40 YEARS OF RIDING, PASSION AND SHARING THE JOURNEY WITH YOU
A Worldwide Celebration and a United Community
For 40 years, ION CLUB has been shaping its story around a shared passion: watersports. Born from a bold dream: four windsurf boards packed into a Renault 4 by Yola Bichler. From that moment, the brand grew step by step into a global name, always driven by innovation, curiosity, and a people-first spirit.
Since then, ION CLUB has made its home in some of the world’s best spots: from the windy beaches of Tarifa to the waves of Mauritius, from Morocco to the Caribbean, creating unique experiences on the water.
In 2025, our 40th anniversary means one thing above all: coming together. Bringing clients, team members, and partners to celebrate this milestone, true to the spirit that has always guided us // sharing, passion, and quality.
HEADING TO MAURITIUS: A SEMINAR TO REMEMBER
“For me, it was truly meaningful that we all came together in Mauritius.”
On May 15th, to celebrate its 40th anniversary, the entire ION CLUB family gathered for an exceptional week dedicated to sport, sharing, and unforgettable experiences. Managers from all over the world : Radko, Mirco, Zeben, Mathieu, Essaoui, Juliane, Moh, and Ninja – joined forces with the support teams from Tarifa, Germany, and France: Xavier, Yann, Chris, Celia, Laura, Thais, Alice, Miri, Petra, Sabine, Lisbeth, Michael, and Tobi. They were also joined by long-time partners such as Craig from Boards & More, Nawfal and Sébastien from Océan Vagabond. We all came together in a symbolic place: Le Morne, in Mauritius, a founding center in the history of ION CLUB, and one that holds a special place in the heart of Yola Bichler.
“For me, it was truly meaningful that we all came together in Mauritius. It’s a legendary spot, a destination, and a symbolic center. It was one of the first places we discovered, and my family settled there, my daughter, my grandchildren… It’s also an essential destination for ION CLUB, with many of our clients starting their watersports journey there.”
— Yola Bichler, Founder of ION CLUB
The days began at the St. Regis with morning meetings and brainstorming sessions to imagine the future of ION CLUB. Then, off to the La Pointe center for a 100% foil workshop: e-foil, foil boat, pump-foiling… let’s just say everyone took their fair share of splashes!
After that, it was time to hit the water: kitesurfing, wingfoiling, windsurfing, or surfing – the shared passion for watersports brought everyone together out on the waves.
The off-water moments were just as memorable: hiking to the top of Le Morne, snorkeling, sharing moments in a local association and sunset aperitifs – all in a breathtaking setting.
Fun fact: we organized a flashmob for Yola to a Bruno Mars song! Spoiler alert: convincing everyone to dance was almost tougher than the choreography itself, haha.
“It was an amazing week, we laughed so much! Traveling to the other side of the world, to a paradise island, with the whole team… that’s when you really feel the passion that brings us all together. And the spot is just incredible: you head out from the island on a kite, a wing, or a windsurf, the water is turquoise, and this mountain rises up in front of you, surrounded by flying fish… it feels like being in the movie Avatar!”
— Alice, Marketing Manager
“We shared an extraordinary week: wind, waves, magical sessions, beach aperitifs, a hike up to the top of Mount Brabant, swims with turtles and dolphins, and long conversations under the stars. Unforgettable.”
— Thaïs Clemençon, Sales Agent
EVERY ION CLUB CENTER BLEW OUT ITS CANDLES
Because ION CLUB’s 40th anniversary couldn’t be celebrated without you, each center hosted its own party — in its own style and with its local community.
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Golf de Roses (June 19th) – The center turned into a real party venue with live music, a barbecue, drinks, special 40th anniversary glasses, balloons, laughter, and a photographer to capture every moment.
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Tarifa (June 20th) – A vibrant night with a barbecue, drinks, and DJ Dido’s set. Friends, loyal clients, and watersports lovers came together around a colorful theme: the 90s, with baby-foot and volleyball adding to the fun.
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Karpathos (August 8th) – At Anemos Restaurant, the ION CLUB family gathered for an evening filled with music, good food, drinks, and a festive atmosphere.
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Fuerteventura (August 29th) – The celebration took place at Botanico, a shop-café transformed for the occasion, and later at the Terrace center. Dancing, laughter, and shared moments made the night unforgettable.
- Safaga (November 6th) – They hosted a happy hour at the center with drinks, snacks, drums, and music. A nice moment during a day without so much wind.
Each event was unique, and every single one was a success. Most of all, they gave us the chance to celebrate together with you — our clients, friends, and community. Because without you, ION CLUB wouldn’t be what it is today.
And the party isn’t over yet: centers like Sal and White Dune Canyon are already preparing their own celebrations… stay tuned!
“I FEEL THIS GRATITUDE EVERY DAY. BECAUSE DEEP DOWN, ION CLUB IS NOT JUST A COMPANY…“
40 years later, the passion is still the same: riding, having fun, and sharing. Together with our teams and our riders, we keep opening new spots, exploring new disciplines like foil and wing, and above all, holding on to what defines our DNA: the love of watersports and the ocean.
“I feel this gratitude every single day. Because deep down, ION CLUB is not just a company: it’s a family — within our teams and with you, our riders. Thank you to each and every one of you; you are the ones who keep the story of ION CLUB alive and growing.”
— Yola Bichler