(Posted 02nd May 2026)
Courtesy of Joey Nicles
Rodrigues prepares the 11th edition of the RIKF under the sign of sustainable development
On Rodrigues Island (Indian Ocean), preparations are accelerating ahead of the 11th edition of the Rodrigues International Kitesurf Festival (RIKF), scheduled from July 2 to 5, 2026 at Anse Mourouk. Meetings are multiplying between the organisers and the Tourism Commission, under the responsibility of Jean-Alain Wong So.
Open to all, the RIKF brings together both professional kitesurfers and passionate amateurs. Year after year, the event has gained increasing visibility, notably through the presence of world circuit champions invited as godmother or godfather figures. It continues to attract a growing number of participants from across the globe, as well as from neighbouring islands, including Mauritius, Réunion and Seychelles.
For this new edition, the festival is undergoing an organizational renewal under the leadership of the Mourouk Wind Sports Club (MWSC), which succeeds the Rodrigues Kitesurfing Association (RKA), organizer of the first ten editions. The latter, under the presidency of Jean-Christ Spéville, played a key role in placing Rodrigues on the global kitesurfing map, notably by hosting, in July 2016, a freestyle world champion from the International Kiteboarding Organization (IKO). This transition marks a new stage in the structuring and professionalization of the discipline on the island.
Recently created, the Mourouk Wind Sports Club, led by Andy Albert, a well-known figure in the local sector, is composed of instructors from the island’s kitesurfing schools. It aims to federate the various structures operating in Rodrigues, support the younger generation of riders, and strengthen the overall organization of the festival, in close collaboration with local tourism institutions.
The club highlights Rodrigues’ outstanding natural assets for kitesurfing, starting with Anse Mourouk, widely regarded as the mecca of wind sports in the Indian Ocean. Located in the south of the island, facing C Rodrigues Mourouk, the site benefits from consistent wind conditions throughout the year, as well as a lagoon particularly suited to competitive formats such as slalom.
On the sporting front, the 2026 edition of the RIKF will feature an expanded competition programme, currently being finalised and adapted to the conditions of the Mourouk lagoon. Competitors will take part in slalom, wing foil, mini-raid and big air events, offering a varied spectacle combining speed, endurance, technical skill and aerial performances.
During a meeting held on April 28 in Port-Mathurin, stakeholders from the sector, gathered around the Tourism Commissioner Jean-Alain Wong So, validated the main directions of this edition, themed “Ride the Wind”. The commissioner emphasised the importance of this new phase in strengthening Rodrigues’ visibility and improving coordination among stakeholders.
He noted that the event has significantly contributed to raising the island’s profile among riders worldwide and positioning Rodrigues as a fully-fledged tourist destination, particularly thanks to Anse Mourouk, now recognised as one of the world’s top kitesurfing spots in a safe and environmentally responsible setting. “This dynamic fully aligns with the island’s sustainable development policy, which encourages non-motorised sports activities,” he added.
He also recalled the festival’s structuring role since its inception:
“The ten editions of the kitesurf festival have been a real springboard, helping to place Rodrigues on the international stage.”
Beyond competition, the Rodrigues International Kitesurf Festival has become a strategic lever for the island’s tourism development. Rodrigues is increasingly relying on kitesurfing to boost its local economy and extend the tourist season beyond traditional peak periods.
However, the experience goes beyond water sports. The island offers a wide range of land-based and cultural activities, inviting visitors to take time to explore. A longer stay allows for a slower-paced discovery of Rodrigues, between lagoons, hiking trails, local encounters and preserved landscapes, far from any sense of rush.
