CHASING a HURRICANE-FORCE STORM in the BALTIC SEA

🚀 Northern Germany was hit by a storm (or hurricane?) today.
Kiel lighthouse measured 67 knots peaks and was consistently above 50 knots. Of course I had to go for it.
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🎥 Edited and filmed
- Lumix S5II & S1H
- GoPro 10 & Max
by Lars Wichmann
#MakeWindsurfingGreatAgain
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[@birknicolai1071]

You might as Well get Red Bull as a sponsor dude

[@sharewavestv]

I think Fritz Kola fits more Nico‘s attitude

[@lukezorab]

100% agree, Fritz all the way.

[@flecktrain]

An welchem Strand surfst du da im Kreis Plön?

[@jangtime2098]

This is actually red bull storm chase weather :) just on the wrong ocean ^^

[@callingwind5071]

Nico and Robby Naish in the same video pls :) Take the wave board next time ;) Bravo for the crazy video !

[@robczarnik3041]

There are lots of you tube professionals out there pushing the limits way past what most of us can do, board, bike, skis etc. By showing us such things are possible it inspires people. Thats a pretty good role model. Thanks for the vid and keep them coming.

[@jpq5202]

Ich war auch Pelzerhaken mit 3,7 und 77 Liter Waveboard unterwegs. Mit Slalomboard und 5.3? In tausend Jahren nicht…😳 Respekt!

[@bertdepeuter934]

How you master those conditions with that gear shows an insane skill level. Your reaction to that man was a display of your maturity. Yes you are a rollmodel but every windsurfer has to decide for him(her)self where the limits are. Thank you for this inspiring video.

[@steffenernst3234]

Schon voll krass mit Slalom gear da raus zu gehen. Respekt

[@sharewavestv]

Wind für das 5,3er… Kein Problem 😉

[@hiselles]

Strength 12 on the Beaufort scale, and with a 5.3 sail!!!!!, impressive, I would never have believed that you could hold that size without it ripping your arms off.

[@titouande800]

very strong but never 12

[@jangtime2098]

@@titouande800 12 Bft is exactly 64kts+ so, jea it was.

[@titouande800]

@@jangtime2098 it wasnt 64+ lol

[@elephantyoga9265]

Wow, was für Bilder! Kein Zweifel, dass Du sehr gut einschätzen kannst, wann und wo Du aufs Wasser gehst... und wenn selbst ein Profi sich als beginner fühlt, ist die Botschaft für alle anderen eh klar. Danke für das Video! Danke für deine ehrlichen Kommentare und Gedanken. Danke auch an dein Team, mit dem Du deinen genialen Sport in die Öffentlichkeit bringst.

[@jibehype]

Motivation pure!!! It connects me to the reasons why I love this sport. Hearing you say „I felt like a beginner.“ striking me and giving me a new point of view on my own days at the limit. In my head I used to tear myself to pieces when I felt like a beginner. Thanks Nico for sharing so frank.

[@erickohler4504]

"I was just a passenger", "Don't try this at home". You are a Rockstar Nico!

[@robinreuther541]

Du bist ein Vorbild für viele Windsurfer, egal ob Pro oder Beginner. Jeder muss seine Grenzen testen 😊

[@wolfgerdt9236]

Respect Nico with 5,3. As a young guy on 27.08.1989 y was the only guy out in Strande, but with a 2,6 m2 and a heavy Wave board. This sail y used only twice in my life. Go on guy.😊

[@NikVumRhing]

"Engel links Teufel rechts" Mega Video, hammer Naturbilder und ein Windsurfer der es echt drauf hat! Ein Augenschmaus! Auf der anderen Seite, wenn da welche sind (Sanis und Feuerwehr, die sagen wir kommen nicht raus) hmmm, wir haben in Deutschland die Pflicht zu helfen. Klar steht die Eigensicherung an erster Stelle, aber solche Menschen gehen auch mit Herzblut in ihren Job und würden alles versuchen dich zu retten. Wie man sieht du kennst dein Material und bist ja auch heile zurück an den Strand gekommen, aber das können die Rettungskräfte ja nicht unbedingt vorher einschätzen. Da finde die Session am See wo du auf dich gestellt bist besser. Weil keiner sich darüber Gedanken machen muss, wie oder wer dich retten könnte ohne sich selbst in zu große Gefahr zu bringen. Ist nur meine Meinung 😉🤙

[@michaelniesar6833]

Nice, definitely one of the most extreme windsurf-vids on YT. Crazy conditions on the Baltic Sea and what a jump on the lake which was absolutely insane! Thanks and big kudos for sharing your thougts and emotions what describes the essential meaning to go out in these conditions really good - to find your own personal limits out there. Lars has done a superb job with the camera of course, nice to see him filming under these conditions in the vid. Seems to be that very long harness lines are essential for you, aren't they? Vielen Dank für dieses besondere Video, Nico und Lars und viele Grüsse aus Norwegen. Well done.

[@LarsWcmn]

❤

[@ordinaryswedishwindsurfer]

insane conditions but it's also a good way to learn and feel that you can handle a storm, feel what your gear is capable of(often more than you think). I often give advice to go out in high winds even if it's not the best session you learn so much out of it and ofc you always have to have an plan b if something fails. but on a lake in onshore winds it's often quite safe just to try and get perspective. great video nico👌

[@zacpower_9835]

Wassup nico. The storm also passed my house, and i managed to go out on the water with my 7m². I live in a gulf of islands, so the wind only peaked at 36 knots that day, and it was crazy out there... Flat water, did a 29 knot speedrun on my technobic 133l. Um glad you didnt hurt yourself or smth. Love your vids, seeya

[@martinbailly573]

5.3 in 67 knots 😳😳😳😳 ! You are an alien ! Incredible mate ! KUDOS!!! 😎

[@olafbienengraber2217]

... was für ein Sprung - Hammer und Glückwunsch!

[@stevebyers9672]

the gnarliest thing is that you do it all with bare feet......you've got great skill nico.....i'll keep dreamin of getting even 1% of how good you are...thanks for the motivation and v well done

[@nakaniko]

Wow. Simply wow. You show the difference of windsurfing, that one can enjoy from 6 to 66 knots. Thank you, you are giving me motivation again after I silly have broken a mast in a low shorebreak on last Friday

[@roydenpurvey1047]

Fantastic Nico. That was awesome mate! I love those days when its off its face and most guys don't go out. Tho I'm older now 55, I'd give it a crack as I'm lucky to have one of Jasons personal custom wave board around 68 litres (old board but perfect for those days), which is great in those conditions, hmmm well easier than slalom gear. No way 5.3 think I'd be smallest possible 3.5 (think I'd struggle with my depowered 4.5 tho), as I'm only 60 kg. I've sailed in 50 plus knots several times before (ocean and lakes, inlets etc), and it was yes challenging fun esp on a lake or flatter water. Becomes too much survival sailing in the ocean after a short time tho. Loved the video mate!

[@ChristopherJohnGurr]

I started windsurfing in 1982. The arrival of the first short wave boards and fully battened rigs made sailing in these conditions possible and addictive. Watching this I was initially thinking that i would have gone out in those conditions, but the rocks being there might have stopped me. I sailed at west Kirby in the UK on the marine lake so had that option too if the sea was too dangerous.

[@laggesna8471]

Zu deiner Frage als Role Model: Ich kenne einige Kids bei uns hier im Verein, die pushen vor allem auch, weil sie das erreichen wollen, was du tust und kannst. In sofern sind solche Videos unglaublich wichtig für den Sport. Die Logik des älteren Herren kann ich nachvollziehen, hinkt aber bei Spitzensportlern aus allen „extremeren“ Bereichen. Was ich allerdings nicht verstehe, warum du bei solchen Bedingungen keine Rettungsweste oder Rückenprotektor trägst.

[@sipkebijlsma]

When you want to learn you need to get out of your comfort zone. Apparently for you this means slalom gear at the Baltic in 10 Bft. The only way to find your limits is by trial. You showed perfectly the dilemmas that come with that. Always consider what would happen if your gear breaks: can you make it to the shore in time without help from others ? If yes, go for it. You run the risk of getting an experience you will never forget. One of your best videos !

[@1212354a]

I have gone out in similar conditions; it really forces good technique and wind awareness. The key takeaway is to rig small and know your limits. I would have rigged a 3.5 and a 75 liter wave board.

[@RP6conrad]

Fantastic ! A clear demonstration of an important aspect of our sport : handling the fear, and always trying to find our limits. Difficult to understand for outsiders....

[@matteodellafiorentina2794]

was waiting for this video sice you told me on instagram that was there a video from that session

[@philhey8847]

Hey Nico, shout out from Cortes Island, British Columbia. What a trip down memory lane. I learned to windsurf in Kalifornien a few kilometers to the west of your session. I moved to BC as a child but had the opportunity to sail in Kalifornien every other summer until high school. After that the Gorge in Washington/Oregon became my stomping ground. In regards to your question, sail in whatever conditions you choose. Adults should be able to choose what level of danger they expose themselves to. Nobody stopped me from sailing overpowered on a 3.2 as a 17 year old amongst the barge traffic and current of the Columbia River. Some of my best windsurfing memories.

[@tomnahrgang5316]

After watching that, I'm pretty sure Nico would feel at home sailing at the Columbia gorge.

[@user-oe1mb9hu9i]

Go Nico ! 🙂 I was (am) your size. Fit and slightly bigger than most. I was ALWAYS told as a teen to slow down (skiing and snowboarding) as the other kids would try and follow me and 'may hurt themselves' because they saw me as a "role model" !!! I wasn't going to stop living simply because others don't know where their limits are .... Well done for EXPLAINING to that older guy that there MUST be people who push the limits, so people like him know when to back down 🙂 Cheers and thanks for the excellent video. Gnarly 🙂

[@jangtime2098]

IN.....SANE. :) I agree with your take on storms. Surfing 15 years, been out once in Pelzerhaken at 70kts a few years ago with 3.3m² and 80L and only in the flat water part before the sandbank...for reasons. Most people can't understand the level of understanding a long time veteran windsurfer has of the wind. They think 'treebranches are falling, better go inside'. But those are the limit days - to test how it feels, within reason of course. And you did a good job of making this clear IMHO. And yes, inexperienced people put themselves at risk more often, mostly without knowing (looking at the kitsurfing guys who did a 1 week course in egypt, and think they can handle baltic sea 7bft) Nice video, you rocked it!

[@allohaphilip2000]

Thank for sharing ❤

[@KiteTurbine]

5.3 Thats like one of my big sails. Solid Nuts Nico

[@bigi-hm4nj]

Wieder ein geiles Video! Schön, dass es gelungen ist, diesen Ausnahmetag so authentisch einzufangen. Stichwort Vorbildfunktion: (Hoffentlich) Jeder, der bei solchen Bedingungen rausgeht, hat sich langsam an so etwas rangetastet. Allen anderen hast du davon abgeraten. Meine Faustregeln für mich: Nie alleine raus und nur soweit, wie ich zur Not bei den herrschenden Bedingungen auch wieder zurückschwimmen kann. Fange schon mal langsam mit Daumendrücken für Japan an.

[@leonasimmons162]

Thank you for the video.

[@nonamenosurname8516]

Huge respekt for slalom gear. I have chased few storm (50-60+ knots) here on local lake. I have heard same opinion from random guys many times. Once police officer stop by and told us "who is the organizer of this event" lol noone, there was like 20-30 surfers/friends. And then he asked us if we thought about it. I told him "Yeah every second since it showed on windguru 4days ago". My friend told him that this wasnt even highest wind he ever sailed. Sadly there was one guy - not from "our group" - he was beginner and he needed to be rescued. It was on lake so ambulance picked him up on the shore. One time it was funny because I worked as insurance adjuster and took vacation for that day. And next day when I was answering phone calls from ppl whose properties were damaged, one lady asked me how terrible was my day. I told her it was best day of my life :D If you are prepared, and you can do basic riding, 100% waterstart in any conditions, and you use your brain to decide whats OK and what is not. Then its possible to minimize risks to OK level. BTW my worst moments on windsurfing were not in extreme conditions. Once I totally destroyed sail in Altenteil on Fehmarn like 1km away from shore - it was a long paddling on my board (since then I always ask dudes on beach and do homework about possible currents). And the most scary moments was in Klitmoller again kinda far away from shore where I lost my gear and according to gopro I was swimming like 20mins - it took me a while to even see it, and lucky for me wind was strong so I ended up like 500m away from my car. I always love this feeling when u arrive to beach and you see current conditions for the first time, the adrenalin when you setting up your sail. Inside voices telling me "go home", they always stop after I do beach start, after that its really nice feeling. Its really great bonding experience with friends who sailed too. Winter is coming and so does storms :) Your slalom gear, man I cant even comprehend it !

[@torotom2023]

My friend that's definitely what we do at home. We call it Föhn. Happened yesterday for example. And again on Thursday. Wind up to 120 km/h but warm temp. and nice weather. Even in winter. So enjoy the baltic. Better you than us ;))) And btw - no need for slalom.

[@M.Bo.]

Insane how much control you had considering the conditions! lots of respect ! Is there a slight chance we might see a bloopers reel some time with the gybes you missed? Just so we don't feel like total noobs. 🤣

[@Jaawws1]

Hats of to you, Sir, for even daring to bear away in that wind, never mind actually completing all those gybes!

[@Vini.OliveTree]

Hey Nico that was amazing to see, a one man storm chase! Thanks a lot for that.

[@user-co1mc6tp2b]

Mach weiter so. Das macht Lust auf mehr.

[@stevenl3411]

And now another storm is here in the Netherlands! Let’s play with the elements 🤙🏻

[@barney3444]

Amazing windsurfing!

[@Harry488webb]

Absolutely blasting 🔥🔥🔥

[@idanfarkash8080]

if you want to be supreme you need to go to the extreme ! this was fire 🔥🔥🔥

[@1snofru]

Nico great video and your sailing-wow

[@EverRider]

Nice one, Loving the HIGH wind sessions. But personaly to have fun i have to feel in secure so im gonna ride it on a lake 😊

[@tiefdruck1]

Dann am besten am Urner See

[@windsurfingfun4058]

Hi Nico ! It's actually was nice weather 🤙! We had in Estonia same condition and a lot of fun was ! The only difference, i get bigger board 343cm and 187 L, because i had a 4.3 sail and In that case this board sit better in water. I use there very special A.R.T. 4.3 sail, special there is that sail have 4 CAM -s ! This sail is very stabil and can handle without problem up to 48 kn. wind, if gusts was some 56 kn, then it was really overpowered and sail was fully open to maintain stability.

[@Tobias1949]

Pushing the limits is part of windsurfing. I agree that in the beginning you overestimate your capabilities. And the feeling of not being in control is terrifying. However, Nico you are a world class windsurfer and your limits are beyond everything i can imagine as an intermediate surfer. So of course you should be "allowed" to go out. Its also the content we want to see, so i think you did everything all right in warning us not to repeat after you.

[@user-co1mc6tp2b]

Solche Tage muss man erlebt haben. Da kann man das Risiko besser bewerten. Ich habe so einen zwei mal erlebt und da weiß man wo die eigenen Grenzen sind. Aber schön zu sehen wie du dass durchziehst wenn kein anderer da draußen ist. Maximaler Respekt.

[@klausrainer9443]

Mega skills, next Level Video

[@henrifittkau8283]

Ich finde deine Videos super cool und ich finde es immer wieder faszinierend, wie man auf einem Surfbrett so etwas hinbekommt.

[@jortsmit6365]

amazing skills, deep respect Nico in that conditions with slalomgear and a 5.3 ( p.s. good comments people)🤙

[@bartvanleeuwen3281]

I think as a proffessional you are the one to make the call for yourself of it is okay to go or not. Not someone else Who is out there watching (is That safe as well being out in a storm???) you did an great job telling the viewers Not to do this stuff (then in my opinion you did your job and you can enjoy the gusts) I am so stoked to get On the water again in this conditions. Love to see it keep in going!

[@38Laurent]

So strong with such a sail 💪💪🤙

[@capn_ron]

Great video. As long as the wind is blowing you up on the beach, you can find your way back. I do a life jacket and helmet on big days and normally get my butt kicked by the waves much more than you did!

[@JonassTass]

I was waiting for this vid! Looks pretty gnarly 😮

[@skyshorrchannel3474]

Nico this is incredible!

[@mikkishalow8776]

goooil, ich war in pelzerhaken , - 3.7 war zuviel, -aber 5,3, -alter schwede...respeeeekt....

[@simonbauerle3832]

Material und Mensch am Limit. Mal wieder ein richtig geiles Video. Der Anfang könnte auch fast Red Bull Storm Chase sein. Top weiter so. 🤙🤙👍👍

[@CATTLEWASH]

Nice jump Nico, great sailing in such strong and gusty winds. Kool 😊

[@user-cw7zv2nz5p]

Thrilling, excellent video!

[@OlivierOlmer]

This was really on your limits and it suprised me how you could handle the gear. Anyway advanced windsurfer’s should know where their limits are and should responsible themselves. Warning of you was good enough. By the way nice filming job and catching this hudge jump on a lake.

[@heiopeiko]

Awesome footage Nico, especially choosing slalom gear 🔥🔥🔥 I have sailed similar strength winter storms on the Dutch coast myself a couple of years ago. But there were no hidden jetties underwater 😱

[@mattiasfranzen7584]

Looks like pure fun! Personally I just love the feeling of being on the edge of control, geting that high on adrenaline. Huge cred to Lars for filming in these conditions! And yes Nico, you are a fantastic role model even if some oldguy think you are on the edge of wreckless. If you don't try it you won't know if it is possible and then we would never evolve and you just showed that if you practice hard enough you can do also this. Keep up the good work.

[@wdaehn]

5.3m² and a large slalom board? Looks like 100l? Jesus. With wave gear those conditions are challenging enough. At least it is onshore. Had similar conditions in Fuerteventura once. When you go normal, speed is so high that you are constantly in the air, when you go slow, you have no chance of surviving the gusts, water is choppy like hell and the constant spray hurts in the eyes. In the second half of the video, the wind looked less (less white wash, less water flying) and almost flat water - much easier.

[@rymszak9633]

Great video as always :)

[@alanmurphy3633]

WOW that looked awesome you have bigger balls than me 😂👍keep up the great ŵork love your vlogs

[@madziarII]

🤙11:41 nice flight. Great day, nice shots

[@richardraj1333]

That was awesome

[@robertocoslovich3143]

Those are the conditions for that I'm living for. You are super 🤙💪

[@istvansternocky]

Omg you re on fire!!!

[@bencemolnar9960]

In the Baltic Sea, maaaan that was craaazy. Big up for You Nico!🤛🤙

[@lurch1e]

Top man, great video. I noticed that your harness lines were really long, does that give you more control in extreme conditions?

[@anastasspyro7281]

You are the top, amazing

[@theoutsider6191]

Dude that's commitment for sure!! That does not look like a good idea 🙂 8 degrees and 50 knots, wind chill must make that sub zero 🥶🥶🥶🥶

[@maxmonterumisi]

very very very hard work

[@windsurf1975]

Aaamazing👏🏻🤙🏻

[@SpaynjXD]

"Oh Hey a massive sea storm with 80kmph winds. IM GONNA RIDE IT!" said no sane man EVER

[@oliviermeekers5586]

Just amazing. Your level is greasy. Thx for this video

[@RobbieNoel08]

Your insane dude kept it up💪

[@peterstorm11]

Very nice video Nico 🤙🤙

[@jeroenhessel7535]

OMG in capital letters, the sea looked like a washing machine, really crazy conditions. I sometimes go out in similar conditions, but always with a buddy. Just for safety. But what a cool video again. Be safe out there.

[@diederikdepauw5237]

You will only learn your limits by experiance and trying. But good call, and super to show that wen it gets to hot even you go to the lake. Safety first, but this looked like a hard and fun session. And well done Lars

[@tymorbougarras7467]

Epic video Nico 👍

[@francescozampetti5133]

Wow i like your video 🤙

[@q2w8i9o]

Wow ! Hope one day, will do the same on our St-Lawrence. A good North North-East (on shore wind -safest) stormy style, but with my 4.0 / 4.7 wave sail and my 80 liters wave board (no slalom for me in those conditions). We are leading to the end of the season (first snow today) but still hope for one last session...

[@meh0354l]

awsome! it would be cool to see some clips of your fotwork also on video 🤘

[@simonjandrell5897]

Wicked man doing something different and Slalom Nice .

[@user-km1jn6zx1w]

Very nice sailing and as you pointed out. Not for everyone !

[@ajvz77]

My role of thumb is that at 9bft, you get horizontal spray flying over the surface. For me, that's were my slalom stuff becomes uncontrollable (with 5,6). Mostly due to very short chop, combined with a set that wants to go 70kmh.

[@Kirmo13]

Very impressive 👏 Do you remember the length of your harness lines?

[@73smoo]

Cool stuff, mate! Reminds me of being on Karpathos, out at around 40-45 knots and waves from two directions with a 3.4 wavesail in my twenties. Pretty wild! I wanted to do small jumps but they were getting high! And I was blown leewards massively. So, if you had 20-30 kts more and a 5.3 racesail - respect!

[@antoine4978]

Do it for content !!! As long as you re safe that was a great video !

[@jeka4943]

I love it, holding on for your dear life you rock. The description regarding your jump on the lake ( and the floaty rocket) is similar to one of my what i though would be a hit the lip ordinary jumps sailing on the 21/10 here in sweden. The gust took control and i just hanged on haha, i didnt bother to look down just kept sailing with the wind and landed full planing with a Starboard ultrakode carbon 93L and 4,2 sail. 😅

[@primoz843]

Love the waves..its good that the shore is not so difficulty to enter qnd go out...u drive 5.3 cam?

[@ikarisforever]

I'm just amazed that you used a slalom gear to get out with these conditions ! Wonderfull video. Take care !

[@joaopedrojp6731]

Hi nico, great video and what a hell of a ride! Keep going with what you are doing!1 also, do you use any specific app when windsurfing? Thanks bro 🤙

[@Red-Door]

Just wondering, did you have a self rescue plan in case of gear failure or injury? I mean it's very clear nobody wants to come for you when it goes downhill... The second spot looks a lot better in that you might just wash ashore in a controlled way in such event. I think it's important to learn people to always think ahead. Especially in conditions at or beyond your limits (wind, current, waves and cold). What will you do when the UJ fails or your boom breaks? What happens when you twist your knee or injure your back? You might even loose your gear completely... Also don't exhaust yourself. Head back for the beach while you still have some reserve, you might need it.... Maybe nice to see a vid where you explain your thinking and preparation on these sessions. Ps. extra tip: put your phone number on your board. If you loose your gear but make it to shore swimming, rescue services can check on you. This will prevent an unnecessary search and rescue operation for a "lost surfer" whose board was found 10 km downwind...

[@aleksanderwodkowski8965]

Wonderful conditions. Once I tried such myself on a lake of course. Unfortunately the smalest I had was 4,2 sq. m. I mostly swam instead of sailing. GL

[@ericlanglais8648]

Amazing, never I go sailing in this condition

[@BorisRadeleff]

with this video you could ask redbull for a sponsoring :-) very very impressive images

[@slickvisualpoetry]

A slalom storm chase. A great idea actually. I vividly remember the nuking Hvide Sande day. Excellent racing. I would definitely watch that.