Interview : Daphnée Laliberté


Name : Daphnée Laliberté
Age : 23
Current Residence : Cabarete (Dominican Republic)
Favorite Kite Spots : Magdalen Islands (Canada), Cabarete (D.R.) and lots of others to discover!!
Sponsors : AAER systems, TAKOON Kiteboarding, SOÖRUZ wear, ZEAL optics

You're a Canadian living in Cabarete.  How did you get into kiteboarding and when did you move to Cabarete?
I first started kiting on snow in Canada around december 2001.
During my break year in University I decided to work and then go to a warm country to learn how to kite on the water.
I ended up in Cabarete (D.R.) for two months

After my vacation, I was supposed to go back in Quebec to get back to my summer job (sailing instructor), but since I was into kiteboarding, I wasn't really interested in going back, but ran out of money.

I decided to quit my job and to follow the IKO Instructor course to be able to make some money and stay in Cabarete over the summer.

Since then, I have been working as a kite instructor at Kite Park Cabarete.

How long have you been competing and can tell me of your achievements so far.
My first competition was in june 2002 (PKRA Cabarete), but I was only kiting for 4 months so I did not finish that well... but still it was a great experience.
Up to now, my best results are:
5th PKRA, Cabarete, 2004 (Dominican Republic)
3rd Best Tricks KPWT, Sables d'Olonne, 2004 (France)
3rd Grand Prix Petit Navire, Douarnenez, 2004 (France)
7th PKRA, Cabarete, 2003 (Dominican Republic)
1st ex-aqueo Best Trick KPWT, Cap d'Agde, 2003 (France)
3rd Grand Prix Petit Navire, Douarnenez, 2003 (France)

Which competition did you enjoy the most? and why?
I really like the PKRA competitions in general because it's for me the "real" World Cups. It's on this tour that you have the highest level of competition. There's so much motivation because on each competition, there is always someone new, or someone doing something new.

Tell me about your most favourite kite move...
I don't land all of them them smoothly yet... but I really like; 360, S-Bend to Blind, Railey Handle-Pass.
I hope to land them soon!

What move are you working on at the moment?
Handle-Pass
And I'm also often working on the landing of the tricks I already passed... to be able to land them more often

Which products of your sponsors do you use most?
From TAKOON: The Wook 6m and 7,5m and my really small and perfect Waist Harness
From ZEAL OPTICS: The Rush and Radiate sunglasses
From SOÖRUZ: My Pink Trucker Cap and my 5/3 Wetsuit
From AAER: Their company car (Smart)

Tell us about the picture of you beneath the plane
This picture was so fun to shoot. It was in St-Marteen. I think this take off track is quite crazy - it's so close to the road and the people can windsurf on a 3,5m windsurf sail for about 30 seconds after the plane passes over. So imagine those you are standing on the beach how sand blast the can get.
You can't kite there as it's too close to the airport, and dangerous as there is always an airplane landing or taking off.
We were there waiting for the bigest plane to arrive late afternoon and when Manu saw it coming, he told me, "Ok Daph, get ready in position". I couldn't look behind me as it was our only chance to get the picture.

Article Comments: (Add Comments)

Hi Daphnee,

Hi ,it`s Murray here from El Yaque...when you have some time i would like to pass some questions by you about the 2008 furia equipment.Hope you are well and i love your articles...good luck with everything...Windy Hugs...Murray x

murray