It has been a few weeks since we last caught up with a the F-ONE Next Generation. Our last interview was with the young french rider Lucas Tarin.
We are not going to leave the French borders right away but instead head to Brittany to discover a young kitesurfer who is just as talented, Lazare Gournay.
KSm: Hi Lazare, could you tell us a bit more about you… how old are you? Where are you from? How did you get into kitesurfing and when?
Lazare: I am 15 years old and I live in Moe?lan sur Mer, Finiste?re Sud, Brittany. I started kiting when I was 12 years old, 3years ago now… with my cousin Louis Hutter as my teacher who is currently 13th in the PKRA.
KSm: What made you decide to get more involved in the competition aspect of kitesurfing so early in you kitesurfing career?
Lazare: Since I started kitesurfing I always wanted to be a professional athlete and make kiting my full time job, that’s why I started competitions. Also because I wanted to get sponsorship and have the ability to compete against other young riders like myself.
KSm: How do you manage to fit in a regular training schedule and at the same time follow your normal school commitments? What is a normal day like for you?
Lazare: I try to kite on the weekends and also Wednesday afternoon and after school when I don’t finish too late. A perfect day for me is a school day following by one hour of kiting before to do my homework and eat my diner.
KSm: You are a part of the F-ONE Next Generation which aims to help young riders improve their riding in the company of young F-ONE riders whilst being coached by Etienne Lhote… how have you found this experience? Do you ever feel that it is sometimes a lot of pressure for a young boy like you?
Lazare: I found this experience amazing! It gave me the opportunity to see the “global level” of the international team but also to ride with some other riders who have exactly the same motivation as me and who are older and better than me. And no, it’s not too much pressure for me, it’s actually exactly what I need to improve more!
KSm: Which kitesurfers inspire you and why?
Lazare: My cousin Louis Hutter inspired me a lot because it is thanks to him that I kite but also because even before I was kiting he gave me the inspiration to become a professional kitesurfer like him! Right now, Aaron Hadlow is for me the most impressive rider of all time, so he inspires me too… my aspirations are to do the same or even better :)
KSm: Do you plan a kite session? Do you set goals for yourself to achieve with with specific tricks to work on or do you prefer to enjoy each session as it comes?
Lazare: Yes, I force myself to do certain tricks during every session. I also prepare some notes where I write some details about what you have to do to achieve a trick. When I consider I have work hard enough on my tricks and I feel tired then I enjoy myself with old-school style or I go for my strapless board.
KSm: Do you still find the time to just enjoy your time on the water and ride with your friends for fun?
Lazare: Yes I do, because first of all I plan my sessions with my tricks to work on and then I enjoy the session with my mates! (even if working on my tricks is something that I love too!)
KSm: What do you hope to achieve from your kitesurfing career? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Lazare: I hope to be well known enough to make enough money to live off my great passion and have very good results in competitions! In 10 years I see myself as a rider on the PKRA and if possible in first place!
KSm: What other hobbies do you have other than kiting?
Lazare: I also surf and I love it! I play music too: piano and guitar… but my real passion is kiting!
KSm: What advice would you like to give to young people who like you would like to get more involved in the kitesurfing industry and would like to make it into something more than just a hobby?
Lazare: Personally, I would advise them to train as much as possible and to ride in all conditions. Don’t forget to prepare yourself physically out of the water and don’t hurt yourself! But mainly have fun on the water!
KSm: As is traditional to finish we offer you the chance to speak some words of wisdom from your mind to our readers?
Lazare: I would say that kitesurfing is not just a passion, it’s a dream! When we are riding this dream is a reality… and for people like me who have the chance to be part of this sport I advise them to dream as big as possible and enjoy this extraordinary sport to the maximum!
Good ride to all of you and sweat dreams! :)
