Text: Boris Ackermann
I live in the Swiss mountains, in a well-known ski resort surrounded by 18 four-thousand metre peaks. An unusual place to live for someone who loves water sports and photography. When I set off south in June - the bus full of camera equipment and surfing gear - there was still snow at home. But the further I travelled, the smaller the peaks in the rear-view mirror became, and you could almost smell the sea in the Italian Po Valley.
I took the ferry from Bari. This resulted in a stopover in Vieste, my childhood haunt, where I was able to enjoy a short surf session. On the third day, I finally set sail from Athens to Karpathos - a transition to a world that seems to consist only of wind, water and Greek serenity.
The Meltemi delivers wind speeds that are only promised in brochures elsewhere.
The Mecca of wind addicts
The small island in the southern Aegean is famous for its constant, reliable wind. The Meltemi determines the daily rhythm, delivers wind speeds that are only promised in brochures elsewhere and makes the island a paradise for windsurfers, wingfoilers and kiters.
For me as a photographer - and for all surfers on the island - this means perfect conditions, many intense days and countless opportunities to capture great moments. In addition to many (still) unknown surfers, there were also some particularly inspiring encounters this year:
- Sarah-Quita Offringa - 28-times world champion. So much positive energy on and off the water. Her mixture of strength, elegance and infectious joie de vivre is unique. It's as if the wind is her personal assistant.
- Oda Johanne - her manoeuvres are both playful and precise. She looks as if she is constantly negotiating the physical limits of the spot - and almost always wins.
- Meiky Wieczorek - known for his hard work on the most difficult freestyle manoeuvres off the Pro Tour, powerful and ambitious. Shoots with Meiky are always experimental: new ideas, unusual perspectives, lots of courage.
Who is Meiky Wieczorek anyway? - Twan Verseput - the Dutch speed surfer loves to pass the camera at top speed within touching distance or to guide the tip of the mast just centimetres away over my housing during a laydown jibe.
- And countless young talents, holidaymakers, station staff and locals who grow together year after year in Afiartis to form an open, friendly surfing community - regardless of where they rent or store their equipment.
Photographing in the wind - Not a job like any other
At home, I mainly photograph wild animals and mountain landscapes, which I sell as large-format fine art prints and exhibit internationally, or I arrange to meet up with surfers such as world champion Yentel Caers, Balz Müller aka Radiculo or Dutch freestyler Nick van Ingen to take photos. On Karpathos, on the other hand, I document the water sports on a daily basis and offer the pictures on my website.
Rougher, wilder and less predictable - a spot that is not yet on the map.
Business on the water is demanding. Modern technology enables many people to take good photos with a little practice. Drones are now almost standard equipment and images are often shared free of charge. But not everyone has a personal photographer with them - and many are happy to have professional shots of extraordinary sessions.
For spectacular shots, I sometimes spend an hour out in the open sea in a wetsuit with my camera in a waterproof case, letting myself drift or manoeuvring into the perfect position in the boat with station captain Linda. Keeping an overview - who is travelling where, how the wind is shifting, when a move is coming - is often more challenging than the photography itself.
The wind determines everything: mood, intensity, duration of the sessions. But it is precisely this rhythm that makes Karpathos magical.
The five best windsurfing spots on Karpathos
Devil's Bay / Meltemi Station
My main workplace is in Afiartis. Devil's Bay is aptly named. The wind blows incessantly here, sail sizes between 3.7 and 5 square metres are standard. On some days, the water even starts to fly and even with a 3.4 metre sail it gets borderline. The setting is spectacular for photos - when gusts above 50 knots hardly allow for freestyle, but offer gripping drama.
My aim is not only to photograph the best riders in extreme situations, but also to enable all surfers to take souvenir photos. For example Helga from Austria: soon to be 70 years old, a regular for years, on the water every day. Smallest board, small sail, perfect jibe at 25 knots. People like her inspire me.
The island is a retreat, a place of strength and a nature studio all in one."
Chicken Bay
The family-friendly surfing area is located right next to the airport. Three stations, a chilled beach bar, a tavern - perfect conditions for beginners, intermediates and families. For me, Chicken Bay is a place full of summer images: Children gliding for the first time, parents between sessions at the bar, turquoise water, the finest sand, plus a small Greek chapel with aeroplanes in the background as a photo motif.
Gun Bay
Between Chicken Bay and Devil's Bay lies the home of the ION station. Somewhat covered by the wind, but with a more constant wind further out and a slightly higher swell. Particularly interesting for me because I can take photos here on a high rock almost from a helicopter perspective.
Arkasa - the young wavespot
In the south-west, Karpathos shows its other face: waves, power, depth, rocks. A spot that is not yet on the map, but has enormous potential. In terms of photography, Arkasa is rougher, wilder, less predictable - and that's exactly why it's so fascinating. I haven't surfed here myself; the entry is tricky and a westerly wind is a prerequisite. A chat with the locals is a must.
Luv Spot & Secret Spot
Kiters, windsurfers and wingfoilers alike meet on the east side. The Naish centre towers over the bay and the taverna offers the best view. A wave on the offshore reef makes the spot exciting, especially when Afiartis closes due to too much wind. Just two bays further on, the Secret Spot offers mirror-smooth water - a dream for freestylers.
Between the session - The other side of the island
A summer on Karpathos is not just about surfing. There are dusty coastal roads, dramatic cliffs, sunsets over Arkasa and Finiki, the vibrant blue of the south-west coast and a wind that never sleeps.
From the mountain villages around Olympos to the quiet bays near Lefkos: the island is a retreat, a place of strength and a nature studio all in one. And, of course, a holiday island - with ice cream parlours in Pigadia, small beach tavernas, Greek cuisine and the usual tourist offerings, which blend in surprisingly unobtrusively.
My memory cards are full, the equipment is salt-encrusted and dusty.
An island that fills empty books with pictures
On the journey back to Athens, my memory cards are full, the equipment is salt-encrusted and dusty - and I've had many more encounters. Karpathos is not a place for "maybe wind". The island delivers every day. But it's not just about top performance. It's about community, joy, learning, sharing - and ending the day with a big smile.
My favourite place to do this is with Sokratis in his Barbaminas taverna in Chicken Bay. He and his family are fishermen, warm hosts - and great cooks. It's the people who make this place unforgettable and immediately give you the feeling of being at home while travelling. For surfers from all over the world - and for me as a photographer - Karpathos is not just a holiday destination.
It is our playground. An empty book that we can fill with new pictures, experiences and stories every year.
