„The bigger your goal, the more you have to do“

The fascination does not diminish?
No, because you can push yourself more and more, there is always a bigger wave and always new places to discover.

No doubts in all these years?
I tried not to let the doubts get in the way. Of course, there were always setbacks. I was also on the verge of giving up several times. But only shortly before. I always looked for ways to keep trying, in very small steps. That was my motto for success. It's like that everywhere in life. Nothing is given to you, you always have to work hard, but if you pursue a goal every day, the probability that your goal will be fulfilled is much, much higher than if you don't try. And the bigger your goal, the more you have to do. But the more intensively you work on something, the more fun it is in the end and the greater the chance that it will be successful. I think it always starts with the right goal. Even in windsurfing, whether I'm on the water or making a film, there are of course phases where it's not much fun, where money is lacking, where an editor has dropped out or you think you won't make it. That's when you have to grit your teeth.

This attitude of not giving up, of always going on, did you always have that inside you or were there role models?
It's actually also a question of people you meet. I've always had good mentors, for example the head of Gunsails, an innovative founder. He told me: Use the strengths you have. And one of those strengths is creativity. That's why I emphasized beautiful, special photos early on. That's how I made it onto the covers of well-known magazines before I even had any World Cup successes. Throughout my life, I've met people who have inspired me in some way. You have to try to go through the world with your eyes open, then maybe the universe will send you the people you need at the moment.

It depends above all on yourself?
It often depends on your own thoughts, on your attitude. And you have to be willing to work on yourself, and you should do things that give you pleasure and that make sense.

Are there any quotations or wisdoms that have accompanied you for a long time?
Not directly. Many people have said a lot of clever things, but in the end it always starts with yourself. And how you shape your everyday life, whether you want to actively achieve goals or just react to things that happen to you. You have to actively think about what can I improve now, what gives me the motivation to get up in the morning and be ready to start the day? I find this ability fascinating, that you can determine your life yourself, form it yourself by dealing with your thoughts. You have to believe that you always find a way.

What is for you the most important characteristic for success?
It all starts with passion. Whether you are an athlete, father, husband: There is always the will there, I want to do it well, and then it is more fun.

How important is courage?
Courage is definitely one of them. I myself have to kick my ass again and again and overcome my fears. That can be calls to sponsors or a fat day on the water, where it can be life-threatening. But behind courage there is always the feeling to get to the next level, to grow. This growth is extremely important so that you can simply develop further.

You have recently become a father again. How important is a nice home for you and your family?
Because I am usually on the road a lot, a feeling of well-being at home is very important. And this special home is just being built, it is even almost finished. It is an eco-house in South Africa, at the Cape of Good Hope, one of the best surf spots. It is also a project to show how to build a sustainable house with a low budget and the latest technologies and how to live in harmony with nature. The walls, for example, are made of hemp, there is a water treatment system, we use the sun to generate electricity, we want to live as self-sufficiently as possible. Our goal was and is to build minimalist and use only what is really necessary. That is why form.bar furniture fits so well into this house, it helps to create a special atmosphere. One comes into the house now and has a good feeling, just feels good, is happy, feels positive energy.