PEOPLE | interview
Fly the Waves As record-breaking kitesurfer Anke Brandt prepares for her latest challenge – a world record kitesurf from Bahrain to Dubai – WTM caught up with the athlete to find out what motivates her and more.
WTM: How did you get involved in kitesurfing? AB: I saw a kitesurfer in New Zealand in 2007 and instantly liked the idea of it, as I sailed since I was 10 years old. In 2009 I finally took a course and learned to kitesurf. But it was only in 2010, when I moved to Bahrain, that I learned to properly ride and jump. So you can definitely say I learned and fell in love with kitesurfing in Bahrain.
28
Name: Anke Christine Brandt Age: 32 Nationality: German Lives: Amwaj Islands Record held: Longest distance kitesurfed by a female – 250km around Bahrain
You have previously set a record by surfing around the island, how much preparation did it take and how hard was it? As I kitesurf as much as possible, I always have a good level of fitness. Three months before the attempt, I focused on a training and food plan, this involved exercising five times a week and was a mix of weight training, cardio, yoga and, of course, kitesurfing. I enjoy being fit and was always very involved in sports activities so it was fun but it is not always easy to fit in all the exercise with a full workday and social activities. You have to set your priorities to succeed, for sure. To be able to do this is great to train with friends.
Whatever you do I think there will be always a point when you think you can’t go further and want to give up. In these moments it is very important that you have close friends and family who support you and who you can talk to. This helped me always to get back on track and helped me to regain trust in what I am doing.
Were there any points at which you wanted to give up and, if so, what kept you going?
You now plan to kite surf from Bahrain to Dubai. What made you decide on this
February 2016
challenge? The idea of Kitesurf Arabia came from a sailing competition. This made me want to go the distance by kite as it’s proof that the wind can carry you along all the way from Bahrain to Dubai. This is my dream. It is a difficult task to go all the way as we need a boat that can go the entire distance to the UAE, but it will be hopefully a recordbreaking mission. I have been kitesurfing many times in www.womanthismonth.com