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Zara is originally from the Netherlands but now calls Tarifa home, where she makes the most of the spot’s strong winds for practicing her favored discipline of Big Air. She was the 2024 GKA Big Air World Champion and also made the podium at the first women’s division of the Red Bull King of the Air last year. Her fellow team riders and Big Air competitors have fired her some questions.
TKM
How did your kite journey start and how were your first sessions?!
My kite journey started because of my mum. In 2017, she decided to move to Tarifa. We always came to Tarifa on holiday and I was amazed by how many kites were in the air. It looked sick, so I wanted to try. I did a three-day course in Holland. After that, I thought I could kite, so I went to Tarifa with full confidence. One of my first sessions, I ended up in a deadloop and had no clue what to do. Giel, who I didn’t know yet, rescued me. I realized straight away that I needed more lessons, haha! That’s how it started.
Xavier Kain
From those early days kiting in Tarifa to becoming a World Champion, what key decisions or moments do you believe were pivotal in shaping your career?
To be honest, I never had a clear plan. Things just kind of happened to me. I was there from the very first Big Air competitions for women. At the start, I had zero pressure. I was just sending it and having fun. But after getting good results, I wanted to stay on top, keep progressing and see how far I could take it. That’s why I decided to change my lifestyle. I left the party life behind and started to build better habits. I focused on strength training and started to learn about nutrition and what my body needs to perform. That gave me more energy and structure, but more important: it gave me purpose. I started working on my mental strength as well by writing, reading, learning about the brain and how to deal with pressure, fear and self-doubt. I went all in. But the biggest shift came when I truly started to believe in myself. What made that possible were the people who believed in me before I did. Without Giel, I wouldn’t be where I am today. He’s been there from the start, not just as my boyfriend, but as someone who always sees my potential, even when I don’t. Without him and the support of my family and close friends, I wouldn’t be where I am today.
Julieta Pereyra
What has been the biggest personal challenge you’ve faced on your kite journey, and how did you overcome it?
My biggest personal challenge has always been self-doubt. I didn’t grow up doing this sport and I often felt like I didn’t belong at the top. I put a lot of pressure on myself and when things didn’t go the way I planned, like crashing tricks or getting a bad result, I’d be very hard on myself. I thought it meant I wasn’t good enough. That mindset took a lot of energy and sometimes made me forget why I started. What helped me was becoming more aware of how my thoughts affect my performance. I started learning about mental patterns, how to stay focused under pressure and how to manage fear instead of fight it. Through journaling, working with a psychologist and building a stronger routine, I created more balance between pushing myself and being kind to myself. It’s still something I work on every day, but I’ve learned that progress doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from consistency, patience and self-belief.
Timo Boersema
WHERE is your favorite kite spot?
My favorite spots to ride are Tarifa and Cape Town. When the wind in Cape Town is strong and the kickers are big, it’s just insane. You can fly so high and that’s what makes me the happiest on the water – power, extremity and a lot of fun. Tarifa feels like home and is always special to me. Levante wind with Poniente swell is just pure magic. Nothing beats that.
Giel Vlugt
For anyone who’s dreaming of becoming a champion, could you explain what it takes and what sacrifices you had to make?
If you want to become a world champion, you have to give everything. It’s not just about training hard. It’s your whole lifestyle. I had to say no to a lot of things, learn how to train smarter, eat better, rest well, and take care of my body and mind. There were many difficult moments – injuries, self-doubt, pressure, but I kept showing up. That’s what it takes – being consistent, even on the bad days. And maybe the biggest thing is that you need to really want it. Not just say it, but live it every day. If you do that and you surround yourself with the right people, you can go way further than you think
Cohan van Dijk
How do you train a dog to be the world’s coolest kite dog?
Ha! Dice has been with me since the start of my kite journey. We spend almost every day together, so she’s just used to the beach and the wind. I never forced her into anything. I let her explore and we trust each other. She runs along the shore and sometimes comes kiting with me when the wind is light. She loves it.
Lorenzo Casati
How does it feel to share moments on the water with Giel?
It’s honestly the most special thing. We’re chasing the same dreams, competing at the highest level and living this crazy life together. Not many people get to share that with the person they love. Like Giel always says: our relationship might not be the easiest, but it’s definitely the most beautiful one you can imagine. Being out there with him makes it all worth it.
Steven Akkersdijk
And how is it to travel round the world as a couple competing in the world cup?
It’s amazing, but also intense. We both have our own goals, so it’s not always easy. But sharing this journey with someone who fully understands what you’re doing, how it feels and how much it takes, that’s something special. We caddy each other during comps and when we’re both in the final it can be super stressful. Suddenly you’re not just focused on one win, but on two. We both want the best for each other and at the same time we’re pushing ourselves to the max. That’s hard, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. When he wins, I win and when I win, he wins. We feel everything together.
TKM
What gear are you currently using and enjoying riding?
Right now I ride the 9m Pace Pro with 22m lines up to 35 knots and the Imperator 137x41cm board. That’s my go-to setup. When the wind gets stronger, I switch to the 7m XR Pro for single loops or the 6m Pace for double loops. The Pace recently came out and I’ve been really enjoying the 7, 8 and 9m. They feel super solid and I’ll definitely include those sizes in my training setup this season.
Francesca Maini
How do you keep yourself calm during or before a 40 or 50 knot session?
I’m never calm. I’m excited, but scared as shit. Because let’s be real, going 20 meters high in that wind… It can go really wrong. But I do love it. That mix of fear and adrenaline is exactly what makes it so addictive. The fear never fully goes away. You just get better at dealing with it. And once I commit, I’m in the zone. Then it’s all about focus, timing and trusting myself.
Michaela Pilkenton
You are an amazing leader and inspiration in the women’s Big Air scene, but I’m curious to know if you have other hidden talents or passions on the water?
No secret water talents here. Big Air is my one and only. I once tried a railey and ended up in the hospital with a fin in my head… So yeah, I think I’ll stick to flying. I don’t want to risk injuries doing other disciplines. I’d rather keep my body strong and ready for when the wind’s on and it’s time to send it.
Nathalie Lambrecht
When you look at everything happening in women’s Big Air right now, what excites you most about the future? And what do you think still needs to change?
What excites me most about the future is seeing how many women are pushing the level. That gives me a lot of energy, but it also scares me sometimes. Because I know I have to keep progressing to stay at the top. But that’s part of it. Growth never comes without pressure. What needs to change is more competitions. Last year’s women’s division at Red Bull King of the Air was a big step, but it can’t stop there. I’m trying to help get more women divisions included in the Red Bull events, so stay tuned. I want to see the sport grow with more chances for women to ride in strong wind and prove what we’re capable of. Big Air is about extremity, height, power and kite angle and I want to keep those elements alive and push the sport in that direction.
Phil Janke [CORE Head of Marketing]
Looking back at winning the Big Air World Title last year – and comparing it to where you are now – what drives you more: the chase for your first title or the hunger to win it again?
Chasing my first world title was my biggest goal. I was all-in and completely focused on making it happen. Now that I’ve achieved it, my drive has shifted a bit. Of course I still want to win again. I always aim to win. But what motivates me most is doing Big Air in real conditions. I want strong wind and the kind of riding where you can go all out. If a comp runs in 25 knots, it’s not the level I train for. I want to be pushed in extreme conditions, because that’s where my riding comes alive. That’s why my next big goal is to win the King of the Air women’s division. For me. That’s the ultimate Big Air event and it’s the level I’m aiming for now.
Alina Kornelli
Had you not pursued a career in pro kiting, in which other sport could you envision yourself competing professionally?
That’s a hard one, because nothing gives me the feeling kiting does!
Therese Taabbel
Besides training hard on the water, I know you love to work out in the gym as well. Can you tell me about your routine for strength training? Any specific goals in the gym?
Yes, I love the gym! If it’s not windy I train about four to five times a week, mainly strength training. I split my workouts into lower and upper body. My focus is on building strong legs, especially quads and glutes, because that helps a lot with landings, board control and let’s be honest, a good-looking booty is always a bonus. I also train upper body with push and pull exercises to keep my shoulders, back and arms strong. Injury prevention is a big reason why I train. The stronger my body is, the better I recover from crashes. My goal in the gym is simple: stay strong, stay ready, and keep pushing my limits on and off the water.
Michiel Schipper
What job would you have if you weren’t a pro kitesurfer?
Maybe something with food or health. Also I love learning about the body and the brain. Maybe I’d be a coach or work with people in some way. Helping others grow in different areas of their life, like I’ve learned to do myself, would be something I’d enjoy.
Willow-River Tonkin
What upcoming milestones are you aiming to achieve?
My biggest goal right now is to win Queen of the Air. That’s the comp I’m most excited about. It pushes riders to their limit and I want to show what I can do in those conditions. Besides that, I want to keep pushing my level. Go higher, ride with more power and keep adding new tricks to the bag while staying consistent. And outside of competition, I want to help push the women’s side of the sport forward – more competitions, better conditions and more chances to show what we can really do.
Eric Rienstra
Let’s get a list of your favorite things. What’s your favorite: animal, color, food, book/movie, school subject, car, off the water activity, team sport?
Animal: Dog
Color: Purple
Food: Steak
Book/Movie: I like reading books that teach me something. For movies, I love sci-fi like the Hunger Games, Divergent, Maze Runner, stuff like that.
School subject: Probably biology or psychology, anything about the body or mind.
Car: Audi
Off-the-water activity: Gym
Team sport: I’ve never really played one
Therese Taabbel
Where do you see yourself in five to ten years?
That’s a hard question, because so much can change. But I hope I’m still doing what I love: kiting, staying strong and living close to the ocean. I’d love to build a future together with Giel, start a family, and live in a nice house somewhere with space and nature. I really want kids one day. And maybe I’ll invest a bit in real estate on the side. Something that gives freedom and stability. Whatever it looks like, I just hope I feel happy, healthy and free.
Jason van der Spuy
Now that you know what it takes and what it’s like being a pro kiter and how much work goes into it behind the scenes, if you could go back in time, would you do it all over again and what would you change if yes?
Yes, I’d do it all over again without a doubt. It’s been a wild ride full of highs, lows, hard work and growth and I’ve loved every part of it. I wouldn’t change a thing, because every moment shaped me into the person who I am today. I’ve learned so much about myself and grown a lot, physically, mentally and emotionally. This journey has taught me more than I ever expected and honestly, I feel so lucky to live this life.
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