Balancing Books and Big Air: Niam Martinez’s Rise Through Next Gen

Niam: Between school hours and after-class sessions, Niam Martinez is building his path early. Part of the Next Generation program, he’s navigating the demands of training, travel, and progression with a clear focus on what’s ahead. We interviewed him to see what hes up to.

Where are you from?
I am from Tarifa, Spain, but I am half German, half Spanish.

How old are you?
I just turned 13.

What first got you into kitesurfing, and was Big Air always the thing that excited you most about the sport?
My dad is kitesurfing himself and since I was very little i was playing with my trainer kite and sliding with a boogie board on the shore while he was kiting. I started to kite myself when i was 10 years old and i tried different things like wave riding,  freestyle, Wing foiling and kite foiling but absolutely nothing beats the feeling of Big air. But I still like the other disciplines if there are no conditions for Big Air. I am just happy to be in the water and having fun.  

You're one of the youngest sponsored riders at this level, does your age ever cross your mind?
No, I never think about my age. I think more about my weight and that I need to get bigger and grow taller to hold a better edge, go higher, and improve my skills. I am 45 kg now and I need 60 kg, so I am eating a lot haha.

Training alongside Cohan van Dijk is a serious opportunity. What's the most valuable thing you've taken from those sessions?
Cohan is an amazing person, he is like my brother now. He is a pro kiteboarder among the best in the world, so I get all his knowledge, insights and guidance. He is still evolving himself, always trying new stuff and adding innovation, it's super cool to do this journey together.

Who do you look up to most in terms of riding style?
Obviously Cohan, but also Lorenzo and Andrea from the "grown ups" who have brought a lot of innovation to Big Air. From the young guns it's Finn and Leo, they are both very technical and powerful in execution and always innovating. That's something I'd really love to achieve in the future.

Can you tell us about your best kitesurfing memory so far?
Probably kiting with Cohan in Cape Town last December at Dolphin Beach. The conditions were just amazing and we both really pushed each other and landed 3 new tricks each. The feeling is hard to describe, but it was a day for the books.

What is your go-to setup for a normal day on the water?
My 127 Astra board 2026, Navigator Pro with 22m lines, and the Orbit Ultra 2026 - mostly 6.6 and 5.9.

What do you consider your greatest achievement to date?
Being in the Next Gen program of such a big brand as North and getting supported by Cohan and the North team. I am really humbled. I am just a kid that loves to kite.

How do you manage school, homework and training all in the same week?
I am super lucky as my school is really supportive. If I travel to training camps they let me, but they give me a pile of work to take along and I still study every day in the evening after training. On a normal school day I go straight to the beach after school if there is wind. I won't lie though; I can't wait to finish school when I am 16 and pursue my dream full time.

If you could kite somewhere you've never been, where would it be?
Two spots: Vietnam (Phan Rang, My Hoa) and Madagascar, Sakalava Bay. Phan Rang because the wind seems strong, consistent and lofty with flat water in the lagoon and great kickers. Madagascar because it's a similar setting, strong, consistent wind, a flat water lagoon, big waves offshore, and the nature is just beautiful and unspoiled. I really like that.

What are you aiming for over the next few years?
I got injured during the Youth World Cup last year and was off the water for the whole season, so I'm really looking forward to being back in competitions this year. For the future, Lords of Tram and KOTA are the ones I am dreaming of. Hopefully I can qualify for them at 16.