After World Cup participant Kai-Nicolas Steimerwho thankfully kept us up to date throughout the event in several episodes - despite his own races and certainly not the easiest internet connections - finally interviewed the German participants about their very personal assessments. Thanks to all those who made themselves available for the personal statements, which convey a very intense impression of the sometimes very different "SUP World Championship" experience.
It was a great experienceto be at the start here in China. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to complete all the planned races due to a cold and ear problems. But I definitely didn't want to miss the sprint race. The conditions were tough, with side waves and a lot of wind. The field of participants was very strong. But I was able to show what I can do. I came 3rd in the heats and qualified for the semi-finals. I only just had to admit defeat to the world elite there. But it was definitely worth it. I learnt so much here and gained new friendships and respect.
China is my first participation at the ISA World Championships - at the age of 51. What a great experience! As most of the younger competitors were high level, my personal goal for Wave was to get through to the next round. In my first heat, however, I was up against the reigning world champion. That was cool, but for me it clearly meant going into the repechage. Then it was amazing - first in the lead, then 2nd place and I progressed! I was sooo stoked!!! I was out with the 2nd repechage, but it didn't matter. I had done my best, achieved my goal and was just mega happy. Due to health reasons, Hannah unfortunately cancelled for the long distance, I spontaneously decided to take part. 18 km open ocean, rather untrained and only equipped with a wave paddle that was too short, I took on my next personal challenge. It wasn't about winning, but "go for it" - being there is everything! It turned out to be the toughest race I've ever paddled! Most of the other participants felt the same way - even the pros. Two thirds of the course was a battle with a nasty sideshore wind and choppy conditions. Absolutely over the limit for me! The team kept cheering me on and I made it - 26th place out of 31 - completely exhausted, but another absolutely emotional highlight of this event for me. I'm already looking forward to 2019, because I've already qualified as runner-up SUP Wave.
It was a special moment, to represent my country in the sport we all love so much. Techrace has so many facets and there are so many things to consider and learn for a perfect race. Every race takes you further and every exchange with other riders here. It was great in China and gives me a lot of motivation for the next season.
Review Wave Contest:
Offshore, smooth point break and only 4 surfers in the water, that alone would have made it worthwhile, but surfing with world-class paddlers such as Sean Poynter is also an experience that leads to results: I still have a lot to learn and train.
Review Longdistance:
Everyone knows, Long distance and "Surfhobbit"...don't go together ;-) But I took up the short-term challenge and faced the tough 18 kilometres. Even the start was brutal, 40 guys filled to the brim with adrenalin storming towards the water, a scramble is an understatement. I set off in the last third of the field. The first kilometre was as hectic as in a shark tank, then I thought it would be more relaxed on the downwind leg. But fiddlesticks, lots of waves from all sides and very little swell to ride the waves, so I continued to struggle and had the odd water landing. Then a few upwind legs until we arrived back at the starting buoy. That was the first 6 kilometres and lap 1, with two more to follow. The scorching heat and many water landings sapped my energy, but I had one goal and that was to fight to the end and collect points for Germany. On the last lap, I was finally able to catch up with my team-mate Frithjof Sach and then overtake him in the final sprint over the last kilometre to finish in a well-deserved 29th place. I had left ten world-class athletes behind me, an incentive for more in the next race.
As a replacement for Wave and Sprint, 3 disciplines were on the programme for me. It was the second world championship I was allowed to take part in for my country, so I was motivated to show my best performance. I achieved my best result in the wave discipline and was able to surf brilliant waves with only a few people on the water. Things didn't go so well for me in the tech race and due to a lack of waves I was once again unable to demonstrate my skills with my race board in waves. Unfortunately it was even worse for me in the sprint, with a good start but an unintentional swim, I had to retire in the first round. All in all, it was a great experience to be in China with the team and take part in the competitions.
Frithjof Sach (Distance Race Men) and Maui Sach (Junior Race Boys) also took part in the World Championships.
Here is a summary of the results:
Wave Ladies:
21st place Bettina Kohl
Wave Men:
19th place Kai-Nicolas Steimer 25th place Carsten Kurmis
Techrace men:
30th place Denny Kamps 34th place Kai-Nicolas Steimer
U18 Techrace:
12th place Maui Sach
Sprint Race Women:
9th place Hannah Leni Krah
Sprint Race Men:
24th place Kai-Nicolas Steimer
Long distance women:
26th place Bettina Kohl
Longdistance men:
29th place Carsten Kurmis 30th place Frithjof Sach
Stephan Gölnitz
Deputy Editor in Chief surf