After surgery and intensive rehab, Philip Köster is now able to get back on his board. A foot injury had set the five-time world champion back in the spring, he was unable to compete in Fiji and although he gritted his teeth at his home World Cup in Gran Canaria, he had to go under the knife after the event.
Following the operation by specialist Professor Doctor Markus Walther in Munich, the 29-year-old initially completed his rehabilitation for three weeks at Red Bull's Athletes Performance Centre (APC) in Austria. He then continued training at home in Gran Canaria. "Since then, I've been training at home for two hours a day with the physio, as well as cycling and swimming a lot. It's all very easy on the joints," reports Köster.
Philip Köster is finally back on the water
Philip is now able to windsurf again and wants to be in top shape by the start of the season in Japan (19 - 25 February 2024 in Omaezaki). "When I was finally able to take off the splint and put the crutches in the corner, it was a real relief. I feel really good, I've lost around seven kilograms and I'm bursting with energy. I'm finally back on the water," says Köster. He has fond memories of Japan, especially because of the hospitality. The 2023 season also started in Omaezaki, but waveriding had to be cancelled after the quarter finals due to insufficient wind.
For Köster, it is the second major injury of his career. After suffering total knee damage with a cruciate and medial ligament tear in 2016, he came back strongly and became world champion for the fourth time just one year later.
