Young Blood Meets Pro Team 2026

Over four days, the goal was to create the best possible learning experience for upcoming talents and established pro riders alike. With participants from ten different countries, the idea was simple: learn from each other, share experiences and grow together as a team. All with the right mix of action on the water and valuable workshops on land.

The camp kicked off with a get-together at the beautiful Chiringuito Tangana, welcoming our Young Blood and pro riders. Duotone Foiling Co-Division Manager Klaas Voget brought along his son Tebbe, who at just 11 years old was the youngest participant of the camp. Together with our Pro Coaches Michi Rossmeier and Franco Lattazio, both based in Tarifa, he officially opened Young Blood Meets Pro Team 2026.

Day One kicked off with a warm-up session at the Young Blood Club at Valdevaqueros beach. With a strong Levante already blowing through the campsite, keeping everyone focused during the introduction and organizational briefing by Project Manager Katharina “Ena” Himmler from Duotone wasn’t easy. Everyone was itching to get onto the water.

After capturing the first portraits, sorting the riders into groups and getting the equipment set up, it was finally time to ride. And within a few minutes, one thing became clear: the level has never been higher.

Within their groups, the riders captured their own action content using Wingman Creator Marks before pushing each other through two extensive water sessions. Even after all those hours on the water, the day wasn’t over yet. A mobility session was followed by dinner and a Peak Performance mental training workshop with Michi Rossmeier, wrapping up a packed first day.

An early breakfast kicked off Day Two, with the goal of getting everyone onto the water quickly to make the most of the morning light. It was shooting time!

Photographer Samuel Cardenas and videographer Julien Leleu worked with the riders and shared valuable tips on what to consider during a professional shoot and how to get the best possible result in front of the lens.

After lunch, Klaas Voget led his “How to be an Ambassador” workshop, sharing his experience from both sides: as a former professional athlete and from the sponsor`s perspective. Meanwhile, the pro riders passed on their best advice for whatever tricks were on the Young Bloods’ wish lists, from Palau Backflip, Backflip 360 to Backmobe.

With plenty of fresh ideas and extra motivation, everyone headed back onto the water for the second session of the day. And nobody was in a hurry to stop, with the whole crew riding until sunset.

Saturday started with a very special guest: Gisela Pulido. The 10-time Kiteboarding World Champion and Tarifa local is a true role model when it comes to building a long-term career as a professional athlete, working successfully with sponsors and developing a strong personal brand through social media.

During our Social Media Workshop, Karin Gertenbach shared insights from the sponsor’s perspective, while Gisela gave valuable advice based on her own experience as a professional athlete. Meanwhile, Michi Rossmeier, who also judges on the GWA World Tour, prepared everything for a very special contest experience. The Young Bloods not only competed alongside our pro riders in the same heats but also switched sides and stepped into the judges’ shoes, scoring the tricks from the beach.

With light and gusty winds, the conditions were far from perfect. And that was exactly what made the experience so valuable. Real competitions rarely deliver perfect conditions either. Every heat offered the opportunity to test strategies, develop backup plans and simply gain contest experience, something particularly valuable with only a limited number of World Cups and national competitions throughout the season.

Once the contest was over, the energy was still high. The groups headed straight back onto the water, training new tricks and pushing each other once again before the whole crew, the Boards & More team, parents and riders came together for the farewell dinner.

Time to wrap up four unforgettable days. One thing everyone agreed on was just how much fun and progression come from riding alongside peers at such a high level. Sharing sessions, exchanging ideas and constantly pushing each other make this camp a truly unique experience.

The participants also voted for the two winners of the ION Progression Award, which turned into a family affair this year: siblings Lisa and Gregor Zechner took the awards for the girls’ and boys’ categories. Although, looking back at the level of progression throughout the camp, everyone would have deserved one!

But there was still one major highlight to come. For the final session, a group of around 30 riders set off on a downwinder from Valdevaqueros beach to Bolonia, supervised by Franco from his jet ski. With endless ocean swell and perfect conditions, this was anything but your average downwinder. When the majority of the group is throwing backflips while riding open-ocean waves kilometers offshore, you know it’s a pretty special session.

Three hours later, we finally made it to Playa de Bolonia, tired, happy and with the perfect ending to an unforgettable four days.