Meet Our Team of Expert Riders

Benoit Gauthier

Owner, founder and lifelong enthusiast.

He caught the windsurfing bug in 1985, a passion that has never left him. A craftsman and shaper at heart, he initially crafted his own boards under the Wind Obsession brand, pushing his perfectionism to the point of honing his techniques in Maui. This unique background as a manufacturer gives him a significant advantage in selecting and recommending the best equipment on the market.

In 2006, he founded the Wind Spirit shop. Having successfully evolved the company through the decades and new trends (kitesurfing, SUP, foiling, wing foiling), he now leads a team of passionate experts with a single goal: to equip and inspire watersports enthusiasts, from beginners to seasoned pros. A life dedicated to the wind, propelled by a community of loyal customers.

BRUNO ROBIDA

Sales

After a brilliant career as an engineer in the ski industry, Bruno channeled his passion for windsurfing by founding the 2 Rad shop in 1991. For 32 years, he was a key figure in the windsurfing scene in the greater Montreal area, renowned for his expert knowledge and exceptional service.

Driven by market trends and a desire to dedicate himself fully to his passion rather than administrative tasks, Bruno decided to embark on a new chapter by joining the Wind Spirit team.

Today, as an expert advisor, he brings his extensive experience to our community, ready to motivate and equip windsurfers with the best recommendations in the industry.

JEAN-FRANCOIS ALLY

Logistic expert | Website

Jean-Francois joined the Wind Spirit team during the summer of 2020 after a career in mechanical engineering and project management in the hydroelectric industry. Taking advantage of his professional experience and his expert Excel knowledge, Wind Spirit relies on him for the optimization of the product and stock management and the financial results analysis.

He’s been a windsurf enthusiast for more than 30 years. He spent numerous months in Maui where he fell in love with wave riding. During his trips to Maui he discovered SUP wave riding, his second love. Wanting to surf more, he started kitesurfing during an early season trip to Cape Hatteras almost 10 years ago. All these passions brought him to ride in Europe, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico, North America and last but not least, the Canadian Maritimes. His favorite spot is Santa Veronica. His home spot is New England’s Lake Champlain. For him, the perfect day is simple, a surf board, a 9 m² kite, warm water and good friends to share with.

CLAUDE GRENIER

Warehouse shipping & sales

Claude joined the Wind Spirit team in 2021, bringing with him 35 years of windsurfing experience. Since 2017, he has also developed a passion for kiteboarding. Riding the waves has been a part of his life since the inception of Cabrinha Drifter in surfing. Plattsburgh, with its strong southerly winds, remains his favorite spot to ride.

BENOIT DUMAINE

Warehouse shipping & boards reparation

Benoit Dumaine, a windsurfer since the age of 19, has navigated rivers, lakes, oceans, accumulating countless nautical miles on Wind Obsession boards from Wind Spirit, a store he's been dedicated to for nearly 30 years. His unwavering passion for windsurfing spans four decades and continues to fuel his journey on the water.

martin lessard

Warehouse shipping & sales

Martin, a valued member of the team since 2021, has been immersed in windsurfing since his teenage years. With a passion for kitesurfing for nearly a decade and a love for SUP, Martin brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to Wind Spirit. His favorite spots include the Iles de la Madeleine, Lac Champlain, Lac St-Pierre, Santa Veronica in Colombia, and Turks and Caicos. Martin's expertise extends to his equipment preferences, which include Cabrinha Drifter kites in 5, 7, and 9 meters, a Moto 12m, Cabrinha surf Flare 5’4 board, a Crazy Fly Raptor 136x41 twin tip board, and a Starboard wide point 9’5 x 32 SUP. With his extensive knowledge and passion for water sports, Martin is well-equipped to provide expert advice and share his passions with customers.

maryse lemonde

The Secret Behind the Numbers

If the shop runs so smoothly, it's largely thanks to Maryse, Benoît's aunt. At over 80 years old, our charming matriarch is the true pillar of the team.

Every day, she makes her little ritual visit to keep a watchful eye on things. Bills to pay, accounts to check, figures to balance… Nothing escapes her notice!

But her real specialty is making sure everyone keeps smiling. Iron discipline in a velvet glove, and a lot of love every day.