Lords of Tram 2026
Big Air Inspiration from the Pros
This weekend, the world’s best Big Air kitesurfers head back to Barcarès for the Big Air season opener, the Lords of Tram. Brutal Tramontane wind batters the lagoon as a stacked field of riders look to deliver insane boosting, world class kiteloops and the kind of drama that is talked about for years.
The weather forecast for this Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th currently looks amazing, with the first possible start scheduled for Saturday morning and the competition planned to continue until Sunday.
We’ll be watching the spectacle with interest. One name we’ll be keeping an eye on: Giel Vlugt, who landed the world’s first confirmed double kite loop back in 2022 using Ocean Rodeo gear, who has a wildcard entry into the Lords of Tram lineup this year.
Le Barcarès: Where Big Air Goes Bigger
Since the first event in 2019, Lords of Tram has cemented itself as one of the most demanding Big Air events on the planet. The waiting period runs from 28 March to 26 April 2026, with the best Tramontana winds often showing up mid weekend, turning the Le Barcarès lagoon into a factory of massive airs and high risk landings.
Le Barcarès is the classic Big Air proving ground: flat, shallow lagoon, strong cross offshore push and a crowd friendly shoreline that turns each session into a show. The Tramontana wind funnels down the coast from the Pyrenees, creating that punchy, gusty, "love it or hate it" kind of wind that’s perfect for big air contests, but brutally unforgiving if you’re not in full control.
With a mix of seeded stars and wildcard entries, the 2026 rider list is a blend of established champions and hungry newcomers. That combination is exactly what makes Lords of Tram so compelling: it sets the tone for who’s in form, who’s pushing the tricks, and who’s leaning into brand new gear and setups.
For riders who follow the tour, this weekend is the perfect time to watch setups, bar choices and line lengths in slow motion replays. It’s a chance to see how the pros balance power, safety and aerial control, and how far they can push their kites when the wind is on the edge of rideable.
The ones to watch
The Lords of Tram 2026 line‑up is stacked with established names and rising stars. On the men’s side, two‑time Big Air World Champion Andrea Principi arrives as a clear favourite, backed by his past Lords of Tram wins and sky‑high contest pedigree. Italy’s Lorenzo Casati, the 2025 Big Air World Champion, brings razor‑sharp technical control, while France’s Edgar Ulrich and Clément Huot are known for thriving in the kind of high‑wind, high‑risk conditions Barcarès loves. Rounding out the pack, Baptiste Jacquemain is a name to watch for the next wave of French big‑air talent.
In the women’s field, defending title‑holder and top seed Mikaili Sol is the one to beat, with Pippa van Iersel making a strong return to top‑tier competition. France’s Lilou Ziglini and Francesca Maini from the UK represent the new wave of technical, high‑air women’s riding, while Netherlands’ Zara Hoogenraad, fresh off a 2025 title, is another big‑air favourite poised to light up the lagoon.
In the women’s field, defending title‑holder and top seed Mikaili Sol is the one to beat, with Pippa van Iersel making a strong return to top‑tier competition. France’s Lilou Ziglini and Francesca Maini from the UK represent the new wave of technical, high‑air women’s riding, while Netherlands’ Zara Hoogenraad, fresh off a 2025 title, is another big‑air favourite poised to light up the lagoon.
Giel Vlugt Grabs a Tram Wildcard
Giel Vlugt has a track record of monstrous looping and Big Air experimentation that’s been previously showcased on Ocean Rodeo kites. In the past, he used the Rise A Series to push kiteloop rotations, high-heat contest boosts and marginal-wind Big Air sessions, crediting its light weight, ultra stable ALUULA airframe for confidence when the pressure is high.
Giel’s wildcard slot at Lords of Tram 2026 is a reminder of how fast evolving the Big Air scene is, and how much of that evolution is driven by kite design that rewards bold, looping heavy riding.
Giel’s wildcard slot at Lords of Tram 2026 is a reminder of how fast evolving the Big Air scene is, and how much of that evolution is driven by kite design that rewards bold, looping heavy riding.
What gear to watch for
If you’re a serious or aspirational Big Air kiter, this is the moment to start thinking about what your own kit would look like in that kind of wind. You don’t need to be on the GKA Kite World Tour to want kites that:
• Boost hard and sit high
• Allow tight, responsive kiteloops
• Feel stable and predictable when you’re overpowered and mid air
• Can handle the stress of repeated mega loops and big air landings
For riders chasing that kind of performance, Ocean Rodeo’s Flite A Series is now the direct evolution of the A Series line that riders like Giel once used. It’s built around a high aspect, low weight platform with an ALUULA reinforced airframe, tuned for high torque boosting, fast kiteloops and a stable, confidence inspiring feel when the wind is on the rail.
Multiple riders have used this A-Series DNA to push their kiteloop rotations, high wind big air sessions and contest style runs, citing the low weight, precise steering and controlled power delivery. As the rise of Big Air leaning kiting continues, the Flite A-Series is the kite that lets you lean into that style while staying in control from the water up.
• Boost hard and sit high
• Allow tight, responsive kiteloops
• Feel stable and predictable when you’re overpowered and mid air
• Can handle the stress of repeated mega loops and big air landings
For riders chasing that kind of performance, Ocean Rodeo’s Flite A Series is now the direct evolution of the A Series line that riders like Giel once used. It’s built around a high aspect, low weight platform with an ALUULA reinforced airframe, tuned for high torque boosting, fast kiteloops and a stable, confidence inspiring feel when the wind is on the rail.
Multiple riders have used this A-Series DNA to push their kiteloop rotations, high wind big air sessions and contest style runs, citing the low weight, precise steering and controlled power delivery. As the rise of Big Air leaning kiting continues, the Flite A-Series is the kite that lets you lean into that style while staying in control from the water up.
Big Air ready Ocean Rodeo kites
As the first heats kick off at the Lords of Tram 2026, it’s a great reminder that big air performance isn’t just about the wind or the rider – it’s also about the kite. Whether you’re chasing kiteloops, high wind boosts or contest style sessions, the Flite is designed to give you that blend of power, control, and stability that the world’s best are leaning on when the Tramontana is howling.
If you’re watching the Lords of Tram live stream this weekend and you’re not yet on a kite that lets you loop confidently and boost with control, this is probably going to be the event that inspires your next upgrade.
