….From Fear to Backflips Learning new tricks in wingfoiling—or any sport—can seem intimidating at first. A year ago, wingfoiling was still quite new to me. No tricks, just the basics I picked up from someone on the water. To be honest, I almost quit. The first few times were rough—the wind was never quite right,…
My Rollercoaster Journey from Top Sport to RA Studies to the other way around (and the Girl Who Couldn’t Iron) Most people know me as that girl in a wetsuit, always out on the water, kitesurfing or wingfoiling, with a deep passion for the snow, wind and waves – basically anything that keeps me connected…
… Foiling in the Wildest Conditions There are days when you suit up, head to the beach, and know you’re in for something special. There are good sessions, great sessions, and then there are the sessions that redefine your entire experience on the water. Today (at the moment of writing this two weeks ago) was…
“We hebben je gemist op de spelen.” De Olympische Spelen zijn een droom voor velen, en voor mij was die droom heel dichtbij voor de tweede keer (ook heel bijzonder, nu ik dit zo opschrijf). Kitefoilen was mijn passie, mijn doel, en ik werkte er jarenlang keihard voor. Maar uiteindelijk stond ik daar niet, maar…
Another one for in the books; the story line of events, world cups I didn’t train, don`t have the right gear (and was definitely not prepared) for. Yes, sometimes I do keep asking myself how I end up in situations like this… Anyway a week before I decided just to go with the flow and…
Imagine two paths: one called expectation and another one called reality At the moment you are cruising along on the path of expectation. The perfectly straight road in between you and your goals, one nice smooth line without hurdles, bumps, roadblocks. It is an newly build highway, fresh tarmac and will get you fast and…
The question I have been asking myself the past week, over and over again. And yes, it’s Time to Set Sail in a New Direction BUT in the same ocean. As I sit down to write this, it is the end of 2023, I find myself at a crossroads in my kitesurfing, Olympic kitefoiling, snowkiting…
2023 embarked on a tumultuous yet inspiring journey, full of chaos and last minute decissions participating in various kitesurfing disciplines, world cups, encountering personal challenges that tested resilience, determination and perseverance. The year 2023 comes to an end pretty soon (at the moment of writing this). And got me thinking where did the year go?…
Let me tell you about the round of Texel 2023 last June. The round of Texel is a Dutch competition, for the last 45 years and growing. Originally it is a catamaran competition, one of the biggest in the world and if you participate you will know why. I have never seen so many catamarans …
“It was then that I realized: The world is only a scary place if you let it be.” “Am I safe?” That is a question, I think off every night before going to sleep in my van. Where did I parked? Am I in a good area? Do I trust the surroundings? Who or what…
