SIMON HIEMER RECOVERY

“Only a true kiter in heart and soul can imagine how this felt.”

It was just a casual kiteboarding day in Egypt. Windy, blue sky and warm. I went out on the water for some training but somehow my kite tricks didn’t go I wish they would. I decided that do one last try on my KGB and it happened as always. Full of pain and with swollen leg I left the water. Ofcourse I could conclude straight away that something was damaged. I had one more month in Egypt left with lots of work and unbelievable big urge to hit the water again.

My leg was stable and the pain reasonable, so I decided to fight myself through 4 months of hard work and epic sessions without making a checkup at the doctor. Beginning of August the rationality in my mind won and it was 100% clear: Crashed my ligament and the only way to kite again was an immediate operation.

7 days later I got the operation and the recovery started. I had to stay 2 days in the hospital and another 7 days of pain, short nights and a lot of movies. Followed up with 3 months of daily training with my personal physiotherapist and after 6 months of steady training I got my strength back to try the first kite session.

Like a kiteboarding addict I took full advantage of carving, jumping, flying, rotating, consistent wind and the salty spray of the turquoise water of the Philippines on my face. Finally was able to spread my wings again!

However, once you are back on the water, doesn’t mean your mind is back on track again. It took me months on the water to conquer my fears. Eventually the fear and pain totally vanished. Full stability and motion range came back and my tricks came back in mind and body.

Looking back after one year, I can say it was worth all the hard work and I know I will come back stronger, faster and bigger!!

Whooop.. If you are in the neighbor, let me know and we go kiteboard together!