Shortly after he left office, Obama headed to the British Virgin Islands, where he hung out with Virgin founder Richard Branson and even learned how to kitesurf.

Jack Brockway/Virgin.com

Growing up in Hawaii, surfing was one of Obama’s favorite hobbies, but he wasn’t really able to enjoy it when he was president.

“The Secret Service these days does not like me doing it,” the then-commander in chief said in 2009. “The last time I tried it, they had a bunch of people out on jet skis in the water and surrounding me with all kinds of stuff.”

No longer the POTUS, his security team was a bit more chill this time around.

Jack Brockway/Virgin.com

“Barack was able to really relax and get into it,” Branson said. He and Obama faced off in a friendly race at the end of their time together.

Watch the video above to find out who won.

Jack Brockway/Virgin.com