Back to the Malibu Wave Contest 2019. The contest – which is one of the biggest kitesurfing contests in the world – took place on Ganh-Vietnam beaches in January 2019. During that event, Tsiory Panoël Razafindrasata achieved an honorable performance, making it to the semi-finals.

How did it all start?

It all started in 2013 when I was on vacation in Diego. When I visited the “Baie de Sakalava” and first played kitesurf, I immediately told myself, "I will go deeper into this sport." From there, I started getting to know more about kitesurfing at a Kitesurf school in Diego. At the same time, I started initiating my friends to this sport even though I was not qualified yet. In 2017, I decided to pursue a world kitesurfing instructor training in Mauritius. That allowed me to travel to many countries, such as Vietnam, Hong Kong, Malaysia and to other kitesurfing spots.

Why kitesurfing?

My passion for kitesurfing has always been strong, but I have also realized that it promotes both myself and my country, as it attracts a lot of tourists. In fact, Madagascar has one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world, the Baie de Sakalava.

Has kitesurfing changed your life?

Yes, it has. My dream has always been to travel and to experience many other cultures and traditions. I fulfilled what I desired by kitesurfing then. I have also started to develop myself by growing my network around the world. Being associated with good management and leadership skills, kitesurfing is a rewarding career.

What makes kitesurfing so special?

The word “kitesurfing” itself suggests that the used equipment has two main parts. First, the kite— which serves as a sail— is blown by the wind so that users can float smoothly on the water with a side-on wind bringing them to a three-meter wave on the reef. The second tool is the board which consists of a foot step. All kinds of board are suitable for kitesurfing. Kitesurfing also contributes to the satisfaction of all the tourism related fields in Diego Suarez, such as hospitality, transportation, fishing.

How would you rate kitesurf in Madagascar?

It is true that Madagascar is still a developing country, but in terms of kitesurfing, it ranks as one of the richest and 100-percent qualified spots for kiteboarding in the world. The entire world acknowledges the natural beauty of Madagascar and its long winding seasons— which really favors kitesurfing.

How is the next championship coming along?

Back in 2019, we already participated in the Malibu Kite Wave Contest, and we have already reached the preliminary round. In 2020, we participated again in the fourth edition of this competition, and we performed even better. We are looking forward to seeing Madagascar being represented once again at the 2024 Olympic Games in France.