Join us as we catch up with Nuno Figueiredo, a legend in wave kiting, to talk about the sport’s evolution, his Guinness World Record wave, and why Portugal is a kiting hotspot. From strapless vs. strapped riding to his go-to gear and plans, Nuno shares his insights and passion for chasing big waves!

Hey Nuno, thanks for joining us! You’ve been charging on the wave-riding scene for so long now; what are some of the biggest changes you have seen in the sport recently?

Hi Jen! Thanks for having me! We’re seeing a lot more blending of strapless riding and wave manoeuvres. Watching the Cabo Verde contest, I noticed riders landing front rolls straight into the wave face, which is cool. That kind of progression makes strapless wave riding even more exciting.

To be honest, I never really got into strapless on flat water—it just doesn’t do it for me. But mixing in aerial manoeuvres on waves and barrels? That’s a whole different game, and it looks awesome. I’ve also noticed more riders chasing barrels lately, which I love because that’s what I enjoy most.

Aside from the gear improvements, the biggest shift is how much easier it is now to surf waves with a kite compared to the old C-shaped kites we started with. Everything is more refined, and riders push the sport in new directions.

Big Air is dominating the scene right now, but do you think we’ll see more riders returning to straps, especially in wave riding?

Big Air is massive right now, and for good reason—it’s what spectators love to watch. People get stoked seeing kiters fly at massive heights rather than just low, technical manoeuvres close to the water. But I think we’ll see more riders returning to straps, especially in bigger waves.

Riders like Jesse Richman and Kevin Langeree are increasingly using straps. Even Keahi de Aboitiz, who has been riding strapless for years, was recently filmed tackling barrels while strapped in. If using straps enhances your experience, why not? That’s how I see it.

What’s the scene like in Portugal these days? Have you seen many kiters switch to wings? Have you had a go at winging?

Portugal is a small country with a small kiting community, but we have an insane variety of conditions—flat water, big waves, and everything in between. That’s why you see so many pro riders moving here.

As for winging, a few kiters have switched, but not many. Most people are doing both. I started winging mainly to teach at my school because I knew the demand for wing lessons would grow in the future. I only do a few lessons a year and rent gear to tourists. It’s a fun sport, and watching guys rip in the contests is impressive, but it hasn’t fully hooked me yet. I still prefer surfing and kitesurfing, but let’s see what the future holds!

How did getting the Guinness World Record in 2018 change your life? Do you still feel it has an impact on you and your career?

The wave was actually from 2017, and it took a full year of application and verification before it became official.

Of course, it had a huge impact—sponsors came on board and brought much attention. But honestly, I didn’t do it for the record. In 2016, I had already ridden a 12-meter wave, which was technically the biggest wave ever kited, but I didn’t claim it because I knew I could go bigger.

Then, in 2017, I got the 19-meter wave (actually 19.8m, but we officially listed it as 19m) in perfect conditions, and that was the moment I had been waiting for. The world record was just a byproduct of my personal goal—I wanted to kite Nazaré the way I envisioned it back in 2014 when I first saw those massive waves breaking.

Times have changed, and the industry has reduced sponsorship budgets, which is normal. But having that record will always be a milestone in my career.

You’re originally a surfer, and I notice you are still riding a waxed strapless board. Why is that? What do you prefer about wax over a front pad, especially now that the new pads are so thin?

Having been a surfer for so long, I’m just used to using wax. I have a sponsorship with Hidden—their wax is amazing, super sticky, and works well. I know the new front pads are great, too—I tried one, and it had incredible grip—but I guess I’m just so used to having wax on my board that a pad in the front still feels strange. I think it’s more about comfort and consistency; I often surf in the morning and kitesurf in the afternoon, so using wax gives me the same familiar feel on the board. Maybe that’s it!

You’ve been with Eleveight for a long time; what do you like most about the brand?

Yeah, I’ve been with Eleveight since the beginning. I was initially with Best Kiteboarding, but the shaper behind Eleveight contacted me when they ran into issues. I went to Lisbon, tested the new kites, and liked them. Peter Stiewe is an incredible designer and a great surfer—he knows exactly how to build a kite that works for waves.

Over the years, the gear has just kept improving—better materials, top-quality construction—so I stuck with them, and we’ve built a great relationship. I think they’re happy with my work, too—the marketing team even calls me a “content machine” because I’m constantly producing new stuff! Since day one, Eleveight has felt like the right fit, and I plan to stay with them as long as I have the strength to ride!

What does your quiver look like at the moment? What’s in the back of your van when you head to the beach?

If I know exactly what I’m doing—surfing, SUP, winging, or kiting—I pack accordingly, but if I’m unsure, it’s a nightmare because I bring everything. For a kite session, my setup always includes a surfboard (in case there’s no wind), two kite surfboards, two harnesses, six kites, two bars, two wetsuits, a pump, and extra gear in case something breaks. It’s ridiculous, especially when I go with a friend who also does all the sports—sometimes, we joke that we could open a shop with all the gear in our van!

You’re famous for charging big waves. When do you switch from strapless to strapped? Is it governed by the size, or do the general conditions also come into play?

It depends on the spot and conditions. At Supertubos, I always go strapless because I don’t want to be caught inside a barrel with straps—that can be dangerous. But straps are necessary for control in big, choppy waves like Nazaré.

If it’s 4m+ or very bumpy, I go strapped. If it’s a perfect, clean wave, I go strapless. And if I’m riding backside, I often prefer straps because they make getting out and jumping over waves easier.

The important thing is to have fun—don’t worry about looking “cool” or following trends. If straps make your session better, use them. If not, go strapless!

What’s it like to kite Nazaré? How often does it work?

Lining up a kite session at Nazaré is a nightmare. Everything has to be perfect—the right wind, the right swell, the right tide, and the right support team.

There might be one good day per year when it all comes together. If you miss it, that’s it—you’re not getting another chance. It’s frustrating because Nazaré is too windy, messy, small, or dangerous.

I first considered kiting Nazaré in 2014 when I saw the potential. Then, in 2016, I had my first serious big-wave kite session there. After my record wave in 2017, I had another great day in 2020, but I haven’t seen perfect conditions since then.

People don’t realise how hard it is. On Instagram, everything looks easy, but in reality, there are so many moving parts. If your jet ski isn’t ready, your safety team isn’t available, or you’re just not 100% prepared, you’re not going out.

When I do go, I go all in—I’m not kiting Nazaré for 8m or 10m waves. It has to be 15m+ clean; otherwise, it’s not worth the risk.

Portugal is a popular spot for pro riders to live; why do you think that is, and what does it offer such an appealing location?

The consistency. We have waves all year round. You get the best conditions in winter, but even in summer, it’s windy in northern Portugal.

The weather is mild, but the water is cold—people think it’s always warm here, but that’s not the case! Even so, the various conditions make Portugal the perfect place to be.

A lot of freestylers and wave riders have moved here—guys like Elena, James, Bruna, and Chris. You also see many riders coming here for events like the WKL in Peniche, 

Any big plans for 2025?

It's the same as always—chase big waves and big barrels and have fun. I don’t feel pressure to do anything crazy—I just do what I love, and I’m lucky I can.

Thanks, Nuno! Any final thoughts?

Thanks, Jen. It’s always great to share my 24 years of wave-riding with you. See you on the water!

Videos

Guinness World Record Largest wave kitesurfed - Nuno Stru
Nuno Stru Nazare - The return of the warrior
By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.

Comments