Jean Sebabstien Rochon (JS)
Hi! I am Jean-Sebastien, aka JS, and I am beyond stoked to become your instructor!
My kiteboarding adventure started in 2007 and I am very grateful to have shared this passion through teaching since 2010.
I speak French, English and Spanish. I have travelled to Venezuela, Brazil, Honduras, the United States and used to live full time in the Dominican Republic.
Although I like boosting airs and loop my kite once in a while, my preferred style of kitting is wave riding, as I also have a strong passion for surfing.
I can not wait to become your coach in the sports of kiteboarding and winging, and I look forward to meet you!
See you on the water!
Logan Merringer
Since I started kitesurfing 8 years ago it has completely taken over my life. I have met the most amazing people and been to some incredible places during my time with the sport. I love pushing the limits of strapless kitesurfing and sharing my knowledge and passion with others. Kiting is an amazing sport and I can’t wait to get out on the water with you!
Jhoan Zapata
My name is Jhoan Steven, born in the city of Cali-Colombia, I am 24 years old, and for 4 years have been dedicated to Kitesurfing, starting in Lake Calima (Colombia) and working in this place for about 3 years. I then moved to hte Colombian Coast to improve my experience in the sea, working in several schools in this area for a year! Now I find myself sharing this experience with our BCS Strong Kiteboarding School, in Excellent conditions and a Beautiful Spot!
I really like the Kite and having the sensation of flying and for a calmer session a little kite foil, I really like music and I really enjoy being a DJ!
Nathan Edgell (N8)
Hola. My name is N8 and I became a resident of El Sargento in 2019. When I moved to Baja I didn’t know much about kiteboarding. I moved for the tranquility and beauty of our little town. When the wind started to pick up in November I watched all the kiters flock to the water. I had to get involved!
I asked around and everyone told me to take lessons from Marty and Jill at Strong Kiteboarding. I’m so glad that I did because I thought the sport would be easy to pick up after being a snowboard instructor for 15 years. I was humbled, to say the least. But after several days of instruction, I was finally able to ride on my own. This began my addiction to kiteboarding.
My kiting journey has progressed to becoming an instructor in 2022 with the same school that got me going. I started Kite foiling at the end of the 2021 season so I could ride the light winds of the Summer in Baja. I now foil almost exclusively. The feeling of gliding above the water on the swell is like nothing else.
I love helping others feel the “stoke” of kiting especially in my new hometown! I hope to give back what I have learned so you can feel it too.
Jill Dovick
I spent my childhood windsurfing at Nitinat Lake watched kiteboarding evolve as a sport. I finally learned to kite in 2017, after finishing my BFA at the University of Victoria, and spent the next few years spending as much time on the water as I could. I eventually got IKO certified and started teaching with Marty both at Nitinat and in La Ventana. Since then, I have also developed a passion for winging and teaching winging. In 2021, I joined the Ocean Rodeo team, doing sales and customer service. In my free time I enjoy freediving, creating art, and spotting wildlife.
Marty Dovick
I started Kiteboarding in 2008 after losing my job during the recession. I started travelling through the south pacific and really fell in love with the ocean. I didn’t return to the engineering or construction instead started working as a crab fisherman and kite Instructor. In 2012 I came to La Ventana for the first time but sadly broke my leg soon after arriving. That summer I took over Strong Kiteboarding at Nitinat Lake and became a full time kiteboarding instructor and school manager. We opened Strong Kiteboarding Baja in 2019.
Added: I really enjoy riding in high wind and large wave conditions. Big jumps and big loops get my adrenaline pumping but I also thoroughly enjoy a good day in the waves. I started winging in 2019 and then acquired another wind addiction. I spend most of my time on the wing these days as long as the wind on the lighter side. Once it is cranking I will split my time between the two constantly wondering if the other will be more fun.
When it is not windy I spend most of my free time either free diving, fishing, or exploring the gorgeous area we live in!
