Pro Windsurfer · SA89
A force of nature,

CHASING
THE WIND.

South African and African speed record holder. Slalom champion. The first woman in the world to win an 80 km windsurf race. Based in Langebaan - chasing 40 knot storms across the planet.

Personal Best · 500m Average
46KTS
5th fastest woman in the world over 500 m, set at the Lüderitz Speed Challenge.
#1
Africa
#5
World
80KM
World 1st
Karo van Tonder
89
Langebaan · South Africa
KARO VAN TONDER
About

Born of wind & water.

Karo was twelve years old when her father first introduced her to windsurfing during their annual family December holiday on the West Coast in Langebaan. Two decades later she is one of the fastest women on the planet - a multi-discipline professional rider who calls Langebaan, South Africa, home.

On the water she races slalom, hunts down speed records and rides waves - pushing her limits in the 40-knot storms that other riders run from.

Born
Oct 1989
Home Spot
Langebaan
Disciplines
Speed · Slalom · Wave
Sail Brand
Severne
Disciplines

Three boards. One rider.

Few windsurfers compete seriously across multiple disciplines. Karo does - from flat-water speed runs at over 80 km/h, to head-to-head slalom, to riding the surf back home in Langebaan.

Speed

500m runs in the gnarliest winds on earth. Personal best of 46 knots over 500 m - with a top speed of 48 knots (89 km/h). 5th fastest woman of all time.

Slalom

High-stakes head-to-head racing through downwind courses. IFCA African Slalom Champion and a fixture on the international scene.

Wave

Back home in Langebaan and across the Cape coastline, Karo trains in real ocean conditions on a 73L Severne wave board.

Career Highlights

A record book of wind.

Fastest female windsurfer in Africa and 5th fastest of all time - 46 knots over 500 m, with a top speed of 48 knots (89 km/h).

2025

1st Female · SA Slalom Cup

National slalom title on home water.

2024

2nd Fastest Female in the World

World ranking over 500 m in a career-best year for speed.

2023

3rd Female · Defi Wind, France

Podium finish among 1,400 riders at the world's largest windsurf race.

2022

3rd Fastest Female in the World

World speed ranking on 500 m.

2021

Fastest Female in the World

World #1 female speed ranking on 500 m.

2017

Female Champion · Mauritius Defi Wind

First female in the world to complete the longest windsurf race on the planet - 80 km.

2017

IFCA African Female Slalom Champion

Top of the podium at the IFCA African/Asian Slalom Championship.

Ongoing

Female Champion · Langebaan Downwind Dash

Multiple-time winner of the iconic West Coast downwind classic - the home-water title she keeps coming back to defend.

Ongoing

Female Champion · SA Windsurf Cup

National multi-discipline title across South Africa's premier venues.

Coming Up

Upcoming events.

Where you'll find Karo in the year ahead - clinics, records and races.

4–10 Jan 2027

Karo Langebaan Clinic

Home-water windsurf clinic in Langebaan.

13–17 Jan 2027

Cupweek

South African Cupweek series.

1–6 May 2027 · TBC

Prince of Speed · 500 m Open-Water Record

Speed record attempt over 500 m.

6–9 May 2027

Defi Wind · France

Return to the world's largest windsurf race.

17–24 May 2027

Karo Bonaire Clinic

Windsurf clinic on Bonaire.

7 Jun – 7 Jul 2027 · TBC

Prince of Speed · Nautical Mile Record

Nautical mile speed record attempt window.

1–27 Nov 2027 · TBC

Lüderitz Speed Challenge

The main event on the speed-sailing calendar - Karo's happy hunting ground for the African & all-time rankings.

Off the Water

Education & leadership.

Academic achievement and leadership roles alongside a professional racing career.

2019

Personal Training Qualification

Trifocus Fitness Academy.

2014

Postgraduate Diploma in Education

UNISA.

2012

City & Guilds Diploma · Chef & Pastry

West Coast Chef School.

2011

BSc Food Science

Stellenbosch University.

2008

Rector's Reward

Top academic achievement, Stellenbosch University.

2007

Head Girl

Outeniqua High School.

2006

Junior Mayor

George, Western Cape, South Africa.

Honorary

Honorary Award

From alma mater Outeniqua High School, for achievements in windsurfing.

On YouTube

Watch Karo ride.

Clinics, race highlights and life on the water - straight from Karo's own YouTube channel.

The fastest and most extreme event of windsurfing - Lüderitz Speed Challenge
Breaking the African record, peaking at 90km/h!! - Lüderitz 2024
The new Severne MEGA - Full Review
Partners

The team behind the speed.

Every record and every podium is built on the trust of the brands that back her. These are the partners who put Karo on the water.

Get In Touch

Contact Karo.

Want more details on a clinic, race or event above? Send a message and Karo's team will get back to you.