Rodrigues Kite Festival

The July 2026 event, dubbed the Rodrigues Kite Festival, marks a new chapter in the history of watersports on Rodrigues. It is organized by the Mourouk Wind Sports Club, a recently formed organization comprised of instructors and enthusiasts from the south of the island, and chaired by Andy Albert, a well-known figure in the local kitesurfing scene. Albert knows the area well, having served as race director for the early editions of the island's historic festival. The competition benefits from the support of the Rodrigues Tourism Commission and the Rodrigues Tourism Board, a testament to the growing importance of watersports in the island's tourism strategy.

Why is the RIKF taking a break in 2026?

The Rodrigues International Kitesurf Festival, launched in 2013 and organized by the Rodrigues Kitesurfing Association (RKA), chaired by Jean-Christ Spéville, will not take place in 2026. After ten consecutive editions, the association has chosen to take a sabbatical year. This is a pause for reflection and consolidation, not a cancellation: the festival is intended to return with renewed energy after this break.

The new MWSC competition is perfectly timed for this year of transition. The RKA's message is clear: this competition does not replace the RIKF, considered an iconic event that has significantly contributed to Rodrigues' international renown. As Jean-Christ Spéville explained, it is a separate initiative, designed to enrich the existing offerings and maintain the island's sporting momentum while the festival is on hiatus.

Andy Albert and the Mourouk Wind Sports Club

The Mourouk Wind Sports Club brings together several key players in the sport on Rodrigues, including instructors from local kiteboarding schools. Beyond organizing competitions, the club aims to structure the sport, support the next generation of riders, and strengthen coordination between the island's various organizations, working closely with tourism institutions. Andy Albert presents this transition as an opportunity to better organize watersports on Rodrigues and offer unique experiences to both participants and visitors.

At a press conference held at the Rodrigues Mourouk Hotel, Tourism Commissioner Jean-Alain Wong So unveiled the main features of the 2026 edition, emphasizing the desire to place greater emphasis on the sporting aspect of the event. A preliminary working meeting was also held on April 28, 2026, in Port Mathurin, at the Tourism Commission offices, bringing together representatives from the tourism office, the RKA (Rodrigues Kiteboarding Association), and the MWSC (Mountain Kiteboarding Society), to define the outline of the 2026 season in consultation with institutional stakeholders, tourism operators, and kitesurfing professionals.

Kiteboarding, the driving force of tourism in Rodrigues

Over the years, kitesurfing has become a powerful promotional tool for Rodrigues. The historic festival helped position the island as a prime destination for international riders, thanks to its exceptional natural conditions and the global reputation of Anse Mourouk. Maintaining a kitesurfing event during the RIKF's hiatus year therefore addresses a concrete need: to preserve this momentum and continue attracting kitesurfers during the peak wind season, who stay on the island, use its accommodations, and discover its other attractions.

It's also a way of highlighting that the development of water sports in Rodrigues is part of a vision of sustainable tourism. The island champions a human-scale model, committed to preserving its lagoon and landscapes, and the first edition of the Rodrigues Kite Festival remains true to this spirit, continuing the "Respect the Island" message promoted in previous years. The event also takes place within a dynamic regional season: it is held just a few days after the fifth edition of the C Kite Festival, organized at the end of June on the Palmar lagoon, on the east coast of Mauritius.

The Rodrigues Kite Festival will take place from July 2nd to 5th, 2026 in Anse Mourouk, under the slogan "Ride the Wind." The organizers have designed a program resolutely focused on performance and adrenaline, structured around three main formats—big air, mini-raid, and slalom—designed to showcase both the riders' physical commitment and their technical mastery in the unique conditions of the Rodrigues lagoon. The major new feature of this first edition is the introduction of wingfoiling, the official program for which was still being finalized at the time of the announcement.

Big air

Big air is undoubtedly the most spectacular event for the public. Riders aim to launch themselves as high as possible and perform a series of challenging tricks, judged by a panel of experts on height, amplitude, and technical skill. When the trade winds pick up over the Mourouk lagoon, the jumps can be truly breathtaking.

Mini-raid

The mini-raid offers a longer format, with challenging courses along the lagoon and coastline. It combines speed, endurance, and the ability to read the water over an extended distance. This event rewards consistency as much as explosiveness and showcases the diverse waters of the region.

Slalom

Slalom is a pure speed event. Competitors start together and navigate around a series of buoys: reading the wind, choosing the right line, and mastering the board make all the difference. It's a fast-paced and exciting discipline, where the gaps can sometimes be decided by mere seconds.

Wingfoiling, a major new feature of this year's edition

A rapidly growing sport at the world's best spots, wingfoiling involves holding an inflatable wing in your hand while gliding on a board equipped with a foil—the submerged profile that lifts the board above the water. Its sensation of silent flight has made it one of the fastest-growing watersports in recent years. At the Rodrigues Kite Festival, wingfoiling will make its first-ever appearance in an official competition on the island, illustrating the organizers' commitment to opening the event to next-generation watersports.

High-level technical support

To oversee the technical aspects of the event, the organizers can count on Alain Alcindor, a rider recognized on the international scene. Originally from the Seychelles, he belongs to this generation of Indian Ocean athletes who are helping to put the region on the world kitesurfing map, after having distinguished himself in several international competitions.

If Rodrigues has made a name for itself on the world kitesurfing map, it's largely thanks to Anse Mourouk. Located in the southeast of the island, this spot combines a large, shallow lagoon, calm waters within the coral reef, and consistent trade winds for much of the year. This rare combination offers both a safe playground for beginners and wind and wave conditions that appeal to experienced riders.

The spot's strength lies precisely in its diversity: inside the lagoon, the flat water and shallow depth reassure beginners and are ideal for speed and slalom; towards the reef, the waves breaking on the reef open up another playground, prized for jumps and tricks. You can thus progress at your own pace, from your first run to the most challenging maneuvers, all in one place.

When to come: the windy season

Rodrigues is swept by the trade winds for much of the year, but it's during the austral winter, roughly from May to October, that the wind is most consistent and strong. It's no coincidence that the competition takes place in early July: this is the peak kiteboarding season on the island, when conditions are most reliable. For a kiteboarding-focused holiday, this window remains the safest bet, with the waters working from morning till night when the trade winds pick up.

The spots around Mourouk

Beyond the main lagoon of Mourouk, the region offers a beautiful variety of waters. Organizers and schools generally guide riders to the best spots of the moment, from Mourouk to the Plaine Corail area, passing through Graviers. Long downwind sessions, which involve traversing the lagoon propelled by the wind, sometimes lead as far as the southern islets like Île aux Chats, in a picture-postcard setting. This diversity partly explains why mini-raids find ideal terrain in Rodrigues.

The Rodrigues Kite Festival aims to be both regional and international. Organizers expect passionate riders, experienced amateurs, and professionals from Mauritius, Reunion Island, Madagascar, the Seychelles, and beyond. While the focus is on competitive performance, the event maintains a friendly, festival atmosphere, with numerous activities open to the public and visitors.

How to register

Interested parties can already contact the organizers. The Mourouk Wind Sports Club has provided two contact methods: by email at the address mouroukwindsports@gmail.com, or by telephone at +230 59073807The precise registration procedures, any participation fees and level requirements according to the disciplines should be confirmed directly with the club, which will be able to provide information to each profile according to the event in question.

Attend the event

You can absolutely enjoy the competition without participating yourself. Events like big air and slalom are particularly popular with spectators, who can follow the action from the edge of the lagoon. For a visitor to the island in early July, it's a great opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a Rodrigues watersports event in an exceptional natural setting.

Rodrigues is easily accessible from Mauritius, making it a natural getaway during a stay in the archipelago. The island also boasts a good range of accommodation options in the immediate vicinity of the kitesurfing spots, simplifying logistics for those coming to ride for several days.

How to get to Rodrigues

The easiest way is by plane, with regular flights from Mauritius to Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport in Plaine Corail, taking approximately an hour and a half. A longer, more flexible maritime connection also exists for freight and passengers, with variable schedules. From Réunion, the journey usually involves a stopover in Mauritius. It's worth noting that Rodrigues Airport is currently undergoing an expansion project to support the island's growing tourism industry.

Where to stay nearby

The Anse Mourouk area boasts several accommodations popular with kiteboarders, starting with establishments located right on the lagoon, such as the Mourouk Ebony Hotel, the Bakwa Lodge, and C Rodrigues Mourouk. Several watersports schools, including some based directly in Anse Mourouk, offer lessons and equipment rentals for kiteboarding, windsurfing, wing foiling, and stand-up paddleboarding. Staying close to the spot remains the most practical option for catching session after session, following the wind's rhythm.

Even for a surfing-focused holiday, Rodrigues is worth taking a break from the board to explore the rest of the island. Small in size but rich in landscapes, it has managed to preserve an authenticity and natural beauty that many come here seeking.

Among the must-sees is Île aux Cocos, a nature reserve off the west coast, which captivates visitors with its seabirds and pristine beaches. Hiking enthusiasts will appreciate the coastal paths leading to secluded coves accessible only on foot, such as Trou d'Argent, Anse Philibert, and Anse Bouteille, nestled between cliffs sculpted by the trade winds and offering panoramic views of deserted islets. The lagoon also provides exceptional snorkeling opportunities, and Rodriguan cuisine, generous and featuring abundant seafood, completes the picture of an island that prioritizes small-scale tourism.

This philosophy is reflected even in the organization of the competition: the organizers of the Rodrigues Kite Festival are committed to building a sustainable event that respects the marine environment, by involving several local associations in the process. Showcasing the natural assets of Rodrigues while respecting the spirit of the place: this is the guiding principle of this first edition.

When will the 2026 kitesurfing competition take place in Rodrigues?

The Rodrigues Kite Festival, organised by the Mourouk Wind Sports Club, takes place from 2 to 5 July 2026 in Anse Mourouk, in the southeast of the island.

Is the RIKF taking place in 2026?

No. The Rodrigues International Kitesurf Festival is taking a break in 2026 after ten editions. The Rodrigues Kitesurfing Association has chosen a sabbatical year, without questioning the festival's return later.

Does the new competition replace the festival?

No. According to the organizers, this is a separate initiative, designed to enrich the existing offerings and maintain sporting momentum during this transitional year. The RIKF remains the flagship event and is set to return.

Who is organizing the event?

The competition is supported by the Mourouk Wind Sports Club, chaired by Andy Albert, with the support of the Tourism Commission and the Rodrigues Tourism Office.

What events are on the program?

The program is structured around three main formats — big air, mini-raid and slalom — to which is added wingfoil, a major new feature of this first edition.

Is wingfoiling really on the agenda?

Yes, wingfoiling is the main new feature of the 2026 edition and will make its first appearance in an official competition in Rodrigues. Its precise program was still being finalized at the time of the announcement.

How do I register for the competition?

Registrations are made through the Mourouk Wind Sports Club, by email at mouroukwindsports@gmail.com or by phone at 230 59073807. The exact details are to be confirmed directly with the club.

Do you need to be an experienced kiteboarder to participate?

This is a competition encompassing several disciplines. The skill level requirements may vary depending on the event: it is best to contact the organizers for specific details regarding the event you are interested in.

Where is Anse Mourouk?

Anse Mourouk is located in the southeast of Rodrigues. The site is known for its large, shallow, and safe lagoon and for its regular trade winds, which make it one of the best kitesurfing spots in the world.

What is the best time for kitesurfing in Rodrigues?

The southern winter, from May to October approximately, offers the most consistent and sustained winds. This is the peak kiteboarding season on the island, which explains why the competition is held in July.

How to get to Rodrigues?

The easiest way is by plane from Mauritius, with a flight of approximately one and a half hours to Plaine Corail Airport. A maritime link also exists for freight and passengers.

Can you attend the competition without practicing kitesurfing?

Yes. The events can be easily followed from the edge of the lagoon, and both big air and slalom are very popular with spectators.