Maxime Chabloz is an incredible rider, he’s ranked 4th of the Freeride World Tour for skiing and sits in 4th place on the GKA world tour too. We can’t think of anyone else as at home on the snow as they are the ocean! Read all about his incredible achievements here!

Maxime Chabloz's talent has no boundaries! Whether it's throwing down insane freestyle moves during the GKA, sailing, surfing or claiming his spot as Freeride Junior World Champion and Kiteboarding Junior World Champion. At only 18 years old, Maxime is just getting starting his career; this guy is living the dream! We had the chance to catch up with Maxime and find out how it all began for this young shredder.

Maxime, it's great to meet you! Times are a little weird, to say the least, could you tell us how your quarantine time has been going? What is the biggest challenge you are facing in Switzerland?

Hey, thanks for having me! Well, apart from not being able to leave the country and go kiteboarding somewhere warmer, being in quarantine here in Switzerland hasn't been too bad, yet. We are still able to leave the house and exercise outdoors. The biggest challenge I am facing is that the ski resorts are all closed; the conditions would be perfect right now!

Let's talk about your home spot, we're guessing you got on ski's the minute you learnt to walk! How was that? When did you start competing?

My home spot is pretty much any kids dream! We live by a lake that generally blows 15 knots of thermal winds on most days during the summer, and in the wintertime, we’ve got snow-capped mountains in our backyard.

My parent's first got me on a pair of skis when I was two years old, and just a few years later, I was competing in alpine racing. However, I only started competing in freeride skiing when I was seventeen; which was last year.

When did you get into kiteboarding?

I was first introduced to kiteboarding when I was seven years old and started doing my first jumps at ten. The first competition I ever entered was the Junior European Championships in Saint-Pierre-la-Me when I was thirteen years old.

Currently ranking at #4 in the GKA, congratulations! What are your plans for 2020 (Once all this blows over, hopefully!)?

Thank you! My goal for 2019 was to land a spot in the top 3, but unfortunately, I just missed that by a few points. So for 2020, I'm going for the title. I think having a shorter season might work to in my advantage, as I always seem to perform well at the first events and then struggle towards the end. Plus, I still have a note from Liam Whaley saying, "For Maxime… 2020 World Champ". So, that must be a sign!

Which would you rather, a fresh powder day and a steep face, or perfect wind and a butter flat lagoon?

Give me a year of perfect wind and a flat lagoon, and I will choose the snow. Give me a year of fresh powder, and I will choose the perfect wind and the lagoon!

For me, it’s none without the other. When I quit alpine racing to be a full-time kiteboarder, I started missing the snow and started getting bored of kiteboarding, and before I started kiteboarding, I was getting bored with skiing; that's just how I am.

4th place on the Freeride World Qualifier Tour is in incredible achievement, especially for someone so young in a sport where experience pays off, how do you approach a competition like that? Is it different from the mindset of a kite competition?

My approach to skiing is entirely different from kiteboarding, mainly because during a ski competition it’s just one run, 1-2 minutes, and that's it, while with kiteboarding, the competitions go on for days. 

Freeride skiing is scary! You wet your pants at every starting gate, and it’s not because you’re concerned about your score but because of the steepness and the risk that you're about to take.

In kiteboarding, the stress is more about the conditions and your opponents, as you can see what they are doing, and you must do better than them to advance to the next round. In freeride skiing you don’t see your opponent’s run from the top, and when you watch the last competitors from the bottom, you can't change anything about your run.

What training are you doing in the meantime to stay mentally and physically fit?

I'm doing some home workouts and skateboarding in front of my house. I'm not too worried as I know we are all in the same situation; it's not like everyone else is training and kiteboarding every day, and I'm the only one stuck indoors!

What are the pros and cons of being a professional athlete at such a young age?

The pros are that you get to see the world and learn lessons no teacher could ever teach you in a classroom. The cons, I would say, is the pressure you have to train, compete, and perform. On Instagram, all you see is athletes travelling the world, doing what they love, but that’s not always the case.

What is the worst kiteboarding wipe-out you've ever had? How did you overcome the injury?

I haven't had any major wipe-outs while kiteboarding, yet! (touch wood) I have had a few little accidents that kept me off the water for a couple of days, but that's it really. I try to approach new tricks slowly and with caution, to try to avoid injuries.

You've got the day off training, what are you doing? (No board sports!)

I occasionally like to have a day off everything! If I'm home, I'll happily spend the day indoors.

How have F-ONE and Manera contributed to your success and what advice would you give other riders looking to get sponsored?

My first appearance on the kiteboarding scene was during the F-ONE Next Generation Camp. I got to meet many young riders and learn many new tricks. F-ONE and Manera are my first sponsors, and I am grateful for them. They have given me the means to travel to all the competitions, and all the gear I need.

Word of advice to riders looking to get sponsored: I would say start small, go to your local shop and ask for a little discount. Keep in mind: "If you don't ask, you don't get.”

Thanks, Maxime! Please stay safe, productive and home!

Thanks, you too! I hope to see you all soon back on the water.

Videos

Maxime Chabloz PartOne
Almost winning my first GKA Freestyle Worldcup - MaxWorld episode 2
By Maxime Chabloz

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