I knew I rode a lot this year. But when I was counting my logged days on the water I could hardly believe my eyes. A record-breaking 60 sessions! That’s a lot for someone who’s not dedicated to kitesurfing full time. On the other hand, 2024 was a year with no compromises. No obligations. Trips with good wind stats. Working from home, right next to the kite spot, meaning I could go out if even just for a quick lunch break session.
I moved away from my ideal kite pad in September. Not far, but the new launch spot is not as good as the old one. I can still get changed in the flat and be pumped up and ready to go 15 minutes later, but the beach is smaller and doesn’t work well with dead on-shore wind. But hey, nitpicking. Life’s good when you can look out of your window and see white caps.
Change of plans
I was sure I’d continue wakeboarding in 2024. Unfortunately the club increased the cost of the membership, and since I had a lot of time away over the summer it just didn’t make financial sense to renew. Especially with all the costs that were on the horizon with the new flat purchase. Hopefully I can do things a bit differently this summer, spend more time local and renew my membership, because I really enjoyed it last year.
And I didn’t think I’d make any major kite trips this year, but thanks to Lisa, my Swiss globetrotting friend, I went back to Dakhla in May, and joined her in Cape Town in December. Both very good trips. I’m happy I finally got to check out the famous South African wind capital, and even time it with King Of The Air. What a show! Kitesurfing has truly changed in the last few years, with the trend of big air kiteboarding showing no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Progress
I’m not a big air guy myself. I enjoy to boost high, but it’s not what I’m chasing. My best sessions leving me with the biggest smile is a sunny day with 18 – 25 knots, 10 or even 13m, and a lot of technical jumps, rotations, blind landings, surface loops and maybe even a bit of unhooking. This is what I got in Dakhla, and it was very good for my progression.
Another progression booster this year was the 13m Juice I rode and reviewed. Plenty of sessions, especially in April, May and August, of which many were on the stable and forgiving Juice, helped me land triple rotations, fakie doubles and hone a few up-and-comers.
2025
As per usual nowadays, a forward look doesn’t have that many things to wish for. Many local sessions, a summer mixing kitesurfing and wakeboarding at the cable park. Some decent wind during my West Indies trip in March. And maybe, just maybe Cape Town could make a comeback next winter. Finding the annual leave is what stops me from trotting the globe on the reg.
Wishlist in the trick department? Triple front roll. Double front to blind? Too much to ask for? Stay tuned and find out.
2024 hard facts
Days on the water: 60
Most used kite: Cabrinha Switchblade 10m (43%), Duotone Juice 13m (41%)
Countries surfed: 4 (UK, Morocco, Sweden, South Africa)