Kite Team Van Oord
Driven
by
wind
Wind is one of the driving forces behind and an enabler of the energy transition. It is a direct source of change. Wind was also the driving force behind an 800-kilometre journey along the Brazilian coastline – by kite-surfing.
Brazil is a magnificent country with unprecedented opportunities for wind energy. On land, the wind powers a growing number of wind turbines, increasing the share of renewables in the country’s total energy output. On the water, the wind powered the six members of Van Oord’s kite-surfing team. Their 800-kilometre-long journey along the spectacular Brazilian coastline took them from Fortaleza to São Luís.
From Fortaleza to São Luís
Jan Willem has traveled more than 800 kilometres in 12 days. The team passed various important ports during their journey, for example the port of Pecém.
Jan Willem Markvoort sparkles with enthusiasm when he talks about his twelve-day kite-surfing adventure. ‘My relationship with the water, my confidence in our team, the beautiful coastline, nature –it all came together during our journey, simply because we let the wind drive us forward. Our trip was meant to be a playful reminder of the wind as a powerful and practical means of generating energy. We want to inspire people with our passion.’
Pushing back the boundaries
Jan Willem became acquainted with kite-surfing in 2002 and has spent every holiday and weekend on the water since then. While some kite-surfers want to jump higher, his aim is to cover distances on his surfboard, going farther all the time and in increasingly difficult waters. His ambition was fuelled by his long-distance journey from the Hook of Holland to Den Helder in the Netherlands. The opportunity to embark on a colossal adventure in Brazil with the Van Oord Kite Team fanned the flames of his passion.
Safety first
Kite-surfing is an extreme sport, especially when it involves a multi-day, 800-kilometre-long trip along a rugged coastline. ‘We spent 18 months preparing for this expedition,’ Jan Willem recalls. For one thing, they had to arrange a support team that made sure the kite-surfers remained safe during the trip. The local guide’s knowledge of the conditions along the coast was indispensable. The team started off every day with a safety meeting. Jan Willem stresses how important this was. ‘We talked about how many kilometres we could expect for each leg, where the risks lay, and what to do in the event of an accident. By preparing for everything in advance, we were able to enjoy ourselves even more on the water, and we made it safely to the end of every day.’
Jan Willem Markvoort
Engineering Manager
Van Oord
Keep on dreaming
The team is planning to follow up the Brazilian coast expedition in the next year by crossing from the Netherlands to England. Jan Willem also dreams of crossing the ocean with his teammates. ‘I’ll soon be meeting up with the world record-holder for long-distance kite-surfing to discuss tips and tricks. It’s important to get enough rest and to refuel with plenty of food and drinks during a crossing. Unlike our Brazilian coast trip, we wouldn’t be able to go on land for that. This meeting is the first step towards our first crossing. I can’t wait to embark on this adventure with my teammates!’
Passionate about the sport
The team is planning to follow up the Brazilian coast expedition in the next year by crossing from the Netherlands to England. Jan Willem also dreams of crossing the ocean with his teammates. ‘I’ll soon be meeting up with the world record-holder for long-distance kite-surfing to discuss tips and tricks. It’s important to get enough rest and to refuel with plenty of food and drinks during a crossing. Unlike our Brazilian coast trip, we wouldn’t be able to go on land for that. This meeting is the first step towards our first crossing. I can’t wait to embark on this adventure with my teammates!’
Jan Willem Markvoort
Engineering Manager
Van Oord
Kite Team Van Oord
Driven
by
wind
Wind is one of the driving forces behind and an enabler of the energy transition. It is a direct source of change. Wind was also the driving force behind an 800-kilometre journey along the Brazilian coastline – by kite-surfing.
Brazil is a magnificent country with unprecedented opportunities for wind energy. On land, the wind powers a growing number of wind turbines, increasing the share of renewables in the country’s total energy output. On the water, the wind powered the six members of Van Oord’s kite-surfing team. Their 800-kilometre-long journey along the spectacular Brazilian coastline took them from Fortaleza to São Luís.
From Fortaleza to São Luís
Jan Willem has traveled more than 800 kilometres in 12 days. The team passed various important ports during their journey, for example the port of Pecém.
Jan Willem Markvoort sparkles with enthusiasm when he talks about his twelve-day kite-surfing adventure. ‘My relationship with the water, my confidence in our team, the beautiful coastline, nature –it all came together during our journey, simply because we let the wind drive us forward. Our trip was meant to be a playful reminder of the wind as a powerful and practical means of generating energy. We want to inspire people with our passion.’
Pushing back the boundaries
Jan Willem became acquainted with kite-surfing in 2002 and has spent every holiday and weekend on the water since then. While some kite-surfers want to jump higher, his aim is to cover distances on his surfboard, going farther all the time and in increasingly difficult waters. His ambition was fuelled by his long-distance journey from the Hook of Holland to Den Helder in the Netherlands. The opportunity to embark on a colossal adventure in Brazil with the Van Oord Kite Team fanned the flames of his passion.
Safety first
Kite-surfing is an extreme sport, especially when it involves a multi-day, 800-kilometre-long trip along a rugged coastline. ‘We spent 18 months preparing for this expedition,’ Jan Willem recalls. For one thing, they had to arrange a support team that made sure the kite-surfers remained safe during the trip. The local guide’s knowledge of the conditions along the coast was indispensable. The team started off every day with a safety meeting. Jan Willem stresses how important this was. ‘We talked about how many kilometres we could expect for each leg, where the risks lay, and what to do in the event of an accident. By preparing for everything in advance, we were able to enjoy ourselves even more on the water, and we made it safely to the end of every day.’
Keep on dreaming
The team is planning to follow up the Brazilian coast expedition in the next year by crossing from the Netherlands to England. Jan Willem also dreams of crossing the ocean with his teammates. ‘I’ll soon be meeting up with the world record-holder for long-distance kite-surfing to discuss tips and tricks. It’s important to get enough rest and to refuel with plenty of food and drinks during a crossing. Unlike our Brazilian coast trip, we wouldn’t be able to go on land for that. This meeting is the first step towards our first crossing. I can’t wait to embark on this adventure with my teammates!’
