Overview
Based in Tarifa, Spain, he is a sporting legend and currently serves as the Sports Director for the GKA. He lends his name to the “Jaime Board,” the longest-selling and most successful board in kiteboarding history.
Career
He is one of the original pro riders, having competed in the 1999 Red Bull Sky Ride. Beyond being a competitor, he is recorded as a historical innovator who pushed “wakestyle” and “aerial handle passes” into the mainstream of early freestyle competition. He appeared in the legendary video “Space Monkeys” alongside Martin Vari and others, helping to drive the strapless surfing movement. He has also made massive contributions behind the scenes of the tour, such as establishing a riders’ union to protect athletes’ rights and organizing the world’s first strapless competition in Tarifa.
Sponsors & Brands
He is affiliated with Duotone (formerly North Kiteboarding). From the early days, he stood at the forefront of kite and board R&D alongside the brand’s genius designers Ken Winner and Sky Solbach, laying the foundation for modern kiteboarding. The pro model he poured his soul into developing, the “Jaime Board,” has remained a bestseller for over 20 years.
Personality & Relationships
Belonging to the same generation as Flash Austin, Mark Shinn, and Robby Naish, he shares the history of the “Space Monkeys generation” who elevated kiteboarding from a simple pastime into a recognized sport and culture. He is deeply passionate about the mental and professional development of young riders, having spearheaded the launch of the Young Blood camps.
Quotes & Episodes
Expressing his philosophy on board design and his aversion to equipment tailored only for elites, he stated:
“A pro board shouldn’t just be for the 5 pros who can do triple handle passes. It should make the sport feel incredible for the everyday kiter who wants to push their own limits.”
When the wind finally returned after a long windless period, he expressed his joy:
“It’s been long coming. Six weeks, we’ve been on a desert of Levante and yeah, we’re looking forward for these days. This actually feels like home now.”
— Jaime Herraiz
Competition Results
2003 & 2004 PKRA Freestyle World Ranking: 3rd
2005 PKRA Tarifa: 1st Place
Search Aliases: Jaime Herraiz, JaimeHerraiz