silva, also known as Bebê, who has won three world championships. Here he sails in Turkey
T
he winds blow in favor of
titioners and mainly by foreigners
tion and its exuberant coastline,
kitesurf, which will make its
- many already buy even houses in
Brazil is also considered a promis-
debut at the Tokyo Olym-
the region. Besides, the sport boosts
ing barn for kitesurfers: our athletes
pics in 2020. The sport, which al-
tourism by creating new income
have been shining on the podium of
lows high speeds with little wind,
formulas for athletes, who combine
world championships. These factors
while still guaranteeing radical
their passion for sailing with vaca-
drive lodging facilities and special-
maneuvers, grows worldwide. And
tions or business, as well as for lo-
ized travel agencies, who are betting
the Brazilian coast, especially the
cal communities that benefit from
on the growing demand of people
Northeast, is today one of the places
more visitors and greater publicity.
who want to live unique experienc-
most sought after by national prac-
In addition to its geographic loca-
es with nature. “The sport was the
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tinations from the South to the
lifestyle news for this niche mar-
Northeast of the country. “The
ket, which offers kitetrips to des-
foundation of our business is to
Mohamed Ahsan
even been a content portal with
real driving force for the tourist development of Barra Grande, and to this day it is the scene of big events in the segment,” says Ariosto Ibiapina, owner of the BGK inn in Barra Grande, located in the municipality of Cajueiro of Praia, 400 km from Teresina, in Piauí. Faced with increased interest in the practice of sports, there has
The Dutchman Youri Zoon, twice world champion, in lha kulhudhuffushi, Kaafu, an atoll of the Maldives
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COVER
SUCESS STORIES
generate content with the aim of
Louro. For those who want to learn
better informing all those inter-
the sport, consulting also creates
To «fly on water,» athletes wear
ested in the kite world, as well
custom packages, taking into ac-
a plank on their feet and a kite at-
as offering trips to improve the
count factors such as traveler pro-
tached to the waist. They are driv-
techniques of the kite,” says local
file, investment and the period of
en by the wind and must create
director Kiteboarding (LKB) Ivan
the script.
impulses with the body itself to
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perform jumps. Because it is considered a safe sport, today it is practiced by children, women and even more mature people. In fact, this structure that resembles a kite has long been used
Fotos Svetlana Romantsova
as a tool for traction in carts, trans-
At age 31, Bruna Kajiya collects three world titles and five in Brazil
port boats and skis until it becomes
Caucaia, Ceará. At 20, he is three-
a tool for a radical sport. Kite surf-
time world champion. “I started rid-
ing started in France in the 1980s,
ing kite nine years ago, encouraged
where two brothers created an in-
by my uncle, brother and cousins.
flatable structure that made it eas-
Today, sport is everything in my
ier to raise the water kite. But suc-
life. I traveled the world, I met many
cess was only achieved ten years
languages and incredible people.
later, when windsurfers found that
And with this work, I was able to
the kite was speeding, even with lit-
buy my transportation and, thank
tle wind.
God, to fulfill my mother’s dream,
In Brazil, the sport officially
which was also my dream: to build
landed in the year 2000, when the
our own house, “he says. For Bebê,
first World Circuit was held with
the sport is turning into a fever all
a stage in Barra da Tijuca, in Rio
over the world. “Once you get a kite
de Janeiro. The following year, the
to ride and learn to jump, you can
Brazilian Kitesurf Association (ABK)
not stop,” he adds. In Brazil, the fa-
was created, which is linked to the
vorite places for the champion are
Brazilian Sailing and Motor Con-
Lagoa do Cauípe, his native land,
federation. It was the start for the
Taíba (municipality of São Gonçalo
growth of interest here and many
do Amarante), Jericoacoara, both in
Brazilians, from there, changed
Ceará, and Barra Grande, in Piauí.
their lives. The Brazilian Bruna Kajiya likes Tarifa, in the south of Spain, to practice kitesurfing
Women also stand out in the
This is the case of Carlos Mario
sport, as Bruna Kajiya, who, at age
Monteiro da Silva, better known as
31, is three-time world champion
Bebê, born in Lagoa do Cauípe, in
and five-time Brazilian champion.
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Dave Mody
COVER
Born in Barcelona, Rita Arnaus, 23, says that Brazil is one of the best countries to sail. She loves the coast of Ceará
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Mohamed Ahsan
Youri Zoon at the Four Seasons Resort Maldives, in Kuda Huraa, in the Maldives
She was born in Vinhedo, in the
surfing because of the constant
meters, practically on windsurfers,
interior of São Paulo, but grew up
trade winds and warm weather
I knew this would be a sport that I
in São Sebastião and started prac-
conditions that help in training.”
would love.” However, he says, the
ticing the sport in Ilhabela, on the
Turkey, Russia and Spain are also
beginning was not easy. “I was very
north coast, at the age of 15, sort of
on his list of preferences. Sailing
scared of the power of the kite, but
by chance. “The kite is a sport that
from the age of 13, he says that kite
it was probably the most exciting
makes us fall in love with by mak-
surfing made him feel what he had
thing because the sport challenged
ing us flying, jumping, carrying us.
never experienced before in other
me.”
It is a kind of meditation, good for
sports. “It’s an incredible adrena-
For Borsuk, there are unique
the body and for the mind, “says
line rush.” For those who are start-
places in the world, such as the
Bruna. The athlete also says that
ing, he advises, “Do not give up. You
state of Ceará, a region very close
here is the best place in the world
do not know how close you are.”
to Ecuador, with winds and warm
for kitesurfing. “I love the North-
That’s the champion’s tip.
water. “This is one of those magical
east, the region from Cumbuco to
And, speaking of champions,
places that should be visited by a
Jericoacoara, in Ceará, and also the
Victor Borsuk, at age 29 already
kitesurfer,” he advises. The athlete,
coast of Piauí. Brazil is incredible.”
collects seven titles across Poland.
who has traveled the world because
Abroad, she enjoys sailing in Tar-
He was born in Stockholm, Swe-
of the sport, says that he spends the
ifa, southern Spain, Los Roques in
den, but at the age of 6 went with
summer in Poland and also com-
Venezuela, and New Caledonia in
his family to spend a holiday on
bines it with business. “I created a
Oceania.
the Hel Peninsula, a Polish mili-
training camp and I also organize
tary area, to learn how to swim. He
kite trips around the world.”
LOVE BRAZIL
started with windsurfing, one of his
Brazil is also one of the favor-
But, Brazil is not only praised
father’s interests. “Windsurfing has
ite countries of Spanish athlete
by local athletes. Dutch 28-year-
allowed me to understand how to
Rita Arnaus, 23. Born in Barcelona,
old Youri Zoon, who grew up by the
handle strong winds and how not
Spain, in a family that loves water
sea in the southwest of the Nether-
to panic in deep waters,” he says,
sports (her parents are champions
lands, has a house in Uruau, Ceará.
adding that the first experiences
of windsurfing), she is a two-time
“I think Brazil is one of the world’s
with kitesurfing began around age
champion in her country, and like
number one destinations for kite-
12. “When I jumped from 6 to 8
everyone else, she is passionate
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COVER
A DEMOCRATIC SPORT
Darek Orlicz
Kitesurfing can be practiced by everyone, but the basic requirement for any beginner is to know how to swim. European champion Victor Borsuk says he needs to be over 8 years old, weigh over 35 kg and be adventurous. He emphasizes being important the presence of a professional instructor. “We start with a little kite on the beach, then the instructor puts us under a bigger inflatable kite and then the real adventure begins with the body.” Of course, everything will depend on the aptitude and dedication of each one, but most of the time the student usually sails (in a basic way) between three and five days of classes. For those who already have some familiarity with nautical board sports, such as surfing and windsurfing, learning can be even faster. Practitioners also point out that one of the initial goals is to make the first Downwind (for example, to leave a beach and sail in the wind to another). According to them, the sensation you have and the landscape seen from within the sea are incredible. There are several ways to practice this sport, always with a lot of fun in the water. The best known are the Kitewave (maneuvering or using the waves as a ramp to make the jump); the Race (races performed on the high seas with a specific board and that offers a lot of speed); Freeride, where you just sail and feel the wind (it is the most practiced) and Freestyle, which requires more radical maneuvers and jumps. Besides keeping the body healthy and in shape by spending too much energy, kitesurfing, say athletes, is an excellent therapy for the mind, which benefits from lush landscapes and total contact with nature. Those who follow the wind trail will hardly want to stop so soon!
European Victor Borsuk practices the sport in the Red Sea
about the sport and the coast of Ceará. “I’ve been sailing through Cumbuco, Uruau, Taiba, Paracuru, Ilha do Guajiru, Jericoacoara ... all these places are so beautiful!
Victor Borsuk sails at Chalupy Plaza, in Poland, where he has won seven champion titles
Around the world, Rita highlights other paradises, such as Los Roques in Venezuela, Dakhla in Morocco, and Cabarete in the Dominican Republic. For her, there are many benefits on this sport. “The kite is energy, vitality, happiness, my escape. She keeps viding me with good times with family and friends. It changed my life from day one.” Get Inspired!
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Wielka Wycieczka
me physically and mentally balanced, as well as pro-
Junior Braz / Shutterstock.com
BEST PLACES TO PRACTICE THE SPORT
The beach of Cumbuco, 30 km from Fortaleza, is one of the favorite places on the coast of Ceará to practice all types of kitesurfing
I
t is not by chance that the Bra-
reference, even among foreign ath-
ATINS (MA) - Located in the munici-
zilian Northeast was elected
letes are already buying land and
pality of Barreirinhas, it is one of the
the paradise of kitesurfing. The
other properties in the region.
gateways to the Lençóis Maranhens-
region offers the best wind peaks
CUMBUCO (CE) - The beach, known
es, another place of great natural
in the country practically all year
for its dunes, is the great point of
beauty. It is a fishing village (almost
round and has a strategic geo-
the sport for constant winds and
secret), of streets of sand and few
graphic position. In other states of
easy access (it is only 30 km from
houses or inns with electric light. It
the country, you can practice the
Fortaleza). The best freestyle ath-
is gaining much prominence in the
sport in Araruama (RJ), Praia de Ibi-
letes (most radical modality, with
sport scene, mainly abroad. Limited
raquera (SC) and Ilhabela (SP). In
jumps and maneuvers) usually
access is by boat or 4x4 vehicle.
the world circuit, the most coveted
train a lot there. Highlights for the
SÃO MIGUEL DO GOSTOSO (RN)
destinations are: Tarifa, in Spain;
Lagoa do Cauípe and Taíba.
- This little paradise 108 km away
Melbourne, Australia; Maui, Ha-
PREÁ (CE) - The place is close to Jer-
from Natal, besides being beautiful,
waii; Cape Verde, South Africa; La
icoacoara, one of the most beautiful
is one of the places with the lon-
Ventana, in the United States, and
beaches in the world. It has great
gest wind in Brazil. The village has
the island of Aruba in the Caribbe-
winds and infrastructure to receive
structure, relatively simple access
an. Here in Brazil, know some of the
tourists and sportsmen. Access also
and a very pleasant climate.
places that are always on the agen-
got easier with flights to Jeri.
OSORIO (RS) - Considered the cap-
da of athletes and are also perfect
ICARAÍ DE AMONTADA (CE) - A
ital of the Rio Grande do Sul winds,
for sunbathing, beautiful beaches
place widely frequented by Eu-
the city, with many lakes and
and delicious sea baths.
ropeans, among them those who
mountains, is perfect for practicing
BARRA GRANDE (PI) - With differ-
love wind sports. It is affectionate-
sports. There is kiteboarding school
ent tidal conditions and great winds,
ly called Icaraizinho and is 200 km
and a farm where a flooded rice
there the natural “fan” is always
from Fortaleza. Perfect destination
plantation has turned into a swim-
on. It is national and international
for kitesurfing.
ming pool for sailing.
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