About Laurel Eastman: Founder of Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding

Kiteboarding Pioneer • Ocean Advocate • Foil Enthusiast

 

 

---

Early Life & Education

Laurel Eastman, founder of Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding was born into adventure. She was conceived in a tent in Mexico and born during a summer rainstorm in the mountains of Northern California. From the very beginning, her life was shaped by movement, nature, and freedom.

Her father was a surfer. Her mother was an activist and artist. Together, they raised Laurel with a deep love for the outdoors. She spent her early years exploring wild places. She swam in rivers, played in the garden, and chased ducks through the backyard. That was her preschool—natural, wild, and full of joy.

As a teenager in Southern California, Laurel kept that wild spirit alive. She had a rebellious streak and loved to stay out late. But she also loved sports. Volleyball was her favorite, and she played at a high level.

Eventually, she focused her energy on school. She finished her first year of college by the time she was just 16.

Later, Laurel moved to Montana. Surrounded by mountains and open sky, she fell even deeper in love with nature. She spent her days snowboarding, hiking, cliff jumping, and rock climbing.

She went on to study at Prescott College in Arizona. There, she earned a B.A. in Human Ecology. Her studies focused on Environmental Studies, Education, and Spirituality.

This strong foundation—in nature, learning, and movement—would lead her to a life-changing discovery: kiteboarding.

Global Adventures

After graduating with a degree in Human Ecology, Laurel didn’t slow down. In fact, the very next day, she got on a plane to Europe. Her journey of bold adventures had begun.

She danced on bar counters in Portugal. She rode big mountain lines in Chamonix. She walked dogs in London and taught students in West Africa. Every stop offered a new challenge and a new way to grow.

Laurel also guided young travelers across Europe. Later, she filmed dolphin encounters in New Zealand. On the South Island, she pushed her snowboarding to the edge in rugged, wild terrain.

These years were full of action, beauty, and connection. Laurel explored new cultures and learned new languages. She followed every opportunity that opened up.

Each experience added to her fearless spirit. Then, one day, she discovered kiteboarding.

And everything changed.

Discovering Kiteboarding

Laurel’s journey into kiteboarding started with a torn magazine page. The image showed pro kiteboarder Flash Austin soaring above palm trees on the North Shore of Oahu. It captured something powerful—freedom, flight, and adrenaline.

Laurel was hooked.

Without knowing a single person in the sport, she booked a one-way ticket to Hawaii. Just three days after arriving, she landed a job at the local kite shop. She started out selling kitesurfing lessons and T-shirts. But that was just the beginning.

The head instructor, Jeff Tobias, saw Laurel’s potential. He took her under his wing and became her mentor. Under his guidance, Laurel trained hard. She taught lessons, learned fast, and improved quickly.

After a year of nonstop progress, she was ready for more. With a board bag full of gear and a big dream, she headed to Europe. This time, she wasn’t traveling. She was chasing the world tour.

Life As A Pro Kiteboarding Competitor

In 2002, Laurel joined the world cup kiteboarding tour. It took her to places she never imagined. She kited on lakes in Austria, rivers in Oregon, and the rough waters of the North Sea. She rode big waves on Maui’s North Shore and explored the stunning coastline of Brazil.

Each stop brought new challenges and excitement. But one place stood out above the rest—Hispaniola, the largest island in the Caribbean.

That’s where she found Cabarete, a small town with world-class wind and a growing kite scene. Laurel instantly felt a connection.

Before long, she secured a sponsorship with Hotel Caracol, where she lived and trained for the 2003 competition season. That hotel would later become Millennium Resort and Spa—and Laurel’s permanent home base.

Even now, after years of travel and adventure, Cabarete remains the heart of Laurel Eastman Kiteboarding. Whether she’s on-site or abroad, her presence and passion are woven into everything LEK does.

Learn more about Laurel : Read the interview of Laurel Eastman

Laurel Eastman: Athlete, Educator & Media Liaison

After launching her kiteboarding career on the global competition circuit, Laurel quickly became one of the sport’s most recognized ambassadors. Her passion for sharing the stoke has led to countless features in international media — not just as an athlete, but as a trusted local guide and storyteller for Cabarete.

Over the years, Laurel and the LEK team have hosted producers, journalists, and photographers from around the world, offering authentic experiences, epic conditions, and a welcoming community. LEK has been featured in:

• BBC 1 Holiday (UK)

• Globo News (Brazil)

• Shape Magazine (USA)

• Canadian Adventure Magazine (Canada)

• JetBlue Getaways

• House Hunters International

• And many more…

Whether you’re producing a travel segment, scouting for an adventure story, or just need unforgettable kite footage, Laurel can help with pre-trip planning, location insights, interviews, and on-the-water action.

Media inquiries: Contact us via the website contact form, or give the office a call/text on WhatsApp: +1 (809) 853-8466

---

Giving Back in Cabarete & Globally

For Laurel, kiteboarding has always been about more than just adrenaline. Her deep roots in Cabarete and global reach in the kite world have shaped a life of purpose and community connection.

One of Laurel’s most meaningful projects is Kiters 4 Communities, a social business that transforms old kites into stylish beach bags. The bags are sewn locally just outside of Cabarete by Haitian tailors, and 100% of profits go to community-led projects like school tuition and lunch programs for kids. Guests are invited to bring or donate used kites — and receive a custom upcycled bag in return.

Laurel also serves as a Board Officer of the Women’s Kiteboarding Collective, (formerly KB4girls) a nonprofit dedicated to empowering women through sport, community, and mentorship.

In past years, she co-founded Kiteboarding 4 Kids, a charity event that raised over $80,000 USD for children’s organizations in the Dominican Republic.

In addition to her work in Cabarete, Laurel is a passionate climate solutions advocate. She co-leads the Outdoor Industry Action Team for Citizens’ Climate Lobby (CCL), a nonpartisan grassroots organization in the United States that empowers everyday people to lobby for effective federal policies. Through this work, she helps connect the outdoor sports community — including brands, resorts, and athletes — with opportunities to shape smart impactful solutions to lowering the pollution that’s overheating the planet, and disrupting the outdoor recreation industry worldwide.

These initiatives reflect Laurel’s belief that adventure and impact go hand in hand — and that kiteboarding can be a powerful force for good.