Rodrigues: The Island That Stole the Show

“Come for the wind, stay for the people.” Maybe that sounds like something you’d read on the front of a tourism brochure, but after spending four days at the Rodrigues Kite Festival, I can honestly say I’ve never found a phrase that sums up this place more perfectly.

Before I even caught sight of the famous turquoise lagoon, Rodrigues had already started to make a really good impression on me. From the airport shuttle to the hotel staff and the locals I met along the way, everyone greeted me with the same genuine smile and willingness to help. It wasn’t forced hospitality; it was simply ‘The Rodriguan way of life.’

I’ve travelled to plenty of kitesurfing destinations over the years, but there’s something quite different about this small island in the Indian Ocean. It doesn’t take long before you’re treated like a local and made to feel right at home.

I arrived at Mourouk; the trade winds were already doing what they do best, filling the crystal-clear lagoon with kites. The event village buzzed with excitement as competitors prepared their equipment, volunteers rushed around making final checks, and spectators found the perfect spot to watch the action unfold.

This was a place that was impossible not to smile.

Although this was my first Rodrigues Kite Festival, it immediately became obvious why so many people gather here. The atmosphere wasn’t just vibrant; it felt genuine. There were no egos, no unnecessary stress and none of the tension you sometimes find at competitions. Instead, there was laughter, handshakes and people helping one another before the event had even begun.

That sense of community isn’t accidental.

One of the things I found incredible was discovering how the festival comes together each year. Mourouk Windsports Club acts as the umbrella organisation for all of the kite schools operating in the area. Rather than competing against one another, every school helps out to create the festival. In an industry where businesses often focus on standing out from the crowd, seeing everyone work together towards the same goal was genuinely refreshing.

It set the tone for everything that followed.

Before the competition officially got underway, I attended the opening press conference hosted by the Commissioner of Tourism, Jean Alain Wong So, alongside the festival sponsors.

There was plenty of discussion about the event, its growth, the support and the increasing international interest it attracts. One point that particularly stood out was the level of support from sponsors. As the Commissioner explained this, you could tell the event was something of a project to be proud of, not just a showcase of brands.

The team spoke to everyone with exactly the same warmth and respect, whether they were sponsors, athletes, volunteers or members of the media. Everyone mattered.

By Thursday afternoon, registration was in full swing, and the event village came alive. Riders from Rodrigues, Mauritius, Seychelles, France and Norway wandered between tents making final equipment checks while catching up with old friends and introducing themselves to new faces. Although everyone had travelled to compete, it already felt less like a championship and more like a reunion.

That international mix gave the festival another layer of excitement. Watching local riders line up alongside competitors from overseas highlighted just how far the Rodrigues Kite Festival has come. This was no longer just a local event. It had become a meeting point for the international kitesurfing and wingfoiling community.

The opening discipline was the mixed fleet downwind slalom, and what a way to kick things off.

Watching dozens of kites charge across the lagoon together was spectacular. Cheering, charging and just generally having fun.

The beauty of watching from C Mourouk is that you’re never far from the action. Spectators could follow almost every move, creating an atmosphere that felt closer to a stadium than a beach.

As the afternoon faded into evening, the competition naturally gave way to something equally important: bringing people together.

Music played across the beach; the day wrapped up, and competitors who had spent the day racing were now enjoying the evening, consuming food and drink and looking forward to what lay ahead for the next day.

It was the first glimpse of something I’d come to realise over the next few days.

This is not only a competition but also a celebration.

Friday morning arrived with another reliable Rodrigues breeze and a sense that the festival was only just getting started. The daily rider briefing was underway, with chatter and excitement for one of the most anticipated events of the weekend, the Big Air competition.

Despite the wind maybe not being as strong as they would have preferred, the riders agreed to adapt and continue to put on a show. Again, another emphasis as to why this event was like none I’d been to before. Competitors could adapt, smile and be simply happy to just ride!

The competition box was barely just meters from the shoreline, meaning the beach had now filled with competitors, coaches and members of the public. You could hear the crowd react every time a rider sent it just that little bit higher than the last.

The men’s heats opened the competition before the women took to the water, each rider looking to impress both the judges and the spectators. Every heat seemed to raise the standard, building towards an exciting final where the level of riding reflected just how much the event has grown in recent years.

Helping oversee the competition was Red Bull athlete Louka Pitot, who had travelled to Rodrigues to assist with the event, acting as Head Judge for the Big Air discipline. Having someone of his calibre involved not only ensured a professionally judged competition but also got enthusiasts excited to be a part of this show!

No sooner had the excitement of Big Air settled than competitors were preparing for one of the most entertaining races of the weekend, The Mini Raid.

Unlike a traditional race, this one began with a running beach start. Riders lined up shoulder to shoulder on the sand before sprinting towards the water, boards in hand, creating chaos as everyone tried to claim the perfect position before getting onto the plane.

From a spectator’s point of view, this was brilliant.

The three-lap course kept the fleet close together, and with every buoy rounding came another opportunity for overtaking. The cheers from the beach kept everyone engaged, and although the riders were focused on the race, you couldn’t help but feel that they were enjoying every minute of it too.

The wingfoilers were next up, adding another dynamic to an already action-packed programme.

The organisers had designed the course perfectly for spectators. Positioned close to the beach, it allowed everyone to follow the entire race from start to finish. Wingfoiling has grown enormously over the past few years, and seeing it included alongside the kitesurfing disciplines highlighted how the festival is evolving with the sport itself. The racing was close, the pace was great, and the atmosphere onshore was just as exciting as the action on the water.

Behind all of this was an enormous amount of work that most people never get to see.

Olympic kitefoil racer and WeGlide Kite School owner Jean de Fabilier was on hand to help set the race courses, test each body mark and work alongside the race directors to ensure everything ran smoothly. Having athletes of that level willing to contribute their time was so cool to see. A reminder of why we travel so far for these windsports: we do it because we love it!

Equally deserving of recognition was Event Manager Andy Albert. His calm, friendly approach seemed to hold everything together, and he didn’t even break a sweat! Organising an event with multiple disciplines, changing wind conditions and athletes from several countries is not an easy task, yet everything flowed effortlessly.

What impressed me most wasn’t simply how well organised the event was, but how approachable Andy remained throughout. Competitors felt comfortable sharing ideas, asking questions or chatting about the day’s conditions. He encouraged everyone to get involved regardless of experience, creating an atmosphere where first-time competitors felt just as welcome as seasoned professionals.

That welcoming attitude seemed to run through every part of the event.

It would be impossible to write about the Rodrigues Kite Festival without recognising the team. From the people setting marks on the racecourse and launching safety boats to those working behind the scenes with registration, timing and logistics, every single person played a role. It’s often said that events are only as good as the people behind them, and nowhere was that more obvious than here.

The third day arrived, and the wind had shifted, which meant the race team had to adapt the slalom course, but instead of creating problems, it actually made for some of the most exciting racing of the weekend. The second gybe marks sat so close to the beach, giving spectators an incredible view. Competitors approached at speed before throwing tight, aggressive turns around the buoy.

The energy onshore was infectious. Every close battle was met with cheers, every overtake celebrated as though it were a home victory. Alongside the slalom racing, the wingfoil fleet returned to the water, once again showcasing the diversity of disciplines on offer throughout the festival. Whether you were a lifelong kitesurfer or completely new to the sport, there was always something happening that kept your attention.

The competition itself reflected the festival’s increasing international presence. Riders from Rodrigues, Mauritius, Seychelles, France and Norway all shared the same stretch of water, pushing one another throughout the weekend while demonstrating the high standard that now defines the event. The podiums were well deserved, but what stood out most wasn’t who finished first or second. It was the mutual respect shared between every competitor, regardless of where they had travelled from.

As impressive as the action on the water was, the evenings may have been my favourite part of the entire experience.

As the sun set behind the hills surrounding Mourouk Lagoon, the event site transformed. The music kicked off, conversations flowed, and the evening was filled with laughter and celebration. Athletes who had been battling for positions only hours earlier were now sitting together, sharing food, swapping stories and cheering each other on.

It’s easy to forget, when watching athletes compete, that this sport is built on friendships.

The Rodrigues Kite Festival reminded me of that every single moment of the day.

These riders may spend the day trying to beat one another, but once the kites are packed away, those rivalries disappear. The friendships formed through wind sports stretch across countries and oceans, and it was genuinely refreshing to see how much everyone enjoyed simply being together.

Saturday night’s celebrations took that atmosphere to another level.

Live music echoed across C Mourouk as locals, visitors, competitors and volunteers all came together. Around a thousand people filled the venue, creating an atmosphere that felt less like the end of a sporting event and more like a community celebration. It wasn’t organised for the tourists or the athletes alone; it was something the entire island embraced.

Looking around that evening, it became obvious why this festival works so well.

Everyone has ownership of it.

The government supports it. Local businesses support it. The kite schools support it. Volunteers give up their time, and the community turns out in force. It’s a festival that belongs to Rodrigues, and visitors are simply invited to become part of it.

Before I knew it, Sunday had arrived, and it was time for the closing ceremony.

As trophies were presented and congratulations shared, there was a real sense of pride among everyone involved. Yes, there were winners. Yes, there were podiums. But the biggest success was bringing together an international community of riders in one of the most beautiful kitesurfing destinations in the world.

Leaving Rodrigues, I realised I’d arrived expecting to cover a kitesurfing competition.

Instead, I found a community.

I found an island where every smile is genuine, where strangers become friends within minutes and where a love of wind sports brings together people from every corner of the globe.

Rodrigues has world-class wind, crystal-clear water and incredible riding conditions. Those are the reasons many people book a ticket.

But after spending four days here, I don’t think those are the reasons they’ll return.

They’ll come back because of the people.

For me, that’s what makes the Rodrigues Kite Festival so special. It’s more than an event, more than a competition and more than a week of incredible wind. It’s a reminder of what our sport is really about. Community, friendship and sharing unforgettable experiences on the water.

And if you ever get the chance to visit Rodrigues, my advice is simple.

Go.

You’ll arrive for the wind.

You’ll leave talking about the people.