Go on a road trip
Load the equipment onto the car or bus, switch on the music and off you go: A road trip gives even a short excursion the feeling of endless freedom. Whether in a small car, a camper van or a motorhome, the main thing is that "the journey is the destination". The wind forecast determines the rhythm and the stops, with new opportunities waiting around every bend. It doesn't have to be the Atlantic coast or the Mediterranean: Even a short trip to the Baltic Sea, Holland or the nearest lake can be a micro-adventure!
Discover a new spot
Real new discoveries are hardly possible in the age of Google Maps and the like, at least in our latitudes. But everyone can still discover countless new spots for themselves. That lake or bay that you've driven past several times on the way to the main spot - why not stop, check the conditions and just get out on the water? Or use Google Maps to search for beaches, bays or sandbanks off the beaten track and give them a try?
Surfing into the sunset...
It's actually far too good to stop, so you stay on the water as long as you can: those who surf into the sunset often experience incredible moments with spectacular light. The shadows get longer, it gets emptier and emptier at the spot, but there's still one more stroke to go. And one more. And one more. And even when you finally stand on the beach, exhausted but happy, you simply can't tear your eyes away from this scenario...
...or with the first light on the water
Or the other way round: set your alarm clock in the morning! This can also be worthwhile on holiday.
Rustling leaves, a rustling sound in the twilight - are those really whitecaps on the water? It's still too dark to judge for sure. Mystical atmosphere. Anyone who simply rigs up at this moment (and doesn't make a complete mistake with the sail size) and then enters the water at first light usually has a magical experience. Golden glittering water at sunrise, getting warmer and brighter by the minute - if the wind and weather play along, a very special experience. You've already been on the water for two hours when most of the other surfers are slowly rolling into the car park. The subsequent breakfast in the warming morning sun tastes better than ever, the whole day still lies ahead of you, the possibilities feel endless.
Dare to take a long strike
How about getting out of zip surfing at the spot and cruising to an island or along the coast with a buddy on big boards, spending the night on the beach there and back again the next day? Adventure feeling, back to the roots and guaranteed unforgettable memories! Touring surfers like Jono Dunnett or Merijn Tinga have awakened such a dream in many people, but tours like the one organised by Mattis Hartwig and Tobias Wiegard with their Baltic Sea tour also show that anyone can experience a real adventure on the water with a little preparation!
Get out on the water in winter
Admittedly, winter surfing is not everyone's cup of tea. But a winter session has its very own appeal: the anticipation in the still cosy and warm car, the feeling of doing something special, the surreal happiness on the first strokes ("Wow, I'm really surfing today!") and the afterglow when you slowly warm up again afterwards with tea and heated seats. Even if you're unlikely to catch the wave of your life or learn a new move, the idea of having wrested an hour or two out of winter is always tempting.
Take part in a regatta
It doesn't have to be a battle of equipment at professional level! There are also plenty of relaxed events for more modestly ambitious hobby surfers to get a taste of regatta air. Whether club races, fun regattas as part of other events, regional contests or the more well-known series such as Racer of the Sea, the DWC's entry-level programmes, the German Freestyle Battles or the cult race Défi Wind in France, there are low-threshold opportunities to get a taste of every discipline. The fun is more important than the result, the atmosphere is definitely worth a visit!
Attend a World Cup
Even if you can't normally watch every heat on the live stream and evaluate every freestyle manoeuvre, a visit to a World Cup event is worthwhile for every windsurfer. The classic event is of course the World Cup Sylt, the largest windsurfing event in the world with several disciplines and an immense supporting and party programme. In contrast to many other sports, you can experience the excitement, preparation and emotions up close!
Travelling to a dream spot
Sure, what surfer doesn't dream of Maui, Australia or South Africa? But that's far away and expensive - and not equally suitable for all levels. But even for less money and for a short time, you can fulfil your personal surfing dream. Perfect, constant wind and warm water - how about Egypt? A cult spot with a colourful surfing scene and many different conditions - off to Tarifa! Perfect infrastructure and reliable thermals - you'll find them at Lake Garda!
Learn a new manoeuvre
Most of us end up in a kind of windsurfing comfort zone at some point. Relaxed planing, a good water start, the jibes usually go quite smoothly - so why risk going off when you can stay dry on the board? Just take the plunge! It doesn't have to be a freestyle power move, but perhaps a duck jibe or a helitack? It's best to watch the manoeuvre in a tutorial beforehand and then do nothing else for half an hour. After some initial swimming, you will see how quickly you can progress - and how incomparable the feeling is when you finally perform the manoeuvre for the first time!
What should definitely be on your bucket list? Write to us at redaktion@surf-magazin.de!
