A tamer of wind and waves, a businessman, an instructor, a marine biologist, a traveler, an overall athlete. If you suspect that this description relates to many people, all with opposite interests and hobbies, you would make a grave mistake.

David Tyburski, World Champion kitesurfer, can sign his name under any and all of the above titles. Originally from Ohio, he now travels the world to perform in, as well as judge, world events in kitesurfing, a relatively  newly emerged extreme sport that is enjoyed by about 200,000 people around the globe.

Dave was not born with a kite, harness bar, lines, board in his hand and wind in his hair, the five things indispensable for kitesurfing. His road to this particular activity, where human body is the only connection between the lines and kite and the wakeboard used to maintain oneself on the surface, has been marked by a long journey, which started in his childhood.

Dave finds solace in beauty, solitude and closeness to nature, which explains why when deciding on his adult career, he obtained a degree in Marine Biology.  He comments that unfortunately, "during my undergraduate studies, I was enjoying learning but saw limited choices. The opportunity came to move to California and do an MBA. During my coursework, I chose projects that dealt with nature and the outdoors, rather than the corporate environment." Sometime during studies, he was introduced to kiteboarding, which captured his heart: "it is different than other sports because you are able to be close to the water, look around and admire the surroundings."

Among the things he is most proud of stand Masters Degree in Business Administration, which finally led to him starting his own kitesurfing school and 1^st place in World Cup, when he surpassed two world champions. The experience in graduate school thought him the appropriate approaches to a professional career as an athlete; "I make a plan and then project how I can achieve it; I analyze the steps needed to get there and look backwards to execute them. As long as you have the abilities, you know where your limits are, and once you have achievable goals you should be successful."

The ability to travel and meet new people is what Dave enjoys most about his current lifestyle. Kitsurfing also gave him the opportunity to find out more about his roots. "Growing up in a Polish family and not knowing very much about my heritage and where my relatives had come from, I was always curious to know more about my grandparents' homeland and where my family roots originated. Kiteboarding gave me the opportunity to travel and meet athletes from all around the world.  I remember the first time I met some Polish athletes. I asked a lot of questions and explained the traditions which with I was raised and then revealed to them my Polish heritage. I was great to learn of their love of their culture and it instilled in me a deep desire to go to visit them and explore Poland for myself."

David Tyburski, admits that he does not  think of any sport as extreme, but he says that there are "consequences to actions taken," and that everyone should enjoy the sport "according to their ability and comfort." He describes how he prepares himself both physically, through cross training , and mentally: "I make a plan and then project how I can achieve it; I analyze the steps needed to get there and look backwards to execute them. As long as you have the abilities, you know where your limits are, and once you have achievable goals you should be successful." Another significant element, in Dave's opinion, is not being afraid of falling. "Learning how to fall in other sports carries over to kitesurfing; the falling techniques are similar. Sports also translate to one's personal life, and carry intrinsic rewards with them."

In Dave's mind the best place for kitesurfing beginners in the United Sates can be found at North Carolina's Outer Banks. The finest kitesurfing locale in the world, in Dave's experience, may be the Indian Ocean with its flat water, lagoons, reefs and perfect waves. Dave notes, however, that he has not been to Australia, New Zealand or Fiji which also offer excellent conditions.