“Yep… coming all the way here was so worth it”- Ben Gerhardt

Hey, I’m Ben! I’m 15 years old and I ride for Duotone. My main discipline is freestyle, but I absolutely love airstyle & big air as well.

Especially in Sankt Peter-Ording — such an insane spot and a totally different vibe than at home.

How did you get into kitesurfing and what motivated you to pursue it professionally?

I spent part of my childhood in Cape Town, and during a holiday in Langebaan I ended up taking my first kite lessons. I got hooked instantly. After a bit of riding I entered my first competition after moving to Australia — the Western Australian State Freestyle Championships — and won the U14 division. That result gave me a massive boost, and from then on I just kept pushing, training, and chasing bigger competitions.

Big congrats on your 2nd place in the GKA Youth Big Air Kite World Championship! What was the first thing you thought when you realised you’d secured silver?

Honestly, I didn’t believe it at first. I really didn’t expect to finish that high knowing how strong all riders are. Once it sank in, I just thought, “Yep… coming all the way here was so worth it.”

How do you balance school, personal life, and competing at this young age?

School is still a big priority for me, so I make sure I split my time properly. During the week I focus on school, and then weekends are my chance to get on the water. Holidays are the best because I can ride almost every day. Most of my friends are either from school or kiting, so I get to spend plenty of time with them too — it all balances out pretty well.

Did you try any new tricks or strategies specifically for this event?

Yeah, definitely. A lot of the tricks I landed at the event were new for me. The conditions were nothing like what I’m used to in Australia, so I also changed up my gear and my riding style to make it work. It was super fun to push myself like that.

How was your personal experience during the whole event? How was the mood between the 50+ competitors?

All the riders were super friendly but also really competitive, which made for an amazing vibe. It was cold, for sure, but being surrounded by so many talented riders made it an awesome experience.

What are your next goals?

2026 will be my first year in the U19 division, so my main goal is to keep progressing, enjoy the competitions, and at the same time stay on top of school as I head into my last few years.

I just want to keep pushing my riding and see where it takes me!