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Pro Flyboarder Profile: LAURENT CALLIOT – FRANCE
Posted On 02 Oct 2013
Thank you Google Translate for helping me to break through the language barrier and learn more about Corsica Flyboard’s Laurent Calliot. Laurent became the first Veteran Division Flyboard World Champion at the 2014 X Dubai Flyboard World Cup and also competed and finished 11th in the 2012 Flyboard World Cup. He is an accomplished surfer and Jet Ski rider.
Check out our interview and a few videos of Laurent in action.
H2RO MAGAZINE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
H2RO: What is your athletic background and how have these skills from other sports helped with your Flyboarding?
I’m from the south of France in Hossegor. I am 41 years old and I started surfing 26 year ago. I’ve done Jet Ski free riding and motor surfing. I work at the Leisure Centre and I am a Jet Ski instructor in the summer. In the winter I’ve been Ice Driving for 14 years.
H2RO: Which athlete (any sport) has motivated you the most in your life?
Laird Hamilton the best big wave surfer and co-inventor of tow-in surfing and Sébastien Loeb French rally & racing driver. Also Joe Kenney Jet Ski free rider.
H2RO: What do you find most exciting about being at the forefront of a new extreme sport?
With all of the experiences I’ve gotten with Leisure it’s really to share my passion to fly and learn new skills.
H2RO: What is your process for pushing the limits of the equipment and inventing new tricks? Are you able to gauge the progress of other top riders as they work around the world?
More power and a longer pipe!
H2RO: Do you have a signature trick you have invented or a trick that has become your favorite?
I was the first one to do an under-flip and 1080 grab. (FM not sure what an under-flip is… anyone?)
H2RO: What is the Flyboard community like in France. Do the best riders in France often fly together or even train together?
No we don’t meet up. We live to far away and I live on the island of Corsica.
H2RO: What advice would you give to new riders who are trying to get their skills to the next level?
Practice doing trampoline, skateboarding and snow boarding.
H2RO: And finally can you share with us any unique things you’ve done to enhance people’s Flyboarding experiences?
I made a school to teach Flyboarding and provide training sessions and I organized a Flyboard trip.
Merci Laurent for answering my questions and I hope I get a chance to see you fly in person at an upcoming event soon.
Check out some great photos including the ‘DIVE’ taken by Alex Mondoloni.
