Whilst planning their wedding, Jurre (31) and Suus (32) suddenly decided to change course – to sell everything, refit a sailboat (called Yndeleau) and sail the world instead, discovering the most amazing and remote kitespots with their own ‘house’, and working remotely to keep the dream alive! They are no professional kitesurfers, and unfortunately for them, no trust fund or self-made millionaires either. But… they are living their dream. TheKiteMag follows their journey.
I can hardly see my kite – rain is pouring down and the gusts are so strong that I have to land the kite on the water several times. While the waves are building up, I’m partly enjoying myself but partly berating myself for being so stupid. I should have known better…
“Suus! Could you please help?” I am swimming with the lines of the kite in my hand. I have tangled my lines with the set-up and now the kite is drifting behind the boat. It is hard to sort out on my own. We are anchored at Union island, in the bay next to the small town of Clifton and the kite center of Jeremie Tronet, the inventor of the Jesus Walk. When Suus helps me, a bit reluctantly, it seems that I have to fully retract the kite and start again. Suus has a video call meeting in 5 minutes, so she needs to stay in. I was working the whole morning, and while I was trying to focus on my laptop I saw Jeremie doing some amazing tricks just in front of the boat. Now it is my turn, I think.
Being cautious about all the lines on board.
Happy island, next to Clifton on Union island.
Checking the solar panels from above.
After detangling the lines and setting up the kite again, I am ready. The dark clouds that are closing in do not stop me. I haven’t done all this work to give up now, and I am afraid the wind will die after this small shower. And come on, how bad can it be?! I want to practice my darkslide, front-roll or double backroll. I am dreaming of landing tricks as Jeremie does, and while working earlier instead of kiting, I really thought this afternoon would be my time to land these tricks. But the reality is I am just battling the gusts. When the rain eases, a tiny bit of sun peeks through the clouds. I have to make sure I get to the boat before the wind dies quickly after this squall. “Ok, this was not the smartest decision”, I think, while I connect my bar to the boat.
For more than a week we have been working in the morning and kiting in the afternoon. The kite season is officially over here in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, but we are lucky to have a few windy days. After enjoying a party on Happy Island, a tiny beautiful island in the bay made of shells, we are ready to continue our trip.
Jurre on his way to Happy Island.
It is always good to have a “buddy” on board.
Launching behind the boat.
To grab, or not to grab.
Before heading to the main island Saint Vincent, we enjoy a kite session in Mayreau. St Vincent is the largest island with lots of waterfalls and amazing nature. The story goes that it is so fertile here, that you can put a pencil in the ground and a tree will grow out. Together with two kite buddies we hire a car and explore the island. The lush nature reminds us of pictures of New Zealand – it is truly beautiful. The next day, we go to customs and immigration to ‘check out’ of the country. We are heading for Curacao. The hurricane season is at its peak and with five potential hurricanes approaching, we decide to sail to this Dutch island to do some maintenance on the boat and check out the local kitescene. More on that next time.
How do you like the (temporary) moustache?
Words: Jurre Witte
You can follow Jurre and Suus’ adventure on Facebook, Instagram and on Youtube.
