A Windsurfer's Dream
Just under a month ago we caught up with Oda Johanne (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) for an interview - which you can read here - to find out more about her transition from being a professional handball player to one of the top female sailors in windsurfing. Now the Norwegian has just released a new video called ‘A Windsurfer’s Dream’ which sees Johanne talking about taking a few risks and chasing her dream.
Johanne will also be preparing to enter her first ever wave event when the women’s wave fleet head to Moulay for the Morocco PWA World Cup (1st-7th April).
Oda Johanne: “Thanks to Tom Deburchgrave for the filming and editing. It was great doing this together in Cape Town during a few sessions on the water.
The video is about my journey from a life of playing handball, studying and living in Norway, to becoming a professional windsurfer, traveling the world searching for wind!
As this video goes online now, I really want to thank a few special people who made this life possible, and guided me to follow my heart to live a different life! It started with a motivation speech from Karina Hollekim - one of the most badass women (in a good way) on the planet. Base jumping from the top of mountains and just being awesome traveling the world. After that day I wanted to do something similar. Not jump from cliffs, but to take my windsurfing to the next level and discover the world!
I got really motivated by Martin Haglev who had a windsurfing shop in Oslo. He said: «GO compete Oda, here is the gear you need!» And from there on I have been very lucky to get sponsors from my local area. Stian Vedal in VEMA has been one of the main reasons I can still do what I do! Also a big thanks to Svein Rasmussen and Starboard Windsurfing. It’s great riding for a brand that really appreciates having girls on the team, so thank you giving me the chance to work with you! Thanks to my local distributor Karl Aksel Aubert at skiogsurf.no, who always helps delivering gear at a high level! Thanks to Timm-Daniel Köpke in Maui Ultra Fins for the support through all the years. This was my first sponsor and still riding for you! Thanks to Severne Sails for having me in the team and making the best sails! Also a big thank you to Luca and Pousada WindJeri, O'Neill and my sister Line Therese Strøm Vikene for all the support and endless wetsuits! So excited to be with Maxim Norge for this season as well, and amazing to have Rune Kransberg with me on the team this season! I can´t wait to start the 2018 competition season! 10 days left until the 1st World Cup in Morocco!
A huge thanks to my love Håkon Skorge for sharing the passion. He is probably the only one in the world who really knows what I’m doing! And to my family, all my 3 parents: Thor Stokstad, Hege Brødholt and Rigmor Fagerheim. My brothers and sisters, mini Klara and grandparents! Big love!
I would also like to thank all the 180 people who took part in our 2017 Windsurf Clinics. I´m really excited for our new 2018 clinics:) We are ready to help you take your windsurfing to the next level with our company, Norway Sports Adventures!
Okey, that´s enough… Go watch the video =).”
You can see Oda Johanne’s ‘A Windsurfer’s Dream’ by visiting @ vimeo.com/261242163