Barack Obama gets a lesson in kitesurfing from Richard Branson

Retirement is clearly treating Barack Obama well, with the former US president spending his spare time kitesurfing with billionaire Richard Branson.

Branson invited Barack and Michelle Obama to the British Virgin Islands for a "complete break" after the couple handed the keys to the White House to Donald Trump.

"One of the first stories Barack told me when he and Michelle arrived on Moskito Island was how, just before he became President, he had been surfing on a dangerous break in Hawaii," Branson said in a virgin.com post.

"When he came in from an exhilarating session, the new head of his security team turned to him and said: ‘This will be the last time you surf for eight years.’ "

"We decided to set up a friendly challenge: could Barack learn to kitesurf before I learned to foilboard? We agreed to have a final day battle to see who could stay up the longest." Branson wrote.

Branson said they both fell many times, but it was Obama who managed to take out the victory.

"After all he has done for the world, I couldn’t begrudge him his well-deserved win," Branson wrote.

But while Branson was gracious in defeat, the friendly rivalry between the pair is just beginning.

"On his next visit, we plan to do the long kite over to Anegada together. Next time, may the best (British) man win!"