-
Back in the university building: Still a “grom” at heart!
The past year I went back, back to the university building, the lecture hall. A lot of you question if there are any moments I feel out of place? and I get it…Let me talk you trough my experience; When I first started studying, I was the youngest in my class — so young, in…
-
Learning to Lose Before I Can Win
Stepping Into Race Gear – The First Wingfoil Sessions I knew this moment would come. Just like in kitefoiling, there comes a point where—if you still want to compete (or have fun racing in my case)—you can’t hide anymore. You have to take the leap into race gear. For a long time, I postponed it….
-
A Denmark Diary – By Your Favourite Salty Bus.
Look at Him, Enjoying the Sunset Again…and aigain – A Denmark Diary by Your Favourite Salty Bus. Oh hey — it’s me again! Your favourite road-trippin`, slightly rusted, salt – encrusted, eternally sandy VW bus. No need to wipe your feet when you step in. No need to brush the sand off the seats. Honestly,…
-
Mini Me vs. Older Self: Alkmaar City Run’25
That’s me; My older self vs. Little me, running like she had nothing to lose—and everything to prove. —untrained, but fiercely determined. Always in her soccer shoes or Allstars. Not because her parents couldn’t buy her the “right” gear. No, because she wanted to run like this. she didn’t care what she was wearing. She…
-
Ohhh it`s just a girl..
Girls in a Male-Dominated Sport: Stand Up, Believe in Yourself. Growing up, I was lucky to have parents who always encouraged me to play the sports I wanted to, no matter what others thought, no matter what sport, no matter how many sports and how much they had to travel/drive/cycle to bring me everywhere –…
-
FOMO: The Athlete’s Battle
Every athlete knows FOMO—the Fear of Missing Out. But not the kind people talk about when they miss a party or a night out. No, this is Sports FOMO. Missing a competition.Missing the perfect training session.Missing the chance to prove yourself—again and again. Because in sports, proving yourself never stops. There’s always someone training harder,…
-
From Shorebreak Battles to the Time of My Life
… 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 –…
-
Learning Tricks In Wingfoiling
….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,…
-
“Ben je gestopt?”
Wie de mist op het water kent — die ene ochtend dat je erop staat en niemand begrijpt waarom je niet traint — weet: de grootste storm zit soms binnenin.
-
Flippin’ Into 2025: A Year of Growth, Challenges, and New Beginnings
2024: A Year of Challenges, Growth, and New Adventures 31 december 2023 ended just as it should—on the water. My home lake served as the perfect backdrop for a last wingfoiling session of the year in thick wetsuit, wintergloves and shoes. It is where I set ambitious goals: mastering the backflip and the 360. No…
-
From Business suit to Wetsuit.
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…
-
#roadtoparis | Accountancy | athlete life | competitions | kitefoil racing | Kitefoiling | Olympische Spelen | Uncategorized
We hebben je gemist op de spelen.
“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…
-
A race win / 5th place overall: The Wingfoiling Marathon World Cup & Round Texel 2024
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…
-
Athlete life: Expectation vs. Reality
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…
-
Is it time to set sail in a new direction?
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…
-
Year of 2023: Life is a one-time offer live life to your fullest.
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?…
-
Round of Texel 2023: Beaten by technology or proud?
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 …
-
“Am I safe?” ; travelling alone (as a girl) with a van
“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…
-
The 2023 Sailing World Championship in The Netherlands, Scheveningen
The Sailing World Championship in The Netherlands are around the corner: 10 – 22 august 2023. In a few days the Sailing World Championships will start in Scheveningen, the Netherlands: 10 – 22 august 2023.. Its special that such a huge sailing event will take place in the Netherlands, my home country. What makes it…
-
Why I never leave home without saying goodbye: Christmas 2022
Why I never leave without saying a goodbye. (- and why you probably never got a reply on your happy new year, christmas or other message around 2022/2023..might got lost down the road of this story, like a lot more. But he this is life too.) …When I leave the Netherlands I always say goodbye,…
-
Hello Digital World – again!
I`ll be right back! ..Busy explorering the world & playing outside! 🙂 Before this blog post, you will find the old post in a slightly new cover. After this post you will find some hopefully exciting new stories! Enjoy the ride & chase dreams!
-
The Yar of Happines and Luck
The yar of happiness and luck. Yup, I am happy, really lucky, with a great passion – an amazing sport to life for (on the water and the snow), nice friendly people around, a loving family, a home, a nice van for the trips, trainings & competitions. Things are arranged well, the things I cannot…
-
roadtrip | travel | Uncategorized | vanlife
10 reasons why: Vanlife makes you happy
10 reasons why.. vanlife makes you happy. Everything about being home is easy, a loving dog, an awesome family, great parents. Safe surroundings. Work to choose from, kitespots all around, knowing the best conditions for each spot. University around the corner. A walk in the park. The fridge with cold drinks, the plugs in the…
-
Individual Kitefoiling Olympic – Paris 2024… Now What..?
Individual Kitefoiling Olympic – Paris 2024… Now What..? So that just happened a few weeks / months ago, the long awaited moment arrived: Individual Kitefoil racing became Olympic! So now what? No team event anymore, two medals: one for the woman and one for the man. Now What? En route to Paris 2024..!? Well it…
-
What is kitefoiling
*Note that not long after writing this article: Olympic kitefoil racing became individual. Two medals one for man & one for woman. (see the other blog about the Olympic individual kitefoil racing) What is kitefoiling? When mentioning its perfect kitefoil weather.. Or having an awesome foil session in 10 knots. Yet, sometimes I still get dazzled…
-
When was the last time you did something for the first time? How to start hydrofoiling – 10 tips.
That moment you wish you could foil and you can! That’s perfect, making the most of all kiting days and circumstances. And leave everybody behind on the beach, just enjoy your session, alone, flying over the water. Seeing people struggle to keep high, seeing kites falling down from the sky and just.. thinking how awesome…
-
Why YOU need to start hydrofoiling – 10 simple facts
Thinking about, not convinced yet, dreaming about it, wishing I could….nothing wrong with dreaming – if you don’t forget to make them reality! 10 real live hydrofoiling facts I face every day again and again. More kiting days and a new challenge. 1. No more just not enough days – show off ! That means,…
-
My first wingfoil race ever : The Wingfoil Racing World Cup & Europeans 2022 #Kookoftheday
Back to beginner…. My first wingfoil race ever! A bit of a change; Instead of jumping, spinning around in the sky, flying or racing around with huge kites and a race foil, I will be racing around with the “tiny” wing. A few months ago I finally had a board with straps and made my…
-
Het blijft je bij!
You know all those things you`ve always wanted to do..? You should go and do them! De vraag waarom? Die krijg ik best vaak, het antwoord is simpel: Het blijft je bij! Ja, het blijft je bij, nee je wordt er niet rijk van. Dat is voor heel weinig weggelegd. Het gaat niet vanzelf, het is…
-
International Snowkite Open Reschensee 2022
Next year I win both… I said three years ago.. International Snowkite Open Reschensee 2022 For more than 3 years (!) – also the first time snowkiting competitions for me – we didn`t have any snowkiting competitions: cancelled, replaced, relocated, political situations…Just like that in this three years, I have been snowkiting just one day…
-
Individual European Championship Formula Kite – Puck, Poland 2020.
Individual European Championship Formula Kite (kitefoilen) – Puck, Poland, better know as seewead party. Keep hustling & Smile! .. & The story of the last race..? Let’s start at the beginning where I have to admit, in the first place I really didn’t want to go at all. I closed the door a bit and…
-
competitions | roadtrip | snowkite | travel | vanlife
“Scary Movie” Podium 2022 – Cortina
The story of the Scary Movie Podium 2022 – Cortina What a season! Yep, the snowkiting season for me is over now. With leaving Norway two weeks ago, the snowkiting season 21´-22´ came to an end. From new years` eve to France to Lapland to nightshifts to Italy to Norway. Lot’s of km’s driven, driving…
-
Snowkite World Cup 2022- Roccaraso, Italy
Snowkite World Cup 2022- Roccaraso, Italy The final stop of the SnowKite World Tour is going down in the mountains of Italy – Roccaraso. Approximately 1900 km from The Netherlands. It could have been nice if I had decided earlier to go there… because I was literally half way there the week before at the International Snowkite…
-
2022 Lepanto Open European Championship, Nafpaktos – Greece
Nothing to lose and all to gain! Guess what …?!? I drove down to Greece (!); all the way through Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo…. After a year without kitefoiling, just briefly picked it up again a few weeks before the Europeans. A dusty foil and some far away left behind skills…Not remembering the last competition I…
-
Formula Kite Series Spain 2020 Alarcón & Castellón
The Formula Kite Series Spain, the first two stops took place in Alarcón & Castellón from the 10th of jully until 21st of july Beaches are opening, cities around the world might slowly be coming back to life (except for some trying to break the world record of lockdown ). But then I realized, there’s no going…
-
The 2020 Formula Kite Mixed Team Relay Europeans
” Experience can`t be learned and every experience is worth having!” Last week, the 15th -20th of September 2020 The Formula Kite Mixed Team Relay Europeans took place. It was the first dedicated event in the 2024 Olympic racing format. One format – 20 team – existing out of one man and one woman – 9 nations…
-
The Formula Kite World Championships 2021 – Torre Grande – Sardinia, Italy
No Team, No Coach, No Sticker… worked the 6 weeks before every day… didn`t really foil and before that I have flown so many different kites and bars I couldn`t even find the right laylines and mark roundings. Sheezz.. I was not ready for this one. This might be my most unprepared competition ever. Rocking…
-
The dream of every polar bear!
Is it necessary? Do they have to? You make them do this? No, no & no. Cold? Yes of course. Is it fun YES, will I do it again YES, regrets? Not at all. Off course there have been moments I had to defrost my lines inside the mc Donald’s or another restaurant close by…
-
Acai in Nederland!
Jaaaa, we ontkomen er niet aan ook in Nederland kunnen we deze kleine donkerblauw tot paarse Acai bes / vrucht. Weliswaar niet zoals in brazili, peru of suriname groeiend in trossen aan de acai palm, maar wel in andere net zo lekkere en gezonde vormen, zoals; acai pulp, gedroogd acai poeder of een puree van de bevroren…
-
ANOC World Beach Games 2019 – Doha/Qatar
ANOC World Beach Games 2019 10 t/m 16 October in Doha – Qatar. An International beach multi-sport event organized by the Association of National Olympic Committees. While some of the sports appear in the Olympic Games, all events on the program are non-Olympic events meaning there is new opportunities to engage for every country. Around 1240 Athletes from…
-
competitions | kitefoil racing | roadtrip | travel | vanlife | wingfoil | wingfoil racing
Are we there – yet..?! Took the long way ‘round – Driving to Greece.
…….And just like that I was on the road. Asking myself: Are we there – yet..?! Took the long way ‘round. Guess what …?!? I drove down to Greece (!); all the way through Macedonia, Serbia, Kosovo….Greece, Nafpaktos, Drepano, Paros & Naxos….Venice, Lago di Resia, Lago di Garda and this is how it went: Long story ahead…
-
athlete life | roadtrip | travel | Uncategorized | vanlife
My passport is back in action
It took me a while to finish this one, I didn`t wanted it to be negative, neither sad nor a complain, excuse – just true. Unexpected situations happen, things end, people change … and you know what..?? Life goes on. So did I. Still the same goal, the same road – a bit bumped…
-
The 7 most annoying, yet funny disrupters in the gym.
The 7 most annoying, yet funny disrupters in the gym Lots of people I talk to, hate the gym… And to be honest I can`t really blame them. I personally do like the outside more, the freedom…nature, unexpected circumstances, beach, waves, wind… the space – adventure. But I had to admit that throwing some Iron…
-
Leave space for the helmet
The helmet has a special meaning for many… How important is it to you? Never thought I would write about it. I did regret having one on my head, but now I like one on my head. And I must say: its quit interesting out there wearing a helmet these days……. “Watch out Helmets…. beginners: give them some space! (this…
-
Amarok Snowkite Worldcup Resia -2019: Back at it.
Back at it? It was your first time? Yes indeed. But the skies…. I can manage for a long time . And finally found a way to have fun with skies again. Combined with a kite is guaranteed for a smile and adventure. For all who know me, I like a challenge and if there is no…
-
#photoshop… or not? -World Cup Sardinia 2018
NO it isn`t, I really did survive my first WORD CUP ever with a hydrofoil Racing in between the best man and woman of the world! Racing with race kites on short lines, which I rode in total 1 or 2 times. I didn’t go here to win, neither to lose but sometimes you have…
-
Formula Kite World Championships – Italy 2019
For the first time I travelled with just a foil and foilkites to my first Formula Kite World Championship. Secretly I was not convinced, not yet. Am I good enough? Should I go ? Do I have the right registered gear? I didn’t used them, yet… Is this a good idea? .. The answer to…
-
Driven by Passion
Driven by Passion …brought with pleasure. “Passion is a love for the journey, drive is a need to reach a destination”. So where are you waiting for? Travel the world with me! And believe me I still need to reach a lot of destinations. My blog represents: From frozen to liquid water, still alive and sending it…
-
My fulltime job times 3
That’s my life and I am proudly living it. If it was easy everyone could do it: my Fulltime Job ^3. Topsport is a fulltime job in a fulltime working job in a fulltime student job. “yet sometimes I’m wondering more and more if it’s getting in the way of my performance. But yes, I…
-
#Frontseatstories1 – Losing Power
This was some unexpecting error. After being for service and the yearly check I didn`t expected some issue, especially not after what they already fixed and changed… But 500km out of the 2700 on the road back home, I felt already after 200 km some shocks, if the car was backing up a bit. Telling…
-
Listen. Listen. Listen. Trust. Travelling alone (as a girl) with a van
One night in particular I was in an abandoned campground all by myself (strange, because it was middle of the summer). An older gentleman came around selling wood. He said “I see you got all the campground to yourself tonight.” I thought yeah right, a lot of people will might come in later. It was…
-
Afscheid nemen bestaat niet.
Afscheid nemen bestaat niet – Best friends stick together and never say goodbye…… Of toch wel. Wouter is altijd als een grote broer geweest. Iets wat hij echt niet kon – die mening deelde wij niet met hem. Pas een maand geleden heeft hij ons verteld wat er nou echt aan de hand is. Tijd om…
