Kitesurfing
UAE is right tack for Christophe
World kitesurf champ Tack takes time out to see kiteboard scene in Abu Dhabi
Christophe Tack kitesurfing
© Toby Bromwich/Red Bull Content Pool
What got you into kitesurfing? Was it hard to learn at such a young age?
I was always out skateboarding with my two older brothers as a kid. We tried surfing but, unfortunately, the waves in Belgium aren’t the best for it.
I saw the first kiteboarder on the beach near my hometown, Ostend, in 2003; by 2004 [when he was 11], I was hooked. It was the only thing I could think of, 24/7.
In the beginning, I was too light and my brothers had to help me out, as the kites didn’t have any depower. But by the next season, I was heavy enough and had the skills to deal with it. Pure freedom ever since!
We hear you made your own first board - how?
We got internet at home around the time the first kite forums came out, so there were plenty of posts on how to do it. I didn’t have much money so I bought wood, glass fibre, epoxy and a few tools, and just created my own. I still have those boards somewhere in my garage…
Surely Belgium’s a little cold for kitesurfing?
May’s when the water temperature improves - we have heaps of wind, and that’s great. Although the conditions aren’t ideal, it was the vibe there - from my brothers and the other people in the beach club - that got me where I am now.
What weather works best for you?
My perfect conditions would be one-metre waves every 10 seconds - that’s my 3D playground!
How do you train?
I just start freeriding and do all the tricks I’d do in competitions. If one feels really good, I’ll try to improve it - going bigger, adding a grab, dropping my kite lower… But if I’ve lost the feel of another trick, I’ll work on that too. In Brazil, I’m training twice a day for 1.5 hours at a time.
You’ve been a pro since 16 - what keeps you going?
This has always been my dream; I’ve never thought about having a ‘regular’ job. I want to push kiteboarding to another level.
How does it feel to be world champ?
My biggest dream was to become a pro - this was the next goal. It’s certainly a highlight of my career, but I don’t think I’ve peaked yet. I hope to become world champion again.
Where do you find inspiration?
As a kid, I idolised the world tour riders: now I compete against them. But I still look up to Youri Zoon and Aaron Hadlow. Mostly inspiration comes from videos I find online, cable- and wakeboarding - a mix.
Christophe Tack flying
© Toby Bromwich/Red Bull Content Pool
You’re always trying out new things - why?
That’s just me. Staying at the same level is boring. I need new challenges, new tricks... I talk myself into things; I tell myself: “Don’t bail out, just do it!”
What are your top tricks? And tell us about the infamous Backside 317 …
My top tricks would be a Heelside Frontside 900 on kicker waves, a Moby Dick 5, a Pete Rose 7... Loads of spins and very technical!
The Backside 317 is super-cool. I was the first to land it, on the 2012 PKRA World Tour in New Caledonia. It means doing a big railey, with a Backside 720 on the way down - there’s no time to hesitate, or you won’t spin the complete 720.
What’s your top tip for anyone who wants to get into kitesurfing?
Take lessons at a registered kite school and enjoy. Simple as that!
You travel a lot in this sport - what’s your favourite country so far?
For now, I’d say Western Australia; I’d love to go back next winter break. But the last country I visited is always the best at the time!
What do you do outside of kitesurfing?
Mostly work. My latest project, my kite school, takes up a lot of my time.
I used to play tennis and hockey but I’m more of a board sport type. I try to run twice a week; just six kilometres to keep fit.
Are you excited to visit the UAE?
The only time I’m ever in Abu Dhabi is in the airport lounge, in transit. So I’m very excited! I’m expecting warm weather, crazy buildings, expensive cars, nice people…
And we have to ask - why Mowgli?
It’s been my nickname since I was a little kid with long hair and it stuck... My life’s a jungle - that’s for sure :)