Harlem Kitesurfing 2024: A Year to Remember

THE HARLEM FAMILY: LEGENDS AND RISING STARS

2024 was a monumental year for the Harlem Family, as our team grew stronger and more dynamic than ever. Early in the year, we welcomed two remarkable riders: Slovenian powerhouse Lana Herman and French talent Clément Huot, both of whom quickly made their mark on the competitive scene. The momentum continued as we added Baptiste Bourdoulous, whose passion and unique style brought a great energy to the team. 

We also welcomed Elsien Zijlstra to the Big Air crew, while on the wingfoiling side, we were joined by the Caribbean born and raised adventurer Sil Romeijn. 

One of the biggest highlights of the year was welcoming the legendary Aaron Hadlow as a team rider and product developer. The G.O.A.T. brought unparalleled expertise and a relentless drive for innovation, elevating our mission to push the boundaries of the sport. 

As the year progressed, we solidified our commitment to excellence with a historic three-year contract with Lorenzo and Leonardo Casati. These extraordinary brothers have become the heart of Harlem’s story, and their incredible talent ensures an exciting future as they continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible and inspire the next generation of riders. 

Continuing to grow a close and unique community of riders, ambassadors, and friends of Harlem across the globe has been central to our mission. Sharing their passion for Harlem on their local beach and supporting us across the globe, this incredible Family is the heartbeat of Harlem. 

This year, at Harlem HQ, we also marked a significant milestone by moving into a new office as our core team expanded to support our growing ambitions and vision for the future. 

INNOVATION: CHANGING THE RULES OF THE GAME

This year, Harlem Kitesurfing set new standards in the world of kiteboarding with groundbreaking innovations. After introducing the first kite made at Brainchild Production, the mega-looping machine the Harlem Force, the first sustainably made and fully customisable wing followed. The Harlem Pace was born, showcasing our dedication to combining cutting-edge design with environmental responsibility. 

With the addition of renowned designer Ralf Groesel to the Harlem Family, we took our gear to the next level. With over 25 years of experience, Ralf brought visionary expertise and a commitment to high-performance, sustainable and accessible gear, shaping the evolution of our lineup.

Together with Aaron Hadlow, he created the Harlem Thrive, the ultra-light, high-performance 3-strut machine that became the ultimate all-rounder on the water, paired with our new Lead bar. 

Later in the year, the world caught its first glimpse of Project Peak, an exciting next-generation kite in development unveiled at King of the Air, showcasing our drive to innovate.

To close the year, we introduced the Harlem Launch, a freeride twin-tip board designed by Ralf and Aaron, delivering maximum fun and performance for riders everywhere. 

 PODIUMS: PROVING OUR GEAR DOMINATES

Harlem riders and gear dominated competitions across the globe, making 2024 a year to remember. The season kicked off with electrifying performances at the Lords of Tram in France, followed by stellar results at Full Power Tarifa, where Lorenzo Casati and Lana Herman secured silver in challenging 60-knot winds. Their success highlighted Harlem as the only team represented on both the men’s and women’s podiums. 

At the Gran Canaria GKA Big Air World Championship, Lorenzo claimed the Vice-Champion title, Leo reached his first final, and Lana secured bronze in the women’s division. In Sylt, at the Hydrofoil and Kite-Surf World Cups, Lorenzo continued his medal streak with silver in Hydrofoil and bronze in Kite-Surf, further solidifying Harlem’s dominance. 

The year’s highlights included the King of the Air Qualifiers, where Lorenzo claimed first place at both Tarifa and Cold Hawaii, powered by the Harlem Thrive. Leonardo continued the family’s winning streak with a youth title and an impressive second place in the Spanish Strapless Nationals.  

At the biggest battle of the year, Red Bull King of the Air, Harlem celebrated a historic moment with Lorenzo securing second place on the podium, competing alongside teammate Clément Huot, and showcasing the cutting-edge kite in development - Project Peak. 

JUST THE BEGINNING

2024 was a year of incredible milestones for Harlem Kitesurfing, from welcoming legends to pioneering innovation and dominating competitions worldwide. Yet, this is only the beginning. With even bigger dreams, bold ambitions, and exciting projects on the horizon, 2025 promises to take Harlem to new heights. 

Here’s to an even brighter future!