Interview of Karin Jaggi
Using a profile method, can you describe yourself on a physical and a psychological point of view?
Karin Jaggi - Originally Swiss - but as I am constantly travelling since 12 years I feel more as "Erdenbewohner" - everywhere I feel at home now. Mostly in Western Australia. I was born far from the ocean but today I can't imagine to not live close to the "deep blue" anymore. Since a little kid I always liked to do sport - all sports. But when I started Windsurfing at the age of 17 I wanted to do nothing else anymore. Today I like all kind of board sports: towin-surfing, snowboarding, surfing, windsurfing. I know what I want and believe that there is always a way to get it - even though the way can be very hard and very long. How I see myself: dedicated, stubborn, self-assured (well not always.), confident, dreamer, quiet, thinker, tolerant.
What makes you better than the average?
Experience, self-control, mental strength, the possibility to analyse myself and my mistakes, and dedication: there is a will there is a way! Nothing is impossible
What does windsurf brought you?
My life. Everything I am today. The possibility to travel, to live my live dream, to get to know all different culture, learn different languages, meet endless people, the chance to make some incredible friendships and best friends all around the world, and the possibility to windsurf nearly every day.
Also there are a lot of other things coming along at the same time: always travel alone, be on the road the whole year round, carrying tons of equipment, having to go and sail in cold places, sometimes getting frustrating with sponsors, doing a lot of media work, etc - but that are not downsides for me - it's what "being a professional windsurfer" makes so special. You can't just windsurf. If you want to survive in this sport you really have to be dedicated and think of all aspects.
Do you think owing something to this sport ?
Yes - to the sport, which means to the people in this sport. It's hard to give them back - I believe the way to do it will be to help other young people the way those windsurf enthusiasts have helped me.
Do you consider creating your own brand?
No. I can see myself working for a brand but I believe there are enough brands out there already. And not everybody is doing everything wrong - so there is really no need to create another one. If I want to change something then I might as well work together with an existing one.
For you, when did windsurf stopped being a simple leisure to become a real passion?
It really was love at the first sight! I had done many sports before but from the day I tried windsurfing for the first time I didn't wanted to do anything else anymore. And I immediately dreamed of making a living from this sport. I'm also sure that this passion will last forever!
Do you think it's hard to become a professional windsurfer? And why?
Yes. Because you are all by yourself. Not many people help you - there is nothing organised for you: no coach, no trainer, no association, etc. You don't get professional windsurfer because you are a talented young sailor. You get it because you want it so badly! Because it's all you want to live for. And because you are flexible, creative and a tough fighter that follows persistently and with total dedication his dream.
Competitions' organization isn't very good, what's your opinion regarding this?
There is a lot to improve. Mostly the overall structure of the sport. But it's also a very small sport - a sport with some extreme people in it. I think we should be glad to do this well and have so many passionate persons trying to do a good job for not much or no pay at all. But for sure we need to improve a lot - especially for the future kids.
In soccer, seasons are overloaded, is it the case in windsurf?
For myself - yes. I know everybody else has a different opinion about that. But I am competing in 5 disciplines (slalom, speed, super-x, wave, freestyle) and have a hard time in summer to manage to keep up to the different event schedules. From the beginning of April to end of October I have absolutely no time for myself. I find it sad that most people decided to completely specialise themselves and do just one discipline. That's where most problems come from. I would love to wavesail every day in perfect down-the-line conditions. But where do you have this? Does that mean the Canaries, lake Garda and most of Europe is useless for windsurfing. I couldn't do just waves. I love windsurfing for many reasons - one is that you can sail pretty much everywhere with the right gear.
Will windsurf came back to his golden age or will it stay a summer sport?
No more golden ages - but a well-deserved place in the world of sport. Windsurfing is still developing - better equipment especially for beginners, new moves, new disciplines, earlier planning boards. But nevertheless it will always stay an exclusive sport - rather expensive, dependent on a car to carry the gear to the beach and complexes to learn. It's not a sport for everybody but I am sure it will be a well-recognised sport forever.
What wish would you have to improve windsurf?
Quicker start - if you get a person planning she/he most probably will windsurf forever.It's amazing to see how much a windsurfer invests into his sport - everything else in his life gets second priority. We have to "hook" newcomers as quickly to the sport as possible. And that you do by getting them planning early.
Then the image of the sport shouldn't only be wavesailing. Get the golden ages back by showing people that you can also "cruise" on a windsurfer and don't need to make double forwards, switch stance whatever or ride huge waves to have fun. And we have to make it accessible to everybody - especially taking care of kids and women - they are the future of our sport!
What would be the best innovation in windsurf equipment?
Endless! I can see so many things happening. But a crucial one will be to give the equipment more range - so that whatever conditions there are, whatever level the sailor has, whatever discipline you want to do you only need a minimum amount of equipment.
Freestyle session, write whatever you want.
Live your dream - and try to share it - that makes it double as special!
Stif for airjibe.com