The organizers of Raaraa Pro 2026 have announced that one of Asia's most formidable kite surfers, Thailand’s Narapichit Pudla (Yo), will compete in the major kite surfing event scheduled to take place in Dhiffushi from June 1 to June 6.

Narapichit is a prominent figure in the sport, holding the title of Asian Kite Surfing Champion seven times and famously crossing the Gulf of Thailand on a kite. He is set to compete in both categories of this year’s event: racing and the newly introduced freestyle category.

Narapichit is known for his unique style and exceptional skill, and his participation is expected to be a highlight of the event. His presence adds significant excitement to the competition, which will also feature last year’s champion, Hassan Mahir (Hantey). The organizers recently confirmed that Hantey, B. Goidhoo, will return to defend his title this year.

The first edition of Raaraa Pro was held successfully in Dhiffushi last year, concluding in a vibrant atmosphere with 20 athletes participating in a highly competitive event. Raaraa Pro represents a major new initiative for kite surfing in the Maldives, aiming to establish the country as a premier destination for the sport on the global stage.

Organized by Iconic Events, the primary focus of Raaraa Pro is to enhance the Maldives' popularity among international audiences and promote the nation as a hub for sports tourism. Additionally, the event aims to further develop the sport of kite surfing locally while driving growth for the local tourism industry.