Young Blood Camp

The week kicked off with a Big Air session at the iconic Barcarès spot, delivering unforgettable moments for the young riders. With Liam Whaley and Edgar Ulrich leading the charge, the riders dealt with 40-knot winds that pushed them to their limits, and they all took to the sky with excitement and grit. Valentin Hoenderop, 17, from Tarifa, thrived in the intense conditions: “The wind was crazy, exactly how I like it. Going for big airs with everyone there cheering each other on – that’s what makes the sport amazing.” For Benedek Szente, 16, from Sicily, it was a defining moment: “The wind was so strong, so crazy, but when you land a huge trick after so many tries, the feeling is unreal. It makes the crashes worth it.” 

Even when conditions pushed them to the edge, the riders were energized by each other’s progress. The spirit of friendly competition turned every trick into a shared celebration, keeping the stoke high. 

While the Big Air session highlighted their athleticism, the camp’s mental coaching sessions with Porsche’s mental performance specialist showed them how focus and resilience could take their riding even further. Baptiste Jacquemain, 18, from France, found it eye-opening: “Working with the mental coach made me see how staying centered is crucial for progression. I never realized how much the mind influences performance until now.” For Aya Kasabova, 14, from Bulgaria, the mental lessons were about finding calm. “The coach helped me focus on the present and let go of what I can’t control. It’s something I’ll use beyond kiting. I feel more in tune with myself, and it’ll help in competition too.” 

Each session with Cooky, the camp’s trainer, was filled with energy and purpose. He guided the riders through exercises that taught them how to stay strong and injury-free while enhancing their power on the water. Pierfrancesco Rizzello, 13, from Italy and Brazil, took in every tip: “Cooky showed us how to strengthen our bodies to handle big impacts; it’s about being smarter and preparing your body for the strain that comes with this sport. It’s changed the way I’ll approach every session from now on.” 

A key part of the Porsche Young Blood Camp was the community spirit that developed on and off the water. Quiet moments on the catamaran and shared meals let these young athletes bond, making the experience about much more than kiting. “We arrived as competitors, but we’re leaving as friends,” said Emil Noeppert, 14, from Germany. “The positivity here helped us all push harder, and we all came out better for it.” 

A highlight of the week was the team video challenge, captained by Duotone and Porsche athletes Liam Whaley and Rita Arnaus, and guided by influencers Ben Ortega and Oscar Bakke. After an insightful workshop on social media, personal branding and understanding the need to connect with their audience, the riders split into two teams to create one-minute videos, with the winner chosen by votes from Duotone’s Instagram followers. This friendly competition was a perfect chance to bond and show off their creativity. Ben Gerhardt explained: “My favorite part of the week was the Instagram competition, where we created videos and got everyone to vote for us – it was a blast! I also loved learning from Toby and Carlos about positioning for the best shots. I’m excited to try this out with my friends back home. I used to focus on just action shots, but now I get that people want to see who I am, too.” 

Videographer Carlos Guzman Ortega saw a spark in these young riders, noting, “These kids have an energy that’s hard to describe. They’re not just focused on riding well – they’re focused on growing in every way possible. Their passion is contagious.” 

As the camp wrapped up, these riders left with more than just tricks and new skills. They left with a newfound sense of purpose and the tools to build their future in the sport. The Porsche Young Blood Camp was about more than developing talent – it was about shaping young riders into future icons and ambassadors for the sport. This experience brought their dreams into focus and gave them a roadmap to pursue their passion with confidence. These young athletes now head back to their home shores with amazing memories and the lessons that will shape their kiteboarding journey.