Wave Warrior
Hendrick Witschi + The Cape Verde Kitesurfing Legacy
Hendrick Witschi doesn’t just ride; he was raised by the wind and waves of Cape Verde. Born into a family of champions and ocean pioneers, his story isn’t about discovering kiting, it’s about living it. From learning in surf as a boy to chasing perfect barrels with legends, Hendrick’s path has always been about pushing harder every session. And it’s paid off – with a string of championships to his name, he’s been competing on the GKA Kite World Tour for the past three years. With Ocean Rodeo gear powering his kitesurfing, he’s carving his own line in the world of wave kiting – raw, focused, and all in.
Can you talk about how you first got into kite surfing and what got you hooked?
I got into kite surfing here in Cape Verde with my parents. I was kind of born into it because I have my uncle, who is 6 times world champion [Airton Cozzolino], my mom was like the first water sports lady of Cape Verde, and we have a lot of friends and this surfing crew was always coming to us. So I was this kid always in the middle of all. I was around seven years old when I tried it first time, but I was super into surfing then; I was winning national competitions.
Then when I was around 9 years old, my uncle won the world championship for the first time. So I was like, okay, now I'm going to try it because I want to be like him. And then I started trying and it was really tough conditions. I was a super thin, small little kid, going in the ocean full of waves and strong winds. But I wanted it so bad. That's when I started to get into it, and then I went for three months to Egypt, which was knee-deep water. And it was so much easier. And that's where my real passion started to come. And I dedicated myself to it to start training and getting better.
How did you progress? how was the learning curve?
And then, when school finished, I didn't want to do any university or anything. I just wanted to be a professional kite surfer. And my parents said, okay. If that's what you want, go for it. So I got my first sponsor, started competing, started travelling a lot, and now... I'm here.
What made you choose kite surf rather than any other style?
What’s your go-to set up when you head out?
When I'm wave riding, the kite has to do its job and I have to focus on mine. I don't want to be a rider that has to make the kite work. I want the gear to work, so I can just focus on what I have to do.
Where was the best session of your life? What made it completely unforgettable?
So would you say your favourite destination for kite surf is at home on Cape Verde?
What’s your dream spot that you’ve not had a chance to ride to yet?
How do you stay fit and prepared for your next competition?
How would you like to see the kiting scene change in the next few years?
What advice do you have for somebody who's just getting into kiting?
Dial it In with Ocean Rodeo
Hendrick’s drive is all about flow – no hype, no compromise. Every turn, every barrel, every knockout session is a test of instinct and gear that can keep up. With the Roam, Crave, and Flite in his quiver, and the Polaris Control Bar, he’s locked into the ride and focused on what matters most: chasing that next perfect wave.
Feeling inspired? Ocean Rodeo kites are here. Heads up though - if you're buying more than one item, you'll get our best prices on our kite bundle builder.