Overview
“I like to say and think that I live in the moment. The easiest way to get into that zone is when I’m riding waves, all my other distracting thoughts disappear to the background and I feel one with the element. That’s my key to enjoyment.”
Jalou Langeree is a professional kiteboarder from Noordwijk, Netherlands, and the absolute queen of the wave discipline. As the younger sister of 3-time world champion Kevin Langeree, they are beloved globally as the most famous “sibling duo” in the kiteboarding world. Inspired by her brother’s obsession with kiteboarding, she took to the ocean at the age of 12. She forged a resilient mentality by challenging the biting winds and waves of the harsh North Sea in the Netherlands. She boasts national fame in her home country and even appeared on the popular Dutch survival reality show “Expeditie Robinson” in 2016.
Career
Jalou was a freestyle prodigy who won her first national title at age 14 and went on to become a 7-time Dutch Champion. However, she suffered from extreme competition anxiety. Although she reached the podium at PKRA World Cup events, she struggled to secure an overall world title.
In 2011, having lost her motivation for freestyle, she stepped away from contests and made a monumental decision to completely ditch her twin-tip board and straps. She transitioned to pure “wave riding” on a surfboard, which reawakened the pure joy and adrenaline she felt when she first started kiting. Just one year after this transition, she made a surprise entry into the 2012 KSP World Tour and became the inaugural World Wave Champion in her rookie year. She subsequently claimed the world title again in 2015 and 2018, establishing herself as a 3-time World Champion.
Her riding style is defined by highly aggressive yet incredibly clean and flowing turns in the pocket of the wave. GKA commentators consistently praise her as the “best female wave rider in the kiteboarding world.”
Sponsors & Affiliations
For many years, she has competed as a team rider for top industry brands like Naish and North, powerfully driving the global kiteboarding scene forward alongside her brother Kevin.
Personality & Relationships
Not only does she form the ultimate kiteboarding royal family with her brother Kevin Langeree, but she is also cousins with big air legend Ruben Lenten, making hers one of the most prestigious bloodlines in the sport.
She has also made significant contributions to the empowerment of female riders, notably starring in the documentary film “118 Feet of Freedom,” which chronicles a sailing journey with fellow female strapless riders.
Quotes & Anecdotes
An Unwavering Motto for Kiting
“The only way to get better is to practice and give it your everything. Do it with joy so it comes naturally.”
— Jalou Langeree
2012: The Battle for the Inaugural Crown in Cape Verde
She faced off against Hawaii’s Moona Whyte in a historic final heat that determined the destiny of the first-ever World Wave title. Approaching the powerful Cabo Verde waves with solid bottom turns, she magnificently claimed the throne as the first Queen.
2018: An Awakening in Prea, Brazil
As a wave specialist, flat-water “strapless freestyle” was Jalou’s weakest discipline. However, she arrived at the location 10 days before the event for intensive training with her peers. She defeated freestyle queen Carla Herrera Oria to take the win, pulling the overall world title within her grasp. Here is her comment after the victory:
“Strapless freestyle isn’t my main discipline and Carla is pretty much the freestyle queen on tour. The training really paid of I felt like everything just felt together my mind set was great and I was very focused”
— Jalou Langeree
Total Dominance at the GKA Mauritius (Bel Ombre) Event
While local hero Ninja (Nina) made a miraculous run by advancing through 7 consecutive heats, Jalou showed no mercy in the final. She executed powerful maneuvers one after another, demonstrating her undeniable dignity as the absolute queen of the world to claim the victory.
Competition Results
2012: KSP World Wave Champion
2015: World Wave Champion (including victory at the Dakhla, Morocco event)
2018: GKA Kitesurf World Champion (victories at the Prea, Brazil event and Torquay, Melbourne final)
🔗 関連リンク: Home
Search Aliases: Jalou Langeree, JalouLangeree