The list of ‘firsts’ associated with the name Barack Obama was already long, but during the past week the ex-prez added a new feat to his resume: successfully learning to kiteboard after only a few days of training.

Less than 72 hours after passing the mantle of power to Donald Trump January 20, Obama and former-first-lady Michelle turned up in the British Virgin Islands, where they indulged in some much-deserved R&R as guests of Sir Richard Branson at his private island near Virgin Gorda. 

Regardless of how you feel about our 44th president, you’ve got to admit that Obama — and Michelle — are a class act, and undoubtedly one of the fittest ‘first couples’ ever to occupy 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. As seen in the video below, Obama not only got the hang of kiteboarding with relative ease, but he won a bet with Sir Richard, that involved Branson foilboarding vs Obama kiteboarding.

Why the helmet? We’re told they have speakers inside them so instructors can give detailed directions while a trainee is underway.
Video and stills by Jack Brockway

The Obamas aren’t the first political celebrities to take refuge from the stress of Washington in the US and British Virgin Islands after leaving office. This writer remembers when then-ex-president Jimmy Carter and his family spent a week at a secluded home on the north shore of St. John in the early ’80s. Word quickly spread through the sailors’ bars of Cruz Bay that while hosting the famous family on a daysail, a young expat sailor from Southern California had taught the Carters’ 13-year-old daughter Amy how to make piña coladas. We remember being told at the time that the rich, creamy cocktails were such a hit with Jimmy and Rosalynn that it became Amy’s job to whip up a batch every afternoon at cocktail hour.