stay salty

Benjamin
de Molliens

An avid environmentalist, Ben is passionate about linking his love for sports, travels and sustainability. In 2020, he started the Expedition Zero project, where he challenges himself and his audience to go on big sporting adventures with three rules: zero carbon footprint, zero waste, and zero new gear.

His expeditions have already taken him to the Jura mountains in the dead of winter, along the Dordogne River, hiking in the Pyrenees or biking through Scotland. Along the way, he raises awareness on nature conversation and the climate crisis. Ben is also an enthusiastic kitesurfer and now dreams of planning an expedition using his kite as his main mean of transportation.

STAY SUSTAINABLE.

Nationality FRENCH Age 1987

HOMESPOT
The Jaï beach and Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône near Marignane and Gâvres in Brittany, France

FAVORITE TRICK
Backroll hand drag transition

DREAM TRICK
Jesus Walk

3 REASONS TO GO KITING
Pure bliss, nature, and good friends

BIGGEST INSPIRATION
Mitu Monteiro

FAVORITE MEAL
Homemade vanilla rice pudding with chocolate chips

“ I started kitesurfing in 2015 in San Francisco after practicing windsurfing for seven years. ”

Benjamin Interview

Can you tell us a bit more about your passion for kitesurfing?

I started kitesurfing in 2015 in San Francisco after practicing windsurfing for seven years in club when I was a teenager.

You just won the lottery, what would you do first?

I'm building a self-sustainable house by the sea and not far from the mountain. Then, I buy myself a wooden sailboat and an electric van. Finally, I invest and back various projects and companies involved in environmental protection. Then, from time to time, I will ''slow travel'' with the boat or the van in Europe or even around the world with my girlfriend (and hopefully our kids one day) and our kitesurfing gear. All this while giving talks along the way to raise awareness about current environmental issues.

What’s the most amazing thing you’ve experienced?

When I lived in California, I saw whales breaching while I was kitesurfing. I’ve also had the chance to do lots of kite trips but I particularly liked being in Atins in Brazil as well as Santa Veronica in Colombia. These are two magnificent spots — one rather flat and the other a beautiful right. Most of my sessions near Gâvres in Brittany and the Napoleon Beach in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône are also some of my fondest memories.

“ I like to practice many different ones... ”

What are you doing during a day without wind?

I work hard on my Expedition Zero initiative! As for sports, I like to practice many different ones, like trail-running, hiking, ski touring, sailing, cycling, SUP, etc. But lately, I’ve been mostly into SUP near my house in Marseille when there’s no wind.