Where Do You See Yourself in 10 Years?

A decade of progression. 10 years of fun. Stig Hoefnagel’s journey in kiteboarding is anything but linear.

There’s a universal question we as people get asked, across various cultures and at different points in our lives: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

If you asked Stig Hoefnagel that question a decade ago, he might’ve scoffed at the idea that he’d be where he is today. But maybe he wouldn’t have. Stig has always been sure of himself, even at the ripe age of 14, when a hobby turned into a shot at living his dream. It’s no surprise to us why he’s still charging harder than ever, living a life most only dream of.

But chasing dreams is never a straight line. 

What happens when the trophies start stacking up, but the feeling fades? When the goalposts shift and the podium no longer fills you up the way it used to? Stig learned early that success isn’t just about landing tricks or scoring points. It’s about staying grounded while chasing more meaning and purpose.

He started competing just six months into kiting. “I didn’t expect to do well,” he says. “I was just having fun.” But a fourth-place finish at the Dutch Nationals sparked something and the hunger to improve took over. From national titles to dream events like King of the Air and the Megaloop Challenge, Stig climbed the ladder every young kiter dreams of. And then? He got there – and didn’t feel what he thought he would.

“I felt a little lost… I started becoming my own enemy,” he admits. The cycle of train, crash, compete, repeat had turned sour. “I was very much busy with myself… not really with everything else around it.”

So he pivoted. Not away from the sport but deeper into it. Into its creative core. Into storytelling. Into connection.

That’s where a new chapter began. One with less ego and more expression. Less validation, more vision. “If you want to go pro, find your own twist,” he says. “Do what makes you happy. If you’re not happy, you’ll burn out.”

A decade marks more than time passed – it’s a legacy in motion. In life and in sport, ten years is no small feat. In a world obsessed with chasing the next best thing, where riders flip brands like they flip boards, staying loyal takes courage, perseverance and loyalty.

Stig has evolved, yes, but he’s also stayed. And that matters. It shows a different kind of strength. A certain level of respect and responsibility. Not just to his riding, but to the community, the team and the story he’s helping to shape.

At Naish, we’ve watched him grow on and off the water. He’s helped push our gear, test its limits, break it, shape it, ride it better than anyone else could. But more than that, he’s carved a path for others to follow – if they choose. A visible line in the sand that says: this is what long-term commitment looks like. This is what building something real looks like, and it doesn’t have to be linear.

So what advice would he give his younger self? “Keep making thoughtful decisions. Don’t regret anything. And if your mindset’s positive, unexpected opportunities will appear.”

It’s not just kiteboarding. If you’re reading this, you’ll know it’s much more than that. Kiteboarding is a way of life. It’s showing up, falling hard, laughing anyway and doing it all again the next day. It’s finding purpose beyond the podium. It’s about community and friends and new memories. 

So where does that leave him now?

Still dreaming. Still doing. Still kiting like it’s his first day on the water and his last session ever. But now, his goals are bigger than the podium. “I want to make the sport more accessible,” he says. “Show how amazing our lifestyle is to people who’ve never touched a kite.”

And in 2025? If all goes well, he’ll be doing the biggest kitesurfing stunt in the history of the sport. No big deal. So watch the video. Witness the evolution. And ask yourself: Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

More on Stig - click here