Ocean Sports FZE are pleased to welcome on board four new athletes that will act as brand ambassadors and represent us primarily in the sport of kitesurfing: Fabio Tomi, Alessandro de Rubertis, Gerasimos Pavlidis and Luca Savastano will complement Jen Scully-Yates and Guy Welchman who currently represent us in the United Arab Emirates for Stand-Up Paddling (SUP).
Luca Savastano: “The best expectation a sports person can fulfill, being a brand ambassador and hence committed to its team is looking back at the time spent along and feeling that the day is not enough, craving for the next to come and making sport and passion become one.”
We are extremely lucky to have such a versatile team that bring some great experience, masses of enthusiasm and an air of fun that surrounds them during each session. All of our athletes are competent kiters with a number of achievements to their names and not only in kitesurfing. All of them are familiar faces in the UAE kite scene. Each one of them shows great passion towards the sport of kitesurfing, has amazing commitment and shares a common belief in the products they use to attain the highest level of performance.
We have set out a few goals that we want to attain as a team:
- Promote the sport of kitesurfing in a positive light and be courteous at all times: Kitesurfing can be dangerous for both the rider and others around if the basic rules are not followed. The sport is accessible to anyone from around 12 years old and if taught correctly, then generally the risk is quite low. The beaches in the UAE are incredibly busy and the level of curiosity amongst beachgoers can be quite high. Beachgoers do not always consider the risks or dangers that we as kitesurfers already know. It is the responsibility of all kiters to take the utmost care at all times and not be afraid to point out to others involved in the sport, in a polite manner if they are doing things that may endanger themselves or others. This is vitally important for the longevity of the sport in the UAE
- Create awareness and showcase the quality brands that we use: You need to ensure that you have quality and reliable equipment when you are out on the water. All of the brands the team uses are premium grade and the quality and durability is up there with the best. We are confident that anyone using this equipment will be satisfied and our team can prove that the equipment can be pushed to the limit. When you watch them, you can see what results can be achieved
Alessandro de Rubertis: “I would like that people understand that the Ocean Sports Team is led by a strong passion, not only for kitesurfing but also for SUP and for surfing.”
- Be approachable: All of the team are totally approachable and will happily answer questions not only about products, but advise on kiting in general. With such a wealth of knowledge and experience between them, we are sure that after you have spoken with them you will come away having learned something new
- Share the stoke: If you don’t enjoy what you do then you can’t do it well. We guarantee that when these guys are on the water, they are loving what they are doing! We all need to make sure that we have a good vibe on the beaches here in the UAE and ultimately look out for each other and those around us.
Of course, wind is the most important element in our sport and as the UAE conditions are generally at the lower end of the scale, wind chasing is sometimes necessary. Make sure you check out the wind charts and if you want guaranteed time on the water, don’t be afraid to get in the car and drive. All of the team like to follow the wind and you will regularly find them on Kite Beach or Ness Nass in Dubai, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi or maybe in some more remote locations to the north or south of these Emirates. Another favourite spot is in Oman. Oman offers great conditions during the season (April – August) where you can enjoy stronger winds and great surf. Although it is quite a drive, a long weekend is easily doable and well worth it as you are generally rewarded with lots of time on the water.
Fabio Tomi: If you could kitesurf anywhere, where would
it be and why? “Le Morne, Mauritius. It is the perfect playground.”
With the prospect of more competitions in the region in the very near future, all of the team will have their eyes set on being top of the pile. Everyone will be training hard over the coming months and taking every opportunity to get out on the water. The commitment that goes into perfecting each trick is phenomenal and the entire team is constantly pushing each other to achieve better results. It is great to see the standard of kitesurfing in the UAE reaching such a high level.
If you are interested to learn, or for information on products or anything related to kitesurfing, please contact Leigh on 055-935-2735 or send an email to enquiries@kitesurfsup.com
Always ensure that you use a qualified and licensed kite instructor if you are taking kitesurfing lessons.
Ocean Sports FZE are the sole distributor for Naish International, Prolimit, Camrig and Bomber Floating Sunglasses for the Middle East.
Words By: Leigh Pothecary
Photos By: Supplied
On the Cover: Gerasimos Pavlidis – “After a two-year break, I am going back to the brand that I loved, this only proves my satisfaction and excitement of what I missed! “
