A conversation with the Dutch group on friendship, entrepreneurship and sustainability.
Words by Peri Roberts
The conversation flowed easily with the boys from Space X Kitesurfing. As soon as they mentioned beers and pizza after a session, I knew this was going to go well. It’s the simple things like this that I thoroughly enjoy about my own kiteboarding days.
“We met at an event and realised we all kited in Zandvoort,” they told me. “After that, we started a group chat, did a big downwinder, drank beers, ate pizza... and from that night we thought, yeah – we should do this more often.”
Right away, their relaxed energy, dry humour and strong sense of friendship set the tone. What started as a casual back-and-forth about kiting quickly turned into something bigger – a story of community, creativity and a quiet pushback against the polished, overly curated side of the sport.
It’s clear these guys aren’t around to do things by the ‘book’. They’re in it for each other – and for the kind of fun that got most of us into kiteboarding in the first place.
They’re also part of a new wave of riders quietly redefining what responsibility in the sport looks like. Their connection to the ocean is personal and through their work with Prolimit, they’ve started leaning into the environmental side of their mission too. Our We Care initiative has always been about doing better without sacrificing performance, and the Space X Kitesurfing crew embodies that balance.
“We’re not saints – we travel to kite and we use lots of gear. But something like the Natureprene wetsuit? That’s legit,” they told me. “It feels amazing, performs insanely well, and it’s made with better materials. That’s a real step forward.”
Natureprene is a biobased rubber derived from sustainably harvested, FSC-certified rubber trees. It’s engineered to match the stretch, warmth and durability of traditional neoprene – but without the environmental compromise. The suits are made using eco-conscious processes, including the use of oyster shell powder, soybean oil and water-based glues, all designed to reduce harm and minimise our carbon footprint.
“Most of us didn’t think about this stuff when we started,” they said. “But once you’ve spent enough hours in the water – and start to notice how much trash washes up on your favourite beach, it gets hard to ignore.”
From the way they ride to the way they speak about the ocean, it’s clear these small decisions matter. There’s no greenwashing here – just honesty, and a genuine belief that change comes in steps.
“We’re not perfect... but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t talk about it,” they said. “You see a plastic bag on the beach, you stop it from blowing into the sea. That’s the least you can do. Respect the ocean. That’s the whole reason we’re out here.”
That respect for the environment sits alongside the thing they’re most known for – an unfiltered love for community.
From those first sessions came GoPro clips, group edits and a now-iconic catchphrase in the group chat: “Let’s go to the moon today.” Eventually, they settled on a name that captured the energy: Space X Kitesurfing – part homage to sending it, part inside joke.
That organic growth turned into a grassroots movement. And what started as a tight crew turned into a global online presence, with 10,000+ followers, DIY comps and eventually a platform to build something bigger. They didn’t plan to become a business, they just wanted to jump higher than their friends and share the stoke.
But the comps took off. Literally.
“We posted on Instagram saying anyone could join our little ‘jump battle’ – and 60 people showed up on the beach. We had astronaut suits, lycras, prizes from a local shop and categories for all levels,” they laughed. “It wasn’t about performance. It was about community.”
That word comes up a lot. Not content. Not clicks. Community. And that’s what separates Space X Kitesurfing from the cookie-cutter trick edits filling the feed.
Unlike traditional media, their content focuses on shared moments over single frames. They’re not just showing tricks – they’re showing togetherness. They’ve become an antidote to the curated, individualistic influencer version of kiteboarding that dominates social media.
“We almost never ride alone,” they said. “For us, it’s about being out there together, laughing, crashing, chasing storms. That’s what we want to show. That’s what kiting’s really about.”
Their next move? The Wind Games – a community-driven competition platform that makes running kite comps easier for local clubs and beach communities. Born out of necessity and built on the Surfr app’s jump tracking tech, Wind Games lets riders connect, compete and climb their own rankings – without needing to be pro or sponsored.
The goal? Make kiteboarding more inclusive, more connected and more accessible.
As the boys put it: “Only 1% of kiters are pros. We’re building for the other 99%.”
In the end, the interview felt less like a press piece and more like catching up with old mates. These guys are thoughtful, grounded and building something rare: a space in kiteboarding that welcomes everyone, celebrates progression at all levels, and maybe most importantly – doesn’t take itself too seriously.
When asked what advice they’d give to the next generation, the answer came without hesitation: “Focus on personality and style. That’s what people care about. That’s what makes you stand out.”
It’s this ethos – fun first, people second, progression always – that makes Space X Kitesurfing so refreshing. In a sport increasingly consumed by metrics, money and marketing, they’ve carved out a lane for those who just want to ride hard and laugh harder.
With a new Prolimit collab on the way, a Red Sea boat trip planned and a storm chase locked and loaded, Space X Kitesurfing isn’t slowing down… and thank god for that.
In a world full of highlight reels, they’re out there filming bloopers. And we’re all better for it.
Follow their journey: @spacex_kitesurfing on Instagram | SpaceX Kitesurfing on YouTube and stay tuned for a very exciting Prolimit collab on its way.
