Dennis Klaaijsen Breaks 24h Distance Sailing Record

Dutch NeilPryde rider Dennis Klaaijsen broke the world record for non-stop, 24-hour distance sailing on Sunday 23rd June, sailing over 600 km in one full day. Here is what he had to say about this incredible windsurfing feat:

“June 23rd 2013 presented itself as a possible day for an improvement on the 24h distance windsurfing record. The forecasts were showing south westerly winds in the morning, veering to west south west, 20-25 knots later in the day. Ideal for an attempt at the record location – Grevelingen lake near Zonnemaire, the Netherlands.

I woke up at 01.30 and together with the support crew we drove to the Grevelingen lake. At 03.00 the stand by boat went in the water and I rigged three sets – NeilPryde RS:RACING EVOV 6.4, 7.0 and 7.8

At 04.50 it was light enough to start. Every 75-100km I made a pit stop at the stand by the boat to stock up on energy and water. Around 15.00 I had 350km on the GPS display. The wind picked up to a steady 30 knots and I changed to the 6.4 EVOV. I used this sail for the next 4 hours and during the course of the evening I switched back to 7.0 and later 7.8.
The cruising speed was 30-35 knots with peaks of up to 39 knots. The sails feel so stable that it’s nearly impossible to get an overpowered EVOV. The chop might become a limiting factor, but the sails just keep on going.

At 21.15 I passed the 550km mark and the world record was mine. I still had another 7.5 hours in the bag and was determined to keep on sailing the full 24 hours. The support crew, consisting of my good friends and surf buddies, started to rig the lights on the buoys and markers around the water so I would be able to keep my bearings in the night.

At rround 23.00 I had 600km on the clock and switched to my warmer winter gear for the night time session. Winds had dropped after sunset (22.30) so with my 8.6 EVOV and 135 litre board I went on the water again. In gusty, light conditions sailing became increasingly difficult and extremely tiring, within an hour of the difficult conditions both my hands had open blisters. At 02.00, with a total of 630km I called it a day.

My mission was successful, with an improvement on the 24h distance by 80 kilometers. I am left with the question… is 700+ km within reach?

A more detailed report is in the making, as well a short movie of the preparation and day itself.”

Congratulations to Dennis!