Flysurfer

Flysurfer – The King of Soft Kites

The story of Flysurfer does not begin on the warm beaches of the world, but in the heart of Germany, more precisely in the Upper Palatinate. The brand was founded in 2001 by Armin Harich, a passionate kitesurfer who not only loved the freedom of kitesurfing, but also had a clear vision: to build kites that would find a place not only in the air, but also in the hearts of kitesurfers. And as we know today, he was more than successful in this.

The birth of Flysurfer and the prehistory of Skywalk

Armin Harich, who had previously worked in the paragliding industry, gained valuable experience in aerodynamic design and materials science during his time at Skywalk (a paragliding company he co-founded). Skywalk initially specialized in paragliders, but when Armin discovered kitesurfing, it was clear that he wanted to bring the same innovative strength to the kitesurfing market. Flysurfer was thus born out of this synergy between paragliding technology and kitesurfing – a perfect interplay of experience and passion.

The first steps and the first successes

In 2002, Flysurfer launched the Speed model, the first kite on the market to cause an immediate stir. This kite was a real game-changer and set standards for the kite industry by combining stability and an enormous wind range. Surfers were able to ride with the Speed in significantly less wind, which earned Flysurfer a loyal following.

But Flysurfer wanted to do more than just build well-functioning kites – the brand wanted to take performance to new heights. With the Speed 3 (2010), things really took off, and Flysurfer once again proved that they were capable of revolutionizing kitesurfing. Other brands followed suit and also tried their hand at the world of soft kites. The use of lightweight materials and precision design set a new standard for performance kites. In cooperation with Rainer Kauper from Spleene, Flysurfer has also been producing its own boards since 2005.

Technological innovations: always at the cutting edge

Flysurfer has quickly built a reputation as an innovator in the kitesurfing world. Here are some notable technological milestones that the brand has produced:

• Speed (2005): The Speed 3 set new standards for performance and stability. The kite was not only a success for freeriders and freestyle kiters, but also set new standards in the racing kite world.
• PEAK (2013): The first single skin concept on the market. Still a real session saver today, especially for kite schools. The ideal snow / touring kite.
• Sonic2 (2016): With the Sonic, Flysurfer launched a kite that was specially developed for competition / Formula. With an exceptional wind range and speed, the Sonic once again made a name for itself in the industry.
• Soul (2018): The Soul revolutionized the freeride experience, with a kite that was incredibly stable yet very playful and easy to handle. The kite was particularly appreciated by kitesurfing beginners and experienced riders alike.
• VMG: The Flysurfer VMG is the kite developed specifically for the 2024 Olympic kitesurfing competitions, used in the foiling discipline. Flysurfer prioritized the highest quality here to give the athletes a decisive advantage at the Olympics.

Flysurfer has not only prioritized performance, but has also improved the user-friendliness and versatility of its kites, which has made the brand popular worldwide.

Olympic Games – Flysurfer takes off

An outstanding chapter in the history of Flysurfer was written with the inclusion of kitesurfing as an Olympic discipline at the Summer Olympics. For the first time, kitesurfing appeared as a competitive sport on an Olympic stage, and Flysurfer played a central role.

Over 60% of the kitesurfers competing in the kite foiling discipline in Tokyo relied on Flysurfer kites. This share demonstrated the popularity and trust that the brand enjoys among professionals around the world. It was particularly noteworthy that almost half of the riders in the top 10 rankings used Flysurfer kites – a remarkable achievement and a strong indication of the quality of the products.

This outstanding performance at the Olympics was a significant milestone for Flysurfer, cementing its position as a leading brand in kitesurfing and underlining the brand's trust at the highest competitive level. Not only had Flysurfer met the Olympic expectations, but it had also been an important part of the new kite foiling era on the global stage.

Looking to the future: Flysurfer stays on the ball

The brand is known for always being one step ahead – whether it's in terms of innovative kite technologies, working with top athletes, or continuously improving design. Flysurfer remains a pioneer in the kitesurfing world, not only supplying the market with kites, but also repeatedly setting new standards for the industry.

So, we can look forward to seeing how Flysurfer will continue to fly the kitesurfing world in the coming years – certainly with innovative ideas, a healthy dose of passion and a focus on making kitesurfing even better for all surfers!