CHASING a HURRICANE-FORCE STORM in the BALTIC SEA
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- 🚀 Northern Germany was hit by a storm (or hurricane?) today.
Kiel lighthouse measured 67 knots peaks and was consistently above 50 knots. Of course I had to go for it.
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🎥 Edited and filmed
Lumix S5II & S1H
GoPro 10 & Max
by Lars Wichmann
#MakeWindsurfingGreatAgain
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There are lots of you tube professionals out there pushing the limits way past what most of us can do, board, bike, skis etc. By showing us such things are possible it inspires people. Thats a pretty good role model.
Thanks for the vid and keep them coming.
You might as Well get Red Bull as a sponsor dude
I think Fritz Kola fits more Nico‘s attitude
100% agree, Fritz all the way.
An welchem Strand surfst du da im Kreis Plön?
This is actually red bull storm chase weather :) just on the wrong ocean ^^
Nico and Robby Naish in the same video pls :)
Take the wave board next time ;)
Bravo for the crazy video !
Motivation pure!!! It connects me to the reasons why I love this sport. Hearing you say „I felt like a beginner.“ striking me and giving me a new point of view on my own days at the limit. In my head I used to tear myself to pieces when I felt like a beginner. Thanks Nico for sharing so frank.
How you master those conditions with that gear shows an insane skill level. Your reaction to that man was a display of your maturity. Yes you are a rollmodel but every windsurfer has to decide for him(her)self where the limits are. Thank you for this inspiring video.
Wow, was für Bilder! Kein Zweifel, dass Du sehr gut einschätzen kannst, wann und wo Du aufs Wasser gehst... und wenn selbst ein Profi sich als beginner fühlt, ist die Botschaft für alle anderen eh klar. Danke für das Video! Danke für deine ehrlichen Kommentare und Gedanken. Danke auch an dein Team, mit dem Du deinen genialen Sport in die Öffentlichkeit bringst.
Ich war auch Pelzerhaken mit 3,7 und 77 Liter Waveboard unterwegs. Mit Slalomboard und 5.3? In tausend Jahren nicht…😳 Respekt!
Hey Nico, shout out from Cortes Island, British Columbia. What a trip down memory lane. I learned to windsurf in Kalifornien a few kilometers to the west of your session. I moved to BC as a child but had the opportunity to sail in Kalifornien every other summer until high school. After that the Gorge in Washington/Oregon became my stomping ground. In regards to your question, sail in whatever conditions you choose. Adults should be able to choose what level of danger they expose themselves to. Nobody stopped me from sailing overpowered on a 3.2 as a 17 year old amongst the barge traffic and current of the Columbia River. Some of my best windsurfing memories.
After watching that, I'm pretty sure Nico would feel at home sailing at the Columbia gorge.
Schon voll krass mit Slalom gear da raus zu gehen. Respekt
Wind für das 5,3er… Kein Problem 😉
"I was just a passenger", "Don't try this at home". You are a Rockstar Nico!
Strength 12 on the Beaufort scale, and with a 5.3 sail!!!!!, impressive, I would never have believed that you could hold that size without it ripping your arms off.
very strong but never 12
@@titouande800 12 Bft is exactly 64kts+ so, jea it was.
@@neofotografie it wasnt 64+ lol
I also was amazed, I’d have figured a smaller sail like a 4.7 or even a 4.1, the skill to sail in these conditions is incredible. Kudos Nico!
Nice, definitely one of the most extreme windsurf-vids on YT. Crazy conditions on the Baltic Sea and what a jump on the lake which was absolutely insane! Thanks and big kudos for sharing your thougts and emotions what describes the essential meaning to go out in these conditions really good - to find your own personal limits out there. Lars has done a superb job with the camera of course, nice to see him filming under these conditions in the vid. Seems to be that very long harness lines are essential for you, aren't they?
Vielen Dank für dieses besondere Video, Nico und Lars und viele Grüsse aus Norwegen.
Well done.
❤
Fantastic Nico. That was awesome mate! I love those days when its off its face and most guys don't go out. Tho I'm older now 55, I'd give it a crack as I'm lucky to have one of Jasons personal custom wave board around 68 litres (old board but perfect for those days), which is great in those conditions, hmmm well easier than slalom gear. No way 5.3 think I'd be smallest possible 3.5 (think I'd struggle with my depowered 4.5 tho), as I'm only 60 kg. I've sailed in 50 plus knots several times before (ocean and lakes, inlets etc), and it was yes challenging fun esp on a lake or flatter water. Becomes too much survival sailing in the ocean after a short time tho. Loved the video mate!
Respect Nico with 5,3. As a young guy on 27.08.1989 y was the only guy out in Strande, but with a 2,6 m2 and a heavy Wave board.
This sail y used only twice in my life.
Go on guy.😊
the gnarliest thing is that you do it all with bare feet......you've got great skill nico.....i'll keep dreamin of getting even 1% of how good you are...thanks for the motivation and v well done
Huge respekt for slalom gear. I have chased few storm (50-60+ knots) here on local lake. I have heard same opinion from random guys many times. Once police officer stop by and told us "who is the organizer of this event" lol noone, there was like 20-30 surfers/friends. And then he asked us if we thought about it. I told him "Yeah every second since it showed on windguru 4days ago". My friend told him that this wasnt even highest wind he ever sailed. Sadly there was one guy - not from "our group" - he was beginner and he needed to be rescued. It was on lake so ambulance picked him up on the shore.
One time it was funny because I worked as insurance adjuster and took vacation for that day. And next day when I was answering phone calls from ppl whose properties were damaged, one lady asked me how terrible was my day. I told her it was best day of my life :D
If you are prepared, and you can do basic riding, 100% waterstart in any conditions, and you use your brain to decide whats OK and what is not. Then its possible to minimize risks to OK level.
BTW my worst moments on windsurfing were not in extreme conditions. Once I totally destroyed sail in Altenteil on Fehmarn like 1km away from shore - it was a long paddling on my board (since then I always ask dudes on beach and do homework about possible currents). And the most scary moments was in Klitmoller again kinda far away from shore where I lost my gear and according to gopro I was swimming like 20mins - it took me a while to even see it, and lucky for me wind was strong so I ended up like 500m away from my car.
I always love this feeling when u arrive to beach and you see current conditions for the first time, the adrenalin when you setting up your sail. Inside voices telling me "go home", they always stop after I do beach start, after that its really nice feeling.
Its really great bonding experience with friends who sailed too. Winter is coming and so does storms :)
Your slalom gear, man I cant even comprehend it !
Wow. Simply wow. You show the difference of windsurfing, that one can enjoy from 6 to 66 knots. Thank you, you are giving me motivation again after I silly have broken a mast in a low shorebreak on last Friday
Go Nico ! 🙂
I was (am) your size. Fit and slightly bigger than most.
I was ALWAYS told as a teen to slow down (skiing and snowboarding) as the other kids would try and follow me and 'may hurt themselves' because they saw me as a "role model" !!!
I wasn't going to stop living simply because others don't know where their limits are ....
Well done for EXPLAINING to that older guy that there MUST be people who push the limits, so people like him know when to back down 🙂
Cheers and thanks for the excellent video.
Gnarly 🙂
insane conditions but it's also a good way to learn and feel that you can handle a storm, feel what your gear is capable of(often more than you think). I often give advice to go out in high winds even if it's not the best session you learn so much out of it and ofc you always have to have an plan b if something fails. but on a lake in onshore winds it's often quite safe just to try and get perspective. great video nico👌
5.3 in 67 knots 😳😳😳😳 ! You are an alien ! Incredible mate ! KUDOS!!! 😎
Wieder ein geiles Video! Schön, dass es gelungen ist, diesen Ausnahmetag so authentisch einzufangen.
Stichwort Vorbildfunktion: (Hoffentlich) Jeder, der bei solchen Bedingungen rausgeht, hat sich langsam an so etwas rangetastet. Allen anderen hast du davon abgeraten.
Meine Faustregeln für mich: Nie alleine raus und nur soweit, wie ich zur Not bei den herrschenden Bedingungen auch wieder zurückschwimmen kann.
Fange schon mal langsam mit Daumendrücken für Japan an.
Wassup nico. The storm also passed my house, and i managed to go out on the water with my 7m². I live in a gulf of islands, so the wind only peaked at 36 knots that day, and it was crazy out there...
Flat water, did a 29 knot speedrun on my technobic 133l.
Um glad you didnt hurt yourself or smth.
Love your vids, seeya
I think as a proffessional you are the one to make the call for yourself of it is okay to go or not. Not someone else Who is out there watching (is That safe as well being out in a storm???) you did an great job telling the viewers Not to do this stuff (then in my opinion you did your job and you can enjoy the gusts)
I am so stoked to get On the water again in this conditions. Love to see it keep in going!
Hats of to you, Sir, for even daring to bear away in that wind, never mind actually completing all those gybes!
Material und Mensch am Limit. Mal wieder ein richtig geiles Video. Der Anfang könnte auch fast Red Bull Storm Chase sein. Top weiter so. 🤙🤙👍👍
Nice one,
Loving the HIGH wind sessions. But personaly to have fun i have to feel in secure so im gonna ride it on a lake 😊
Dann am besten am Urner See
Great video. As long as the wind is blowing you up on the beach, you can find your way back. I do a life jacket and helmet on big days and normally get my butt kicked by the waves much more than you did!
... was für ein Sprung - Hammer und Glückwunsch!
Pushing the limits is part of windsurfing. I agree that in the beginning you overestimate your capabilities. And the feeling of not being in control is terrifying.
However, Nico you are a world class windsurfer and your limits are beyond everything i can imagine as an intermediate surfer. So of course you should be "allowed" to go out. Its also the content we want to see, so i think you did everything all right in warning us not to repeat after you.
I started windsurfing in 1982. The arrival of the first short wave boards and fully battened rigs made sailing in these conditions possible and addictive. Watching this I was initially thinking that i would have gone out in those conditions, but the rocks being there might have stopped me. I sailed at west Kirby in the UK on the marine lake so had that option too if the sea was too dangerous.
Hey Nico that was amazing to see, a one man storm chase! Thanks a lot for that.
Solche Tage muss man erlebt haben. Da kann man das Risiko besser bewerten. Ich habe so einen zwei mal erlebt und da weiß man wo die eigenen Grenzen sind. Aber schön zu sehen wie du dass durchziehst wenn kein anderer da draußen ist. Maximaler Respekt.
I have gone out in similar conditions; it really forces good technique and wind awareness. The key takeaway is to rig small and know your limits. I would have rigged a 3.5 and a 75 liter wave board.
Jürgen Höhnscheid (Pro Windsurfer) hat sich bei solchen Verhältnissen auf Sylt Halswirbel gebrochen da draußen.
Held spielen endet nicht immer gut.
Absolutely blasting
🔥🔥🔥
And now another storm is here in the Netherlands! Let’s play with the elements 🤙🏻
Awesome footage Nico, especially choosing slalom gear 🔥🔥🔥
I have sailed similar strength winter storms on the Dutch coast myself a couple of years ago. But there were no hidden jetties underwater 😱
Nice jump Nico, great sailing in such strong and gusty winds. Kool 😊
Ich finde deine Videos super cool und ich finde es immer wieder faszinierend, wie man auf einem Surfbrett so etwas hinbekommt.
Amazing windsurfing!
Hi Nico ! It's actually was nice weather 🤙! We had in Estonia same condition and a lot of fun was ! The only difference, i get bigger board 343cm and 187 L, because i had a 4.3 sail and In that case this board sit better in water. I use there very special A.R.T. 4.3 sail, special there is that sail have 4 CAM -s ! This sail is very stabil and can handle without problem up to 48 kn. wind, if gusts was some 56 kn, then it was really overpowered and sail was fully open to maintain stability.
Good on you mate! I love those conditions. There is a lifeboat crew documentary series here in the UK, and my favourite quote of one of their crew members, describing a rescue scenario, was: “It was windy. It was that windy that even the windsurfers stayed off the water that day!” 😂
This was really on your limits and it suprised me how you could handle the gear. Anyway advanced windsurfer’s should know where their limits are and should responsible themselves. Warning of you was good enough. By the way nice filming job and catching this hudge jump on a lake.
The Hawaiian word for what you did is lolo 🤣, but that was a sick jump. It is good advice for beginners to know that if you push the limits, sometimes the limits push back.
if you want to be supreme you need to go to the extreme ! this was fire 🔥🔥🔥
Mach weiter so. Das macht Lust auf mehr.
Nice man! You can really see the technique needed to control this. Saw some things I can use for my own technique as well, thanks!
I love it, holding on for your dear life you rock.
The description regarding your jump on the lake ( and the floaty rocket) is similar to one of my what i though would be a hit the lip ordinary jumps sailing on the 21/10 here in sweden. The gust took control and i just hanged on haha, i didnt bother to look down just kept sailing with the wind and landed full planing with a Starboard ultrakode carbon 93L and 4,2 sail. 😅
WOW that looked awesome you have bigger balls than me 😂👍keep up the great ŵork love your vlogs
5.3 in 40-50 knots! That’s some Bruce Peterson/Hucker sailing right there!
OMG in capital letters, the sea looked like a washing machine, really crazy conditions. I sometimes go out in similar conditions, but always with a buddy. Just for safety.
But what a cool video again.
Be safe out there.
awsome! it would be cool to see some clips of your fotwork also on video 🤘
You will only learn your limits by experiance and trying.
But good call, and super to show that wen it gets to hot even you go to the lake.
Safety first, but this looked like a hard and fun session.
And well done Lars
I was waiting for this vid! Looks pretty gnarly 😮
In the Baltic Sea, maaaan that was craaazy. Big up for You Nico!🤛🤙
Thank for sharing ❤
Wow ! Hope one day, will do the same on our St-Lawrence. A good North North-East (on shore wind -safest) stormy style, but with my 4.0 / 4.7 wave sail and my 80 liters wave board (no slalom for me in those conditions). We are leading to the end of the season (first snow today) but still hope for one last session...
Cool stuff, mate!
Reminds me of being on Karpathos, out at around 40-45 knots and waves from two directions with a 3.4 wavesail in my twenties. Pretty wild! I wanted to do small jumps but they were getting high! And I was blown leewards massively.
So, if you had 20-30 kts more and a 5.3 racesail - respect!
very very very hard work
So strong with such a sail 💪💪🤙
I'm just amazed that you used a slalom gear to get out with these conditions ! Wonderfull video. Take care !
"Oh Hey a massive sea storm with 80kmph winds. IM GONNA RIDE IT!" said no sane man EVER
Cool! I have sailed in 35 knots with 45 knots gusts, but my sail was 4.1, I think you went too big. Also, in my case, it was a beautiful sunny day. At one point I fell and my board went flying astray, just tumbling across the water, seemed like it wouldn't stop flipping and flopping. I had to do some swim hard to get it back! Keep the videos coming!! 🤙
Nico this is incredible!
You are the top, amazing
5.3 and a single fin in that 😂 fair play
Very nice sailing and as you pointed out. Not for everyone !
was waiting for this video sice you told me on instagram that was there a video from that session
Gets my vote… from my sportsman’s armchair 😝
Awesome footage and challenge for sure
Dont really see a problem with you showing windsurfing in this conditions. No sane person would attempt to sail in this conditions without the proper skills. I mean I wouldn't try a 15m cliff jump with a bike because a red bull athlete did it. Only thing is that you potentially increase the demand on the rescue services.
Thank you for the video.
Those are the conditions for that I'm living for. You are super 🤙💪
Nico great video and your sailing-wow
You crazyyyyyy man, no, ik you do not push the limit there is noway to know where they are
10:44 - You might have just invented a new move (or a variant of one): the double chop hop.
I noticed on the lake session you have your boom relatively high while for hard wind conditions a low position is recommended.
Your toes must to freezing! xD Awesome video man. In Sweden i tried this kind of wind, it was quite impossible for me.
My friend that's definitely what we do at home. We call it Föhn. Happened yesterday for example. And again on Thursday. Wind up to 120 km/h but warm temp. and nice weather. Even in winter. So enjoy the baltic. Better you than us ;))) And btw - no need for slalom.
Respect! I was out one week before that weekend on Fehmarn..Not quite as much (and westerly direction) but for me personally (Rheinländer mit max.20 guten Tagen / Jahr auf dem Wasser) a similar challenge. In regards to the role model ... I can feel it. Maybe at least wearing a helmet or at least mentioning it would have been good. In these conditions I sometimes wear the helmet already when rigging because of falling tree debris which can also cause a lot of damage. Anyway, for sure not an option for you not to get on the water and not share it with us!
You are crazy boy. 🙂I would go out there with Wave Gear only.
Can you say a bit more about the harness lines you are using. Even in your surfshop I can not find them (with the clamcleat). Think I found them, must be P7…
I found that this official (I presume he was one) who reminded you of you being a role model was a bit too condescending. Would he remind a formula 1 racing driver that he shouldn' go so fast, too? I will admit that he needs to make sure the person he speaks to knows what their doing. Once that was clear, he should have stopped arguing. Instead he still went on. People like him don't take windsurfing pros seriously enough because maybe the sport isn't as popular as some other extreme sports. No amateur windsurfer would expose himself to such conditions if the highest windforce they ever dealt with was maybe 35 or 40 knots. 40 knots it was for me once (on a lake). You could have offered me a fortune to join you out there and I still would have said no. Pushing your limits, however, is a good way to improve your skills, as long as you remain aware of what your limits are. It was fun for me to watch and I'm now more certain than ever that this is way above my head and I'll leave it to guys like you.
"Engel links Teufel rechts"
Mega Video, hammer Naturbilder und ein Windsurfer der es echt drauf hat! Ein Augenschmaus!
Auf der anderen Seite, wenn da welche sind (Sanis und Feuerwehr, die sagen wir kommen nicht raus) hmmm, wir haben in Deutschland die Pflicht zu helfen. Klar steht die Eigensicherung an erster Stelle, aber solche Menschen gehen auch mit Herzblut in ihren Job und würden alles versuchen dich zu retten. Wie man sieht du kennst dein Material und bist ja auch heile zurück an den Strand gekommen, aber das können die Rettungskräfte ja nicht unbedingt vorher einschätzen. Da finde die Session am See wo du auf dich gestellt bist besser. Weil keiner sich darüber Gedanken machen muss, wie oder wer dich retten könnte ohne sich selbst in zu große Gefahr zu bringen.
Ist nur meine Meinung 😉🤙
For sure you have to be on a larger sail than the rest to show dominance... but when you're alone who did you oneup here with the 5.3 haha. Or is it to make sure no one can rig after you and oneup ^^
Now you tried these conditions, when are you going to ludiritz?
Fritz Cola looks more effective than Red Bull 😂😂😂💪🏻💪🏻
When you want to learn you need to get out of your comfort zone. Apparently for you this means slalom gear at the Baltic in 10 Bft. The only way to find your limits is by trial. You showed perfectly the dilemmas that come with that. Always consider what would happen if your gear breaks: can you make it to the shore in time without help from others ? If yes, go for it. You run the risk of getting an experience you will never forget. One of your best videos !
😍😍😍
Geiler Dreh, es hat alles gestimmt, ich war in Niendorf an dem Samstag. Unfassbar, dass Du raus gegangen bist. Weiter so.
Love the waves..its good that the shore is not so difficulty to enter qnd go out...u drive 5.3 cam?
amazing skills, deep respect Nico in that conditions with slalomgear and a 5.3 ( p.s. good comments people)🤙
Mega skills, next Level Video
Looks like pure fun! Personally I just love the feeling of being on the edge of control, geting that high on adrenaline. Huge cred to Lars for filming in these conditions! And yes Nico, you are a fantastic role model even if some oldguy think you are on the edge of wreckless. If you don't try it you won't know if it is possible and then we would never evolve and you just showed that if you practice hard enough you can do also this. Keep up the good work.
Just wondering, did you have a self rescue plan in case of gear failure or injury? I mean it's very clear nobody wants to come for you when it goes downhill... The second spot looks a lot better in that you might just wash ashore in a controlled way in such event. I think it's important to learn people to always think ahead. Especially in conditions at or beyond your limits (wind, current, waves and cold). What will you do when the UJ fails or your boom breaks? What happens when you twist your knee or injure your back? You might even loose your gear completely... Also don't exhaust yourself. Head back for the beach while you still have some reserve, you might need it.... Maybe nice to see a vid where you explain your thinking and preparation on these sessions.
Ps. extra tip: put your phone number on your board. If you loose your gear but make it to shore swimming, rescue services can check on you. This will prevent an unnecessary search and rescue operation for a "lost surfer" whose board was found 10 km downwind...
Wow. Super video. Also cadeau to Lar. He follow you over all and makes great videos. I am glad, that you mentioned, not do it at home.. in the cold conditions is much more challenged. 🎉
Dude, why are you using slalom gear? I would take 3.2 and wave board :D
In America we call these people Karens. They tell you something is dangerous even when you’re clearly in control. Honestly, I think role model is a term that is a bit empty of meaning. Each person must decide for themselves what level of risk they are willing to accept. If you can handle yourself and you know it, good, do it. If you can’t and you decide to try something, that’s on you.
Nice storm sailing though! 💪🏼
Nico, ich weis, du bist Profi. Aber du hast keinen 2. Masten dabei. Wenn der bricht und es Dich runter, in die Steine oder an die Brücke zieht ist Ende im Gelände. Sei doch bitte Vorbild und zieh wenigstens ne Schwimmweste und nen Helm an
Nice video but it doesn't get you anywhere. As a professional, you should train mentally for the next PWA race. Many would like to see you on the podium with Michele Becker on Sylt. I would be very happy about that, you deserve it.
Other people in such storms are in real problems und nead help with their homes, property and even their lives. Hundreds of people helped others in this Jahrhundertsturm while you were "pushing your limets". I know this is your job, but in this case you should have been a better rolemodel and maybe helped the Freiwillige Feuerwehr or THW and made a video of that. And as an experienced windsurfer I must say going out there with the wrong equipment is preety stupid and a bad example as well... sorry you can do better.
You need a small sail
3.5 or 3.0m
That thing you were on was huge