Hi Julian! You are a 10-year-old windsurfing talent. We recently saw a video of you on a speed board on social media. We were extremely impressed with your sailing and want to know more about you and how it is to be a windsurfing kid!
Hi Starboard! I am Julian Koldeweid and I am from Holland. I started windsurfing in July 2019 when I was 9 years old. I am 10 years now. Together with my dad I go sailing wherever the best conditions are, so I do not have a real home spot yet. For freestyle I like the Kabbelaarsbank in the south of Holland. Some of the best freestyle windsurfers in the world are training there. They are very friendly and I learn a lot from sailors like Tijmen, Sterre Meijer, Bodhi Kempen, Tim Gerdess and Tigo Kort.
https://www.facebook.com/Starboard.Windsurfing/videos/10157885569955353/
When did you start windsurfing and how did you start?
In the first days I used a big inflatable surfboard and a Starboard GO with a small sail in shallow waters. My dad then promised me, that if I was able to sail with a harness and I’m able to use the footstraps, he would buy a freestyle board with Severne XS-3 sails for me. After 2 weeks I was able to plane with a harness and in straps! From that moment I was hooked! My dad bought the sails and a few days later a small freestyle board. With the new gear I made a lot of progress. The new gear is so much lighter and easier than the old gear. I did my first competition (Makkum Real Trip 2019) and became number 4 in the kids under 12 years category. Last year I also sailed the fastest speed ever with GPS worldwide in the category Kids 0-10 years. Bjorn Dunckerbeck liked my Instagram post and I was on Windsurfing.tv.
What do you like most about windsurfing?
I always want to be on the water. I feel free and it makes me very happy!
Do you do any other sports besides sailing?
When there is no wind I like to go wakeboarding, swimming, and fishing. In the winter I like to practice ice skating.
Favorite discipline?
Freestyle and speed! But in the future, I also like to go wave sailing and do slalom and foiling.
How do you learn new things on the board?
I built my own windsurf simulator in the garden and I put a sail on a skateboard. And I surf as much as I can. I learned a lot from all the young freestylers at the Kabbelaarsbank and my dad. I met Starboard´s Dream Team rider Lennart Neubauer at the European Freestyle Tour 2019 and Boot Dusseldorf 2020. After Boot Dusseldorf he invited me for a Freestyle Camp at Rene Egli Fuerteventura to teach me loops in July! But due to Covid19 it will probably be postponed.
Fastest speed?
22nd of May 2020 I improved my average (5×10 sec) speed from last year´s record to 36,85 km/hour on a Starboard iSonic Speed Special W44 (53 liters). With a fast boat we went to Da Curve, which is a flatwater spot 8km out from the shore in Holland. I saw 4 seals! It was an awesome day.
Why should more kids start windsurfing?
Because it is the best thing in the world and with the new gear it is easy!
What is your biggest dream?
I want to become a professional windsurfer!
Thanks for the interview Julian! We wish you all the best and a lot of fun on the water!
