Duotone Diversity Magazine No.02 2020

ever watched Kelly Slater surf knows that he is able to have fun and perform in all conditions, even in the worst possible. To do that requires the highest level of ability and skills. Each person can individually experience exactly that, by confronting the diversity of possibilities and expressing oneself. It’s about accepting what is and turning that into a positive experience for you. With kiting it comes down to conforming and being in tune with what Mother Nature throws at you and not fighting it. Just think about somebody swearing and carrying on in the water. That’s not going to get you anywhere. I’ve learnt a lot in that respect from good surfers. They’re in tune with the ocean, the elements and their environment. They don’t whine and complain, they’re grateful and accept what is and they rip in all conditions – that’s a life lesson of tremendous importance. Don’t fight things, go about them in a playful way instead. So basically it’s a question of attitude? I recorded a Podcast about this topic, with surfing as the focus, but the same applies to kitesurfing. When I’m out in the line-up, there are two possibilities: My day can turn to sh** or the session can make my day. If I’m positioning myself too far on the inside and don’t pay attention to my surroundings, I will cop a lot of waves on my head, might even get washed in and paddle for an eternity to get back out. Or, I’m super alert and take notice of everything that’s happening around me, which helps to put me in the right position. It’s the same in life. It’s about anticipating, being open to opportunities and following your intuition to be at the right place at the right time. That’s part of the magic of surfing. Good surfers “feel” the ocean and its moods, because of this connection, their intuition tells them where to sit. It’s the same in kitesurfing. If you succeed in developing a feeling for becoming one with your equipment and the elements and creating an experience out of that, you’re not only in touch with yourself, but also with what is. My analogy: If you manage the same in life, i.e. being ok with what life presents you with in this very moment, you’ll have more fun and be a happier person overall. Even if it might suck right now, keep the positive mindset by accepting today for what it is. And tomorrow is a brand-new day with all the opportunities in the world to do things differently. There are in general just way too many surfers, kiters, people who simply say no and refuse to accept responsibility for their situation. There’s always too much whining on the beach, because there is not enough wind or too much or not enough this or that. Let’s learn to take something as it comes. Why? Because that’s just how things are right now. This is an incredibly valuable philosophy in life. Experienced surfers go about their life in this way. They are aware that they can’t change the wind or the waves. They know, the only thing that’s in your power is how you react and go about things, to do your very best and to never take things too seriously. If you manage to adopt this mindset to all aspects of your life, you will feel more fulfilled and live a more content and happier life. Sounds like you consider this mindset a lifestyle? Well, to enjoy life to the fullest is rightfully part of the image of surfers, kitesurfers, windsurfers. To celebrate life out in the ocean, to live out this passion for watersports is something that’s missing in other peoples’ lives, who don’t have this passion. Trying to meet the demands of daily life, family, job, to earn money etc. isn’t easy, but that’s how life rolls and we all have to deal with these things. With a passion like kitesurfing, this weight of life on your shoulders gets lifted. You can see this zest for life in the face of a happy kiter out on the water. Most kitesurfers get hooked by this beautiful connection with the great outdoors. Being able to use the power of Mother Nature for your own pleasure and sporting experience is just something very special; the more extreme the conditions, the more exhilarating the experience. To enjoy this force of nature, and mastering the challenge of putting this force into motion instead of being crushed by it, is an invaluable lesson. As a surfer I’ve always enjoyed realizing my playful approach to life in general. The way I deal with people habitually, how I go about my relationships and business is just like I go about surfing – tackling life in a playful way rather than stubbornly trying to force things. And that implies keeping an openmind through life? Yes, you have to get out of your comfort zone for that. Diversity doesn’t happen in the comfort zone. Just like we are in charge of setting the boundaries of our comfort zone, it is up to us to overstep them. Out of the comfort zone things get a bit scary or risky. It’s unpleasant to go there. Maybe it’s the pain of a past relationship that left a big wound in your heart, which results in you withdrawing, not really opening up anymore and keeping a safe distance instead. Or you might have been digging too deep around in your own feelings, mind, heart and soul, and don’t feel comfortable resulting in you taking a step back. That’s how self-worth issues arise. You delude yourself and by it, distance yourself from your inner self. By losing touch with your self, however, you lose all chances for the joy and deep happiness that life has to offer. Disconnecting from yourself results in self- doubts and a negative self-image: not liking yourself, flaying yourself, being down on yourself. And then, it’s really difficult, to feel any joy for life. Can kitesurfers draw inspiration for life from their positive attitude and experiences on the water? Kitesurfers generally have a positive outlook on life. They embrace life and they believe they are here on Earth for a good time. And they are used to the fact that this fun usually takes place outside the comfort zone like traveling abroad to kite, to new spots or going out in scary, wild conditions. Kitesurfers are prepared to take risks: big waves, strong wind, dodgy conditions… There is always a risk involved and things can go wrong. That’s one of the keys to a happy life: The willingness to take risks and to step out of the comfort zone. Like for example opening yourself to a new relationship, also means you’re opening yourself to the possibility of getting hurt. This may sound absurd at first, but only if you’re all-in, can you experience the full intensity of love and feelings of a relationship. Windsurfers, surfers, kitesurfers usually have this all-in mentality. They fully commit to the feeling they’re chasing, the kick, the stoke, to truly connect with themselves and life by happily taking chances. A kitesurfer does that per se, because there is always a risk involved when launching a kite and hitting the water. Compared to a tennis court, the ocean or a lake is a risky place. Would you say that due to their passion, kitesurfers are in touch with themselves, which changes and helps the way they deal with everyday life. If you live by this philosophy, life changes. Many kitesurfers try to integrate kiting as much as possible into everyday life. That’s a personal choice, a life philosophy and approach to life. These kiters live for the time on the water, the feeling of freedom – and to get in touch with themselves out there in the water as intensely as possible. I have many friends, who live in Germany and not in Fuerteventura, e.g. They make sure they find this connection with themselves through something else in their daily lives. They are pure surfers, like the surfers in Hawaii. Yet, they have adapted the same philosophy for their lives in Germany. That’s what matters. It’s about: How open are you to life? How open and connected are you to yourself? How to create joy in daily life and learning to revel in every moment of your life, enjoying not only what’s wonderful, but savouring also the mundane, the ordinary. Our coaching work is about broadening people‘s horizons. For a kitesurfer that’s much easier. What you’re saying is that kitesurfers live an open diversity, whether they have a 9-to-5 job or live the life of a waterman? Absolutely. Kitesurfers essentially have raised the level of happiness that they aim for in life. They don’t focus on the glass of water half empty, but on a glass that’s full. It doesn’t matter where you live or what you do for a living. Even if you only get to go kiting one day a year, that’s not the point. What matters is that you keep reminding yourself of this life philosophy and that it all can be over any moment. There’s no time to wait to be happy, one day in the future. Now is the time! And the present moment is the only time that’s real. In the end of the day, tomorrow is an illusion. There is no certainty in tomorrow. We don’t know if we will wake up tomorrow. And yesterday is already past, gone. All that we’re left with is right now – this very moment. And in this very moment, it’s our kitesurfer’s attitude to life that drives us to make the most of every moment. I’ve met many surfers in my life with a very radical attitude towards life, who said: “I don‘t accept not to have fun for two months. I’m so deeply grounded and entwined within this approach to life, that I will live it every single moment”. This positive attitude can also be very inspiring for other aspects of life. P E O P L E 56 57 P E O P L E D I V E R S I T Y