Bjorn Dunkerbeck was born on July 16th 1969 and during his illustrious career has achieved legendary status as one of the greatest windsurf competitors of all time, racking up an incredible 42 world titles! John Carter caught up with the big man in Gran Canaria during his 50th birthday celebrations for an appropriate return of the ‘big 50’ interview!
So how did you celebrate the big 50?
BD: The big 50! First I had a nice dinner with my parents and my family on the 16th, with my sister as well, of course, her daughter and my four kids, also one friend of my parents, the first windsurfer of Pozo Izquierdo, Klaus. Then last night we had a dinner for 40 as well, some friends and family. So two parties, well two dinner parties! We went to a place in the south of the island, my old friend Vidar Jensen was there as well. It was just a dinner party, so finished reasonably early!
How do you feel now you are fifty, mentally and physically?
BD: Well I’m pretty happy that I made it to 50 still intact with only a few small adjustments, and I’m actually feeling much better right now than I was a few years ago.
Are you scared of getting old?
BD: No! I’d be more scared of not getting old! Unfortunately, I know quite a few who didn’t make it to 50. I’m very happy. I still have both my parents who are over 70 themselves, and they are still very fit. So I guess I have good genes and I would definitely like to make it through to at least 80 and still be on the water. My father is 75 five right now and he still goes windsurfing a few times a week. So that is the plan.
Do you feel 50 in your mind and body?
BD: I don’t really feel 50 for sure. I used to look at the 50-year-olds 20 years ago and thought they were really old. Now I’m there myself and I don’t think that way anymore. I guess that has to do with still doing a lot of sports - windsurfing, biking, stand up paddling and diving, and that all keeps me relatively young. In Gran Canaria, we have strong winds to sail in and that keeps you sharp as well! It all helps to become a 50-year old that’s maybe only a 40 year old!
“I DON’T REALLY FEEL 50 FOR SURE.”
Denne historien er fra Issue 389 - September 2019-utgaven av Windsurf.
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Denne historien er fra Issue 389 - September 2019-utgaven av Windsurf.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
New School
Slingshot’s windsurfing brand manager, Wyatt Miller, has noticed that kids are drawn to playing with wings and puts forward an interesting case as to why he thinks this could help entice them and others into windsurfing.
Changes
Wave sailor Flo Jung reflects on our changed world during his lockdown in Germany.
THE LAST WAVE
Lockdown stirred the creative juices of reader Björn Alfthan, who peers into the future to present a fictional story set in the wild waves of Norway, five years from now.
STILL IN THE GAME
After a horrific fracture in his leg from a crashed aerial in 2018, Alessio Stillrich is back! John Carter talks to the highflyer from Gran Canaria about his move to the Simmer team, recovering from injury and how he learned to windsurf in Gran Canaria!
MOVE ON UP - GET ON THE FRONT FOOT
This month we look at how our front foot weighting can affect and improve different aspects of our main windsurfing moves.
SOUTH' KIPA
Nik tweaking it over home waters.
A NEW NORMAL
On a trip to La Tranche-sur-Mer in France last year, Tris Best estimated over 80% of the windsurfers were foiling. This summer in Portland Harbour, foiling activity has increased dramatically too he reports. With the market offering plenty of choice to recreational windfoilers, our test team check out some of the latest foil offerings.
TACKING – THE SEQUEL
Having given you time to practice, Harty concludes his tacking series by critiquing various tacking options, including the carve tack, as well as offering solutions to common slip-ups.
‘NO VAPOUR TRAILS TO SCAR THE SKY' *
Realising we may be about to enter an extraordinary period in our lives, Harty decided to keep a windsurf-centric lockdown diary. Here are some of his choice excerpts.
REDEMPTION DAY!
Renowned for its windsurfing and variety of spots to sail at, Kimmerdige Bay is a wave sailing jewel on the south coast of England. Timo Mullen gives a guide to its shores while reflecting on why a recent session there was a reminder that there is no place like home!
