Scene News · The business of the sport · Week 37 · 2026
Industry & Scene News
Brand moves, collaborations, event announcements and the scene stories that shape the sport.
Lieuwe Boards Launches Lieuwe Chapters Community Initiative
Lieuwe Boards introduces "Lieuwe Chapters," a new global initiative connecting local kitesurfing communities under the brand's umbrella.
GKA Youth World Cup Germany Starts in Three Days
The GKA Youth World Cup in Germany is set to begin in three days, showcasing young talent.
Gianmaria Coccoluto Announces Boa Vista Kitesurfing Camps in December
Professional kitesurfer Gianmaria Coccoluto will host two coaching camps in Boa Vista, Cape Verde, offering enthusiasts an opportunity to improve their skills.
KITEFEST 2026 Announces 27-Day Countdown
The KITEFEST 2026 event countdown has begun, signaling the upcoming edition of the festival.
4Shor App Releases Latest Update with Enhanced Features
The 4Shor app released an update offering improved map performance, expanded forecast access, and detailed sport, wave, and wind data for users.
Twintip Youth Worlds to take off in St Peter-Ording, Germany
The GKA Youth World Tour announced the upcoming Twintip Youth Worlds in St Peter-Ording, Germany, combining Freestyle, Airstyle, and Big Air disciplines.
Youth Kite World Championships 2026 Announced
The Youth Kite World Championships returns for 2026, building on a successful debut to bring together young athletes for international competition.
WOO Returns to Independence After Buy-Back from Boards & More
WOO founder Leo Koenig and the team have bought the company back from Boards & More as of July 2026 to return to independent status and focus on AI-driven sensor tech.
More from the newsroom
Industry
Industry & Scene News, explained
Kiteboarding industry news: brand moves, acquisitions, collaborations, event announcements and the scene stories shaping where kitesurfing goes next.
The business behind the sport
Kitesurfing is carried by a compact, global industry: gear brands and their distributors, schools and shops at the spots, event organizers and a growing layer of travel and camp operators. Because the scene is small, single decisions travel far. One brand acquisition, one new tour sponsor or one factory change can shift what riders buy and where the sport goes next.
That is what this section tracks: the moves behind the marketing. Acquisitions and collaborations, new brands entering, veterans retiring, records being ratified, safety standards changing.
What counts as industry news here
We publish what changes the scene, not press-release noise: ownership and leadership moves at brands, brand-to-brand collaborations, event and tour announcements with real dates, verified records, notable retirements and comebacks, and shifts in how gear is built or sold. Marketing campaigns without substance stay out.
How we source industry stories
Industry stories start from official statements, brand newsrooms and first-party announcements, corroborated across sources before publishing and always cited. Our brand directory keeps the background: who makes what, where they sit in the market, and which riders they back.
Every story in this section is researched, source-cited and editor-reviewed and approved before publishing — in English and German.
Frequently asked
How many kitesurfing brands are there?
A few dozen brands build kites, boards, bars and harnesses at scale, from long-established market leaders to young specialists. Our brand directory profiles them with their gear lines and team riders.
Why do kite brands collaborate with each other?
Collaborations pool strengths: a kite brand pairs with a materials specialist, a board builder or a lifestyle label to reach new riders or push construction forward. The interesting part is what the deal changes for the gear, which is what our stories focus on.
Do you publish rumors?
No. Industry stories publish here once there is an official statement or first-party announcement, with sources cited. If something later turns out wrong, it is corrected openly under our corrections policy.
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