Ambassador's story: Bruno Sroka

A man of many challenges

A master kitesurfer and entrepreneur, Bruno has been shaping Hoalen's DNA since 2006, contributing to the development of our Explore® range.

Bruno Sroka is first and foremost passionate about all forms of watersports. At the age of 2, his father took him out on his windsurf for the very first time: a passion was born, which Bruno has continued to cultivate ever since.

After years of windsurfing training and competition, Bruno met Manu Bertin, one of the first modern kitesurfing champions. It all started right away. At the age of 23, he discovered this discipline and developed a passion for a sport that was still relatively unknown in France.

A laurelled career

From enthusiast to kitesurfing legend, Bruno has charted an exceptional career. He excels in freestyle, wave and slalom. His career took off with two French championship titles in 2005 and 2006, followed by a European crown in 2007. That same year, Bruno reached the Holy Grail: a long-awaited world title. He confirmed his supremacy with two further world crowns, in 2009 and 2010, maintaining his excellence until 2013 with a constant presence on international podiums.

An adventurer at heart

As well as competing, Bruno likes to take on new challenges. In 2008, he achieved the immense feat of being the first man to cross Cape Horn in a kite surf. On the menu: 100 nautical miles in the roaring 40s. The average wind speed at these latitudes is between 15 and 25 knots. To date, he remains the only man to have completed this crossing.

After his South American feat, Bruno continued to set himself other challenges: crossing the Gulf of Aqaba and breaking the record for the longest stretch of the English Channel. Insatiable, it was in 2013 that he set himself the crazy challenge of linking Aber Wach to Cork, Ireland. He covered the 450km in 16:40, without stopping.

A passionate entrepreneur and committed sportsman

Behind this quest for performance and self-achievement hides an accomplished entrepreneur. In 2013, he created his own brand, SROKA Company, which markets wing foils, surf foils, kitesurfs, stand-up paddles and other supports. His unrivalled knowledge of the media and their technical characteristics, his assiduous practice, his ingenuity and determination are major assets in defining, improving and optimizing his products, which have the particularity of being both ultra-high-performance and accessible to both experienced riders and beginners. His passion has guided his work since the creation of his company.

Bruno is a technical evolution freak, always on the lookout for the latest optimizations to push back the limits and the thrills of riding. A true all-rounder, he never stops exploring new avenues to perfect his equipment, which is now enjoyed by amateurs and professionals the world over.

Bruno is also a committed sportsman. As an ambassador for the Green Cross Foundation, he campaigns for the preservation of water and the seabed. He is also a member of the Champions for Peace Club, a group working to build lasting peace through sport.