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KAI KATCHADOURIAN: RIGHT PLACE, RIGHT TIME

Kai Katchadourian reflects on his latest mission to Cape Verde, where he scored some of the best waves of his life; nearly thirty years after first laying eyes on the destination that would quietly shape his career.

Photos: Siam Images

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SLEEPING BEAUTY

KAI:

“The first moment I saw Ponta Preta it was a moment of clarity. It was a wave unlike anything one could imagine, running down this point, not a drop of water out of place. We thought it would be like that first day the whole time, it would be four weeks until we even saw it break again.

That first mission in 1996 with fellow riders Scott Carvill, Renaud Simon, Fabien Pendle, changed our perception of what type of waves one could windsurf. Then came the legend of Ali Baba and the 40 rollers. It seemed like a myth. 

It would be another decade before the chance to ride it arrived. Since those early moments, the motivation to be there when it turns on has been a central focus of my career and life in general. There have been so many memorable moments, it is hard to focus on one mission in particular over the past 30 years of going there.

THE SURGICAL STRIKE (2006)

2006 marked a milestone, that being when Josh and I shared a historical session. With John Carter on hand to document, a well-Coordinated surgical strike occurred during a large 4m long period swell. We did the coast run from Fontana, rode Giant Curral Joul and then for Josh and I, we experienced our first legit Ali Baba swell. While there were more to follow the next years, those 2006 sessions broke new ground and also started the momentum of focus on the waves here. Not long after those sessions, The Poor Boys Crew came and Windsurfing Movie was filmed during some great conditions both on Boa Vista and Sal. A year later came the 2007 PWA Cabo Verde event.  

TREASURE CHEST

Ali Baba turned on in early February 2026, the perfect direction swell, and side shore wind beckoned me to return. As soon as I saw the lineup, I knew there would be a select number of set waves that would roll in wide from Curral Joul, stand up at The Tree Section, and then reel off for over a Kilometer and a half all the way to the parking lot, perfectly smooth, yet several sections appearing to close out until racing at full clip barely making it. 

It was time to hunt down those rare sets as the swell started to peak and show the potential to go all the way. Several rides led to the moment of reckoning, a few screamers loading up just under the tree gave me confidence that as long as I stayed patient the wave I was waiting for would come in. After about an hour, I decided to simply sail out to sea out the back and wait for it. 

I passed on a couple really solid sets firmly convinced it was just a matter of time.

THE RIDE OF A LIFETIME

Glancing over my left shoulder up to Curral Joul, there was a huge standing wall swinging wide from Curral Joul towards a contoured horizon. This was it. I lined up from behind the peak and dropped in full of anticipation. 

The wave first gave me a look like it was going to close out, but as I dropped in, it’s simply lined up across the entire bay and the race was on. 

Trying my best to hold a high line, not run too fast. My first few turns were testing the placement, but then all of a sudden there was no room to turn. The wave was so fast, so clean that it allowed a level of speed and control that I’ve never experienced before. It was important to understand where on the wave I was so I could make the entire ride without the wave closing out in front of me. Before I knew it, I had made all four sections and finished my ride in front of the parking lot.

An accomplishment I have done around five times now! Yet this time felt like perhaps the longest ride of those ones all the way through. I kicked out in disbelief. Headed back out fully understanding that was one of the best rides of my life so far. 

FELLOW WARRIORS

Well decorated veterans like Josh Angulo, Victor Fernandez, Thomas Travesa and a select group of chargers like Simon McGee, Phil Bennent, Rene and Nicole Stamm and others new to the game like Daniel DeRosa we’re on hand for this latest round of incredible sessions. Adrian Bosson, and of course Current World Champion Marc Pare’, have made visits amongst their Winter Schedules this season, clearly validating their efforts with rewarding memorable sessions on the several swells that have happened during this La Niña Winter.

The stoke is still high within these mighty Warriors and having a front row seat to such a world class level of riding is always a motivating and treasured experience. The moments shared all left a lasting impression that will last until the next time such a gathering occurs. What a crew!! 

MIND GAMES

It’s always a feeling that this will be the highlight of my season. Clearly, the level of sailing might not be what one calls competitive. These sessions are much more about preserving your energy in order to fully enjoy the conditions that you are presented with and making the absolute most of every ride. It takes a lot of endurance just to make one wave at Alibaba. A full session under all-time conditions, comes with the additional challenge of believing it is actually real. These waves are so clean you don’t even need to check the water contour when you bottom turn! It is so smooth that you can concentrate on just riding the waves. 

Once you’ve seen the photos, just like any proud hunter, the prizes hang on the wall for all to see. Then come the questions to ponder over…When will be the next time? How long will it be until you’re presented with that opportunity to place yourself in a lineup where the conditions are simply firing off at all-time levels and you’re in the right place at the right time yet again? One thing is for sure, it is a very strong feeling of satisfaction that you’ve made the most of that opportunity when the sessions are over. 

THE ELUSIVE WORLD TOUR STOP

2022 was the last time a World Tour event was held. After some promising early rounds at Ponta Preta, conditions changed and the event was completed at “Little Ho’okipa” as it is called, mainly a wind-swell spot used as a last resort, however good it may get, it was anticlimactic.

Four years is a long time to not have the event and the focus of the tour is elsewhere. Cabo Verde can be quite elusive… putting on an event requires a lot of investment and effort. Aside from needing a lot of luck to get enough conditions to complete a full round of competition. It remains to be seen if an event can happen there again. For sure it’s been asked about and the idea of a return is supported by more than a few. Meanwhile when it all comes together on the water those who are out there now are not really complaining. Cabo Verde will always hold an elusive allure, it is in our nature to gravitate towards setups like this time and time again. The challenge is everlasting.

BUCKET LIST

Cabo Verde Has become a popular destination, not just for water sports enthusiasts. On many levels, it’s never been easier to get there. Especially for me living in Finland. A trip to Cabo Verde is abundantly simple. With many connections going through the major European cities almost daily. I am constantly answering questions about what it takes to ride these magical waves and when I’m going again. The simple answer is, I am always on the look out and I hope the next trip will be the best trip!!

Until the next one!”