"Next time I really want to send it in the finals"- Jesse van der Veer

Hi, I´m Jesse van der Veer, a 15-year-old kitesurfer from the netherlands. My sponsors are Duotone, Ion and Naturalhighsurfshop.

What was your first impression of St. Peter-Ording and the conditions?

I think there was a very good vibe with my friends, and the food was also very nice, so that was really great. I thought the conditions were a bit too light because I think I could have performed better with some stronger wind. But overall it was great!

Who was your biggest inspiration when you started kitesurfing?

My dad, because he was doing dangle passes and stuff when I was really young. He also sometimes took me with him on the board, and I saw him flying and thought: I want to do that too.

What moment or trick of your heats are you most proud of?

I think a kiteloop board-off in super light wind. I unfortunately wasn’t able to show my best tricks because of the light wind.

Did you follow a stragety or did you do your tricks spontaneously?

No, I didn’t really have a strategy at the beginning—just to have fun and do my best. When I got further into the competition, I started to think more and more about what I could best show.

What´s one thing you learned during this event?

To be more consistent in my riding, and next time I really want to send it in the finals. Because of the light wind, I wasn’t able to give everything I wanted to show.

Where there any funny behind-the-scenes/ off water moments during the event?

We laughed a lot, but I can’t really remember specific things.

 What would you tell your younger self?

Always have fun and go for your goal!