100 Moments: A Kitesurfing Timeline
Issue 100 / Wed 9th Aug, 2023
With a history that goes back to the 1970s, kitesurfing has been around, in some form or other, for almost 50 years; can you believe it?! In this feature, we've put together a timeline of the key points in our kiting history, including the development of the sport, competitive achievements, pop culture, and unforgettable acts by some of our top riders. Enjoy IKSURFMAG's 100 Moments!
With a history that goes back to the 1970s, kitesurfing has been around, in some form or other, for almost 50 years; can you believe it?! With a quick glance at all our previous covers, you can see how the sport, and our magazine, has changed since 2006. Yet, the pillars of our sport remain the same. The cover of Issue 100 features 3 of the sport's founding brands - Naish, Cabrinha, and F-One, all still a major part of our sport today, performing 3 of the greatest disciplines of kitesurfing.
In this feature, we've put together a timeline of the key points in our kiting history, including the development of the sport, competitive achievements, pop culture, and unforgettable acts by some of our top riders. With so many years to cover and very little media available from the early days, we've certainly missed a few, but we hope you enjoy IKSURFMAG's 100 Moments!
#1 - 1826
Sustainable fuel sources are not a new concept; In 1826, British inventor George Pocock patented the Charvolant, a kite-drawn buggy powered by two kites on 450m lines!
#2 - 1903
Kites officially meets watersports. In 1903, showman Samuel Franklin Cody crossed the English channel in a kite-powered boat, while wearing his trusty cowboy hat!
#3 - 1977
The first concept of riding a kite on a board is immortalised, with Gijsbertus Adrianus Panhuise from the Netherlands receiving a patent with this drawing of his idea of the sport in 1977.
#4 - 1984
Bruno and Dominique Legaignoux, avid windsurfers, begin experimenting with inflatable kites in the early 80s, patenting the first arc shaped inflatable leading edge kite in 1984.
#5 - 1994
Father and son duo, Bill and Cory Roeseler, release the KiteSki, a commercially available product that could take riders upwind and even relaunch from the water!
#6 - 1996
The sport, so far only known as flysurfing, continues to gain traction, with athletes like Laird Hamilton and Manu Bertin ripping it up in Maui. The name flysurfing is dropped in favour of kitesurfing.
#7 - 1997
Things are really taking off in equipment development as the 2-line Wipika kite makes its debut. Remember Bruno and Dominique Legaignoux? These French brothers were the men behind Wipika.
#8 - 1997
Raphael Salles is the top-ranked windsurfer on the pro tour, but falls in love with kiteboarding. In 1997, he founds F-ONE and becomes one of the first brands to produce kiteboards that are readily available to the fledgling market.
#9 - 1997
Inventor of the kite buggy (1990), Peter Lynn from New Zealand invents the first-ever hybrid kite in 1997, the C-Quad, a single skin delta kite with the bridling of a foil kite. The 6.3m retails for just £200.
#10 - 1998
Flash Austin wins the first ever "World Kiteboarding Championship", organised by Joe Keuhl (AKA Joe Cool) on Maui, with key players Robby Naish, Elliot Leboe, and Lou Wainman helping drive the popularity of the event and sport.
#11 - 1999
Naish Sails Hawaii release their first inflatable kite, the AR3.5, after a licensing deal with the Legaignoux brothers. They quickly become market leaders, and Don Montague develops game-changing kite design software.
#12 - 1999
Kiteboarding goes global! Frederic Gravoille founds the KPT (Kiteboard Pro Tour), which kicks off in 1999, with stops in Cape Verde, Morocco, and France.
#13 - 1999
Red Bull King of the Air is born! Kiteboarding captures the attention of Red Bull, and they run their first event in Maui. Robby Naish steals the show and becomes the first King of the Air!
#14 - 1999
Slingshot Kites is founded in the Gorge, the hub of wind sports in the USA. They are one of the first companies that is a dedicated kite brand, as most of the brands at this time have windsurf or paragliding heritage.
#15 - 2000
The KPT becomes the KPWT (Kiteboard Pro World Tour), including wave and freestyle categories and kiteboard cross (long distance and obstacle) challenges, with seven stages around the world.
#16 - 2001
The competitive scene goes through some growing pains. The BMC World Tour, organised by non-kiters, causes some turmoil, and the PKRA (Professional Kite Riders Association) is formed after the riders vote.
#17 - 2001
Cabrinha enters the market with the support of Neil Pryde. Long-time surfer and windsurfer Pete Cabrinha launches the first range of inflatable kites, which are taking over the market.
#18 - 2001
Ozone Kites launches and sets up their Parapex factory in Vietnam. Their focus is on foil kite development, and they become industry-leaders in snowkiting with the launch of the first-ever dedicated snowkite the following year.
#19 - 2001
Remember flysurfing? In 2001, FLYSURFER joins the market. The German company, with its paragliding connections, launches a range of three light wind specific, self-filling ram air kites.
#20 - 2001
The International Kite Organisation is launched, with a goal to develop a school and instructor network that could deliver kitesurfing to the masses in a safe and independent manner.
#21 - 2001
Only on VHS, the first all-action kiting film is released by Side-Off, called Air Sickness. A year later, they followed up with the release of Strung Out, another action-packed classic!
#22 - 2002
Mystic is founded; the accessories brand releases the first mass-produced kitesurfing harness, called the Darkrider. Mystic later grows to become the most popular accessories brand in the sport.
#23 - 2002
The tragic death of German kitesurfing champion Silke Gorldt during an event in the Baltic Sea raises awareness of safety in kitesurfing, inspiring the industry to invest more into functional safety systems.
#24 - 2002
Mark Shinn makes a name for himself with his fluid style and technical board-off manoeuvres. He wins two World Championship Tours in one year, the KPWT and the PKRA, on the Naish X2, the "kite of tomorrow, today."
#25 - 2002
Inflatable kites start blowing up; Slingshot produces its first inflatable kite, the Fuel, Flexifoil releases the Storm, and F-ONE drops the Mach 1. This is the year when 4-line inflatable kites become the industry standard.
#26 - 2003
Susi Mai wins the Red Bull Queen of the Air on Maui, the first woman to hold the title. Her dominance continues for three consecutive years, all while participating in the KPWT tour.
#27 - 2003
Aaron Hadlow makes his debut in the kitesurfing scene. The 14-year-old is already taking the freestyle world by storm, beating competitors much older than him. He goes on to win his first championship in 2004.
#28 - 2004
The "Dark Lord" of kitesurfing arrives. Best Kiteboarding launches an internet-only direct sales model. Their low prices and online marketing strategy gains traction with customers. Keyboard warrior war breaks out!
#29 - 2004
Gisela Pulido wins her first of many World Championships in freestyle at just 11 years old, competing on the KPWT. She moves on to the PKRA a few years later, picking up more titles there. Today, she competes in hydrofoil racing.
#30 - 2004
The first Gin kite is made by the team at Gin Gliders. It is a foil kite with handles for power kiting and snowkiting. Gin Kiteboarding is formed 3 years later as a dedicated kite brand in Switzerland.
#31 - 2005
In the final KOTA of the era, Robby Naish gets taken down by Ruben Lenten, signalling the changing of the guard. Sadly, the event then takes a hiatus.
#32 - 2005
5-line kites become the hottest thing in kitesurfing. North releases the 5th Element bar, and everybody wants one. Riders love the 5th-line safety concept, and the industry races to give them what they want.
#33 - 2005
The bow is born! The Legaignoux brothers are back with a new patent, the bow kite. Cabrinha is the first to manufacture one, called the Crossbow which uses a pulley bar. They are closely followed by Takoon who launch the Nova.
#34 - 2006
Ozone joins the party with the Instinct, the world's first flat bridled inflatable design with no pulleys and a depower throw within arms reach, breakthroughs at the time. The still-popular Edge is released a year later.
#35 - 2006
IKSURFMAG is born! The very first issue of this magazine launches with Aaron Hadlow on the cover, one of the GOATs of our sport! He's had several covers since, with the lastest being Issue 93.
#36 - 2006
Mark Shinn joins Nobile Kiteboarding in Poland as their Brand Manager. Together, they create the most technically advanced boards to date, becoming an instant hit in the European market.
#37 - 2007
The iconic North Rebel (now known as the Duotone Rebel) is released. This hybrid style bow kite becomes one of the most iconic kites in the sport, indicating a major change in the market.
#38 - 2007
Ruben Lenten loops onto the scene. While Aaron Hadlow is sweeping the wakestyle world, Ruben Lenten's signature megaloop instilled shock and awe across the kiteboarding world.
#39 - 2007
CORE Kiteboarding is formed by the team in Fehmarn that runs Carved Custom boards. Their black and white kites become instantly recognisable on the shores of the Baltic Sea and around the world.
#40 - 2008
Kiting gets organised, with the International Kiteboarding Association being founded by Guillaume Fournier. Later that year, kiteboarding is adopted as an ISAF international sailing class.
#41 - 2008
Pioneer of strapless kitesurfing and F-ONE rider, Mitu Monteiro from Cape Verde wins his first World Title. His incredible style and humble approach inspire a whole generation of strapless kiters.
#42 - 2008
F-ONE launch the Bandit, the first patented new kite design in the industry for some time; it's an instant hit and the sales are huge. The Bandit is still with us today, and the design principal shaped most modern kites.
#43 - 2008
Aaron Hadlow wins his 5th World Championship against 100 competitors in the 2008 event! The era of Hadlow continues, and it's showing no signs of stopping. Youri Zoon and Kevin Langeree prove to be tough competitors.
#44 - 2009
Billionaire tycoon Richard Branson is seen in an iconic photo of him kiting with naked model Denni Parkinson on his back. The shot was taken by her boyfriend, photographer Stephane Gautronneau.
#45 - 2009
Liam Whaley springs onto the scene! The young rider from Tarifa shows off his impressive wakestyle moves in Brazil at only 13 years old. Another generational talent has made his debut!
#46 - 2010
Santa Cruz local Coleman Buckley develops the first-ever hardshell harness, custom moulded for each client in his workshop. Ride Engine is one of the most popular harness brands on the market today.
#47 - 2010
Airush is the first brand to release a one-strut kite, dubbed the One. Its impressive power-to-weight ratio is perfect for lightwind kiting, and other brands are quick to follow this path.
#48 - 2010
3x British Champion Lewis Crathern heads out in a huge storm with a mission to jump over the Brighton Pier; he clears the 100ft high pier with room to spare and immediately fills the newsrooms around the world...
#49 - 2010
Alexandre Caizergues becomes the first man to travel 100km/h on water in Luderitz, Namibia, on his kite. Breaking the world sailing speed record many times, he is still the fastest man on a kite with 107km/h in 2017.
#50 - 2011
The IKSURFMAG Readers Awards kick off for the first time! This popular annual contest allows our readers to vote for their favourite equipment, riders, movies, and more! Bruna Kajiya and Youri Zoon win the first awards.
#51 - 2011
Kiteboarding hits its stunt era with rider Nick Jacobsen on the scene. He climbs the crane of the Seli ship wreck near Cape Town, South Africa, before snacking on a Carlucci's sandwich and jumping off!
#52 - 2012
A new brand joins the board market. Kitelement was founded by two brothers with the aim of making kiteboarding more accessible. They become known for their range of affordable split boards.
#53 - 2012
The first version of the IKSURFMAG mobile app is released, giving our readers access to hundreds of techniques, tests, and every issue of the magazine, all available on the go!
#54 - 2013
Stuntman Jesse Richman performs a 790-foot tow-up over the Columbia River Gorge before flying himself back down, claiming a kite flying world record. This stunt has never been accomplished by a kiter before!
#55 - 2013
Lieuwe Boards launches in the Netherlands. Kiteboarder and engineer Florian builds his own CNC machine to create the board he wants. His company becomes known for quality boards with custom design options.
#56 - 2014
Upwind: Launch of a Sport comes out. This hour-long documentary shares many incredible insights into the early days of kitesurfing and follows the lives of the American pioneers of kiteboarding.
#57 - 2014
Kitesurfing prodigy Mikaili Sol bursts onto the scene. The 10-year-old from Brazil is set to be one of the greatest stars in kitesurfing history, but we don't know it yet!
#58 - 2014
Malwina Shinn becomes the CEO of Shinn World, and the first female CEO in a major kiteboarding business. Their boards have a cult following with their high-performance shapes and iconic graphics.
#59 - 2015
Always coming up with creative projects and stunts, Hannah Whiteley takes to the water in high heels in this classic video. As Hannah says, "life is too short to be serious"!
#60 - 2016
A kitesurfer conquers Nazare! Nuno "Stru" Figueiredo takes the Best Cabo out in radical conditions, scoring the world record wave of 19m. The record still stands today.
#61 - 2016
Chapter One: The Kiteboard Legacy Begins has its premiere. It is the first 4K feature-length kiteboarding movie in history, and tells the story of kiteboarding with stunning visuals.
#62 - 2016
The Global Kitesports Association (GKA) is formed as an independent body by kitesurfing's most established brands. They are granted rights to run World Championships and become the leading tour organisation.
#63 - 2017
Former US President Barack Obama learns to kite at Necker Island after his retirement from the White House, becoming the first world leader to go kitesurfing!
#64 - 2017
Nick Jacobsen jumps off of the 321-metre-high Burj Al Arab in Dubai, one of the tallest hotels in the world. This is, to date, one of the greatest stunts that has ever been achieved in kiting.
#65 - 2017
The Bubble premieres! Creator Noe Font puts together an artistic and action-packed film with his Duotone team, enjoyed in premieres and viewing parties in kite spots around the world.
#66 - 2017
Eleveight makes their debut in the kitesurfing world, with their first product released in 2017. They are now in their 6th year and 7th lineup, and hold some impressive titles for such a young brand!
#67 - 2017
Kiteboarding goes to the movies! The remake of Baywatch features an opening scene with Demo LeRoy running into trouble on his kite. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson comes to the rescue just in time!
#68 - 2017
Making the list once again, Team Brunel and Nick Jacobsen teamed up to break the Tow Up world record in Cape Town. Jacobsen set the new record at a staggering 277 meters.
#69 - 2018
North Kiteboarding becomes Duotone. While one of the most confusing moments in recent years, they accomplish a massive rebrand overnight. The era of Duotone begins!
#70 - 2018
World Sailing officially confirms that kiteboarding will make its Olympic Games debut in 2024 in Paris, France. This announcement sparks a major development run in hydrofoil racing products.
#71 - 2018
Kitesurfing makes its debut in the 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Young athletes have the opportunity to compete for medals in twin tip slalom racing.
#72 - 2018
The world's first click-in chicken loop reaches the market. Ozone sets a new benchmark for the kiteboarding quick release. Other brands are quick to follow, as kiters take to this easier than ever method.
#73 - 2019
Kiteboarding hero and big air legend Ruben Lenten finds his home with the Ozone team after a few years as a free agent after the shocking closure of Best Kiteboarding.
#74 - 2019
In one of the most iconic and hilarious pop culture moments in kitesurfing, Marge Simpson goes kitesurfing in an episode of The Simpsons, and Homer has a session on the Widow Maker.
#75 - 2019
The best app in kiteboarding (other than the IKSURFMAG app!) launches. Duotone Academy features more than 200 lessons to level up your riding. This is an app that every kiteboarder should have!
#76 - 2019
The Hadlow era hasn't ended, but he celebrates 20 years of kitesurfing in this full-length documentary by Laci Kobulsky. TWENTY highlights Hadlow's incredible career.
#77 - 2019
The Triple S Invitational hosted by Real Watersports in Cape Hatteras holds its final event after a 13 year run beginning in 2006. They end it with a bang, hosting a MEGA event with a huge prize purse!
#78 - 2019
North Kiteboarding launches as a new brand with a brand new team under the North Actionsports Group umbrella. Mystic and North join forces as they begin a strong push into the market.
#79 - 2019
A team of women in Cape Town get together to run the "A Queen Is Born" event, proving that women are capable of sending it. Angely Buillot becomes a big air hero. She qualifies for KOTA the following year.
#80 - 2020
Kiteboarding as we know it comes to a stop as the COVID pandemic shuts down global travel. Kiteboarders get desperate and creative at home as they dream of their next day on the water.
#81 - 2020
The entire magazine industry breaks down as they can't be printed or distributed; IKSURFMAG keeps going with a skeleton crew. After all, COVID can't kill the internet!
#82 - 2020
Send It! Kitesurfing goes more mainstream than ever as the focal point in this awkward coming-of-age movie, made for the mass market but not well received. The movie featured pro kiters as stunt doubles.
#83 - 2020
Aluula makes its official entry into the world of kiting. The ultra-light composite material injects fresh energy into the development of lighter, stronger kites. Sadly, it also comes with a hefty price tag.
#84 - 2020
Nick Jacobsen joins team North and revisits his iconic crane jump in his home country of Denmark, teaming up with shipping vessel MV Leap Heart for one more unforgettable stunt!
#85 - 2020
Liquid Force Kiteboarding shuts its doors, marking the end of an era for the Oregon based brand with a global reach. The team disperses, many finding homes in other brands in the Hood River area.
#86 - 2020
The Slingshot UFO lands in Hood River, and rider Fred Hope baffles onlookers with his skilled and elegant riding style. The strutless kite becomes a favourite in the foil riding community.
#87 - 2020
As kitesurfers adjust their lifestyles around COVID, working from home allows more time on the water; the industry sees a massive boost and demand for new and secondhand kites goes through the roof.
#88 - 2021
A new approach to harness design reaches the market. AK Durable Supply Co creates the AK Ether harness, a minimalist, lightweight harness with a unique load-distribution system.
#89 - 2021
The big air scene gains some new faces. Italians Andrea Principi and Lorenzo Casati start to collect podiums at major events like Lords of Tram and Cold Hawaii. They push the young big air scene to new heights.
#90 - 2022
Mikaili Sol is the first female rider to land a 317. She continues to dominate the competitive kiteboarding world, branching out into big air and wave riding while winning almost every freestyle event she enters.
#91 - 2022
Big air takes another leap forward; Giel Vlugt from the Netherlands is the first kiter to land a double kite loop, sparking a wave of progression. The 2022 King of the Air promises to be the most extreme yet.
#92 - 2022
Brainchild Production shows us a glimpse of the future with groundbreaking work on recycled materials and revolutionary printed material. Which brand will be the first to embrace this exciting new method? There's a sneak peek in this issue…
#93 - 2022
The surprise 2022 King of the Air podium has Lorenzo Casati in 1st. Jamie Overbeek claims 2nd after fighting his way through after qualifying as a Porsche Golden Ticket competitor. The new era of big air is officially here.
#94 - 2022
Gin Kites joins SP80 in an effort to break the world sailing speed record of 78.26mph, held by Vestas Sailrocket 2 since 2012. The kite-powered trimaran is testing, and aims to reach 80mph in spring 2024.
#95 - 2022
Jalou Langeree's retirement marks the end of one of the longest-running careers in female kiteboarding. Her documentary, Reconnect, tells her story of breaking boundaries for women in kitesurfing.
#96 - 2023
Francesca Maini becomes the first woman to land a double kite loop in a competition at the BAKL event in Cape Town. Angely Bouillot claims her first double loop on the same day.
#97 - 2023
In another pop culture first, a kiteboarder wins a reality show! Frenchman Edgar Ulrich joins the cast of Love Island, taking home the win, and his partner, Cindy. Will she learn to kite?
#98 - 2023
Lorenzo Casati becomes the first kiteboarder ever to land a triple kite loop. The big air game is evolving quickly, and riders like Lorenzo are leading the charge.
#99 - 2023
The WOO jump height world record is broken multiple times in one day. Josh Emanuel takes it on the just-released XR Pro, a shiny update to their big air masterpiece, the XR! Learn more about this kite in the Tech Focus section of this issue!
#100 - TODAY
Today marks 100 issues and 17 years of dedication to curating and sharing incredible stories and images to kiters around the world in the know, all for free, and accessible anywhere, anytime. Here's to 100 more!
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