Based in South Africa, Langebaan Luca (19) has taken the Big Air scene by storm.

“I was first introduced to kitesurfing through my dad, who back in his day was a pro windsurfer.  

"When I was nine years old, I was given a training kite. Every day I used to fly it on a field next to my house when I was on my study breaks. I had my first lessons at age 11 and never looked back. I learnt the basic kite flying through my dad and then had my first kiting lessons with Windchasers in Langebaan.”​

Before Kiting, Luca led another dream, Canoeing. “From a young age, I was very into Canoeing. Before school, my dad and I would set off in the dark, using a head torch, to train. I competed for five years, which has taught me discipline and determination.

"I stopped competing as I got burned out and lost my passion for it. This was when I discovered kiting, which grabbed me from the start. Where I live lends itself to the best kiting conditions in the world."

When Luca is not throwing down massive kite loops, he will be training at the gym or dabbling in other sports. “ I also do a bunch of different sports such as sailing, canoeing, surfing, underwater hockey, hockey, free diving, hiking and a few others.”​

Inspired by former competitive swimmer Michael Phelps, the most successful and decorated Olympian of all time with a total of 28 medals, Luca is set to go far. “His determination, discipline and goal setting shows why he is at the top. The biggest lesson from him is that your biggest competitor is yourself.”