Words by Peri Roberts
Some riders find kiting. For Timo Boersema, it felt like the sport found him. Growing up in the Netherlands, his home spot was the Zandmotor at Kijkduin – a stretch of shifting sand and wild North Sea wind. From the start, it was never just a hobby. “I almost immediately knew it,” he says.
That sense of certainty has carried him from his local beach to international podiums. In 2022, he claimed third place at Cold Hawaii, a milestone that still sits at the top of his proudest achievements. “The podium finish at Cold Hawaii is still my favourite moment,” he says. “That was really special.”
But it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. Just as his career was gaining momentum, Timo faced a broken ankle at the beginning of his gap year. It was a test of patience and resilience, the kind that forces a rider to find new ways to stay focused when they can’t be on the water. Like any true competitor, he came back stronger, ready to keep climbing.
For Timo, the love of the sport comes down to one thing: flight. “This is one of the only sports that can give you the feeling of flying,” he says. “That’s what I love the most about it.” If he had to sum it up in three words? “Adrenaline, flying, wind.”
That same passion is what drew him to competition and what drives him to push further. “Success for me is competition results and impact to others,” he says. “I want to progress, but I also want to inspire.” His advice to the next generation of riders is simple: “Make as many hours on the water as possible – even on the lighter wind days with a bigger kite. The wind isn’t always strong, so take every chance you get.”
Looking ahead, he’s got a stacked calendar: the Megaloop Challenge, NK Big Air, and another shot at Cold Hawaii. Each event is another opportunity to test his limits – and maybe step higher on the podium.
But Timo’s story isn’t just about results. It’s also about responsibility. As a rider, he knows his sport depends on nature. “Sustainability means a lot to me,” he says. “It’s a very important factor for my sport.” That’s why he rides in Prolimit wetsuits, built with Natureprene – an FSC-certified natural rubber alternative to neoprene. For him, the transition was seamless. “It just fits very well, and as it doesn’t feel different than the normal neoprene wetsuits, I think it can be a very good one to make it an industry standard. It’s more sustainable, so why not?”
It’s a simple logic that resonates with the We Care initiative – Prolimit’s commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility. Protecting the wind and water isn’t optional when it’s the foundation of everything you love. For Timo, it’s not a compromise. It’s the way forward.
No single rider can change the industry alone. But riders like Timo prove that small shifts matter: choosing better gear, supporting cleaner processes, and backing brands that take responsibility. It’s about setting an example, one session at a time.
In the end, his philosophy is as clear as his riding: chase the feeling, chase the flight and make sure the next generation has the same chance to fall in love with the wind.
We care about that.
And we care about riders like him.
