A DREAM COME TRUE!

A dream come true; winning a bronze medal at the Olympic games.

When I started kiteboarding the Olympic dream I was had as a young child, slowly faded like dreams of becoming an astronaut or fireman often stay nothing more than a childhood dream. But when it was announced kiteboarding was going to make it's debut at the Olympic Games, something changed. This dream that was long gone, slowly made it's way back in to my mind. Even though the kitesurf discipline that became Olympic was one I wasn't practicing.

The journey really started when Casper Bouman, former Olympic windsurfer, invited me for a coffee to talk about the Dutch kitefoil team he was setting up. He was contacting a lot of Dutch kitesurfers to see who was interested and fit to join his program. Since all my park competitions and sponsor trips were cancelled due to the Covid Pandemic in 2020, I had the time to give it a try. A few months later I made up my mind, I'm going all in, all in to chase that dream I once had watching my hero's competete at the Olympics on television. The dream of winning an Olympic medal.

The First years were though since I had to learn this new discipline while many of my competitors were already very experienced, some even multiple world champion. It was also scary to jump into the unknown, not knowing if I was going to be able to make a living while it felt like I finally had my ducks in a row building my career as a freestyle kiteboarder. But like with a few other decisions in my life, I realized this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

And there I was standing, sun on my face, flags of all different nations flapping in the wind, and tears in my eyes. We did it! Sharing all this with my family there next to me, I couldn't have wished for anything more.

Even though kitesurfing is an individual sport, the past 4 years were a team effort. I did this with the full support of my boyfriend, my family, and all the experts from the Dutch Federation I've had the chance to work with. And of course the person I've done it all together with. The person I sometimes spent more time with than my own boyfriend, who invested as much time as I did and who is as passionate as I am. Casper, my coach, the one who gave me the confidence 4 years ago that we would be able to catch up and compete with the best.

A few days before the start of the games I told Casper; "I'm ready, I want this event to start, and whatever happens, I'm incredibly proud of what we've done". It was a special feeling, one I've not experienced before. About to compete on the biggest podium that sports has to offer, but feeling a combination of excitement and calmness, since we did everything we could have done. Next to working a lot in the gym with my strenght&conditioning coach I also spent quite some time working with a sports psychologist. It definitely helped dealing with the extra pressure that the Olympics bring. And don't be fooled, there were moments I was so nervouss it made me sick. But I also knew this nerves would help me focus to do my best performances. And the best moment on those intense competition days? After debriefing with Casper I would take my bike and going over to my boyfriends appartment, which was close to the Olympic village. We would have dinner and watch a movie, just like a regular night at home. He is my home away from home. Those evenings helped me stop my mind from overanalyzing all those moments from the day. It helped my tune out and rest, which helped me to even feel really fresh on the final day.

I want to thank everyone who supported me the past years. I could not have done it without you. My boyfriend, family, my coach, my whole team from the federation and all partners from Team Allianz. I also want to thank my personal sponsors; DNZB, van Wonderen, KH Music, Dakine and KRZV de Maas, without them it would not have been possible. I also want to thank every single person who sent me a message, the support I felt was huge. It has been amazing to hear from every one who followed the competition and watched the races. Thank you all!

XO Lous