Kitesurf

The values of kitesurfing, a fast-growing sport which draws its energy from the power of the wind, are similar to those of ENGIE when it comes to developing green energies to enable businesses, local authorities and private individuals to be supplied with electricity guaranteed to come from 100% renewable energy sources.

ENGIE has been a back of kitesurfing in France since 2008. The Group’s support takes the form of partnerships with two federations: the FFVL and the FFVoile.

As an official partner of the French Federation of Free Flight (FFVL) since 2008, the Group is committed to promoting free flight sports and supporting the development of their practice in France, including a CSR (handikite) version. In addition to the various practices of kite, the sports of Free Flight are for example paragliding, hang-gliding, kite flying, boomerang.

Since 2017, ENGIE has been a partner of the France Kite Foil championships organized by the French Sailing Federation (FFVoile).

The Group is proud to have Alex Caizergues, four-time kite speed world champion and current holder of the world speed record for kitesurfing with an average speed of 107.3 km/h over 500m, as an Ambassador for promoting the sport. This support of kitesurfing for over ten years also reflects the Group’s policy with regard to sport sponsorship, with sustainable support based on loyalty, a desire to contribute to developing practice of the sport and excellence at the elite level.

ENGIE also promotes the development of handikite (kitesurfing for athletes with disability) and the practice of kitesurfing at all levels, whether young talents participating in national competitions or the general public.

ENGIE Kite Tour 2019

For the eleventh consecutive year, ENGIE is the title partner of the main Speed Crossing circuit in France called the ENGIE Kite Tour. A circuit created in 2004 by the FFVL, this event has become in a few years the must-attend event for the best French kitesurfers and represents the major competition to promote kitesurfing and its practice by the largest number in France. Since 2019, the circuit has been co-organized by FFVOILE and ENGIE.

Consisting of four stages, the ENGIE Kite Tour 2019 will take place on the following French beaches:

Hendaye, May 10, 11 and 12, 2019
La Baule, June 28, 29 and 30, 2019
Wimereux, September 6, 7 and 8, 2019
La Grande Motte, October 11, 12 and 13, 2019

The new 2019 edition offered an exceptional show. The many amateurs present were able to meet the best Frenchmen in this discipline, including Alexia Fancelli, 3rd at the 2018 World Championships in Aarhus, Anaïs Mai Desjardins, Axel Mazella, 2019 World and European Champion, Nicolas Parlier, double World Kite Champion and, of course, the speed record holder, Alex Caizergues.

Follow all the news of the competition on the official website of the ENGIE Kite Tour (French only).

World record for Alexandre Caizergues

At Salt and Speed, organized in November 2017 at the Salin-de-Giraud site at Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône in the South of France, kitesurfer Alexandre Caizergues, who has been sponsored by ENGIE since 2010, was hoping for a good weather window that would give him a chance of beating his own world speed record for kitesurfing.

Alexandre Caizergues broke his 500-metre world record on Monday, November 13, 2017: 57.97 knots, or 107.36 km/h (his previous record reached in 2013 was 56.62 knots, equivalent to 104.8 km/h).

The French kitesurfer, a four-time world champion, has made yet another piece of history in his sport. Back in 2010, Alex Caizergues was the first man to sail at a speed of over 100 km/h.

French Windfoil, Kitefoil and Kite freestyle championships

ENGIE is also a partner of the French KiteFoil, Windfoil and kitefreestyle Championships, which took place from 26 to 30 August 2019 in Leucate (11). Competition during which the French championship titles are put back into play every year.

ENGIE will also be a partner of the 2020 edition, which will once again take place in Leucate at the end of August 2020.