Red Bull King of the Air Sees Elite Kiteboarders Take to the Skies

Red Bull’s annual King of the Air competition is back for 2026, bringing the world’s top kiteboard riders to Cape Town to wow the crowds, push the boundaries, and compete against one another. After a weekend of nail-biting action, only one can be crowned this year’s true King of the Air.

Here’s everything kiteboarders and their fans need to know.

All About the Red Bull King of the Air Kiteboarding Contest

Red Bull King of the Air first took place in Hawaii in the early 2000s, before moving to Cape Town and the windy sanctuary of Kite Beach in 2013. It is the biggest annual event in all of Big-Air kiteboarding, with riders pushing the limits of height, variety, style, execution, and trick difficulty to earn the ultimate crown.

Last year, returning women’s champion Francesca Maini joined Italy’s Andrea Principi and several South African participants for a remarkable tournament, with the youngest-ever King of the Air, Lorenzo Casati, ultimately taking the crown for the second time. The event was full of narratives and surprises, with Casati almost being outdone by his younger brother, Leonardo, until Lorenzo’s experience proved decisive in the final rounds.

With harsher winds making bigger air and more dazzling tricks, King of the Air dates are decided within a two-week window (21 November – 6 December) so organisers can pick dates with optimal swell and wind conditions. Interested parties should watch the website for rider announcements, results, and the final dates for the event.

Meet the riders

Defending champions Lorenzo Casati and Nathalie Lambrecht return to the waves in 2026. Lorenzo is back competing with his brother, Leonardo (King of the Air’s youngest-ever finalist), with the younger brother looking to take his brother’s title once and for all.

They are joined by Jamie Overbeek, who previously held the title of youngest finalist, and last year’s podium finisher, Cohan van Dijk. Hugo Wigglesworth, the world number one in Big Air Hydrofoil, made the cut after a comeback win in a typhoon-hit final in the Taiwan qualifiers.

Hometown supporters should root for Luca Ceruti, South Africa’s first-ever podium finisher, and Jason van der Spuy. Germany’s Finn Flügel and Marten Koblischke, along with the United States’ Zac Adams and Parker Sage, also join this year’s edition. Timo Boersema (Netherlands), Jeremy Burlando (Spain), Maxwell Dahl (Denmark), Josué San De Carvalho (Brazil), Clement Huot (France), Yücel Paralik (Turkey) and Shahar Tsabary (Portugal) complete the Men’s Open Division.

Women’s Division

Nathalie Lambrecht is back to defend her title from one of the closest women’s finals in event history in 2025. The Netherlands’ Zara Hoogenraad, who lost to Lambrecht by 0.55 points, is out for revenge, alongside Taiwan qualifier champion Alessa Sophia Mensch. The first-ever Women’s Division champion, Britain’s Francesca Maini, returns to Kite Beach this month, with Egypt’s Sarah Sadek making the final guaranteed spot.

One spot remains, with the winner of a Challenger Round between Slovenia’s Lana Herman, Brazil’s Mikaili Sol and Bulgaria’s Aya Kasabova completing the lineup.