World Cup riders Lina Erpenstein and Felix Volkhardt and windsurfing coach Yannick Mittas organised the "Rookie Revolution Camp" for the first time this year. The camp is intended to give children and young people the opportunity to have fun on the water together, learn and try out manoeuvres and, above all, come into contact with windsurfers of the same age.
This is because youth development in windsurfing is often neglected. With hardly any club structures and very few competitions and events for children and young people, there are very few opportunities for mutual exchange. "Especially kids who can already glide safely and want to learn their first freestyle or wave manoeuvres often don't get their money's worth," says Lina Erpenstein.
Prasionisi with perfect conditions for the rookies
Eight participants from Germany and the UK aged 11-16 made their way to Rhodes for the first "Rookie Revolution Camp". Prasonisi offers ideal conditions with perfect flat water conditions, reliable winds even in autumn and warm temperatures. For many of the rookies, it was their first trip without their parents, so there was plenty of excitement.
To start with, there was a little video theory and movement analysis to bridge a rain shower. Afterwards, turquoise-blue waves and the flooded beach beckoned to romp and skimboard, followed by a beach clean-up to collect rubbish that had washed ashore.
The second day finally brought sun and wind. Everyone was excited to finally get out on the water to windsurf, so after breakfast we headed straight to the Prasonisi Surf Centre. The equipment of the participants who had travelled with their own windsurfing equipment was stored there. All others were provided with their choice of Severne equipment by the centre. With weaker winds at first, the participants worked together on tacks, helitacks and geckos. After a lunch break, the wind picked up and all the rookies were able to try their first manoeuvres from planing.
It was nice to see how the group continued to grow together" (Lina Erpenstein)
The following days were characterised by wind and sunshine with one morning and one afternoon session each. All the rookies made great progress on the water: in addition to their first duckjibes and chophops, they tried airjibes and landed front loops. "It was great to see how the group of enthusiastic young windsurfers grew together over the course of the week," reports Lina Erpenstein. "The more time the participants spent together, the more lively the dialogue became, the more they talked shop and cheered for each other on the water!"
Chop-hop challenge and Balz Müller's helmet
In addition to the many hours on the water, various smaller contests were also on the agenda: all rookies had the opportunity to win freestyle fins with their best and most stylish jumps in the "Maui Ultra Fins Chophop Challenge". On the strongest wind day of the week, the "#sendit Challenge" honoured a rookie who had stood out with courageous jumps and crashes. The prize was a hand-signed helmet from Balz Müller.
The camp was a complete success and a very sporty week for everyone involved, says Lina Erpenstein: "It was fascinating to see how quickly children make progress when they can practise every day under laboratory conditions. Even the youngest of the group were able to glide through their first duckjibes by the end of the week." The coaches, whose aim had been to offer the kids an opportunity to socialise and have fun together on the water, were also overwhelmed by the positive reactions to the camp.
"Rookie Revolution Camp 2023"
There will be another "Rookie Revolution Camp" in the autumn holidays next year. The exact dates have not yet been finalised. All news about the camp can be found on Instagram at @rookierevolutioncamp or by email enquiry to rookie.revolution22@gmail.com !
