At the last minute, the tour was still able to continue: thanks to the strong wind, the 5th edition of the kitesurfing marathon could be organized. Five hundred participants make an attempt to reach the finish. They surf 130 kilometers in one day, from Hoek van Holland to Den Helder.
The wind window, the ten weeks that the wind is in the right direction for the trip, will only run until November 6. “It was certainly exciting for a while”, says organizer Jasper Weeteling. “Logistically, it is a huge challenge to mobilize everyone five days in advance.”
The fifth edition of kitesurf marathon Hoek tot Helder was sold out within 12 minutes. Kitesurfmarathon Hoek tot Helder is the longest route in the world that can be sailed in one day. The tour starts in Hoek van Holland and stretches along the coast to the finish in Den Helder.
It is only at the last minute that it is decided when the marathon will take place. That depends on the wind strength and wind direction. The fact that the wind is now in the right direction does not make the trip any easier. Weeteling: “It is a tough journey, about 10 percent drop out before the finish.”
The last part of the journey is especially tough, according to Weeteling. “Because this is completely downwind. You then have the wind at your back and otherwise you have to stand on your board.” Nevertheless, this afternoon at 14.00 the first kiter arrived at the finish in Den Helder. They left early this morning, the first ones around 7 am.
Watch here how the kiters started this morning with a strong wind in Hoek van Holland:
Hoek tot Helder is organized in collaboration with the Brain Foundation. Participants have to contribute 1000 euros in donations for the foundation and that has an effect: the counter is already at more than 650,000 euros by mid-afternoon.
With the first five years behind us, the organization is not standing still. Weeteling: “Last year we had 400 participants, this year already 500. We are looking to expand the event even further in the future and have already come up with some new initiatives. But what exactly is still a secret.”