Now that you have already had the chance to meet Javiez and Katie of the F-ONE Next Generation riders, we are going to continue the series and discover the talented and motivated rider who goes by the name of Nikolaj Holmlund from Denmark.
KSm: Hi Niko, could you tell us a bit more about you… how old are you? Where are you from? How did you get into kitesurfing and when?
Niko: Hey!! I’m 17 years old, and coming from Denmark. My dad took me out on the beach to kitesurf back in 2009, and that was my first time with a kite. I was looking up to all the good riders on my homespots, and they were very nice to teach me some new tricks.
KSm: What made you decide to get more involved in the competition aspect of kitesurfing early in kitesurf career?
Niko: I started to do competition in 2010, and it went really bad! But the year after, I’ve progressed and got more success with my kitesurfing, and then I decided to go all in for the sport.
KSm: How do you manage to fit in a regular training schedule and at the same be able to follow your normal school commitments? What is a normal day for you?
Niko: I finished school last year, so I can go on the water every day it’s blowing! But I’m not so lucky with the wind here where I live… So I have to go travel a lot, to be in shape on the water.
KSm: You are a part of the F-ONE Next Generation which aims to help young riders improve their riding in the company of young F-ONE riders whilst being coached by Etienne Lhote… how have you found this experience? Do you ever feel that it is sometimes a lot of pressure for a young boy like you?
Niko: I really like the people behind F-ONE Next Generation and all the riders, and of course the big boss, Etienne Lhote! It’s nice to have some young guns you can ride together with, and have fun on the water! It has helped me a lot to be coached by Etienne, he has taught me to see other ways to approach my training and exercises. It’s good to have a lot of pressure! You always have to do well, and that gives me more motivation.
KSm: Which kitesurfers inspire you and why?
Niko: I’ve always seen Nick Jacobsen as a cool guy! But the most inspiring for me, is to go on the water with some good friends and just have fun. – That’s my top motivation.
KSm: Do you plan a kite session? Do you set goals for yourself to achieve with with specific tricks to work on or do you prefer to enjoy each session as it comes?
Niko: I always think about my session before I go on the water. But you can never plan a session 100%, so it’s often I find some new goals on the water.
KSm: Do you still find the time to just enjoy your time on the water and ride with your friends for fun?
Niko: Yeaaaah! We always have fun on the water together!
KSm: What do you hope to achieve from your kitesurfing career? Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Niko: I’m doing the PKRA or the KTE, while I’ll be defending my Danish title at home ;)
KSm: What other hobbies do you have other than kiting?
Niko: I like to go skiing/snowboarding, wakeboarding, surfing, SUP and others active sports.
KSm: What advice would you like to give to young people who like you would like to get more involves in the kitesurf industry and would like to make it into something more than just a hobby?
Niko: Find some good friends to share the sport with! That way you can push each other to the limit, while you still have fun!
KSm: As is traditional to finish we offer you the chance to speak some words of wisdom from your mind to our readers?
Niko: Be aware of the Danish boys! We’re coming!!!
