What does Hermann Kreitmeir do?
Vice world champion, surf school and surf shop owner at Lindau's Eichwaldbad since 1975, then promoted to city and district councillor. Owner of an advertising agency - all this was far from enough for the creative spirit from Lake Constance. Now Hermann Kreitmeir also grows wine in Piedmont, Italy.
Hermann, have we forgotten another activity or other job?
(Laughs) Ski instructor for acrobatics, but that was a long time ago. And I was also once in the national fistball team.
Do you still come windsurfing at all? And if so, where?
Only when I'm in school, when I'm giving lessons on the water.
The poster with the skid? How did that come about?
After the World Cup, a local editor wanted pictures of me. In a foehn gale with around six Beaufort we went out in front of the entrance to Lindau harbour, I was out on the yellow Ten Cate. Out of sheer exuberance, I wanted to get into the water after the photo shoot and provoked this skidding fall. The photographer then sent the slide to Windsurfing Magazine in Munich. And Peter Brockhaus had it printed as a poster straight away.
You narrowly lost to Karl-Heinz Stickl, who has also run a surf centre on Lake Garda for 35 years, at the 1976 World Windsurfing Championships in the Bahamas. Did you even expect to win the runner-up title?
Oh no, it just happened that way. In the four qualifying races and the subsequent final races, the swell with little wind was similar to that here on Lake Constance. Those were exactly my conditions.
Back then, there were weight classes at a world championship. Why?
The rig of the original Windsurfer only had a sail area of 5.8 square metres. It was unfair for a 45-kilo surfer to compete against an 85-kilo lump. In addition, the problem with the 350 participants had to be solved, as they couldn't all start the races at the same time.
Your surf station shines with a few special features. A large motorised raft as a base. What's behind it?
It serves as a base for windsurfing lessons, then again as a platform for film and television recordings. At weekends it is also used as a party boat. The Ferarriclub Deutschland once celebrated its 30th anniversary. The president's Ferrari convertible, which was placed on the raft by crane, served as a target for a paraglider pilot who jumped out of a zeppelin.
As a trendsetter, you now also offer SUP at your surf school. Do you use it to beat the doldrums on Lake Constance to death?
We don't have that many lulls on Lake Constance, but we use them to expand our water sports programme when there is not enough wind for some people. We are a beginner's area and are actually only a strong wind spot for those who live in Lindau and are immediately in the right place at Hack.
What can we expect from you next?
Shall I be honest now? Resign (laughs), no, hand over the surf station to the younger generation, i.e. my sons.
What does Hermann do then?
Everything I've already mentioned in the snapshot questions. My head is full of non-commercial nonsense. Let's see what comes of it.
How did you get into viticulture?
I thought that my stays in Piedmont since 1971 would eventually diminish my desire for food and drink, i.e. wine. Since this didn't happen, I bought a house with a vineyard in 1998 and the wine has always been good. And I still have the feeling that it could be made even better.
Quick shots:
Water or mountains?
Water, because you can surf on it.
Windsurfer or windglider?
Windsurfer, because I grew up on a yellow Ten Cate.
Flat water or wave?
wave, because there is usually more wind.
Lake Constance or the Baltic Sea?
Lake Constance, because I prefer to surf on a drinking water reservoir.
Loose or ambitious?
Ambitious, but no longer in surfing, but in politics and viticulture.
What's the best way to relax?
On a motorbike, the landscape flies past me. I'm also an old Easy Rider fan.
Who would you like to swap places with for a month?
With my friend Andreas von Bechtoldsheim (the ed.: multiple billionaire and friend of Hermann), to feel what it means to be financially independent. But two weeks would also be enough...
What are you afraid of?
Before nuclear power plants, we saw how dangerous Chernobyl was. That's why I love Italy and Austria, they don't have any.
Five things you want to do before you die?
Better to learn Italian: make a great wine; ride a motorbike across the USA; ride an electric motorbike across the Sahara with a solar sail. I then drive at night and recharge during the day; build another tower in Italy with all renewable energies.
Five things you like?
My professions; the Lindau community newspaper; the surf school, politics and my grandchildren.
Five things you hate?
Intolerance; injustice; sleepy drivers; cyclists who misbehave and winters that last too long.
Picnic or gala dinner?
Picnic, preferably on my raft in the middle of Lake Constance.
TV or book?
book because I've bought all the books I wanted to read. I haven't read them all yet, but I'm already looking forward to it.
Party animal or early to bed?
Early to bed because I always fall asleep at parties. But in return I see 365 sunrises.
Sailboat or motorboat?
Sailboat, because it's a wooden boat in your head. It's more fun.
Rebel or politically correct?
Rebellious, because if you mean and say it honestly and think outside the box. Forward thinkers, it never gets boring.
CSU or Greens?
CSU, because I've been doing it for almost 30 years.
What tempts you?
Planning extraordinary events and trips with my wife and family.
Date of birth: 30.9.1953
Place of residence: In Lindau on the island and increasingly in the Italian province of Piedmont
Profession: Taussendassa and Hans Dampf in allen Gassen
Surfing since: 1973, mainly at Lake Constance
Homespot: Lindau, at the Eichwaldbad
Music: Reggae
Hobbies: Growing wine, travelling to the Sahara, building chairs and loungers from barrel staves
Greatest success: 2nd place windsurfing world championship 1976 heavyweight class
Website: www.hermanno.de
