The Distance

Making as many kilometers as you can in 24 hours - of course, on the windsurfing board - so called "distance" somehow made its way into speedsurfing world. I am not convinced that it belongs there, because it is sort of an endurance discipline. Ok, if you go faster, you will make more distance, but actually it is more a matter of how strong and determined you are; or, honestly, how badly you want that number on your GPS device screen, in spite of ruined hands and uttermost tiredness next couple of days.

But, however you look at it, it is here: if you are into speedsurfing, you will have to deal with the distance.

I don't like it, actually, because, from all speed disciplines it is the least fun. After couple of hours (and you have to windsurf many hours if you want to make a notable result), it gets boring. You have to occupy yourself with some other thoughts, otherwise you are in danger of literary falling asleep.

Well, this summer, in spite of what is written above, I used one nice day on Karpathos to make 200 km of distance for an Odyssey of Speed competition. For a while it was the best result. Johan Huitema from Netherlands made 216 km, a week latter (his best distance is 398 km, just to be noticed). In that moment I told Tim Otte, an organizer of Odyssey of Speed event that Vladan Desnica, from Croatia, the defender of the crown for last year competition, will surely made 300 km.

And he did (322 km). At the moment, due to other amazing results, specially 500m alpha turn, he is in a tight race for an overall win with Alexandros Petikidis from Greece.

At the same day (August 31, 2015), Urška Desnica, Vladan's spouse, made also an impressive 134 km distance - very rare for a lady windsurfer (6th all time place for ladys on GPSTC). Again, just for noticing, the best posted distance on GPS Team Challenge site is 538 km (Craig Hollins, Australia) for gentlemans, and 207 km by a unnamed lady from Belgium going with the nickname "speedfalconster").

Here is what Vladan says about that day:

"The day before we made a recovering pause from windsurfing, to gather the energy. I started at 09:20, and ride in 6 blocks for hour and a half (see GPSR picture), with 15-20 minutes rest in between. I ate some 5-6 bananas, 1 twix, 1 bounty, 1 snickers and 1/2 lit energy shake. And a lot of water. All in all, 8,5 hours pure windsurfing. I finished after the sunset, around 19:20. The secret of making distance is a good trim; everything has to be perfectly aligned, to avoid blisters on hands and unnecessary tiredness in jibes. I made some 250-300 turns without falling from the board."