COCOS ISLANDS: 2021, 2022

Ran first became part of the Zephyr Team in 2021, and re-joins the crew in the Cocos Islands this year for the 2022 season. Hailing from Israel, Ran moved to Australia 3 years ago to pursue kitesurfing and surfing waves. Ran’s love of ocean activities led him to work on a commercial fishing boat up in Shark Bay and the Abrolhos Islands for two seasons. Having spent two seasons in northern W.A., from Gnaraloo to Exmouth, Ran’s kite skills developed exponentially.

Ran first taught kitesurfing in Israel, however, he only developed a passion for freestyle kiting since moving to Australia and has now discovered how awesome wave kiting can be. He has a unique kitesurfing style, and loves to fly high, spending most of his time inverted, looking down on the world!

Basing himself in the Margaret River, Ran works as a carpenter and loves to express himself creatively by building things with his hands. He is a keen spearfisherman and plans to bring his mad fishing skills to Cocos, adding freshly caught fish to the menu! With his trademark “fro” and super chilled vibe, Ran is stoked to be coming back to the Cocos Islands this year!

KA LEVEL 1

COCOS ISLANDS: 2021, 2022

Ieke joined the Zephyr Team for the 2021 Cocos Islands tours and quickly decided that this is what kitesurfers’ dreams are made of! On a trip to Bali in 2013, Ieke had her first kitesurfing lesson and never once hesitated to continue with this awesome sport! Originally from the Netherlands, Ieke moved to Perth in 2012 and settled in Safety Bay for easy access to Perth’s most famous and best popular flat-water location, The Pond, where her love affair with kitesurfing continued. Working as a Kitesurfing Australia instructor with WA Surf and coaching kiting with GoKiting, Ieke’s kite skills went from strength to strength, coming in a very reasonable 6^th place in the Lighthouse to Leighton race in 2019 and 2^nd in the WA State Freestyle Nationals in 2020.

Ieke’s equally as happy riding her twintip and practicing her tweaks as she is enjoying the silence and freedom of riding a foil. While not on the water, Ieke works in a hospital as an ICU Clinical Nurse, these skills being equally appreciated as part of the team!

What’s her ideal day in the office? Sunny, 22 knots, and motivated students who love to learn how to kite or improve their riding by pushing it to the next level! Ieke’s favourite thing to do is kitesurf until sunset, and she is looking forward to again being part of the Zephyr Cocos Islands Team in 2022.

KA SENIOR INSTRUCTOR

COCOS ISLANDS: 2021, 2022
NORTH QLD: 2022

Marnix first flew a kite about 7 years ago, and never looked back! Moving around Perth, testing out the different kitesurfing spots, Marnix was drawn to the summer sea-breeze and flat water on offer at The Pond in Safety Bay. Having an appreciation for the diversity of kitesurfing, Marnix never gets bored of laying down a long darkslide or practicing an old-school board off and is always motivated to improve his riding or try something new.

With a degree in Sports Psychology, Marnix is a natural motivator. Working as a coach for GoKiting in Perth, Marnix enjoys running kite clinics, focusing on progression, and supporting other kiters to continue improving and learning new tricks. Off the water, Marnix owns his own business, Marnix Photography, capturing candid moments and happy memories working as a wedding photographer. His kitesurfing motto? “The best kitesurfer is the one with the biggest smile! Especially in front of the camera!”

Happiest when it’s blowing 22 knots and riding his twintip, it’s no wonder Marnix was drawn to the Cocos Islands, first joining the Zephyr Team in 2021. Returning in 2022, Marnix can’t wait to get back and be on the water every day, sharing his passion for kitesurfing!

IKO LEVEL 2

COCOS ISLANDS: 2022

Ian joins the Zephyr Team for the first time this year. As a pioneer of kitesurfing in Australia (since 1997), Ian has dedicated the best part of two decades to the development and competition of the sport and is still stoked. As an IKO Level 2 Instructor since 2002, he has safely introduced more than 2000 people to the addiction of kiteboarding.

Ian was a Contest Director of the Kiteboarding Professional World tour from 2003 to 2007 and has travelled to many epic kitesurfing destinations around the world. In 2014, Ian embarked on a solo kitesurfing mission for charity, kiting more than 1300kms from Scarborough to Exmouth, and raising more than $22,000 for SoldierOn.org.au in the process.

Now residing in Lancelin, Ian enjoys the epic kitesurfing conditions on offer, with consistent wind all year round, and the choice between legendary waves or butter flat water as his playground. In addition to kitesurfing, Ian’s passions include adventure, travel, photography, SUP, and cycling.

Ian is really looking forward to his next adventure in Cocos 2022 and brings with him a wealth of kitesurfing knowledge, experience, and I’m sure a story to tell, or three!

COCOS ISLANDS: 2022

Max joins the Zephyr Team this year for the 2022 Cocos Islands Tours. Originally from the Netherlands, Max first travelled to Australia to feed his desire for cookery, and passion to explore Farm to Fork culinary style. After travelling around Australia in a campervan, Max settled in Perth in 2021, and naturally, he picked up a kite and has never put it down! Max considers his obsession with kiteboarding as an ‘addiction’ and loves the thrill and adrenaline of kiting in a storm.

Max enjoys seeking out the freshest ingredients to create healthy inspiring meals, from freshly caught seafood on a BBQ to a slow-cooked smoky brisket complimented with an ice-cold beer. With over 10 years of experience in professional kitchens, Max will be sure to tantalise your tastebuds with his unique creations.

Max’s dream conditions for kiting are 25 knots and flat water on a 9m Duotone Dice. His dream condition for cooking, however, is everything in the sunshine!

KA LEVEL 1

COCOS ISLANDS: 2022

Luiz has embraced kitesurfing and the unique lifestyle it offers since taking up the sport in 2017. Having a passion for travel, Luiz saw kitesurfing as an opportunity to feed his desire for adventure, having explored Sri Lanka, India, Croatia, Portugal, Germany, Netherlands, and France.

Settling in WA in 2020, Luiz’s life revolves around kitesurfing – following the winds, focusing on progression, and enjoying everything that comes with it. He sees kitesurfing as a multifaceted activity, experiencing feelings of joy with each new accomplishment, learning new things, and reaching new highs, while also interacting with nature and the unique environment around him.

Outside of kitesurfing, Luiz’s hobbies include snowboarding, skiing, and scuba diving. This will be Luiz’s first season in Cocos with the Zephyr Team, and we’re stoked to have him on board!