I have always been interested in sports activities. I do jogging since I am ten years old. Other sports like swimming (and I was really good) and horse-riding were my favourite hobbies as a teenager. On summer holidays I learned windsurfing, on winter holidays we went for skiing and snowboarding. I like Yoga, skating with my longboard, etc.

When I am close to a lake I often remember a wonderful situation when I was younger: We both started driving a canoe on a beautiful lake for the first time. It was a competition organized by a hotel. We had no experience with that kind of ‚boat‘. First we were relaxed and took it as a game. But right after the start all the other teams drove by, while we didn’t really move forward. We watched all the others overtaking us, laughing at us, leaving us behind. We felt ashamed, but we didn’t give up. Then our canoe seemed to drive in circles. After discussing, arguing and me almost crying, we started focussing on moving forward again and became a canoe team by and by – we finally found out how it worked. Slowly, parallel and powerful we put the oars into the water. And then we gained more speed. After a time we came closer to the next teams ahead of us. And because we both were very good swimmers and that’s why in a good condition, we became stronger as a team. When we passed the first canoe-team, we kept silent, after the second one we started giggling. You whispered: ‚Don’t show it. Focus on what you are doing. Just keep going. Do as if you don’t even see them!‘

But later on, when we had left another team behind us, you started laughing out loud and said: ‚Go, go on! We will win that race! The others get tired now, but we are a strong team!‘ And although I wasn’t as strong as you I put all my energy into that contest. And we became faster and really enjoyed that canoe-trip. And before we reached the small island around noontime we had passed almost all the others again. Now those teams applauded and laughed at us – but in an admiring way. You and I felt so proud because I was the youngest female starter, too. We were invited for a big lunch (fortunately, because I was really exhausted after that race). A beautiful, funny and successful day – I will keep it in mind forever.

A few weeks ago I started Stand Up Paddling. I often wanted to try it but then I was afraid of failing and I thought I maybe need a SUP-class. I did research. I called places where they offered classes. And one sunny day I drove to one of the locations and asked for classes again. And one of the guys working there asked me: Have you ever done windsurfing? Yes! Do you know snowboarding? Yes, and I often drive along the streets with my longboard… And he started laughing and said: Hey lady, you don’t need a class. You just need to borrow a board! – Hm, okay, maybe I try it next week…

– Maybe next week? What’s the problem? Do it NOW! The weather today is just perfect to start. There is no reason to hesitate.

And I put my bag away and said: Ok, I am ready!

He gave me some instructions. And he was so funny, he made me laugh all the time. I was a bit excited when he put the board on the water. I stepped on it and fell on my knees, took the paddle and started more or less slowly. But the nice guy and another teacher kept their eyes on me and motivated me: Go ahead! It’s easy, you just have to get the feeling for the board and the paddle!

And slowly I moved up, standing on my feet. And whoaaa, I fell into the water. Damn it! Back on the board I heard the voices behind me: ‚Hey lady, go on! Do this – and that. It’s about balance!‘ And I started to focus on my body, the board and the paddle. Remembering the situation with the canoe years ago made me smile, thinking about exercising yoga and driving with my longboard gave me a good feeling for achieving the balance again. So I found out quickly how it worked. And then I drove there with my board, the sun glowing on me, finding the rhythm, keeping the balance on the water, changing the paddle from one side to another. And it was fun to move ahead on the water, watching other boats and the Alpes on the horizon. While paddling, I met other young people on their boards and we started talking and laughing. And after that first try I got an invitation for a drink: You did great! Congrats!

It’s always good and important to have motivationg people around you. Someone who says: Just dare! Even if it’s only SUP and not climbing a mountain. Nobody really wants to make a fool of himself. Nobody likes it to be watched by others while falling (in any situation!) or getting back on a surfboard in an unathletic way (I also remember those really painful falls on the tailbone with my snowboard on frozen snow…when it hurts so much that tears run over the face although you don’t wanna cry).

So, for me it was great to try a new activity around water sports. This is my trend for this summer: Discover a new hobby and new places. Combine sports activities with watching our beautiful nature and spend as much time as possible with enthusiastic and motivating people. And when you tumble, stand up (paddle) again!