Pippa Van Iersel

Tell us more about how you got started in your sport and your passion for it.

I started kitesurfing because of my dad. He’s been kiting since around 2000, and growing up we could literally see the kite spot from my bedroom window. It was always there, right in front of me.

At first, my mum wasn’t exactly convinced it was a great idea. I was young, light, and pretty reckless. So I had to wait. My sisters were allowed to kite before me, which meant I spent a lot of time sitting on the beach, watching them and dreaming about my turn.

One day, a pro kitesurfer who had competed at King of the Air before, Jerry van de Kop, came to our house because my mum repaired kites. I asked him how old he was when he started. He said: “Seven.” I was 13 at the time. That was all I needed. I went straight to my parents and said, “Okay, I’m old enough now I can start too.”

They finally allowed it, and from that moment on, I never let go. If anything, the passion has only grown stronger over the years.

What do you do before getting in the water? 

It really depends on the day, but one thing is non-negotiable: I always warm up. I never go into the water cold, that’s something you really learn over time (sometimes the hard way).

I usually put on some hype music, chat and joke around with friends if they’re there, and properly choosing the right kite and gear for the wind. Strong wind or light wind means a different setup and also a different mindset.

Oh, and there’s almost always banana with peanut butter involved!

Tell us about your best kiting memory.

It might not have been my “best” session in terms of tricks or conditions, but one memory always sticks with me.

I was still young and had just learned how to kite. Both of my sisters were out on the water, my dad too, and we were all riding together at our home spot. Just the four of us, shredding and hyping each other up.

That moment stayed with me. It reminds me that it’s not always about the most exotic locations, the biggest tricks, or the gnarliest spots. Sometimes it’s just those simple, pure moments that really shape why you love the sport.

Of course, traveling to incredible places around the world creates unforgettable sessions too, but that early memory for me is what I still enjoy these days. Just riding with my friends and family and having a good time together.

Worst wipeout? 

Definitely at my home spot. I was still riding in boots and focused on freestyle. The wind suddenly picked up, and I went for a high backroll which turned into a completely unintended kite loop.

I got yanked way harder than expected and landed so hard on my board that my face smashed straight into my knee. I ended up with a hole through my lip (inside to outside), a concussion, and stitches. One of many wipeouts, but definitely one I won’t forget.

Who would you like to say thank you to? 

My parents. I think it’s really special how they always gave me freedom and trusted me to follow my own path. They never tried to force me into a box or a “safe” version of life. They believed in me and were there through both the highs and the lows. I realize how fortunate I am and I’m incredibly grateful for it and always will be.

Beyond that, I want to thank everyone who is supporting me throughout my journey. My sponsors, my team, my coaches, my friends, and all the people who believe in me, push me, and stand by me, especially during the moments that aren’t visible from the outside. None of this is a solo journey. I’m lucky to be surrounded by people who are very passioned, fun, and I don’t take that for granted for a second.

What are some of your aspirations for the future?

I’m so grateful for what kiteboarding gave me, so I want as many kids as possible to have that same opportunity. Together with F-ONE and the Next Generation program, I want to inspire younger riders to get into the sport, to dream big, and to see what’s possible.

I’d also want to push women’s kiteboarding forward, not just in terms of skill level, but also in opportunities, visibility, sponsorships, and more competitions. I really believe that we’re gonna make women kiteboarding a lot bigger in the coming years.

Besides that, I’ve grown up competing, being judged and scored within very defined lines and at some point, I let that influence my whole goal and happiness too much, just looking for results and certain tricks. Moving forward, I want to step beyond that a bit and create my own lines. I want to express myself freely on the water, but still push myself to wherever I can take it.

I also want to focus on my creativity through my YouTube videos. I want to share a pure, honest story of what it’s really like to be a professional (kiteboarding) athlete. Through these videos, I aim to inspire people to live healthier, make people happy, and show an honest and human process.

Above all, I want to enjoy the process. I love this sport and all the different aspects of it. Having fun will always be at the core of what I do, and I can’t wait to take things further and build something special together with F-ONE.