The Power Of Choice

For such a sport that is so dependent on nature, windsurfing so far has done very little to look at the environmental cost of the production of its equipment. Starboard wants to change that and is leading the charge through reduction of plastics in its packaging and use of environmentally friendly materials where possible. Recent Starboard signing, Flo Jung, tells us about their latest venture to produce an eco-friendly board using Balsa and discusses the challenges of meeting windsurfing’s obligation for more sustainable choices.

- Florian Jung

All wind surfers have something in common, whether you sail on a lake on flat water or in mast high waves on the ocean. In the end we really depend on nature to provide us wind. It is the one element that controls our daily behavior and dictates where and when we can follow our passion. Sometimes I wish I could just make an appointment like any tennis player that is going for a Sunday afternoon match between 3pm - 4pm. Imagine, you could tell your buddy, “Hey, let’s meet up for a good session with solid waves and wind for 4.2 next Sunday? or rather Tuesday?”

But maybe it is exactly the reason why we love our sport. Each session is an unexpected gift from nature and each day on the water never feels the same. It is that never-ending challenge to adapt to the elements in the best possible way and control the raw power of nature in your hands and under your feet.

Windsurfing opened a lot of doors for me and I had the chance to see amazing places over the years. On the other side, it is obvious that we face a lot of problems caused by environmental issues such as climate change and ocean pollution. I have seen glaciers melting down in Alaska and experienced the consequences of ocean pollution during an Atlantic expedition. I travel more than most people though and I use equipment made out of plastic and other toxic materials but I would like to improve the world and have a positive impact. How does that fit together?

It’s an ambiguous situation, I try to live by certain ethical principles, while facing the facts of reality. Should I stop travelling, even though it is part of my job? How can I stand for something if I am part of the problem?