Turkey heaven for windsurfing champion
'Once you buy surfing equipment, sea and wind are free,' says Lena Erdil
By Hilmi Sever
ISTANBUL
Professional surfer Lena Erdil said Turkey is a heaven for windsurfing as it is surrounded by three different seas.
Erdil, who holds the Vice World Champion title in slalom windsurfing for 2018, said there is a misperception that the sport is only for rich people.
"Once you buy surfing equipment, sea and wind are free," Erdil said. "The windsurfing races last 3-4 minutes, very short, fast and full of adrenalin," she added.
Speaking about her journey to becoming second-best in the world category, she said: "I had a world record project. l wanted to be the fastest surfer in the world. l tried to break the record in 2012 in Namibia and reached 85km/h speed but l missed the record by just 0.024 knots.
"It was a sad but really important experience. Now, l am the fastest surfer in Turkey and one of the fastest in the world."
Erdil also shared her experience with a shark during windsurfing in South Africa.
"l hit a shark when l was surfing. It is true but l do not even believe it. l saw something pass below me in the sea and l tried to calm myself on the board.
"l wanted to convince