Richard Branson Challenges Barack Obama to a Kitesurfing and Foilboarding Contest

Virgin founder Richard Branson and Barack Obama had a kitesurfing and foilboarding contest in the British Virgin Islands. Now that Obama has some free time, the pair have already planned a rematch off the island of Anegada.

One of the first stories Barack told me when he and Michelle arrived on Moskito Island was how, just before he became President, he had been surfing on a dangerous break in Hawaii. When he came in from an exhilarating session, the new head of his security team turned to him and said: “This will be the last time you surf for eight years.” For the next eight years he didn’t have the chance to surf, enjoy watersports or do many of the things he loved.

Huge honour inviting the Obamas down to the BVI and great fun having a friendly kitesurfing vs foilboarding challenge with @barackobama Photo by @hijack

A photo posted by Richard Branson (@richardbranson) on Feb 7, 2017 at 9:58am PST

Loved offering @barackobama the chance to learn to kitesurf – here’s how he got on https://t.co/5hwjOvy2TK pic.twitter.com/jk3OEtDELq

— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) February 7, 2017

Could I learn to foilboard before @barackobama learned to kitesurf? Love this video of our friendly battle https://t.co/5hwjOvy2TK pic.twitter.com/XJpj3Ps5bl

— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) February 7, 2017

Who won when I challenged @barackobama to a battle of the waves? Watch the video to find out https://t.co/5hwjOvy2TK pic.twitter.com/LNdAu5gj1m

— Richard Branson (@richardbranson) February 7, 2017