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Meet Frances Osorio Rivera of Adventure Sports / Cabrinha

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Frances Osorio Rivera.

Frances, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I got into the kiteboarding world 13 years ago when I took some lessons in my country Puerto Rico. I saw some people jumping the waves, flying 30-40 feet in the air and automatically, I felt enamored by it. After my accident which ended with a left leg amputation, I fought with the US Army for years to stay in till it was decided that my life in the military would be no longer. I started teaching kiteboarding lessons in Puerto Rico and in 2015 decided to take a leap and move to South Florida. After working on yachts for a few months, I approached one of the largest distributors of kiteboarding gear in the world (initially looking for a sponsorship). They happened to be located in Miami and they saw me as a good fit. In the five years with this company, I have had multiple roles: kiteboarding instructor, teaching future instructors, and my current title as a sales representative to Central America, South America, The Caribbean, Spain & the Canary Islands. I believe I will always continue to teach kiteboarding in some way for as long as I can.

Has it been a smooth road?
Well… You know what they say it can always be worse; however losing a leg at 22 just as you are starting to be an “adult” and figure out yourself in every way (Your passions, yourself, your body) was quite the challenge. That and watching what you thought life would be crumbling apart when I was medically discharged from the army. It definitely brings fear, doubt, and a sense of no direction.

I did not come from a close family either. My mom did her best and my dad never understood or was able to feel empathy or show love. My Mom and Dad got divorced when I was 17 and I haven’t spoken to my dad in over six years now. Being alone mostly in a traumatic event makes things hurt much more. Learning how to live after a traumatic loss can make the strongest minds drift in the wrong direction and as humans it is not a matter of if it happens, it’s a matter of when. Like everyone else we have our good days and we have our bad days.

The hardest part in retrospective were the first four years. First trying to figure out the new “normal” and the changes to my body. As abled as I am a bionic leg doesn’t make up for a real one in terms of the side effects it does to the body (back, hips, gait). It jacks everything up. Next was and still is self-image & self-esteem. I am a “broken human” I am “imperfect” and that has a toll on how people view you and how you view yourself. However, the hardest one was comparing who I was to my new reality. That was the hardest. I am often hard on myself and get frustrated so much because I used to do things and now I can’t or it takes me so much longer. Ego and pride had a big role in that one.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
Adventure Sports does retail sales and kiteboarding lessons. There are several locations including Miami, Ft Lauderdale and Maui. Adventure Sports is also responsible for distributing at a global level the kiteboarding brand Cabrinha with its headquarters in Miami.

My role in the company is to approach accounts in the South East U.S. as well as the Export territory: Central America, South America, The Caribbean, Spain and the Canary Islands and provide any help needed with gear, marketing material, gear demos and anything else. I also certify individuals that want to become professional instructors and teach lessons to people that are curious about what the sport is or want to learn more advanced tricks. Through Adventure Sports, Miami Dade Parks, and Veterans Adventure Group we teach wounded veterans the sport in order to create a sense of community, give them a new challenge outside of the military, and a bond with nature.

This company has been all about community and sharing the “stoke” of being in nature and exploring the elements since the moment I started working for them. Over the years, this has augmented as we look for ways that we can expand this community while at the same time making it available for anyone that wants to try. We have events with the Special Olympics, Military Veterans, free Clinics for stand up paddleboarding and well as trips through the gables waterways and Kiteboarding races. All of these water activities for are for any level and any age as well as open to the public.

Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Most of these sports are influenced by weather conditions and environmental factors more generally. Therefore, the way we plan and deliver sports programs may change in response to future climate, weather events, and environmental impacts.

Miami has its seasons in which all of the sports that we offered can be done and since the ocean is mostly calm is good for anyone looking to start out. However, there is limited access to launch and land. Miami has some of the biggest restrictions in the country for some of these sports.

Pricing:

  • Discovery Kiteboarding Lesson 2 hours / 1 student $240.00
  • The Taster 2 hours / 2 students $300.00
  • Intermediate 4 hours / 1 student $460.00
  • Intermediate 4 hours / 2 srudents $720.00
  • Independent 10 hours / 1 student $1,000
  • Independent 10 hours / 2 students $1,400
  • Paddleboard 1 hour $30.00 / additional hour $20.00
  • Kayak single 1 hour $20.00 / additional hour $15.00
  • Kayak double 1 hour $30.00 / additional hour $20.00

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Adventure Sports / Frances Osorio / Areta Brucic

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