Fully lit on a 6m Slingshot Code NXT prototype, this was next level… The wind was howling, the tension was real, and the energy on the beach was electric. Lords of Tram GKA Big Air Kite World Cup 2025 turned out to be one of the most intense days in Big Air kiteboarding history, and I’m stoked to have been a part of it.
Getting selected for this event is always an honor – it’s one of the wildest stops on the World Tour. The conditions in the south of France are raw and powerful, making it the perfect arena for progression. I arrived about ten days before the green light with two of my best kite buddies, Stijn Mul and Timo Boersema, who were also competing. We trained every day, hitting different spots depending on the wind direction. Back home in Holland, the wind had been dead, so this trip gave me exactly what I needed: solid training, good vibes, and time on the water.
We started with two warm-up days on 9m kites before the forecast went nuclear. At a secret wave spot, we scored an unforgettable double-loop session that totally fired me up. It was my first time riding the new 6m NXT prototype and it performed insanely well. I landed one of my highest S-loops ever: 23.2 meters! The following day I switched between the 9 and 8m NXT as the wind ramped up. That session was magic, and it gave me a massive boost of confidence heading into the comp window.
When the wind finally clocked around, we got the yellow light… and two days later, it was ON. At the skippers’ meeting, it was already gusting 45 knots and building. I was feeling ready. In my first heat, the wind was hitting 60 knots, by far the strongest conditions I’ve ever competed in. I managed to stay calm, ride smart, and just enjoy the moment. I came out on top with the third-highest score o
