52 AUGUST 2019
REFLECTIONS
Having already completed an 80 km. Défi in Mauritius, training for this
event was a no-brainer. I focussed mainly on long distance endurance
running, mountain biking and SUP’ing and tried to do as much shoulder
strength training as possible with resistance bands. During the race I
could feel my injured arm was very weak and gybing and pumping was
challenging. However, my endurance fitness and leg strength paid off and
compensated for the difficulties I had with my shoulder. The Défi race is
not something to be taken lightly, you need to be fit and focussed. Apart
from the long distances, dodging windsurfers and being hyper alert within
the moving mass is vital, not only for a good result, but also for your safety.
My main goal was not catapulting or falling once, because waterstarting
was challenging for me with the injury. I therefore took a wide turn
around the gybe marks avoiding guys lying in the water. When one person
crashes, it causes a chain reaction that you do not want to take part in!
One of my most memorable moments was looking ahead on the start line
and not being able to see any part of the horizon due to the solid block of
windsurfers. I learnt so much during this event: It would be ideal to arrive
a few days before the event to get in some practice runs and to get familiar
with the spot and the wind, definitely something I would do next time! My
advice would be to opt for a slightly bigger board and medium to smaller
sail so you can survive the gusts and keep on planing during the lulls, while
keeping close to the beach to ensure flat waters and high speeds.
The Défi was everything I imagined it to be and so much more. Every
aspect of it is organized to the finest detail and the great amount of work that
was put into it was evident every day. I believe every windsurfer should have
this event on their bucket list. I will definitely be back next year for a longer
period of time and will bring even more of my South African windsurf
friends with me!DÉFI GRUISSAN 2019
“EVERY WINDSURFER SHOULD
HAVE THIS EVENT ON THEIR
BUCKET LIST.”
Karo playing bury your board in the sand.
PHOTO Karo van Tonder.
Karo on the H20.
PHOTO Jean Souville.Just a few out for a blast! PHOTO Jean Marc Cornu.