The Backstory
You've been competing on the GKA World Tour for a while now. Take us back to the start - how did you get into kiteboarding, and when did you know this was more than just a hobby?
I was born into a watersports family. My parents didn't grow up at the coast but met on a windsurf group trip to Leucate. They decided to move closer to the Baltic Sea even before I was born, and for as long as I can remember we spent every weekend and every holiday at the beach, trying to spend as much time as possible on the water. In 2013 my whole family swapped from windsurfing to kitesurfing. I always loved surfing, but the surfing conditions on the German Baltic Sea are very limited, so kiting was the perfect option to make the most of all kinds of conditions.
After finishing school in 2019, I went on an eight-month surf trip in my van, spending every day on the water and trying to improve my surfing as much as possible. Covid stopped that trip, but at the same time my parents decided to buy a house in Cape Town - and that was my chance to go all in with kiting. The rough conditions in Cape Town shaped my riding and made me feel comfortable in any kind of conditions all over the globe. I've always loved competing, and after my first season in Cape Town I decided it was time to give the GKA World Tour a try.
Where did you grow up, and how did your home spot shape the way you ride? What conditions were you dealing with on the regular?
As I said, I was living in Germany until I finished school in 2019, so my time on the water was very limited. I've always been passionate about watersports and felt most comfortable out on the water. My first trip to Cape Town was at the end of 2020, and it opened the door to daily training and really diving deep into this beautiful sport. Sometimes you can have similar conditions in Denmark, and I really enjoy feeling the raw power of mother nature. When I'm out there, the daily noise disappears and it makes me feel alive.
The life you're living isn't exactly typical for someone from Northern Germany. What made you choose to follow your passions?
For sure, my life isn't normal, and I'd be lying if I said it doesn't come with ups and downs. Passion is the keyword and pretty much the reason why I chose to live this life. The feeling and stoke after a good session is unmatched and makes all the sacrifices worth it. I love travelling the world and meeting like-minded people. Kiting makes me feel very connected to mother nature.
You came up through the GKA. What did those early years on tour teach you, and what did you have to figure out the hard way?
The Tour will humble you, for sure. Everyone can perform in good conditions, but on the World Tour you fly around the globe with a fair chance of getting kicked out of a competition after just two heats and 30 minutes of riding - in conditions most people wouldn't call rideable. Organising these events isn't easy, especially in the Kite Surf category, where you need a combination of good wind and good waves in a window of maybe five days. It took me a few attempts to realise that you can't go in with the expectation of doing your best riding. The most important thing is to be able to adapt and make the most of any conditions the spot throws at you.
I learned a lot, and I still learn every time I attempt these competitions. The last season changed my mindset and I started loving the challenge. My level wouldn't be where it is today without all the time on the World Tour and being surrounded by the best kiters in the world. Nowadays, I can not only compete but also have fun in any kind of conditions.
The Riding
How would you describe your riding style to someone who's never seen you on the water? What makes you, you?
I'd say my riding style is a combination of power, flow, and style. My wave riding is pretty much based on my surfing, and I try to use the kite to add even more power to my turns and link multiple sections. I'm 1.90m, and with that size the power in my riding comes naturally. My strapless freestyle and big air are shaped by the rough Cape Town conditions, and there's no holding back. The ocean is the place where I can really express myself, and I believe you can see that in my riding style.
What's the trick or moment you're most proud of - the one that feels like it actually pushed the sport forward, not just your own progression?
I'd say my approach to wave kiting is quite unique. I'm a perfectionist, and I've spent countless hours studying the best surfers in the world and learning from them. Wave kiting hasn't reached its full potential yet, in my opinion, and linking different turns, barrels, and airs is the future of the sport - and a big part of my riding. The other thing is that I really try to cover all parts of the strapless discipline. A lot of riders focus on either waves, freestyle, or big air, and try to reach their full potential in one of those categories. My goal is to be a complete rider and push the sport in all of them.
The wave competitions are tough - you're going up against the best in the world every event. What does your mental prep actually look like before a heat?
I've recognised that I feel comfortable under pressure. I had to learn to stay present and in the moment, and not rush things even when time is limited. Over the years I've made some friends on the World Tour, and they play a big role for me. I do my best riding when I'm out there with good people who share the same passion. Being surrounded by friends - sharing apartments, living and training together, helping each other out - has made me feel more confident, and I learned to bring that confidence into the heat.
I obviously check the conditions before my heats, see which waves I want to take and the lines I want to draw. I have a strong belief in my abilities and stay really calm before heats. Hyping myself up never really worked for me - it's more about channelling my thoughts and being sharp in the mind to execute the game plan. I love the pressure and the drive I get from these competitions. For me, it's very important to have goals in my life and see a bigger picture that keeps me motivated to push my limits in every single session. Competition gives me exactly that drive.
Favourite Sessions & Spots
What makes a spot truly special for you? Is it the wind, the waves, the vibe - what are you looking for?
I've always loved waves, and nothing beats the feeling of getting barrelled. I'm a sunset person, and whenever the orange light comes up, I do my best riding and get a pure feeling of joy on the water. I've also realised that sharing sessions with friends and having a good vibe on the water can make average conditions feel like the best day ever.
Tell us about your favourite session ever. Where was it, what happened, and why does it stick with you?
When it comes to my favourite session, it has to be one at One Eye with a proper swell and not many people out - a perfect left with steady wind, barrels, air sections, and warm water. It doesn't get much better than that. I had one session there this April that really stays in my mind.
What's the most unique or unexpected experience you've had on the water?
It's always special to meet wildlife out on the water - a seal, penguins, a moonfish, flying fish, or some big turtles. When I'm out there on my own and see those animals, it always puts a smile on my face.
If you could tell every kiteboarder to visit one destination, what would it be and why?
I'd say Cape Town. It's more than just a watersports destination. The food is amazing, the nature is beautiful, the people are super welcoming, and the conditions are just incredible. You can have everything - from super-strong winds to perfect waves to flat-water spots. Cape Town offers a lot of potential for all kinds of riders.
The Bigger Picture
Outside of competition, how important is content and building your personal brand to you? How do you think about that balance?
It's a big part of life as a professional kitesurfer. I study Marketing at an online university, so building a personal brand comes quite naturally to me. I've been editing videos since I was young, and I love creating content and sharing it online. I've been focusing more on YouTube - those videos tell a bigger story and last way longer than a daily Instagram reel.
For me, the most important thing is to share what I love and not just chase the next viral reel. Social media can get into your head easily. It's really important to find a good balance. In the end, the most important thing is to enjoy what you're doing. If you put too much pressure on yourself because of social media, you can lose that feeling. I've been at that point before, but nowadays I've found a good balance for myself - one that isn't based on numbers and likes.
What are you seeking in life, beyond titles and podiums?
For me, it's most important to enjoy life to the fullest. Our time on this beautiful planet is very limited, and I'm here to make the most of it. The ocean has always been my happy place, and I couldn't imagine a life without it.
What's the version of your career you're working toward? What does it look like in five years if everything goes right?
Right now, I'm really into competing. I feel like I'm not even in my prime yet, and I want to fight for the world title in the next few years. I've invested a lot into my career, and I'm just about to reach the return on that investment - I can see some good results coming my way soon.
Another big part is product development. In school, my strengths were in science, especially physics. I'm really interested in testing different shapes, constructions, and everything that comes with them, to help the brand create the best products possible. I'm 25 now, and I believe your prime as a wave kiter starts around 30. Not too sure about freestyle and big air - but let's see what the future has to offer.
Kiteboarding in one word. Go.
Freedom.
