René Egli Fuerteventura History

How windsurf and kite travel developed from unique experience trips to complete windsurfing and kiteboarding holidays

René was already a passionate Windsurfer in 1978 – see here the video and pictures of René´s first Windsurf School in Sitges / Barcelona from 1978 – 1980:

After discovering the unique wind conditions at Playa Sotavento, he started to build his company in 1984. In our History, read about how his initial small collection of 8 boards and 30 sails grew into the largest wind- and kitesurfing school in the world with over 25.000 annual customers:

1984

René's arrival in Fuerteventura: the windsurf exclusivity rights of Hotel Gorriones Fuerteventura in his pocket.

The warehouse and office are located in the Mini Club of Hotel Gorriones Fuerteventura from May onwards. In the first year, around 150 guests enjoyed the René Egli Windsurfing Service.

8 Boards + 30 Riggs

1985

First brochure (in-house production - edition 100 copies)

René arranges the first collaboration with large tour operators (Neckermann, Sun&Fun), allowing travellers to conveniently book complete wind surfing holidays.

By taking part in trade fairs, René was able to further solidify the principle of complete windsurfing holidays - demand is rising steadily.

1986

René is the organiser and a participant in the first PBA Windsurf Speed World Cup in Fuerteventura .

Pascal Maka achieves a new world record at 38.86 knots - significantly increasing public awareness of Fuerteventura

Establishment of the lifestyle brand Fuerte Action, thereby completing the package holiday concept.

1987

Office, warehouse, shop and own reception are built at Hotel Gorriones Fuerteventura in an area of 640 m2. The René Egli Center is built. First free shuttle to Costa Calma.

Paragliding as additional activity (until 1990)

1988

The windsurfing material is now transported to the beach using trailers and the first installations similar to a centre are constructed at the beach.

90 F2 Boards + 300 F2 Riggs

1989

René opens Center I.

The windsurfing sails remain rigged up at the beach store - the boards are transferred daily at the beach.

100 F2 Boards + 400 F2 Riggs

1991

The windsurfing center gains shaded and wind-shielded relax-areas, a beach bar and sanitary facilities, making it significantly more convenient for the growing number of guests.

100 F2 Boards + 400 F2 Riggs

1993

Mountain bike rental as an additional activity (until 1995)

Market leader NeilPryde becomes the sail-partner

140 F2 Boards + 500 NEILPRYDE Riggs

1995

Launch of the Fuerte Action Bar, completing the holistic concept combining sport + fashion at a scene meeting place.

200 F2 Boards + 600 NEILPRYDE Riggs

1996

René and Angelika Egli have been ever since a strong pair in all aspects.

300 F2 Boards + 800 NEILPRYDE Riggs

1997

Opening of René Egli Center II – Risco del Paso (until 2012)

2000

JP and Cabrinha complete the material offer.

rene-egli.com has its own webcam installed on the roof of Hotel Gorriones.

300 F2 & JP Boards + 1000 NEILPRYDE Riggs 40 CABRINHA Kiteboards + 80 CABRINHA Kites

René opens the first Kite Center and also the first kite school in Fuerteventura.

2001

René organises the first Kite World Cup in Fuerteventura, one of the first of its kind in the world.

Sebastien Cattelan achieves a new hang time world record of 8.87 sec

2007

René receives the "Bronze" medal for his outstanding achievements benefitting the general public interest of Fuerteventura.

2008

The René Egli Signature collection with wind & kite-surfing motifs expands the offer of the Fuerte Action brand as an independent range.

400 F2 & JP Boards + 1000 NEILPRYDE Riggs 80 CABRINHA Kiteboards + 200 CABRINHA Kites

2009

Stand-up paddling as a free additional activity

Market leader Starboard replaces F2 as board partner

400 JP & STARBOARD Boards + 1000 NEILPRYDE Riggs 120 CABRINHA Kiteboards + 350 CABRINHA Kites

2011

René opens the Beach-House, which unites Information & Reservation, a shop and a café with a unique atmosphere under one roof.

2012

Together with the beach licences, René purchases by auction the exclusive right to teach in the lagoon.

2013

Beach Sailing as an additional activity (re-launched after 2002)

25.000 windsurfers and kite boarders book with René Egli. The homepage rene-egli.com reaches an average of 15.000 visitors per day in 2013.

René opens the new Kite Center by Meliá in the palm gardens of the hotel Meliá Gorriones.

René Egli and Mystic start a successful cooperation.

400 JP & STARBOARD Boards + 1000 NEILPRYDE Riggs 180 CABRINHA Kiteboards + 400 CABRINHA Kites

2014

René opens the new Windsurf Center by Meliã.

100.000 copies of the 2014 prospects are printed.

450 JP & STARBOARD Boards + 1000 NEILPRYDE Riggs 250 CABRINHA Kiteboards + 650 CABRINHA Kites

2015

René organized for the 30th consecutive time the Fuerteventura Windsurfing & Kiteboarding World Cup - and received a special trophy to his honor

René Egli and Meliá Hotels International go forward together

450 JP & STARBOARD Boards + 1000 NEILPRYDE Riggs 250 CABRINHA Kiteboards + 600 CABRINHA Kites

2018/2019

On the 35th Anniversary René Egli by Meliá introduces Severne Sails as new partner.

Future

Project: Top-class windsurf center on a site measuring 1.100 m2