Obama and Branson kitesurf in Virgin Islands

Obama bested the billionaire in a watersport challenge.

President Obama smiles to the camera out on the water in the British Virgin Islands. Source: Jack Brockway / Virgin

Former President Barack Obama, and his wife, Michelle, have spent some time vacationing with Richard Branson since leaving the White House.

The Virgin Group founder put up a blog post with pictures and video of the ex-president kitesurfing off one of Branson's private islands in the British Virgin Islands.

Obama learnt to kitesurf as Branson learnt to foilboard (Jack Brockway/Virgin) Source: Jack Brockway / Virgin

Branson writes that Obama, who's a native of Hawaii, told him he was prevented from surfing by his security detail during his time in office.

"This will be the last time you surf for eight years," a security officer told him, according to the blog post.

Branson says after spending two days learning to kitesurf, Obama bested the billionaire in a watersport challenge.

Inviting the Obamas to his island was "a huge honor" he said.

Jack Brockway, a photographer and friend of Branson, said it was a privilige to photograph Obama.