A wild trip for kite surfers

It will be a huge challenge, the biggest he has ever experienced. However, Jean-Arnal Leopold, nicknamed Lolotte, has a smile on his face. It must be said that he has several assets, but his experience and his love for kitesurfing are his most precious. On October 3, he plans to complete the 170 km Mauritius-Réunion crossing with a kite and try to break the record set by Sébastien Coupy in 2010. In any case, Lolotte has nothing to be afraid of!

For years, he was known by this nickname: Lolotte. “The name came from an old drunkard who lived in Rodrigues. When I was very young, the club where I started kitesurfing took me camping. At night, while the adults were drinking, I fell asleep listening to their voices. Later, they woke me up by calling me Lolotte, and the nickname has stuck since then.” He became an outstanding champion and gave new life to this special name.

He has loved the ocean since he was eight years old, first taking up windsurfing. “I live in Moruk Beach, Rodrigues Island, and I have always had a close connection with the sea.” A year after he started taming the waves, he tried kitesurfing and it was love at first sight. He hasn’t left the board since then.

He no longer counts competitions; he does so much. A perfectionist and a determined man, he never lets himself be distracted. Thus, he won the title of kitesurfing champion in Mauritius and Rodrigues. Reunion, Madagascar and Seychelles made him the African champion. “Kites allow me to express myself fully. There’s the feeling of speed on the board, but also the thrill of freestyle. I can try all kinds of tricks and even invent some of them. Thanks to kites, I, as an enthusiast, can enjoy the sea, face nature, enjoy the wind, sun and waves.” He shared the whole plan with the thrill seekers who came to the Rodriguez Kite Club. “I have a team of seven coaches working with me. So, my passion is also my livelihood.”

Today, a completely different adventure awaits him. In fact, he plans to travel from Le Morne to Sainte-Rose on Reunion Island on October 3rd. “This is more than just a trip for me; there’s a story behind this.” He hopes to raise awareness around the world about protecting the oceans, their inhabitants and corals. “I’m also thinking about entering the Guinness World Records, which would be the best competition of my career. I have this desire and want to go higher. I also hope that with this crossing I can promote this discipline, especially among young people, and keep them away from the evils that only hurt them. It’s a difficult thing to be a good kitesurfer.”

His preparations are going well. You know, he has been thinking about making such a crossing since 2017. “I’ve been training ever since to make this dream come true.” At first, he is alone, but eventually he has a united team around him, ready to do whatever it takes to help him. “As for food, I follow the experts in the Côte d’Or. I train every day in Rodrigues, especially because we have a big lagoon. In Mauritius he can count on the support of Christopher Corneille, also a keen kitesurfer who has already made two boat trips across the Sister Islands. “He knew what to do, especially because he had sailing experience. We sailed together on the high seas.” However, this journey requires nerves of steel. “For 170 kilometres I will be alone on a surfboard at a depth of 300 metres.”

He could also count on the support of Johan Balloo, a Réunion Islander who is also part of the discreet team behind Jean Anaël Leopold. “This unique adventure aims not only to push sporting boundaries but also to promote the stunning landscapes and culture of both islands. Although each island has developed a distinct national identity, cultural, linguistic and commercial exchanges have always been intense due to geography and shared history. The idea is to highlight these two island gems in the heart of the Indian Ocean.”, explains John Ballou.

The experience also aims to encourage young people to participate in physical activities and explore water sports. “Our NGO, Coral Garden Conservation, led by this year’s Blue Economy Ministry runner-up Gilbert Ricot, will donate a large sum of money for coral restoration. The NGO benefits from support from abroad, such as the US Embassy and the Japanese Embassy. I am proud to take this project to another level.” Regardless, on October 3, all eyes will be on young Rodriguez.