Children often do exactly the opposite of what their parents like to do. Not so with the Behrens family from Lübeck. Dad and mum - both keen windsurfers - were able to calm the quängelgeist parked in the back seat of the car during their numerous sessions, first with a wave rider and later with the windsurfer. Now they go out on the water together.
In January, the boot Düsseldorf jury, consisting of Vincent Langer, freestyler Valentin Böckler, multiple world champion Andrea Hoeppner and surf editor-in-chief Andreas Erbe, named Maria "Rookie of the Year".
Were you surprised by the choice and what will you do with the 2020 euros in prize money?
I was super surprised when I was informed in December. From then on, I could hardly wait to be at boot in January. Especially because I'd never been there before. I'm using the prize money to pay for my next trip to the Canary Islands to take part in the PWA World Cup.
Your main discipline is the wave. There's not so much of it outside Lübeck. How is it that you're already so good at such a young age?
We are very often in Klitmøller, where the conditions are great. We also have good waves in Weißenhaus on the Baltic Sea. The holidays in Tenerife have also helped me a lot.
When and where did you start windsurfing?
My parents have always travelled to the coast every windy day and, of course, I was always there. While they were out on the water, I had to wait in the car for the first few years. At some point, my parents got fed up with my moaning and I got a wave rider. Later, I had a SUP board with a windsurfing option, which meant I was actually on the water in Klitmøller. I started windsurfing properly at the age of twelve on Fehmarn in shallow water. After I had learnt how to start in the water, I got a 68-litre wave board, which I could then use to get into the waves.
What fascinated you most about surfing in the beginning and what fascinates you today?
When I was twelve years old, I was fascinated by the speed, surfing in the foot straps and the associated control. Today, what fascinates me about windsurfing is riding the waves and jumping. Standing excitedly on the beach before a windsurfing session because the conditions are great is totally awesome!
Unfortunately, there are very few girls and women surfing regattas in Germany. How did you come up with the idea of taking part in wave contests yourself?
Caro Weber encouraged me to take part in my first wave contest, the Danish Open in Klitmøller in autumn 2018. After the Danish Open, I got more and more interested in competitions, so I took part in the PWA Youth World Cup in Tenerife in 2019 and met lots of cool new people. It's a completely different feeling to be out on the water every day with people your own age.
Which female riders have impressed and influenced you the most?
My role model has always been Sarah-Quita with her witty manner outside the competitions and her amazing performance on the water. The Moreno Twins have cool moves too, of course!
Do you feel more competition or more camaraderie among the young people?
In my opinion, there is a good mix of both at competitions. I think you should just concentrate on yourself during the heat. In other words, you're a competitor during the competition and "best friends" again on the beach. In the evening you celebrate together anyway.
Can your classmates understand your passion?
As windsurfing is not one of the most popular sports, it's difficult to talk about it with classmates. When I throw words like "tack" at people during my stories, nobody understands a word. I'm in the sports section at my school and our class teacher is also a windsurfer, so I can have a great chat with him about it. He even once organised a surfing course on Fehmarn for the whole class.
How do your parents support you?
My parents support me in everything. From travelling to the spot to material costs. They invest a lot of time! I worked from November to March to cover some of the costs myself. I think it's important that you don't get everything for free and take it for granted.
What are your short and medium-term goals?
My goals are to continue taking part in as many competitions as possible and to graduate from high school in 2021 so that I can travel around Europe afterwards. Another important goal is to perhaps convert an old VW bus with my dad so that I can go on my own surf trips.
INFO-BOX Maria Behrens
Age: 17 years
Born: 4 July 2002
Place of residenceLübeck
ProfessionStudent
Surfing since: 2014
Regatta debut: 2018
Successes: 20184th Wave Women Danish Open, 2019: 1st Wave Women Overall Danish Open, 3rd Wave Junior Overall Danish Open, 7th Wave B (Amateur) Men Overall Danish Open, 2019 3rd Wave U20 Girls PWA Worldcup Tenerife, 5th IFCA Women European Wave Championships (Klitmøller Games)
Favourite spotsHanstholm, Klitmøller, Cabezo
Favourite movesStalled front loop
Next MoveTable Top, Backloop
HobbiesSurfing, snowboarding, skating, jogging
Role models: Sarah-Quita Offringa, Victor Fernandez
SponsorsFanatic, Duotone, ION, Freerider Shop Hamburg
FacebookMaria Behrens G209
Instagram: maria_g209
