The Défi Kite 2025 Gruissan

May 30, 2025

SUELTALABARRA family, if there's one event on the calendar that makes me salivate like a dog, it's the Défi Kite . This year, the wind and the kites have returned to Gruissan, France, and the spectacle has been, once again, out of this world! 400 riders in the water waiting for the start procedure; the Défi involves a boat that at full speed makes a starting line with its slingshot or wake; this is crazy and leaves us with spectacular images of the best start in kiteboarding.

The Défis are synonymous with massive crowds, seeing hundreds of kites soaring through the sky, pure adrenaline, and an atmosphere only experienced at events like this. It's not just a competition; it's a kite festival! And in this 2025 edition, the level has been stratospheric in all categories.

Axel Mazella and Lauriane Nolot are intractable.

In the Overall/Foil category, which gives us a clear idea of who is at the top of the circuit, the names are not surprising, but their dominance is impressive:

🥇 Axel Mazella (@axel_mazella) takes the men's gold. The Frenchman is in unstoppable form.
🥇 Lauriane Nolot (@lauriane.nolot) is crowned the women's champion. What a woman! The world champion continues to show why she's the undisputed queen.

Silver went to Nell De Jaham (@nelldejaham) in the men's category, who continues to establish herself as a promising prospect, and to the great Ellie Aldridge (@ellieealdridge) in the women's category, proving that even when she takes breaks, her level is still top. Bronze went to Theo de Ramecourt (@theoderamecourt) and Lysa Caval (@lysa_caval), two names who are always in the mix and who give us spectacular battles.

The future is already here: Young promises

I'm incredibly excited to see how the new generations are making a strong impact, just like what happened at the La Loteta Cierzo Festival. The Défi Kite has a special eye for young talent, and the results in the U16 and 16-18 categories prove it:

U16 (Boys/Girls):

🥇 Sasha LM (@sasha_kitefoil) and Stella Monnier (@ stellamt12 ) are the champions. Congratulations, champions!
🥈 Hugo Jones ( @hugo_jones ) took silver in the men's category.
🥉 Iban Jourdren (@iban_jfrs) the bronze.

16-18 (Boys):

🥇 Nell De Jaham (@nelldejaham) is not only top of the standings, but she's dominating her age group! Brutal.
🥈 Enzo Louber (@enzo_louber_)
🥉 Solan Trc (@solan_trc)

Experience is a degree: Age categories.

The Défi Kite also celebrates the passion for kite riding across all ages and disciplines. This is what makes our sport great!

19-39 (Men's/Women's):

🥇 Axel Mazella (@axel_mazella) and Lauriane Nolot (@lauriane.nolot) demonstrate their supremacy in this category as well.
🥈 Theo de Ramecourt (@theoderamecourt) and Ellie Aldridge (@ellieealdridge).
🥉 Nico Parlange (@nicoprl01) and Lysa Caval (@lysa_caval).

40+ (Men's/Women's):

🥇 Jeremy Szulek and Nathalie Simon (@nanoukite2022). Years of experience and breathtaking speed!
🥈 Cyril Michel (@cyril_michel_m8) and Sarah Clauzel (@clauzelsarah).
🥉 Jean-Noel Nolot (@jnolot) and Charlotte Sagon . Lauriane Nolot's father on the podium! This is family passion!

Others (Men's/Women's):

🥇 Alain Farias (@alohakite) and Nathalie Simon (@nanoukite2022) repeated their gold medals. What great guys!
🥈 Oscar Berthemet (@oscar_berthemet) and Clara Theodoly (@clara_theodoly).
🥉 Patrice Guen (@patakite11) and Pascale Gatti .

Twintip and Tiki: Fun wins in this classic too!

And to prove that there's room for everyone at Défi Kite, Twintip purists and Tiki daredevils are also recognized!

Twintip (Men's/Women's):

🥇 Arthur Matte (@arthurmatfly) and Emmanuelle Lalanne .
🥈 Nathan Texier (@nathan.txr) and Magalie Durnerin (@magaliedurnerin).
🥉 Julien Kerneur (@julienkerneur) and Sarah Clauzel (@clauzelsarah) repeat podium.

Tiki (Men's):

🥇 Nico Maurin (@nicomaurin40).
🥈 Sylvain Maurin (@sylvain_maurin).
🥉 Jerome Bessous (@jeromebessous).

The organizers have thought of everything, and not only do they have the star event, they also entertain the riders for nine days. This year, while I'm still publishing while they enjoy the activities from Friday, May 23rd to Sunday, June 1st, this is the Defikite activities announcement.

Concerts / Activities / Races / Highlights...

We've prepared a great program so you can enjoy the windy afternoons with the enthusiasts to the fullest.
Whether you're here to progress, challenge yourself, or just share a good time in the water, there's something for every style and every level.

Every night we gather to take on fun challenges, sometimes a bit technical (just what you need!), but always in good spirits. And after the effort, it's time to share moments over a drink, a meal, or just a few good laughs.

And the result is now on their YouTube account with this video that will leave you wanting to attend the Defikite in Gruissan in 2026.

At SUELTALABARRA , we can only congratulate everyone who participated in this legendary event, a must-attend event. The Défi Kite isn't just a competition; it's an experience that unites the kitesurfing community for a week.

See you next time the riders storm in Gruissan!

I can't miss the Wingfoil discipline, which couldn't have gone better. This year, 2025, with 600 wings leaving the starting line, a real spectacle for all the new fans of this modality that is here to stay. More and more kiters are switching to wingfoil, or, like me, enjoying both disciplines with their peculiarities, which will surely give me another article, Kite VS Wing, soon. I won't ramble on any longer and I'll leave you with the video of Defiwing 2025. It previews another starting pass launched by the wake of a boat at 03:08:00.