WINNIPEG — It’s the kind of birthday celebration Roland Rioux was looking for.
The local kiteboarder carved across a field and landed a few jumps at La Barriere Park just ahead of turning 70 next week.
The 38-year retired Winnipeg firefighter took up the sport 13 years ago and now straps on a board four or five times per week, “It’s something about the wind, about just being out in nature,” he said.
Rioux was joined by several other kiteboarders Friday afternoon for the pre-birthday party including Martin Roy.
“I’ve been jnspired by him for years because he’s been rocking it the whole time … When I’m 70 I want to be doing just what Roland’s doing,” said Roy.
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Rioux began kiteboarding because of his interest in hang gliding and wind-surfing.
He wears light padding, similar to what Motocross riders wear, but doesn’t consider the sport dangerous.
“I can’t say that I’m thinking of a whole lot of things but I am just kind of enjoying the moment it’s kind of one of my mottos live for the moment,” he said.
Rioux is well-known in the province’s kiteboarding community and has even earned a nickname, “Twenty years ago he was a legend in his own mind but now he is the legend,” said Roy.
“I don’t see that there’s any reason I can’t continue what I’m doing while I’m healthy, till I’m 90 or so,” said Rioux.
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