Kiteboarding is a wind-powered surface watersport which utilizes a large hand-controlled kite that is harnessed and powered by the wind which propels the kiteboarder across the water on a board similar to a wakeboard.

During recent years, surfers and tourists have also taken an interest in kiteboarding in the beautiful islands of Maldives. Introduced in 2016, Raalhu Gudi Kite Fest is the first kiteboarding event held in Maldives. It officially began when Youri Zoon, a two-time kiteboarding world champion, held his first ever kite camp in Maafushi.

The main purpose of Raalhugudi is to make kiteboarding the most popular extreme watersports in Maldives in order to encourage Maldivian youth and athletes to take up kiteboarding. By organizing the Raalhugudi Kite Fest every year, we aim to teach the basic skills of kiteboarding to certain focus groups and also to provide the opportunity of kiteboarding to potential kiteboarders who are interested in the sport.

Building on the success of the three previous Raalhugudi events, our fourth will be the biggest yet. ‘Raalhugudi Dhekunun Uthurah’ is a special Raalhugudi event in which four kiteboarders kitesurf their way across the length of Maldives for the first time ever. Starting from the most southern point of Maldives in Addu Atoll, the kiteboarders will be travelling from one island to the other by kite and finally end their journey at Thuraakunu in Haa Alif Atoll in approximately 15 days. The kiteboarders will fly the kite for almost four hours every day and make stops at different islands throughout their journey. Interested participants can jump in to join a leg of the route wherever they like or even join the entire trip across Maldives with the four kiteboarders.

Organized by Raalhugudi in collaboration with Slowtape and Maafushi Dive & Watersports, ‘Raalhugudi Dhekunun Uthurah’ is planned to be held during June/July of this year. Three local kiteboarders and one foreign kiteboarder will be taking part in this event.

Empowering the youth of Maldives to take up kitesurfing and promote Maldives as an extraordinary kitesurfing destination since 2016!