Who is Felix Volkhardt?

Hi Felix, I've just reached you on Fuerteventura. How are things going? And how is the situation on site?

Hey, that's right, I just arrived on Fuerte three days ago. I want to prepare here for the next EFPT competitions, which I hope will take place at the beginning of August. Unfortunately, I'm having a bit of trouble with my ankle at the moment and will be off for a few days. But I should hopefully get it under control again soon, and then I still have a few weeks to train here. The situation on site is very relaxed. There aren't really any major restrictions any more. I'm staying with a colleague in Costa Calma and everything actually feels quite normal. Except on the water, where it's a bit less busy. But I can live with that (laughs).

First of all, get well soon! Hopefully you'll be back on the water soon. What does your perfect training day on Fuerte look like when you're fit again?

The tide has to be right. We always plan according to the tides here, because it's always windy here in summer. But in principle, the perfect day is very simple: two sessions, one in the morning and one in the evening. Depending on the tide, in the lagoon or on the sea. Lunch in between and a cold beer after the second session in the evening.

That sounds good. You actually live near Krefeld when you're not in the Canary Islands. From there, as a passionate camper, you regularly set off across Europe in your self-built van. Where is your favourite place to go?

Clearly over to Holland. I would almost describe myself as a Brouwersdam local. The region is a windsurfing paradise for me and when I get in the van at home, it takes me about two and a half hours to get to the spot. I have everything from mirror-smooth water behind the piers, to chop further out, to clean North Sea waves on the sandbank.

You are studying media design at a distance-learning university. How do you reconcile windsurfing and studying and how do you finance yourself? Do you already have sponsors?

I can organise my studies very well, that's not the problem. But unfortunately I don't have any financial support from sponsors at the moment. That's why I work a lot at my grandad's farm in St. Tönis. And when there's nothing to do, I'm often in the water as a surf instructor at the Brouwersdam surf centre in the summer.

You are now one of the best freestylers in Germany, but you started practising your first moves relatively late compared to most of the others. When was that and where did this sudden surge of motivation come from?

I didn't actually get my first air jibe until I was 17, although my father taught me to surf as a child in Holland back in 2006. I was small and skinny and the material was heavy. I didn't really enjoy it until I got older and bought a second-hand freestyle board from Marco Lufen. I used it to learn air jibe and spock relatively quickly in Holland in the summer after my A-levels. Of course, that was the first motivational boost. The second came directly afterwards in autumn in Brazil, during my gap year. There was a whole bunch of worldcuppers at the start and that really motivated me. I suddenly wanted to become really good and this determination has not diminished to this day.

You are one of the most passionate and motivated freestylers I currently know. Is it solely down to your dedication and motivation that you've become so good so quickly? If not, tell us your secret.

(laughs)...Well, I think that's partly because, since I saw the top guys in Brazil, I had the feeling that I had to catch up. They were about my age, but at a completely different level. I just had to step on the gas and get the most out of every session.

Since the beginning of the year, you've also been training on land with personal trainer Sascha Lange. What kind of training do you do? Do you feel better on the water since then?

Yes, definitely. If I don't get out on the water for a week or two, I still stay fit and focussed. I stay more focussed overall. For example, we go running together and incorporate exercises for speed, coordination and stabilisation in between. Lange has worked out a clear plan for me and that helps a lot.

That sounds very professional. But are you even a competition animal? You haven't competed in too many races yet, but you certainly showed potential with your top 10 result in Neusiedl at the start of the season.

Oh, good question.... I'd like to know better myself. But let's put it this way: so far, I'm definitely having fun competing with the other riders. We'll see where that takes us.

You now also have a YouTube channel and a very well-maintained presence on Instagram. What are your goals for the future? Do you want to become a professional? Or do you just want to be a soul surfer, travelling around in your van?

I want to keep all doors open. The dream of becoming a professional is in everyone's head. The only question is how realistic it is these days. I will try to do the best I can. I don't yet know by what means. And if it doesn't work out, I can definitely see myself travelling around in my van as a soul surfer.

FACTS

• Born: 1 April 1998
• Place of residence: Tönisvorst
• Profession: Student
• Height/weight: 170 cm/67 kilos
• Surfing since: 2006
• Regatta debut: October 2017 EFPT Brouwersdam (international), Surf-Festival Fehmarn GFB Summer 2017 (national)
• Successes: 9th place EFPT Surf World Cup Lake Neusiedl Austria 2021
• Favourite spots: Ouddorp, Netherlands; Jericoacoara, Brazil; Brandvlei, Cape Town
• Favourite moves: Spock Culo, Air Kabi
• Sponsors: Severne Sails Germany, Maui Ultra Fins, Jibewear, Lange Personal Training