In the world of professional slalom windsurfing, athletes are often laser-focused on personal performance. For Bob van de Burgt, a 23-year-old windsurfer from the Netherlands, this intense focus eventually felt limiting. He knew there was more to life than the competitive bubble, and he decided to do something about it—by using his skills to support a greater cause.
Bob set his sights on an extraordinary challenge: to become the first person to windsurf from the Netherlands to the UK and back within a single day, all while raising money for the Dutch charity Spieren voor Spieren, which battles muscle diseases affecting children. As Bob put it, “Since I’m making a living from my muscles, I thought it would be awesome to raise money for a charity battling muscle diseases for kids.” The challenge? Windsurfing nearly 400 km across the North Sea.
With a monumental goal in mind, Bob and his team got to work.
Preparing for the Impossible
Behind every epic journey is a strong support network, and Bob’s was no different. From navigators to meteorologists, each member of the team played a critical role in ensuring the success of this attempt.
"Raymond Roesink was the crossing coordinator, responsible for organizing everything from coast guard clearance to navigating the lead boat. Fabian Buijs, along with two backup windsurfers, was also on the boat, prepared for any situation. We had two people on board for media coverage, as this was not just a solo challenge—it was a fundraiser."
Even former professional windsurfer John van der Starre lent his expertise, helping Bob reevaluate his approach after the first attempt was aborted. Meteorologist Jolbert van Dijk monitored the winds closely, searching for the perfect weather window. As Bob explained, "Finding the right conditions was harder than I thought. Just because conditions were good in Scheveningen didn’t mean they were the same in Lowestoft—or in the 170 km stretch in between."
The North Sea is unpredictable, and the first attempt on August 26th had to be called off. "It was a mental beatdown," Bob admitted. “We had been at it for 3.5 hours, but the waves were just too high for the lead boat to keep up.”
Despite the setback, Bob’s determination remained strong. "We learned from that day and couldn’t afford another failure, so we focused even more on the swell and waves," he said. After extending the weather window twice, a stable forecast finally came on September 16th. "The wind was stable around 15 knots, but the start was slow. It took 1.5 hours before I could really get going."
While the crossing was already physically and mentally demanding, unexpected challenges tested Bob’s resilience even further. "At one point, the window on the lead boat broke, which meant I had to hold back my pace," Bob shared. "It slowed the whole trip down, and we even had to make some repairs in the UK before continuing."
Nightfall added another layer of difficulty. "Sailing in the dark on the North Sea is something I’ll never do again," Bob said, recalling the harrowing hours before his eventual arrival at Scheveningen beach at 1:30 in the morning—18 hours after he started.
The Gear that Got Him Through
Facing cold temperatures and hours on the water, Bob relied heavily on his equipment to see him through the mission. “I wore the Neoprene Long John Velcro 1.5 mm Zodiac Lining. It’s thin around the legs, so it doesn’t restrict blood flow. The long john kept my core warm while leaving my arms free, which helped prevent cramping.”
Bob also credited his Prolimit Rambler harness and Mercury Stretch Vest Half Padded Frontzip for keeping him comfortable and safe during the crossing. "After 18 hours, I didn’t have any scratch marks or irritation from the wetsuit—nothing," he said. "Plus, the impact vest and helmet were essential for safety, especially when conditions got rough."
To stay hydrated, Bob carried a CamelBak filled with electrolytes and energy gels, ensuring he maintained his energy levels throughout the grueling day.
Reflecting on the entire experience, Bob acknowledged that this challenge took more than just physical endurance. "Building the campaign and managing the logistics took a lot of time and energy, which affected my competitions. But raising over €82,000 for Spieren voor Spieren was worth it."
Despite sustaining a nerve injury in his left arm during the crossing, Bob remains optimistic. "I’m recovering slowly, but I haven’t had the time to think about a new challenge yet. For now, I want to focus on competitions next year, but I won’t rule out another mission. The energy of raising money for charity is simply amazing."
For those inspired by Bob’s mission, donations are still being accepted through the campaign’s websites: www.surfenvoorspieren.nl and surfingformuscles.com.
As Bob’s journey proves, the strength to help others often lies just beyond our personal limits.
