Monki Kitesurf School

22/07/2020

Monki, Montpellier kitesurf, kitesurf, kitefoil, wingfoil, wakeboard and Stand up Paddle school based in Palavas-Les-Flots, was founded in June 2020.

But the name also refers to the little squirrel monkey, mischievous, curious and playful.

Perhaps I could have also thought of the town of Monki in Poland, but no. If it had been located by the sea, it would have been a wonderful coincidence…

I'm showing you the weather forecast anyway, just to show that we're better off in Occitania…

Opening this school is a dream come true… in the middle of a period of confinement.

I have to say that I picked the right year… ☺

For more information on the creation of this project, see below:

The interview with Doris Wetzel, the founder of Monki.

Monki Blog: Doris, you opened your kite school this year. Congratulations! It's not an easy time…

Doris: Yes, it is. As soon as created, as soon as closed ☺. This beginning of the year is hard for all kitesurf schools.

Monki Blog: You already gave some explanations about the name, Monki. Did you know that Monki is also a clothing brand?

Doris: Yes, at the beginning I wanted to call my school Montpellier Kitesurf. As the name is very long, I added at the last minute the abbreviation Monki for MONtpellier KItesurf. And I must confess that I didn't check it on the INPI website.

A few weeks later, I received a letter from a lawyer of the H&M group, asking me to make a partial withdrawal of my trademark application.

Frankly, they were nice. They could have asked for a complete withdrawal. It was a rookie mistake, I admit.

However, I didn't let it get me down and offered them a partnership ☺.

Monki Blog: And why Montpellier Kitesurf?

Doris: The school was founded between Montpellier, Castelnau-Le-Lez, Palavas-Les-Flots and La Grande Motte.

And because I want to create a school for all those who live in the Montpellier region and those who come to ride around Montpellier. I really want to offer services, events and courses that meet the demand of the locals.

So, to all of you, I am waiting for your comments via the contact form!

Monki Blog: You propose classic offers such as kite lessons à la carte, training courses of several days, wakeboard sessions. But there are some new offers, aren't there?

Doris: Yes, there are.

There's the Wingfoil that came out in 2019. We're offering initiation courses… and more if you like it!

We also offer kite courses/initiation to kitesurfing for children from 6 years old. It's been a few years now that I organize these courses for toddlers. It's awesome! I love it!

Then there are the theme workshops for young adults and women that I want to set up quickly.

Monki Blog: What is the freelance activity you offer?

Doris: I work with other structures such as Hibiskite at Grau du Roi for example.

I wish to integrate mental preparation into my lessons, meaning the training of our mental capacities.

The objective is to put the trainees in the best learning conditions.

We don't know what we're capable of before that! I want to pass on this experience!

Monki Blog: Thank you Doris for answering our questions!

Doris: See you on the water!