Les riders

The 2008 Mondial du Vent gathers the first french leg of the PKRA World Tour, kitesurfing world championship, with the best riders on stage in Leucate La Franqui. In order to discover them, here is a little introduction of these great champions.
Gisela Pulido
Gisela Pulido - 14 years old
Residence: Tarifa
Achievements: 2008 : Leads the PKRA World Tour
2007 : PKRA World Champion
KPWT 3 times World Champion (2006-2005-2004)
Sponsors: Movistar, Red Bull, Volkswagen, Adecco, Slingshot, Dakine, Shapes, Rip Curl

From Barcelona, Gisela Pulido is probably the youngest world champion in the history of sport. She was 14 years old when she became PKRA World champion after having collected three titles in the KPWT Tour. This god gifted girl started to fly a kite when she was 6 years old, with her father kite rider himself. With a strong mind to compete, her nickname is Gigi, she will pretend to a new victory in the Mondial du vent 2008.
Aaron Hadlow

Aaron Hadlow – 19 years old
Residence: England / USA
Achievements: 2008 : Leads the PKRA World Tour
PKRA 4 times World Champion (2007-2006-2005-2004)
Sponsors: Flexifoil, Red Bull,The Chiemsee Vision, Lost Cause Boards, Prolimit

The young British started Kitesurfing at 12 years old. One year later, Aaron starts competing in England first. In 2003 he starts competing in the PKRA Pro tour. He ranks 6th overall. After 4 consecutives World Champion titles, Aaron is the PKRA leader and wishes to keep his dominance in the French event.


Sébastien GaratSébastien Garat – 24 years old
Residence: Montpellier (France)
Achievements: 2007 : KPWT overall World Champion
2007 : KPWT Freestyle World Champion
2006 : KPWT World Champion
2006 : France Freestyle runner-up
Sponsors: Axel Air, RRD, Mystic, Cool Tracks

He arrived in Montpellier 11 years ago, Sebastien started Kitesurfing 5 years ago and since got better and better. This year his wish is to confirm his World Champion titles in 2006 and 2007. With a powerful and aggressive style, Sebastien is a big challenger for the Leucate event.

Kevin Langeree
Kevin Langeree – 19 years old
Residence: Noordwijk (Hol)
Achievements: 2008 : Currently 2nd in the PKRA World Tour
2007 : PKRA World Tour runner-up
Sponsors: Naish, O'neill, Arke Fly, Bloc, Renault, Likeable, Malibomba

Kevin Langeree started kitesurfing 6 years ago. He arrives very quick to the International front scene. He has a passion for extreme sports like snowboarding and windsurfing; Kevin travels around the planet to seek new nice spots. He will be in Leucate and he definitely wants to take the lead of the tour.
Cesar Portas


Cesar Portas – 22 years old
Residence: Barcelona
Achievements: 2008 : Currently 4th in the PKRA World Tour
Sponsors: North Kiteboarding , Ion Wetsuits, Quiksilver

Cesar Portas rides for more than 6 years. He trained every day to get better. Full of motivation, Cesar has invested himself at a max in his sport to reach his goals: to be the best. He is also an addict of extreme sports; he will be at the PKRA Leucate event next April with the strong determination to win.
Alex Caizergues

Alex Caizergues – 27 years old
Re: Port Saint Louis
Achievements: 2007 : Kite world speed record holder (47,92 knots)
2006 : Kite speed World championship runner-up
Sponsors: F-One, Ion, Grab, Placide, Ouest Provence, Perfectride Production

Born in Port Saint Louis, Alexandre started kitesurfing in 2002 and has competed in his first competition: the 2005 Mondial du Vent. World speed record holder since 2007, Alexandre will start the long distance with excellent skills. Kitespeed World Champion in 2007, he also holds the speed world record in 47.92 knots.
Jalou Langeree

Jalou Langeree – 17 years old
Résidence: Noordwijk (Hol)
Achievements: 2008 : Currently 5th in the PKRA World Tour
Sponsors: Naish, O'neill, Likeable, MultiMsport, Malibomba, ArkeFly.

Jalou Langeree is one example of the quick achievement of kitesurfing females in the world. Teached by his brother 6 years ago, her life now is fully oriented to kitesurfing. She is 17 years old and younger than her brother PKRA World Tour runner-up Kevin Langeree. She proved she had what it takes to compete on the World tour. She wants to become the best kitesurfing woman on earth. She will be for the first time at the Mondial du Vent on the first PKRA event in France.


Florian Daubos Florian Daubos – 18 years old
Residence: Montpellier
Achievements: 2007 : 3rd in the KPWT World Cup
2006 : Junior KPWT World Champion
2006 : French Champion and Europe Junior Champion
2005 : Junior KPWT World Championship runner-up
Sponsors: Naish, Cool Shoe

It is in Guadeloupe where he grew up that Florian beginned windsurfing. After 9 years, he comes to France to live in Montpellier. In good kitsurfing conditions around his place, he quit windsurfing for a full investment in kitesurfing. He is now competing for 4 years on the tour and come for the fourth time to Mondial du Vent with a strong motivation.


Benjamin Dupont Benjamin Dupont – 22 years old
Residence: Canet-en-Roussillon (France)
Achievements: 2006 : Ranked 6th in the International Air Challenge of the Mondial du Vent
2005 : Ranked 2nd in the International Air Challenge of the Mondial du Vent
Sponsors: North kiteboarding, DaKine, Cébé, Surfone, Canet Kite Club.

Born in Guérande (44) on the French west coast, he moves to Antilleans in 1991 and begins surfing and windsurfing. Back to France in 1996 in La Baule (44), he will try to train hard, but the hard core conditions of that place will push him to move again. Benjamin was 16 years old when he moved to Perpignan. Good windsurfer Benjamin has to learn the new conditions where he lives. With Raphaël Salles, Benjamin starts Kitesurfing, a better discipline in these conditions and after a good promising start, then he registered to his first competition: the 2001 Mondial du Vent. Ranked 14th in 2001, since he has been registered to all Mondial du Vent editions and did very well in 2005 finishing 2nd of the International Kite Air Challenge. 6th last year, Benjamin will push hard this year to compete one more time with the best riders.