MAUI SHOWDOWN

As the unified world tour arrived in Maui for the Aloha Classic, the season's rankings were balanced on a knife edge, setting the stage for an epic finale. Key contenders for the title share their reflections on their performances, offering insights into the intensity and thrill of competing at Ho'okipa!

- Bernd Roediger, Marcilio Browne, Victor Fernandez, Morgan Noireaux, Kai Lenny, Sarah Quita Offringa, Lina Erpenstein & Sarah Hauser

BERND ROEDIGER

THE SAMURAI STRIKES AGAIN

Winng the Aloha Classic means more to me than anyone, I'm sure. I say that because this is uncomplicated: it is undoubtedly the purest part of my life, the simplest pursuit. Contrasting with every other scheme I've hatched or wish I've yearned to fulfil and had postponed or corrupted. Out there on the water, things are clear, the wind chooses the moment, the wave provides the amplitude and the sailor rides in the pocket of this confluence; how does it feel? Like letting go and finding yourself there. I feel there isn't much human error involved, not much choice, save for the choice to bring your awareness to reality, focus on the moment, ride what is there, take what comes. The mind is a battlefield, and on every other front I see the tides ebbing and flowing between the bastions of my peace and hordes of anxious doubts that besiege me. In the water I felt free from distress, I think all sailors feel this and name it freedom. I welcome the pleasure of riding well but take far greater satisfaction in my discerning what is and is not within my scope of control, adjusting my sails to the winds -as it were- and seeing where it takes me.

DEALING WITH NERVES

As I said, I am generally a bundle of nerves on multiple fronts. Going into Finals Day, I was taking with me a lot of energy from outside sources and "wigging out". It took some time and water therapy but the stoke came, I began watching the waves intently, eagerly because it looked like such fun, and at that point most of my concerns melted.

The low point was probably my first heat of Finals Day, again I was stressed going in, and tried to override those feelings with aggression and speed: the shortest path to any desired point. But after a disastrous heat that very well could have been my last in this event, I was able to reset.

MUSICAL THERAPY