"...and from that moment, I was completely hooked" - Figo van Ekeren

Hey I´m Figo van Ekeren, 11 years old and I was born in Amsterdam. When I was one we moved to Zandvoort and since I was eight I live in Tarifa.

My sponsors are Duotone, ION and Dakhla Hospitality Group.

How did you first get into kitesurfing, and what motivated you to pursue it seriously?

My parents have always been kiting, and when we lived in Zandvoort I was constantly watching them from the beach. Since I was three, I would play with my little trainer kite and imagine what it would feel like to really fly.

When we moved to Tarifa, those dreams only grew bigger. And then, in November 2023, I finally touched the water with my own kite and board for the very first time.

You moved to Tarifa to pursue kiting, but your originally from the Netherlands: Which country do you call your home?

Both countries are amazing and I just came back from the first time kitesurfing in Zandvoort in The Netherlands, which I really liked (only the cold was a little “thing”).

But for me, home is simply wherever my family is. Still, in Tarifa I get to do what I love most all year round; kitesurfing. So yes, I definitely call Tarifa my home.

Was it your first time kitesurfing in St. Peter-Ording? How did you like the conditions?

Yes, this was my first time kitesurfing in St. Peter-Ording. The conditions were really beautiful throughout the competition, and from what I’ve heard, it normally doesn’t get that windy there in summer.

Unfortunately, during my heats the wind dropped to around 12 knots, which was unfortunate because I couldn’t show what I can do in Big Air. I’m also not very used to training in such light wind, so that made it even more challenging.

How is Big Air compared to other Kitesurf disciplines? Which one Is the hardest?

Well, I live in Tarifa, where the conditions are generally perfect for Big Air, and not so much for other disciplines. I think every kite discipline has its own challenges and level of difficulty, whether it’s wave riding or freestyle.

But I just happen to live in a place that’s really ideal for training Big Air.

Are there any upcoming competitions or events you’re excited about?

The competitions for next year haven’t been announced yet, so I’m still waiting to see the schedule. But I really hope there will be plenty of Big Air events.

I’m excited for that, because I love taking part, meeting other riders, seeing friends, and learning a lot from every competition.