Speed surfing: Dunkerbeck Speed Challenge 2025 - top value gyro, many juniors and ladies

The Dunkerbeck Speed Challenge 2025 has got off to a flying start. With 872 participants from 27 nations in the first period, the event has seen record participation. Dutchman Hans Kreisel secured the top position with a top speed of 85.04 km/h, setting the bar high for the upcoming stages. The diversity of the participants, ranging from 8-year-old young talents to over 75-year-old veterans, shows the broad appeal of the event across generations.

More about speed surfing:

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• From building contractor to speed surfer: how Andrea "Principe" Baldini became the "Prince of Speed"

Strand Horst, Ouddorp and La Palme are the top spots for speed surfing

In total, riders from 27 countries took part in the kick-off of the DSC 2025, ranging from the Netherlands to Japan, with Central Europe, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium making up the largest contingents of participants. "This broad geographical spread shows that the windsurfing community is globally networked and uses the Challenge as a platform to compete across borders," said the organisers.

Strand Horst, Ouddorp and La Palme emerged as the top locations for the first section of the Dunkerbeck Speed Challenge. These spots offered ideal conditions with strong, constant winds and flat water - perfect conditions for top speeds. It is to be expected that these locations will also play a central role in the coming stages.

Women's power in speed surfing

With 25 female participants, the Dunkerbeck Speed Challenge 2025 also shows a positive development in the area of gender equality in speed surfing. Although women are still in the minority, the rising number of female participants indicates a growing interest and increasing presence of women in this traditionally male-dominated discipline. Heidi Ulrich leads by a wide margin with 72.191 km/h, while Kristel Kaubi from Estonia is ahead in the Grand Master women's category (51 to 60 years).

Speed surfing: Dunkerbeck Speed Challenge 2024 - all results and a portrait of some top riders

Benedikt Emser is the best in the Foil Open category, achieving his best speed of 66.11 km/h in Malcesine on Lake Garda. The best lady on the foil is world champion Justine Lemeteyer. Quinten Joosten leads the junior category for 15 to 18-year-olds, while Gaspar Evelio Cascon Schwarzenlander from Austria was the fastest of the 11 to 14-year-olds. Hugo Bailon won the Wing classification with 60.43 km/h. In the results submitted via the Waterspeed app, Julien Ficus came out on top.

By the way: In the current surf 6/2025 you will find a great guide on how to measure your own speed and take part in competitions like the Dunkerbeck Speed Challenge!

The summer edition of the Dunkerbeck Speed Challenge 2025 runs from 1 July to 31 August, followed by a third period from 1 October to 30 November. Each period will be scored separately, so that participants have multiple opportunities to achieve top rankings.

Dunkerbeck Speed Challenge 2025 - Period 1: All top results at a glance