Today, we’re chatting with Arjen (kiteschool owner of Kitesurfschool Zeeland), who is currently in Fuerteventura with his girlfriend (and co-owner of the school) Edith and their two kids. They spend the days wingfoiling, surfing, and, when conditions allow, a bit of kitesurfing as well. We talk about progression, friends, and respecting the process.
Hi Arjen! Thanks for making some time in between your holiday-activities. Let’s dive straight in. What is your connection with ROODE Boards? “Years ago, I gave kitesurfing lessons to Marijn, the founder of ROODE. He was so enthusiastic that at one point he said: ‘Arjen, I love this. I’m going to build a board, and when it’s finished, you’ll be the first to test it.’
Most people would want to rush something like that. But Marijn didn’t. He took his time and had the patience to do it properly. Last year, when I honestly didn’t really expect it to happen anymore, I suddenly received a message: ‘Arjen, we’re ready. You can test it.’
From the very first session, it just felt right.”
Which board do you ride, and how does it feel? “I ride the ROODE Silica, and what stands out most to me is the grip. I’ve heard the Graphite offers even more, so that’s definitely next on my list to test.
The board feels light, easy, and it hardly sprays. It’s a true all-rounder. Waves, flat water, chop; the Silica handles it all without ever feeling complicated.”
What does a perfect kite day look like for you? “For me, a great kite day starts long before getting on the water. Checking the forecast, sending the first messages to Bohdan and Sven: ‘Guys, it’s lining up. Let’s go.’
We jump in the van and head to spots like Vrouwenpolder or Ouddorp, where we can train on flat water. Riding with these guys is incredibly inspiring; they’re landing tricks I can only dream of. When you see someone looping a 9-meter next to you while you’re still hesitating about your 8, you automatically push just a little further.”
When did you realize kitesurfing would become part of your life? “I’ve always loved watersports and spent a lot of time teaching. After working a ‘real job’ for a while, I realized it didn’t make me happy.
At some point, I thought: maybe we should just go for it. Let’s teach what we love! So my girlfriend Edith and I made our dream come true. Eight years ago, we opened our school. Today, we have managers, a big team, and the school has grown beyond what we ever dared to dream.
What I enjoy most is teaching, training new instructors, and seeing people develop. Testing new gear too. But in the end, it’s all about growth, others learning something new, and me doing the same.”
How did your kitesurfing journey begin? (laughs) “Not very well. I was a bit overconfident, and maybe a bit stubborn too, because I had experience with windsurfing. So there I was, standing on the beach with a kite.
That ended with the kite tangled in barbed wire and sand in my eyes and ears. That’s when I knew: we’re going to do this differently.
Soon after, we traveled to Essaouira with a group of friends. The sister of one of them ran a kiteschool in Spain and joined us. We learned the basics over two weeks. That’s where it really started.”
Who has taught you the most valuable lessons? “That would be Bohdan. A good friend of mine and teacher at the school. He helped me practice kiteloops in a safe way, but more importantly, helping me progress brought back my enthusiasm, and with that, my progression followed again.”
When do you feel: this is why I do it? “Usually during a solid jump. High, powerful, or a committed kiteloop. That moment when you think and feel: yeehaa.
The first time I really felt that was in Essaouira; riding a 5-meter kite in 40 knots and two-meter waves. I felt it through my whole body.
That’s what I love about kitesurfing: when you’re riding, that’s all you’re doing. Your phone stays in the car. Nothing else matters. You’re fully present.”
How would you describe your riding style? “You can recognize me by the way I fully stretch out during jumps. A friend once called me Lumière (the flexible chandelier from Disney) because of it. It makes me feel like I’m going even higher. I love jumping, and right now I’m focused on making my kiteloops cleaner and more controlled.”
Which mistake taught you the most? “Pushing too hard too early taught me to respect the process. In Cape Town, during one of my first days, I pushed way too hard. I crashed so badly that I couldn’t kite for three weeks. I stood on the beach with a stiff neck, watching others ride.
Suddenly, the wind felt almost annoying instead of exciting, and I ended up doing more safaris than planned.
I’ve learned something important: when you go on a kitesurf trip, use the first days to get comfortable. Only then should you start pushing your limits.”
If you could design a custom ROODE board, what would it look like? “Something inspired by the Zeeland flag, with lions. I’ve always thought lions are powerful, beautiful animals.”
What do you hope you’ll still feel ten years from now when walking toward the water with your board? “Mostly excitement. That I still get genuinely stoked when I see 30 knots in the forecast. That I feel motivated to get on the water and that it still brings me real joy.”
And last but not least, make a choice:
Flat water / WavesSolo / With friendsSunrise / Sunset
Pushing / Cruising
Silica / Graphite (but very curious about the Graphite)