From winning the Youth Big Air World Championship to taking on the world’s best in Brazil and Tarifa, at just 17, Finn Flügel is proving himself as one of the sport’s most versatile young riders. Jen Tyler caught up with Finn to talk progression, competition, and carrying both German and Egyptian roots onto the world stage.

Finn, great to have you here! You’ve been on the podium across freestyle, big air and hydrofoil, all in just the past two years. How do you balance training for so many disciplines at once? Do you think specialising would make you stronger, or do you want to keep that variety?

Hello Jen. It’s great to hear from you again. It’s been a while since Gouna! I don’t really feel like I train for different disciplines as such. I’ve been doing it from the start, so it just feels natural. I’d put it more like I adapt to the spots I’m at. Currently, with two freestyle competitions approaching, my primary focus is on freestyle.

To be honest, I’m not sure. In freestyle, I’d say I can definitely compete at the top level, but I could never imagine doing only freestyle like some riders do. That would just feel too boring for me, and honestly, there aren’t that many great freestyle spots around the world. You have to work with the conditions you get. At the end of the day, I’m just a kiter who wants to be on the water anywhere, anytime. That’s why specialising has never really been an option for me.

Looking back at your win at the 2025 GKA Youth Big Air World Championship in St. Peter-Ording, what did that victory mean to you personally, and how did it feel to represent both Germany and Egypt on that stage?

It was, and still is, an absolute dream come true for me. I can speak for all the other riders when I say it was incredibly important to create a Youth Big Air World title.

The challenge is that many young riders do not have the chance to compete in men’s events. The fields are always full, and the waiting lists feel endless. I was in the same situation myself, and only got the opportunity in Brazil last winter because I was lucky enough to receive a wild card. But we do not just want to train, we want to compete against each other. Otherwise, at some point, it stops being fun.

As a German, I will never forget that the event took place in Germany. And of course, in moments like that, I always think back to my home spot in Egypt. That is where I learned all my airstyle tricks, which were so crucial for this event.

You’ve had standout results in both freestyle and hydrofoil big air. What excites you more: freestyle or going huge in extreme conditions with the foil?

Phew, that’s a tough question! Spending four weeks in Greece during the summer, with freestyle conditions almost perfect every day, made it an amazing experience to train and invent new tricks. You just keep pushing yourself to the edge of what’s possible. But when I’m in Tarifa, I naturally focus on big air. Right now, though, I have to say I’m really enjoying hydrofoiling. I think it’s because there’s still so much untapped potential, and I’m constantly learning new tricks. That’s what really drives me.

In Brazil and Sylt, you went up against some of the best in the world, not just youth riders. How different is your mindset when you’re competing in senior events compared to youth competitions?

Not really. I have been competing in World Cups since I was 12, and by then, you have already developed a certain routine, and you are no longer afraid of the other riders. They always have to prove themselves first, and nobody likes losing to a youngster. At Big Air events, it doesn’t matter as much, anyway, since most of us are still relatively young. Take Leonardo or Shahar, for example; they are also among the top riders.

You’ve grown up with kiting being such a big part of your daily life in El Gouna. Do you ever feel pressure to perform at such a young age, or does it still feel like playtime on the water?

First of all, I still cannot imagine a better playground than having the Red Sea right on my doorstep. Growing up here has been an incredible privilege.

As you know, I have amazing sponsors, including Red Bull, Duotone, and F2, who support me in everything I do. I am really grateful for that and could not imagine better partners. Of course, I always want to give my best and prove that their support is the right decision. Red Bull and Duotone, in particular, boast some absolute legends on their teams, and I still think it’s wild that my name is now among them.

At the same time, I always enjoy being on the water, because for me, it still feels a bit like play. New equipment, good wind, new moves - it all feels like fun!

Training in El Gouna vs competing in places like Tarifa, Sylt or St. Peter-Ording must be very different. How do you adapt your riding to totally different conditions?

Of course, you always have to adapt your riding to different spots. As a German, I have known St. Peter-Ording and Sylt since I was a child. I actually learned to kite next to El Gouna on Sylt, and I still go there every year on holiday with my parents. So I know how the waves break, what to look out for, and how the wind behaves. But in the end, what makes a good rider is the ability to adapt quickly to any conditions.

The sport is progressing really fast. Are there any tricks you see coming in the next couple of years that you’re already working on?

That’s right! I think it is very important for us, the younger generation, to continue pushing the sport forward. If you look at a couple of my new freestyle tricks, like the FS10 or the Blind Backside 9, you can see that progression is still happening in freestyle. In big air and hydrofoiling, it is even more noticeable because those disciplines are evolving at a much faster pace.

I find it incredibly exciting to experiment with moves that, at first, you are not even sure are possible. For me, the most rewarding are the really technical tricks, because they show who has put in hundreds of hours on the water. That said, I won't reveal my new tricks just yet! 

You’ve mentioned King of the Air as your dream. When you think about stepping into that event in the future, how do you picture your riding standing out from the rest?

That is my biggest dream! Of course, I would love to be part of it right away, but I try to stay realistic. It is the ultimate accolade, and I know I have to wait until they believe I am ready. Deep down, I am prepared for this challenge, so I genuinely hope to be part of it in the next few years.

As for my style, technique, and safety, they always come first. I come from freestyle and airstyle, and both have shaped me here in Egypt over the past years. If I had grown up somewhere else, my riding might look completely different. For me, it is essential to execute every trick as cleanly as possible. Only then am I satisfied. I also love mixing different influences so that in the end it becomes my own style; Finn’s style!

Many young riders look up to you now. What’s one piece of advice you’d give to other kids who dream of following in your footsteps?

If possible, always strive to be a role model for others. Just as some people look up to me, there will be others who look up to you. That is why it is so important to be helpful and friendly to one another. I do not have much respect for people who think they are better than others because they are good at kitesurfing.

Always get out on the water, regardless of whether the conditions are perfect or not. Always believe in yourself, even when things are not going well. Once you have made some progress, start looking for sponsors. I learned a great deal by going through that process myself. Gain as much specialist knowledge as you can and test as much different equipment as possible. Above all, I wish everyone continued enjoyment of kitesurfing.

What exciting plans do you have this winter? 

The next few weeks are going to be pretty wild. I’ve just arrived in El Gouna from Tarifa for two weeks, and next week I’m flying to Brazil for another two weeks to prepare for the first freestyle competition in Abu Dhabi. We will also have the hydrofoil final there, which I am training for at the moment. After that, it is straight back to Brazil for the freestyle event, and then I will be gearing up for Cape Town. Hopefully, everything goes to plan. After that whirlwind, I am really looking forward to a winter and spring with a little less travelling in El Gouna and, of course, plenty of time on the water with my friends.

Amazing, thanks Finn! See you soon in El Gouna! 

Yes! See you soon, Jen!

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