GET READY!
The weather is heating up in Europe, and after an absolute banger of an event last year, windsurfers in Europe and around the world are preparing for the new edition of the Defi Wind.
This is the largest event of its kind in the world where amateurs and pros alike can share the stoke of windsurfing. Breaking all previous numbers, this year all spots are SOLD-OUT. This means 1500 windsurfers on the start line!
THE PINNACLE OF WINDSURFING EVENTS
Last year, a whopping 1406 windsurfing enthusiasts, amateur racers, and pros gathered in Gruissan, a beautiful town located in the southeast of France to form the epicenter of windsurfing. In 2024, the location remains the same, the event dates are May 9th – 12th.
This yearly windsurfing “pilgrimage” connects windsurfers from all across the world for four days of high wind racing across a 40km long marathon course, but that’s not all. Many stars of windsurfing including SEVERNE rider Bjorn Dunkerbeck frequent this event, giving participants a chance to mingle with their idols. Topped with giveaways, presentations, concerts, and parties, there are festival vibes that attract not only the windsurfers who take part in the event but also many others who come to enjoy the great atmosphere.
Whether it is live on the water, or on the big screen at the center stage, spectators will get to see incredible “rabbit” starts along the nearly kilometer-long start line and nerve-wracking action as the fleet defeats the strong tramontana winds on both fin and foil.
2024 SPECIALS
Severne will make this year’s edition even more remarkable with the introduction of the limited edition 024 DEFI WIND T-SHIRTS. You will have the opportunity to score these limited edition t-shirts at a special price by pre-booking. We’ll set your chosen size and model aside for you to pick up at the Severne booth.
You can also buy these directly at the booth, but the pre-booking price will not apply. Pre-booking is open until 23.59 on the 8th of May.
WE WILL BE IN GRUISSAN, WILL YOU?
There will be a special Severne area at this year’s Defi Wind also. There you’ll be able to check out the latest gear, meet our team, join our daily events, and talk about everything windsurfing. Located in the event village, the Severne booth will be open throughout all event days, and will be the centre of all Severne activities.
This page below will be the official event page where we’ll load up the latest news and activity schedule for you to stay up to date with.
LIVE PAINTING SESSION
We have teamed up with Néstor, a Canarian Island artist behind the “HUGU” brand, and collaborator of the Balz Pro logo. The artist will be painting a Severne Predator board from scratch! Come around the booth on Saturday evening between 16:00 and 20:00 to see windsurfing art in creation.
FOOSBALL – BEAT THE TEAM WIN A SHIRT
If you can’t beat our racing team on the water, we give you the chance to beat them on land with our baby foot tournament. On Friday evening from 18:00 to 20:00 you can pass by our booth and challenge the Severne team for a “sudden death” foosball match, if you beat the team, you win a special limited edition SV x Defi Wind t-shirt.
SEVERNE RIDERS YOU’LL MEET
For this year’s event, big part of the Severne racing team, along with special guests, will be attending. Amongst others, you’ll meet Bjorn Dunkerbeck, Liam Dunkerbeck, Blanca Alabau, Matteo Iachino, Dieter van der Eyken, Cedric Bordes, Amado Vrieswijk, and more
Also confirmed is most of the Severne France team making it the largest, most complete Severne team to ever compete at a Defi Wind.
You can meet and catch up with our riders at the Severne area throughout all event days. There will be events and get-togethers where you’ll be able to mingle with our riders. Check out our activity schedule below for more info.
NEW GEAR ON DISPLAY
In 2023, participants and visitors of the Defi Wind were able to check out the latest Severne gear and get a preview of what was in the makings. In this upcoming edition, the Severne booth will be packed with all of the newest products in the range, including:
- HYPER 7
- MACH 7
- HYDRO
- FOX
- PYRO
- BLADE / BLADE PRO
- S-1 / S-1 PRO
- NCX
- MOTO
- VERSO
- and much more.
Pass by the Severne booth and chat with our team riders and crew, and get insights into all of the latest and upcoming gear and technologies that are in the works.
ACTIVITIES AROUND THE BOOTH
We’d love to meet you. If you’re visiting the Defi Wind this year, stop by the Severne area and chat with our crew, meet our team riders, and check out the latest from our world.
Here’s what we’re planning.
May 9 (Thursday)
- 6-8 pm – Evening welcome “after surf meet & greet with SV team.
May 10 (Friday)
- 024 race gear + team presentation (either on stage or at Severne booth). Time TBC.
- 6-8 pm – 024 SV fussball championships. Beat the SV team and win a T-shirt.
May 11 (Saturday)
- Team presentation and poster/postcard signing with the Severne team (International + French team). *
- Technology talk at the booth or onstage. Introducing products such as Hydro / Mach 7 / Hyper 7 / Moto / NCX. *
- 6-8 pm – Meet & greet at the SV stand and Predator live paint session.
May 12 (Sunday)
- Product presentation at Severne booth or onstage. *
- Poster / Postcards signing with the Severne team. *
- Meet the team at the Severne booth. *
- Goodbye.
ON THE GROUND WITH THE TEAM IN 2023
More Severne news
Defi Wind 2026: Severne brought the building
Four days at Gruissan. Tramontana 25-45 knots. 1,400 competitors. Blanca took silver, Antoine finished fourth in Foil Unlimited, and Monster and Fury hit the table publicly for the first time ever at Revolution HQ — voted best stand of the event.
Federico Infantino: Main Break and the Desert
Federico Infantino’s 2025/26 Western Australia season, filtered through the surf-style approach he has been refining: small sail, board-led, let the wave do the work.
Wildwest: Balz Müller Goes XXL at Famara
Balz Müller takes his R4D 4.4 and Psycho 86 into XXL conditions at Famara, Lanzarote. Wildwest is a reminder that nobody pushes the freestyle/wave crossover like Balz.
The Wolf Enters the Big League
Fabian Wolf has strengthened his collaboration with team SEVERNE for 026, stepping up to the international racing team. From national slalom to Olympic iQFOiL to PWA racing; the German finished 2025 as Vice European Champion and 5th at PWA Japan, and he’s targeting the top three in 026.
Lina Erpenstein: Ten Years on Team SEVERNE
Lina Erpenstein joined team SEVERNE in 2016 after growing up on flat water in inland Germany. Ten years, multiple podiums and victories at European, national, and international level, a Chile World Cup win, and a medical career later; she’s still chasing the Women’s World Title.
Pauline Katz: Five Years on the Redback
Pauline Katz has ridden the Redback since ’21. Five seasons across Pozo, Chile, and Maui; all on a sail built for riders her size. Here’s why she’s never switched.
Girls on Tour Goes European
Team SEVERNE rider Pauline Katz expands her Girls on Tour women’s windsurfing camp series to a full European calendar in 2026. Seven events across four locations covering waves, freestyle, and slalom; coached by top female pros including Daida Ruano Moreno and Maaike Huvermann.
Blanca Alabau Signs Eighth Year with SEVERNE
2023 PWA Slalom World Champion and women’s foil speed world record holder Blanca Alabau returns to team SEVERNE for her eighth consecutive season. The partnership that started when she entered Formula Foil competition has produced world titles, speed records, and consistent podiums across both fin and foil disciplines.
SEVERNE Margaret River Wave Classic 2026: Jaeger Stone back on top
Jaeger Stone reclaims Margaret River while 17-year-old Sarah Kenyon wins her first Pro Women’s event. Jake Ghiretti scores the highest wave of the competition. Team SEVERNE dominated every podium; all on the Stone.