What to do when you are 12 years old and hooked on windsurfing, but without equipment or pockets stashed with cash. That’s when you have to have a little luck and be inventive. Adam came across an old board at an auction and bought it for one dollar. Then he borrowed an old sail from his neighbor, and that was the start of his windsurfing carrier.
Aricle from Serchmagasin Sweden 2011.
| Adam grew up at Sandhamn, a small but maritime community outside Stockholm, from a family with deep roots from yacht racing and with four generations of Olympic contenders, - carrying a lot of accountability. He has always loved the sea, but his focus was instantly drawn towards windsurfing. |
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The old board captured at the action became his ticket to ride, and after a while he managed to convince his father and ex Olympian Bjoern Holm that windsurfing was his ultimate goal.
Coincidently that was just at the time the Kona ONE concept was being introduced in Sweden, and Adam was one of the first to test it out. “After just one session I was hooked. The board took my windsurfing experience to a complete new level. I will never forget the first time I got it planning. Its an unbelievable feeling to literally stand on the water and experience the sensation of speed. Never thought about anything else after that.”
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It was bronze, followed by a silver medal the following year in extremely rough conditions in Miami, Florida with 2/3 meters braking waves and winds up to 27 knots. Adam had developed into a complete windsurfer in record time.
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It didn’t last long before he started competing in the Kona class. Adam soon revealed extraordinary talents with dedication, discipline and tactical skills which certainly proved to be a winning combination. He won his first medal already at the age of 15 in 2009 at his home waters in Motala, Sweden.
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For this years Worlds in Nivaa, Denmark – Adam was well prepared. “My training started already during the winter. It became endless hours of running and working out in the gym.
The adrenaline also got tested during the Swedish winter. Adam is one of Swedens best jibbers, and made his way to the final in the national jibbers academy.
I love to compete. Skiing add coordination, balance, strenght and focus and is a great complimentary sport to my windsurfing carrier.
Adam spent the summer training freequently in his home waters outside Stockholm. Lots of experienced Kona sailors there, including father and coach Bjoern Holm, who won the 2008 Kona Worlds.
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”It works very well. Being able to compete against each other at equal terms is what I really appreciate about the Kona concept. Even my young sister has started competing and it is a wonderful feeling to be out there racing each other.”
Looking back at this years Worlds, all the preparations definitely paid off. Adam’s consistency was impressive with 10 top five finishes after discounts. (5-3-3-3-2-(6)-3-2-2-5-(14)-3) Once again he had bagged a Silver medal. The Gold medalist was the Danish windsurfing legend Tim Aagesen with several titles from various classes to his credit.
”It is super cool that Tim has chosen the Kona class. I learn a lot racing him, and he will for sure bring other good sailors into the class. ” Adam has tried almost everything when it comes to windsurfing and kite surfing, but decided for the Kona ONE. |
”I’m one one board with one sail regardless conditions. It works in anything from 4 to 40 knots, and thats what makes the concept so unique. We are all at the same equipment with equal opportunities. I really like that.”
At the question of what it takes to win that Gold medal, Adam did not hesitate; ”More time on the water, polishing my technique, a strong will to win and the passion for what I am doing.”
Kona One is a one design class with identical boards, but the sail sizes are different to match singular body weights, - ensuring 100% fair sailing.
A standard race is sailed on an ”upwind/ downwind” course and the juniors are started simultaneoulsly, but sail a shorter distance. This has brought several families into the class, enjoying the opportunity to race and have fun together. Likewise it has encouraged ex windsurfers to re-join the sport – this time accompanied by family members, as it opens up for the kids – now with tailor made sail sizes to cater for the very youngest.
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Still, the Kona ONE concept is not only about racing but also the ideal platform for teaching. More and more Kona schools have appeared in Sweden, almost like at the sports peak in the mid 80’s.
” I love what the concept brings in terms of friendship and pleasure and want to share it with others. It is also very rewarding to reach out to new windsurfers joining our class and community. ”
The Kona ONE has become a recognized class by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and is one of the fastest growing one design classes today. Sweden has been fostering numerous talented youths. Just within a few years we have managed to build a very strong team, and we are proud of our achievements says Anders Goethberg in the Swedish Kona One Association.
Adam, perhaps the biggest talent today would say that the competition is not all – but the Kona spirit is what makes us tick. For sure it is important for me to win, but the ”after sailing” sessions when we meet and have fun are priceless. It is friendship, not competitions that makes the Kona class and community so unique.
”I think the essence of the easy Kona concept is why so many of us went for it. At the same time it is challenging as you develop. We organize everything from small bay events to major championships, to fit all skill levels. The board is excellent for teaching, but the punch line is the one design competition aspect. Good sailors easily reach speeds of around 30 knots if the conditions are right. Cool.”
The next years Worlds will be hosted in windy Fuerteventura at the Canary Islands. I am already looking forward to that. I have been there before training in the winter time, and know that the conditions are windy and stable. It is going to be a very exciting championship.
At this years Kona Worlds, more than 60 competitors from 10 countries and 3 continents took part - and with competitors from countries like China, Slovenia and USA. The future goal is to top 100 competitors, and new countries like Turkey, New Zealand, Australia and Canada will contribute with their teams. The more competitors the better says Adam, already focusing on those sunny islands outside the west coats of Africa.
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