After studying International Marketing and Sales, I started out running kitesurf and wakeboard schools in various locations across the Netherlands. I then spent three years working full-time for Red Bull Netherlands as a Sales Manager, while also becoming closely involved in the organisation of major kitesurfing events, from the Megaloop to Red Bull King of the Air.

Alongside this, I have been active for many years as Head Judge for KPWT World Cup events and numerous editions of Red Bull King of the Air, Megaloops, and other international competitions. After running kitesurf guesthouses—such as the Mystic House in Cape Town—I worked for three years as Marketing Manager at RRD. I then spent six years at North and Mystic as International Athlete Manager.

Along the way, I also developed The Lemon Lodge, an eco-lodge in Portugal, and I have been a certified Wim Hof Method instructor for the past ten years.

I joined Ozone recently in December 2025. I have followed the brand since the release of its very first kite. Coming from a paragliding background, Ozone always stood out to me for its design philosophy, technical foundation, and its unique approach to market development. The fact that Ozone produces in its own factory and takes a more sustainable, long-term approach is something I have always greatly respected.

Combined with strong personal connections with the people behind the brand and our shared values, it felt like a natural alignment. Ultimately, it was just a matter of time before we joined forces.

I split my time between Europe and South Africa. During the European summer, I am based in the Algarve, Portugal. In the European winter—which aligns with the South African summer—I am based in Scarborough, Cape Town.

Alongside this, I travel regularly to key event locations for kitesurfing and foiling, and make regular visits to Tarifa and the Netherlands, where I am originally from.

My role is International Sales Manager. I work closely alongside George within the sales team, focusing on the global sales structure and strategy. I am responsible for key international accounts, working with Ozone’s larger distributors and agents worldwide.

Sales naturally goes hand-in-hand with marketing, so I work closely with the marketing team to ensure alignment between product, communication, and market needs. In addition, I collaborate regularly with Iain in his role as General Manager and Hannes as his ‘sidekick’, as well as with the administrative team, to ensure smooth day-to-day processes and strong support for our partners.

Yes, I do! That is one of the main reasons I choose to spend so much time in places like Portugal and South Africa. I genuinely enjoy working, but for me, it is essential to stay active on the water.

I try to spend at least five days a week riding. It helps me stay connected to the community, keeps me close to the product, and brings the energy and clarity that come from being physically active. That balance is what allows me to stay focused, motivated, and engaged in my work. (Though I am about to become a father, so let’s see what changes that might bring!)

Definitely. Outside of wind-based watersports, paragliding has always been a passion of mine, and it is one of the reasons I feel such a strong connection with the Ozone brand.

I also enjoy starting the day with a simple stretching routine combined with breathwork and cold exposure. From time to time, I love to go spearfishing, and although it has been a while since I last rode in the snow, snow sports are still something I really enjoy.

I enjoy all of them, although I haven’t been in the snow much lately and I am still a beginner at parawinging. That said, I can already see parawinging becoming a favourite, especially because I love downwinding on the foil.

In reality, it is very condition-based. In the Algarve, the conditions often line up best for wingfoiling, while in Cape Town—when there is proper wind and swell—kitesurfing is hard to beat. I also find that my focus tends to move in cycles; I have been very deep into winging over the past few years, but my passion for kitesurfing was definitely reignited during this last windy season in Cape Town.

That is a very good question. If I could choose one perfect day, it would be a properly windy day with solid swell in Mauritius. I would start the day with a parawing downwinder as a warm-up, then spend some time wingfoiling at Manawa, and finish the day kitesurfing at One Eye. Am I allowed to mix it all up?

What really defines Ozone for me is the combination of deep technical knowledge, strong values, and a long-term mindset. By owning their entire production process through their own factory, Ozone has total freedom in how products are designed, tested, and built.

Nothing is mass-produced or pushed into the market. Everything is made with intention, which naturally leads to a more sustainable approach. Beyond that, integrity, honesty, and fair play are clearly embedded in the culture. Innovation is driven by people who genuinely live the sports, and that is ultimately what makes it all work.