Interview with Sebastian Kördel

First at the German Worldcup “White Sands Festival” in Norderney, second at the German Worldcup in Boltenhagen: this season, Sebastian Kördel is a force to be reckoned with. The 19-year-old of Lake Constance thus proves that you don’t need to grow up at the Baltic Sea or North Sea to be one of the best.

University, job or surfing career?

Dear Basti, first of all, congratulations to your winning the DWC White Sands Festival (German Worldcup). What does winning the title mean to you?

It’s just great! This is my first DWC victory – so it’s great that I won a contest as big as Norderney, nobody was really expecting this – myself included. Especially since I’m a dead water surfer. Now I have proved that someone from Lake Constance can handle a rough water destination like Norderney (North Sea).

You have just completed your A-Levels. How did you manage to get studying and training done at the same time?

Well, it’s true that this was a double burden at times, but I managed quite ok. But, whenever there was wind, I had a clear priority :-)

What will you do after the A-Levels?

I have been turning this question over and over in my head: should I become a professional windsurfer? I have now come to the conclusion that I will enjoy it more to have a “normal” career with which I can finance my surfing.

This doesn’t mean that I will put less effort or commitment into surfing from now on. I will still work hard in order to win, but at the same time I will do my best at university. Come to think of it, the double burden will probably remain for a while.

Goals for 2010

What are the next events that you will take part in? And what can we expect?

You can definitely expect that I am the one out there having the most fun! Being on the water has and will always be the most important for me. Then again, winning is also a lot of fun :-)

Obviously, the final stop of the DWC is on top of my list. I am eager to see what I can still do in Sylt. At the same time, I will try to win the title of the Engadin marathon once again and I will probably take part in the Swiss and Italian national championships.

Which windsurfing spot would you like to try out in the future? And which one have you liked best so far?

It’s my dream to go on a holiday to Maui. If I could spend some time there, my windsurfing would definitely improve. The diversity of the island must be amazing.

As to my career so far, I’ll have to point out Bonaire: 30 degrees air temperature and 28 degrees water temperature speak for themselves.

But despite all this, I’ll have to admit that I still like Lake Silvaplana near St. Moritz the best. There’s this cool, clean water of a special greenish blue colour, the clear, fresh air and the – during sunshine – reliable wind, all creating a unique atmosphere set against the Corvatsch glacier in the background. This is really special.

Tipps for windsurfers-to-be

What does the branch need to do in order to win more young people for windsurfing?

The industry needs to work at the basis; clubs need to get involved in youth work. A simple tool would be easy local regatta series that make it easier for the kids to enter.

Why would you recommend surfing to the kids? What is so fascinating about it?

It is of course sad that we’re so dependent on natural forces like wind. We can’t always be out in the water. But at the same time, this is what makes windsurfing so special. If you have good conditions and you can go out, the feeling is just overwhelming. It’s about persisting the forces of nature :-) !