Meet the guy who brought foiling to Hong Kong before the industry boom. Who developed surf estates in Brazil. Who was a resident DJ in some of Asia's most known nightclubs, Berny Leman is no stranger to adventure nor innovation.
Berny is with Freesurf Federation to share kitesurfing's love of flight with the world.
And Berny lives through music.
01 / BIO
A German who paid international dues, Berny was around when kiteboarding was invented - and when most of the freesurfers reading this were still in kindergarten, Berny was already behind decks throwing house parties.
Berny may not know this until after the website is published, but Freesurf Federation was partially born when its founders, hardcore surfers in their younger years, saw the kites that Berny and a secret group of pilots were riding in Hong Kong & abroad.
As the first and second generation of kiteboarders, Berny and his kiteboarder friends always shared their knowledge of flight openly, resulting in the federated movement we have today.
02 / MY APPROACH
Berny lives his music every time he throws a set. He was a Resident DJ at Hong Kong's old Ce La Vie (now Faye), and previously a regular and longest standing resident DJ at legendary Volar with his own party line Immersion.
Outside of his music, Berny is a pioneer in kitesurfing, having intimate knowledge of kite spots most would not even consider on the list, and deep knowledge of the art of ocean riding - leading him to pioneer the first wave of hydrofoils in Hong Kong through his brand & company Island Foils.
In his spare time, Berny comes to Hong Kong, plays a set, stays on a yacht and is down for any adventure.
03 / SURF VENTURES
2025
Future House is a collective of founders pushing innovative entrepreneurial ventures to the mainstream. Our ethos is that anyone can be an entrepreneur; entrepreneurs will create the future, and as such we teach & enable innovation.
SINCE 2021
The Ibira Bamboolodge is a AirBnB venture in the south of Brazil at one of the best Kite wave spots in the world. If you are looking for a trip out of the norm with some of the best waves and Kiting with huge Whales, shoot us a message to assist you with accommodation and valuable insights. ibirabamboolodge@gmail.com
SINCE 2024
Setting up the Wingfoiling branch of Asia's premium Watersports Station in Asia/ Koh Phangan, Kiteflip / Wingflip. Coordinating operations and exclusive one on one coaching, passing on the knowledge of a true waterman.
SINCE 2004 (20 YEARS)
Campaign's, Catalogue's and Runway shows in the world's metropolis such as New York, Milan, Hong Kong and many more for over 20 years. Events with David Beckham and Eva Herzigova only to name a few. The world is small for big minds.
SINCE 2006
With DJ projects such as Leman and Hotsuits, Berny was a major force in shaping the electronic music scene in Hong Kong. Running his own party called Immersion, Berny was managing international bookings, bringing color and variety into Hong Kong's music scene. Also on the producing front Berny was a significant force in the industry.
SINCE 2017
Pioneering the import of Takuma eFoils, a premium multi-sport foil R&D company, to Hong Kong - well before the advent of wing foiling, and before the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club recognized kite foiling as an officially subvented sport.
04 / WHAT PEOPLE SAY
"Since before I started kiteboarding, I looked up to Berny and other kiteboarders in Hong Kong for pioneering new ocean board sports. Back when we were surfing in Hong Kong, we saw kiteboarding as an aspiration. I'm a kiteboarder today because of trailblazers like Berny."www.instagram.com/freesurffederation/
"Berny is a true Master of the essence. He is always on top of his game- I've followed Berny's music career since the beginning, back then when there were Vinyl and CD's, mixing was done by hearing, not technology. A true inspiration and humble enough to guide a brother on his way."www.instagram.com/tanersc/
"I met Berny on one of Hong Kongs hard to access beaches having a blast on the water. Many years of watersport experience have made him a true waterman with incredible adaptive skills and a calm routine when it's howling with 30kn on a post typhoon day."www.instagram.com/stoke_wah/
"Having an experienced kiteboarder like Berny around makes it easy for me to step out from the operations of my kite school when I need to be away for kitefoiling expeditions with my team."www.instagram.com/kiteflip/
05 / CUTTING EDGE. RIDER'S LIFESTYLE.
2024 was the year that the GKA came back to Ibiraquera Beach, with world class conditions, a successful event was guaranteed. Side offshore winds of up to 30kn and overhead surf guaranteed a fun day at the 'park'.
Hosting up to 10 people, this idyllic Pousada is located just 5 minutes away from the world's best surf and Kitesurfing destinations such as Praia do Rosa and Ibiraquera Beach. The lodge offers accommodation, arranges lessons and festive events in a private and safe environment.
www.instagram.com/ibira_bamboolodge/
From July until November, the big attraction in the state of Santa Catarina/Brazil are the Northern Right Whales. They come to breed in these relatively safe waters. For watersport enthusiasts a truly incredible sight, since it is possible to share the bay with them if conditions align.
A part of being a pioneer in Kitesurfing is to get out of comfort zones and discover new spots. Here a shot of Penghu Island / Taiwan, right in the strait of Taiwan. Extreme conditions.
