Pablo: Tell us about you, how did you start in this sport?
Marilou: I always wanted to compete, even when I was wakeboarding and snowboarding, but I was sort of to ‘shy’ for it. Now, a bit older, I finished everything I wanted (University and I even had a bit of carrier experience) I have no more reason not to try it! I first started kiting in Quebec (French part of Canada) 5 years ago. Then, move from place to place, in search of wind. I even stop in St Pere Pescador to teach with K3 and really liked it (I Love the Spanish vibe!). Since 2 years now, I’m more dedicated to the sport and my personal goals. Every year there is some progress, new sponsors, stuff that I learn. It’s a different way of leaving life. It’s leaving every day ‘for’ and ‘from’ your passion. It’s worth any difficulties! I try to appreciate every moment of it.
Marilou:Few close friends who believed in me encouraged me a lot but I have to say that the encouragement mostly came from my past two boyfriends. I was very lucky to be pushed one in this direction, and my most recent companion really helped me to learn some techniques and more advanced tricks.
Pablo: Which riders did you admire and influence on your style when you were beginning on Kiteboarding?
Marilou: I was looking at Daphnée Laliberté, who was the first girl in Canada going for the PKRA and getting known on an international level. She really made me dream about all this. Then later on Bruna Kajiya and Karolina who I still admire for there style on the water.
Pablo: Tell me about competition. Which is the next one? are you competing right now? And what do you expect from yourself?
Marilou: Competing is a very personal goal. It stress me like ‘hell’ and I’m not kidding. I don’t know why I’m so determine on doing it. It just feels like I need to try it. I want to go over this fear and be able to perform as good as when I’m riding for myself! You really need to be strong mentally to do it and that’s another element I want to develop. I don’t think I’m the best but I need to prove to myself that I can compete and get a really good level. I haven’t really pushed myself to reach my limits and this is what I want to do this year (then I will be happy!). Sounds crazy? Maybe. It’s just real passion mixed with determination.
This year, Core Kiteboarding invited me again to the PKRA in Germany, as it’s the brand home country. It will be a real pleasure to take part in this event. It is also a pretty big one with lots of activities and riders, so it will be fun and a good experience.
Photo: Ann Poelman
Pablo: Tell me something special about your style when you go on the board.
Marilou: I don’t know. Supposedly I go hard and aggressive. This is what I get told. I know I’m normally not afraid to crash, so I just try!
Pablo: Which are your favourite kites sizes normally you take with you in your car?
Marilou: 5-7-9 but 7 is definitely my favourite one. That’s the cool thing about riding Delta kites like Core. I don’t need to have a big kite anymore; they generate enough power that I can always go out smaller sizes.
Pablo: And how many boards, and measures?
Marilou:I’m getting my new board very soon and I’m super excited. Each board is custom for the rider. This year, I’m going to use a Tantrum 100% carbon –ultra light- Carved board (130x41). This board is made especially for pure freestyle! We also go surfing, strapless, with Carved wave board and they are just ammmmazing! Check it out at www.carved.de
Photo: Ann Poelman
Pablo: In your opinion, C´s, hybrids or bows?
Marilou: This is what is great now! With the new technology, you can ride a Delta (like the new XR from Core) and still have the feeling of a C-kite (with is light bar pressure), except you’ve got no fifth line on the way, way more depower and really fast water relaunch. I can crash as hard as I want, I know I’m going to be back on my board in a second. I like it for freestyle as much as in the waves. So yep, i’m definitely up for Delta and if you ask for my favourite, then no hesitation Riot XR!
Pablo: How was 2009 for you?
Marilou: Well… I’m happy about it, but I was expecting a little bit more. I was hoping to compete more. But, on the other hand, I had a wonderful year with a lot of travel and unexpected coverage (numerous pictures in magazines and a beautiful video from Core) that make me really happy. There is also a series of short movie coming out in 2010 from Core. I just saw the first one this morning; The Core Diaries-page one. It does look good! Things like that make me smile for sure!
Marilou: Like I said, it will depend on how big is my budget, but I will certainly be present in a few PKRA events. For now on, I’m leaving Canada in few days to spent 3 months in Venezuela and then back to Europe or Egypt maybe. So if you know anyone who is up to help me in my 2010 travels (European market is larger than ours)…. It will certainly make me to go bigger and harder! Hihi
Pablo: hahaha, and your best year...
Marilou: Why not making 2010 the best one!
Pablo: Which is your favourite beach-spot?
Marilou: I did have an awesome time once in Tarifa. I was leaving out of the city, in a little farm and the kiting spot was just really nice, with lots of space (something I was not expecting over there). Cool little restaurant for breakfast (my favourite meal of the day!) and great nightlife. There are also nice beaches in Australia, like in Mackay on the east side.
Photo: Ann Poelman
Pablo: Tell me about your travels. Which one of all is the one you prefer?
Marilou: I enjoyed going with the whole Core crew team in the Indian Ocean for the filming of the movie in 09. It was a very special experience… As well, few years ago I had the chance to discover the very unique culture of Papua New-Guinea. No need to say that almost all the spots are ‘secret’ over there as it’s a very unknown destination. I would love to go there again and explore even more.
Pablo: Describe a perfect day for you.
Marilou: I love when I start the day with good spirit, positive and happy thoughts. It’s my motor. Then I can go and do everything I want with a good vibe around it. Plus, I need to move, being outside or doing some sport! Landing a new trick for the first time while kiting, is always an amazing feeling. Sharing all that with your friends, laughing and enjoying the night around them is also precious!
Marilou: I don’t like to wait for the wind. I’m not patient enough. I know its part of the game, but I still can’t get use to it! I’d rather do another activity than waiting. I like to be in the action.
Pablo: Which has been your worst moment in your sportive career?
Marilou: Getting my knee injured, really scared me. Not because of the pain but because of the impact it could have on my road. It just makes you realize how important your body and your health are. You need to take care of them especially with kitesurfing a lot like this. I am sort of suspicious a bit, I don’t like to talk about those things, so I will just think positive and hope to keep all this good for 2010-2011!
Pablo: Besides Kiteboarding, which other things you do?
Marilou: When I’m not on the water there still a lot of things related to kiting (editing videos-photos, contacting magazines etc.). I’m still searching for another supporter for 2010-2011. But to relax, I really enjoy dancing and practicing Yoga. Anything that involves discovering, exploring, learning; I’m on it! I haven’t too much time with my friends and family as I’m always away from home. But I enjoy my time with people from all around the world!
Pablo: How do you see the Kiteboarding in your country?
Marilou: I’m happy it’s getting more and more popular, but we are still a bit behind compare to Europe. We do have a lot of potential in terms of riders and amazing spots. We just need the industry to grow a bit more. The sport really keep is natural and pure origins in Canada. It is easy to ride with only few friends on a flat water spot like Magdalen Island, Shippagan or enjoy some rails in the winter at KiteProject in Montreal.
Marilou: You are also having amazing riders and spots, well renowned around the world, but the difference is (I think) you help them grow! A lot of people are into Kiting or in the kite industry, which makes things move faster and bigger!
Pablo: What do you do during the winter, between seasons?
Marilou: It’s been two years that I go back home to celebrate Christmas with my family and work during a month or two. Then, I spent the rest of the time in a warm place. But otherwise, the last 5 years has been very different from each other. I always live in different country so I don’t necessarily see the seasons. Sometimes I miss the Canadian winter. But this year, I spent more time then normally in Canada, and I haven’t got the chance to snowkite much (the weather is just to extreme for me, at -30 I don’t feel like going outside for more than 20 min!) But don’t get me wrong, It can be really good here, you just need to be patient (and like I said…I’m not so good at this!)
Marilou: Well as you probably know, I’m riding for Core kites and carved board. I’m extremely happy with the material I get every year. It helps me to perform. I don’t worry anymore about ‘repairing’ my kites as they are just super solid!! Plus, the spirit in the team is really good. Over all I’m very happy with them. We do a lot of photo shooting and videos. My big surprise for 2010 is that I just signed with Rip Curl in Canada! I’m getting a whole new wardrobe, with lots of cool stuff, wetsuits, watches, dress etc. Can’t wait to wear it! That’s every girls dream! Not to forget that after my knee injury, I had the support of CTI in Canada, who gave me this custom brace. Without this brace, I would never have the confidence I have at the moment. Thanks to all of them: You give me wings!
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