A plan without a goal is just a wish

My plan is to become an insanely good kitesurfer with the directional board in 365 days. And while writing this piece, some days have already passed. So, I kinda have to take this seriously sooner rather than later.

But then the question is: what, in my opinion, is an insanely good kitesurfer? And how do I become that person?

For me, a good kitesurfer on the directional board is someone who can ride multiple turns on a wave in both directions, make decent jumps and land them, perform an array of transitions, and do at least two tricks like a backroll or frontroll. And I can tell you, I'm not even close.

The people around me already know that kitesurfing comes before everything. If it’s windy, I get restless, and the only thing I want to do is go kite. But with that passion and dedication, it may surprise you that my level is just average. I can do some basic tricks with the twintip, like a jump, a grab, and some back- and frontrolls. With the directional, I can ride pretty well up and down, going through the waves is no problem, and the basic turns are a no-brainer. But still, I think I lack skills for someone who is on the water that much.

So if I want to be good at wave riding, jumps, transitions, and tricks, I have to improve. Luckily, I made goals for those parts. And as all people say, if it is too big, cut it down. So here are my 6-month goals. After that, the level will go higher, and the goals will get bigger. It all depends on the conditions, but I will achieve the goals.

Wave Riding: 

Get comfortable doing more than two top turns on a wave. Both sides, so regular and goofy, and back- and frontside. That’s four different ways to ride a wave.

Jumps: 

Land a jump with and without a grab that is at least a meter high.

Tricks & Transitions: 

Land a backroll with and without a grab, get a backroll tack, and perform a jumping transition.

We achieve the goal when it hits, lands, or happens at least once. But of course, after I do it, I want to do it again to improve that skill. So eventually, I can land, hit, or perform the movement more than half the time.

It’s kind of easy to just write the plan and the goals. But if I think about it, it is me who has to put the effort in. Nobody else is coming to make me an insanely good kitesurfer. So, to be bold and brave, and because 29 is a perfect age to get crazy, I decided that I will try to do everything in my power to be serious about something in life—to get so good in 365 days that other people will follow. And, of course, so I can be proud of what I achieved.

So what are your goals, and how serious are you going to take them?!

xox Berit