Huge jumps, storm-chasing competitions and a community always pushing for more. Lucy Noble, part of our 2026 Future FWD cohort, introduces us to big air kitesurfing and explores where brands could fit in.

Lucy, start us off. What is big air kitesurfing?

The name gives you a pretty good clue! Riders use the power of the wind and their kite to launch themselves high above the water, performing tricks before landing. It brings together height, technical skill and some serious nerve.

For someone watching for the first time, it’s an easy sport to get drawn into. You might not know the name of every trick, but you’ll certainly know when you’ve seen something impressive.

(Image: GKA Kite World Tour, Mykonos)

So, does the highest jump always win?

Height matters, but there’s more to it. Judges also look at how extreme and technically difficult the tricks are, alongside the variety a rider brings to their performance.

Competition formats can give riders a second chance, too. In some events, winning your opening heat takes you straight to round three, while those who miss out get another opportunity in round two. A shaky start doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to pack up your kite.

Which events should we have on our radar?

These three are a great starting point.

The GKA Kite World Tour takes riders to different locations, each bringing its own challenges. Le Barcarès in France and Mykonos in Greece featured in the 2026 big air season. Changing conditions mean riders have to adapt their approach, rather than rely on the same tricks everywhere.

Red Bull Megaloop in the Netherlands is all about waiting for the right storm. The event needs winds of at least 35 knots, so organisers work within a waiting period rather than a guaranteed competition day. When the conditions arrive, the action follows.

Then there’s Red Bull King of the Air in Cape Town, one of the sport’s most coveted titles. It’s a major moment in the big air calendar and a brilliant place to start if you want to understand the excitement around the sport.

Hang on. What exactly is a megaloop?

It’s a powerful kiteloop performed more than 10 metres above the water, with the kite sweeping down until it’s almost level with the rider, roughly 90 degrees from its original overhead position.

Who should we be following?

On the women’s side, Mikaili Sol, Alessa Mensch and Aya Kasabova are names to explore. They offer a great introduction to the talent and progression within the sport.

(Image: Mikaili Sol)

For the men, look out for Leonardo Casati, Jamie Overbeek and Lorenzo Casati. Leonardo took the 2026 GKA Big Air world title. Jamie has won one of the sport’s major competitions, while Lorenzo completed what’s known as the “trilogy” in 2025, winning the GKA Big Air world title, Red Bull Megaloop and Red Bull King of the Air in the same year.

(Image: Lorenzo Casati)

Following individual riders is a great way into kitesurfing. Once you understand their ambitions, training and rivalries, the competitions become even more interesting.

What would a brand need to get right?

Start with the athletes and their stories. What are they working towards? What happens when a trick goes wrong? How much preparation sits behind a few seconds in the air?

Those stories give people a reason to care and brands a meaningful role in the conversation.

Sustainability and ocean protection offer another natural connection. We spend so much time in the water that looking after it feels personal. For brands, supporting healthier oceans or cleaner beaches can be a meaningful way to connect with the community, particularly when people can see the difference that support makes.

The other big consideration is timing. This is a sport that follows the wind. Brands need flexible content and activation plans, ready to respond when conditions come together and the community’s attention turns towards the water.