Big break
Navigating a wave of success as a windsurfer and model, seize-theday sportsman Jesper Vesterstrøm says stand by your mantra
words by Flemming Vitus
After 10 years of travelling the world with his boards, windsurfer Jesper Vesterstrøm is on the brink of his biggest challenge yet. If he gets through this year’s round of qualifiers, the 30-year-old will be representing Denmark in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. It’s been a long and unpredictable ride so far, and Vesterstrøm’s devil-may-care attitude has served him well.
After graduating from high school, the surfer shunned further education and successfully avoided the shackles of an office job, choosing instead to pursue a career on the crest of a wave. “I thought: what use would I have for money?” he shrugs. “I just wanted to live life, feel good and be one of the best surfers. I was sure that I would get by just fine. Of course, it’s very nice thing to have a lot of cash and savings, but life is short. So far, though, I’ve been doing quite well.” This is something of an understatement. In 2006 Vesterstrøm was ranked number one in Formula Windsurfing, and he subsidises his sporting career by modelling for Tommy Hilfiger and Cottonfield thanks to his rugged good looks.
For the Dane, however, it’s not just about the single-minded pursuit of his own happiness and success. A couple of years ago the windsurfer founded a charity to help other young sailors and surfers navigate the choppy waters of professional sport. The consultancy is called Living the Dream, which is pretty much Vesterstrøm’s mantra. Living the Dream provides young hopefuls with some hard-learned lessons on how to find – and maintain – those all-important sponsorship deals.
“It’s not as simple as just knocking on doors and leaving with a huge cheque. I’ve often had to send out more than a hundred applications for sponsorship, but I’ve only hit the jackpot a few times in all of my many attempts,” he concedes. “So I developed a concept where the sponsors are given more options in the arrangement. For instance, I create events for employees or clients of the sponsoring company. In addition, I often visit my sponsors so that the entire company feels like it’s part of the project. It becomes more than just a contract with a lot of noughts on it. Actually, I’ve received many pats on the back for the way I treat my collaborators.”
Vesterstrøm’s iron determination was shaped by the death of his father seven years ago. “It was a hard blow for all of the family, and it took some time to recover from,†he explains. “But at the same time the experience brought me extra strength. The year my father’s illness got worse and worse I won almost every competition I participated in. When I realized how suddenly everything can be over if you’re struck by a serious disease like my father was, I became even more sure about the need to try and live my dreams.â€
For many, the lifestyle of a professional windsurfer sounds like an enviable one, especially when it’s combined with the sort of lucrative modelling contracts Vesterstrøm has enjoyed with companies such as H2O and Coca-Cola. But even the beach life has its downsides. â€I don’t think I can stop feeling rootless now and then,†admits the windsurfer. “I still haven’t decided how long I want to stay in this game. Many surfers stay at the top until the age of 35 or 40. I might not last for that long. So far, I’m focussed on winning the gold medal at the Olympics in China. Later on, I’d like to settle down with a lovely wife, have lots of children and three Labrador dogs – I just love them.†Vesterstrøm smiles and adds: “At first it may sound like a rosy and glamorous way of living, but it’s very hard work. It’s full-time – the difference is that I don’t sit in the same office day in and day out. I travel and I get to see a lot of exciting places. I’m very grateful for that, but I don’t stay at the Hilton. Even though there’s money in my bank account for the first time in years, there still isn’t enough for fancy hotels.”
Instead, Vesterstrøm relies on the goodwill of his peers when he travels. “Luckily, windsurfers tend to be very sociable people, and they always welcome me into their homes,” he explains. “I always have a good time staying with them when I go abroad.” The couch-surfing life also works to his advantage in other respects. “It’s a very good way to get to know new, interesting people,” says Vesterstrøm. “It’s all about making contacts and networking, because this can open doors for you anywhere in the world so you’re well equipped to make your dreams come true.”
Jesper Vesterstrøm CV
Age: 30
Sponsors: Ford Credit, Cottonfield, Certina, NeilPryde, HEMPEL/DONG
• Windsurfer and model for Danish clothing brand Cottonfield
• Danish windsurfing candidate for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing
• First stood on a windsurfing board aged 12
• Sails Formula and RS:X (Olympic category)
Formula Windsurfing results 2006:
• No. 1 Formula Windsurfing world ranking 2006
• Bronze at the European Championships
• Fourth place at the World Championships
• Nordic, South American and 2008 champion www.formulawindsurfing.org
jesper’s travel tips
Torbole, Lake Garda, Italy
Fly to: Milan
“Not far from Verona you’ll find this perfect lake, where the wind is great every day. In the morning the wind blows from the north, and in the afternoon the weather clears up and the wind comes from the south. One of the best places to stay is Villabella, a small and picturesque hotel situated on the shore.”
Tarifa, Spain
Fly to: Málaga
“The wind blows constantly here, and it’s very hot. People are a little loco (crazy) because of the heavy wind, but it’s a great place to windsurf. The restaurants are good, too.”
Algarve, Portugal
Fly to: Faro
“The entire Algarve coast is beautiful and well suited for windsurfing and surfing – there are great waves and lots of wind. There’s also a wide selection of good local restaurants with lots of fantastic dishes on the menu.”
Côte d’Azur
Fly to: Nice
“I usually go to the South of France during spring when there’s always warm, windy weather. It’s amazing to sail on the azure sea with views of the beautiful coastline. It’s very impressive. Us surfers often cook for ourselves because we’re on quite a tight budget, but when we do go out to dine I love the fruits de mer (seafood). The French cook the best fish in Europe.”
Gran Canaria
Fly to: Gran Canaria
“The food is very good here, especially in the delicious tapas restaurants in the mountains, away from the tourist areas. The small Canarian potatoes with the spicy sauce and the gambas al ajillo (shrimps in garlic) are worth trying. The most popular windsurfing spot is Pozo, a small town north of Bahía Feliz, where the wind blows all through the summer.”
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