Jen Tyler caught up with the women behind Lieuwe to hear their stories—how they found kiting, what fuels their passion, and how they inspire the next generation. From riders chasing podiums to creatives capturing the essence of the sport, this is a celebration of the women powering Lieuwe!

Kiteboarding is about passion, progression, and pushing boundaries on and off the water. Behind the Lieuwe brand, a group of dedicated, adventurous, and inspiring women are shaping the sport, whether as riders, creators, event organisers, or industry professionals. From athletes chasing podiums to storytellers capturing the essence of the sport, these women are making waves in more ways than one. This is a look inside the Lieuwe family—a community built on adventure, innovation, and an endless love for kiting. Jen Tyler had the chance to catch up with ‘The Women Powering Lieuwe’ and dive deeper into how they ended up in the Lieuwe family. 

Every kitesurfing journey has a defining moment, that first session where everything clicks. For Cassidi Bradshaw, it all started with a Lieuwe photoshoot in Tarifa. From that moment, she was hooked—not just on riding but on the lifestyle, the community, and the energy of the sport. Now, as a Lieuwe ambassador, she’s part of the brand’s heartbeat, assisting in organising events and team kite sessions and helping drive social media from the beaches of Cape Town.

For Mignon Rijnja, one sentence changed everything: “I don’t know what you’re doing, but I’m going to start kitesurfing!” That decision led her to third place in the national kite competition, proving that when you follow your passion, there’s no limit to what you can achieve. Now, as a Local Hero for Lieuwe, she shares her love for the sport with the community, pushing limits and inspiring others to take the leap.

Then there’s Dominique Foss, who left behind a structured career as a high-care nurse in Amsterdam to embrace a life of freedom and adventure. Watching friends fly through the air on kites changed everything—she knew she had to experience that feeling for herself. Now, kiting is not just her passion but part of her creative journey, as she blends riding, photography, and content creation into a lifestyle she never wants to give up.

While Lieuwe is known for its high-performance boards, it’s also about bringing people together, and few people embody that better than Amy Wilson. As co-owner of High Five Kitesurf School in Cape Town, Amy has built more than just a school—it’s a hub for the kiting community, a space where riders of all levels connect, progress, and celebrate the sport.

With High Five as a Lieuwe Test Centre, Amy and her team host demo days, downwinders, and iconic South African braais, creating an atmosphere where kiteboarders feel at home. One of their biggest successes? The BIG WOOP is an epic annual event in partnership with Lieuwe and WOO Sports, where riders of all levels can test gear, compete, and send it as high as possible—all in the name of fun and progression.

Every great brand has a powerhouse team behind it, and for Lieuwe, that includes the Van Haaster sisters.

Lisa van Haaster started managing Lieuwe’s social media in 2021, turning her passion for kitesurfing, surfing, and snowboarding into a full-time adventure. Having won the Poederbaas Dutch Freeride Championship three times, she brings the same fearless energy to the Lieuwe brand, connecting riders, organising content, and keeping the stoke alive online and on the water! Her sister, Sanne van Haaster, started as an intern and quickly became essential to Lieuwe’s marketing and sales team. Though she later set off on a South American adventure, she never really left the Lieuwe family, still riding, representing, and bringing her high-energy personality into everything she does.

“I crave balance, yet somehow I’m always tipping the scales—bouncing between extremes. One moment, I’m meditating; the next, I’m launching myself off a plane with questionable faith in physics.” - Sanne van Haaster

The Lieuwe family stretches across the globe, bringing together riders from all backgrounds, locations, and levels. For Basia Majcher, a former World Cup snowboarder from Poland, kiteboarding became her new obsession. After retiring from competitive snowboarding, she threw herself into the sport, and now, her whole family is involved. She travels the world alongside her husband and two daughters, exploring kite spots, sharing her journey, and inspiring others through her online platform.

Her connection with Lieuwe is more than just a sponsorship—it’s a community that feels like home, a team that shares her passion and supports her journey.

These women prove that being part of the industry doesn’t mean just competing—it means building, inspiring, and creating spaces for others to thrive.

Whether they’re running kite schools, leading social media, designing events, pushing the limits on the water, or capturing the sport through photography, the women behind Lieuwe are shaping the future of kiteboarding. As they continue to break boundaries, fuel the next generation, and celebrate the joy of riding, one thing is sure—this is just the beginning.

Follow these incredible women, test a Lieuwe board, and get involved in the growing community!

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