THE island of Boracay has been a tropical party haven for the longest time, but now it is also gaining a repute as one of Asia’s best kiteboarding spots, offering, through its 10-kilometer Bolabog Beach, a fraction of the perfect wind conditions for the budding sport.
Kiteboarding is a surface water sport combining aspects of wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding and gymnastics into one extreme activity. A kiteboarder harnesses the power of the wind with a large controllable power kite to be propelled across the water on a kiteboard similar to a wakeboard or a small surfboard.
In 2012 the number of kiteboarders has been estimated by the International Sailing Federation and the International Kiteboarding Association at 1.5 million people worldwide, and the global market for kite-gear sales is worth $321 million.
Kiteboarders from all over the world flock Boracay year-round to create vigorous stunts on air and on water. And quite naturally, Filipinos are not new to this sport either. In fact, homegrown Boracaynons are among the frontrunners in kiteboarding competitions held in Boracay, other kiteboarding spots in the Philippines, and even in international seas.
One kiteboarding sensation from the island is 13-year-old Christian Tio, who has been surging the waters since the age of seven. Having reigned in the first ICTSI Philippine Kiteboarding Tour in Puerto Princesa and gaining the top spot among other Asian Tour champions, Tio is considered as one of the most promising young kiters in the whole world at this moment. He is ranked No. 2 in his age group.
“I have always loved the sport. I like the freedom that comes from doing tricks in the water,” Tio said.
“But I guess what I like most about kiteboarding is the competition. I like the thrill of it. I like that there are formal competitions that recognize kiteboarders and their skills in the sport,” he added.
Tio won his first major award from the Philippine Kiteboarding Association during a competition in Calatagan, Batangas. It was his first major win, taking the top prize and leaving his mark in the extreme water-sport community worldwide. He won in two categories—Men’s Freestyle and Hangtime.
To become more viable as a professional kiteboarder, Tio travels extensively for Asian Tours that include stops in China, Thailand, and Indonesia. He has also joined the World Championship competition in Spain.
It doesn’t come as a surprise that such feats could already come from this young protégé, though. His parents, Liezl and Chris Mohn, are also kiteboarding enthusiasts who share the same excellence in the sport as their son. In fact, his mom Liezl topped the women’s Hangtime and won a Cabrinha Board in the ICTSI Philippine Kiteboarding Tour last year.
As the passion for the sport runs in the family, Tio gets all the support he needs. “We’ve always prioritized an active lifestyle, and my husband and I think that this sport is good for our son. It keeps him active at such a young age. And we are hopeful that he will do great things,” Liezl expressed.
Tio shared that, after school, his hangout spot on the famous island is the sea. “I go out with friends and we would kiteboard and perform tricks. Of course, it’s more than just play for me, it’s also practicing extensively so that I could learn more tricks for future competitions.”
Tio trains extensively at the Freestyle Academy Kitesurfing School, under the guidance of his instructor and the school’s owner, Khristopher Ken Nacor. One of Tio’s major endeavors is the 2018 Junior Olympics to be held in Buenos Aires.