Since I was 17 years old I work for NeilPryde Benelux and also since the beginning for JP-Australia and Cabrinha kites. Those brands are only 18 and 17 years on the market.
I started windsurfing when I was 12 years old. Became 2 times Dutch Champion slalom/ course racing youth and when i was 25/26 years old I became multiple dutch champion slalom and also Dutch Champion marathon. I competed one time in IFCA European 1996 slalom/formula championship and became 2nd of Europe behind Christophe Rappe. In 2000 I started kitesurfing and until 2008 didn’t touch a windsurf board anymore.
In 2008 my interest in speed windsurfing came back when I heard about the website gps-speedsurfing.com. After one year of speed windsurfing I decided to competed in the IFCA Worlds slalom on the Dutch island of Texel in 2009 as the event was in Holland. My intention was to check out my benelux JP/NeilPryde riders and to scout for young talents during this competition. After one day of competing we sailed 3 slalom eliminations in hardcore conditions and I was leading the event. After some light wind slaloms I ended this event in 2nd position behind Bernd Flessner. One of my best results ever.
-more then 150 session posted with 80km/h or higher.
-fastest nautical mile ever sailed on gps, 82,81 km/h
-fastest @500 ever sailed on gps, 56,40 km/h
-2nd fastest hour ever sailed on gps, 55,96 km/h
-in 2011 world record holder distance with 520 km in only 13 hours. The 24 hour record i don’t have anymore, but sofar nobody did 520 km in 13 hours.
-many spot records, for example, West Kirby/ Southend on Sea, Da Curve, Groningerbalg -Poepegat, Vollerwiek.
-Since 2009 we have an evaluated ranking on www.gps-speedsurfing.com. Every month you need to get a good result to become the most consistent speed sailer. I won this ranking 8 times in the last 9 years, only in 2011 Hans Kreisel beat me by only 4 points difference. Also in 2018 i am leading this ranking.
My fastest official 500 meter record is only 49,06 knots, sailed in 2014. I hope in 2018 we are more lucky with the conditions and i can break the 50 knots. That is my personal goal.
Also I hope my buddies Hans and Vincent can break the dutch and belgium records.
And when everything comes together they might be able to come close to the world record.