IStarted kite surfing in the year 2000 and still super fanatic. He even made it his job. With a 100% score, we label Jeroen Gerritsen as a kite surfer of the old guard with a very fresh look at the sport. KitesurfPro.nl bumped into him, got into conversation and discovered that in addition to kitesurfing, Jeroen has a passion for filming with drones and is the owner of a company in drone videography. Read and see how this combination creates cross-pollination, a wonderful adventure in Iceland and even more ambition.
Introduce
Would you like to introduce yourself briefly?
“My name is Jeroen Gerritsen. In 2017 I married Lisette - of course we did that at a kite spot - nice and warm in Portugal! I am a natural physiotherapist, but my passion for kite surfing is even greater. So after a medical career I am now updating with various practices Eurofuncenter, the kite and surf shop where everything is possible and there is a nice atmosphere.
In addition, I am together with Lisette in 2018 as a side business Drone Moments started: a company in the field of (drone) videography. We do this because of our passion for filming, flying drones and combining travel with work. Something that we love to do! ”
How did your passion for kite surfing originate?
“I started in 2000 with a Wipika Free-air that you could convert from 2 to 4 lines. Kitesurfing is something with which you can clear your head and where you live in the here and now. Nothing is better than grabbing that one nice kicker and doing your trick with the right take-off. Doesn't that make you happy ?! ”
What are your favorite kitesurfing spots?
"I enjoy going to Kijkduin because of all the friends we have there and to the Maasvlakte because of the diversity between flat water and waves."
"Kitesurfing is something with which you can clear your head and where you live in the here and now."
What is your coolest kitesurfing experience?
“We participated in a drone and film contest in April 2019. The winner (s) were allowed to film their script in Iceland. Because of our passion for kite surfing, this was the subject in our film. With our submitted video (recorded in Bali in winter 2018) we emerged as 1 of the 2 winners. Super cool of course, precisely because we were only a startup. In August 2019 we traveled to Iceland with a group of friends - to SUP, kite surf and skate. A very cool experience! ”
"Being able to film close-up kitesurfers with a drone in strong winds requires knowledge and practice."
Is it difficult to film kite surfing with a drone?
“Being able to film close-up kitesurfers with a drone in strong winds requires knowledge and practice. We had a few advantages. The biggest advantage is that we are active and kite surf a lot. We know how kite surfers move, when they drop off and which trick is coming. This allows you to anticipate well and fly close while the safety of drone and kite surfer is guaranteed because you move in time. It is also always a challenge to deal with all those changing circumstances. We noticed that we were good at it and therefore set up a business based on our hobby. ”
The Iceland Challenge
Why Iceland? Kind of cold seems to me.
“Iceland is bleak, unspoiled and above all very special. I think you should see our movie to get an idea of what it's like there. You are so incredibly small between all those cliffs and the landscapes are so incredibly diverse… you won't find that anywhere else in the world. Kite surfing in such pristine and remote landscapes leads to very beautiful and unique images. The idea of sailing between the ice floes was too cool to ignore and enough for us to really push it through. ”
“Besides the unpredictable weather, there was also no electricity in the camper to recharge our 70 batteries every day.”
What was your challenge and how did it go?
“The weather is very changeable in Iceland. In 1 day you can go from rain to sun and again to rain, from 3 knots to 50 knots and back to 20 while the wind also turns 180 degrees. Our preparation was good. We had written a plan A, B and C and a whole script because we had to record everything in 6 days. On arrival there were 6 days of rain in the forecast, and 0 wind. The whole plan had to be changed and we went 700 km to the North. In Iceland 700 km is quite a job; the roads are not paved everywhere and we drove an old 6 person camper and our 4X4. Once arrived at the destination, the forecast turned 180 degrees again. Apart from the unpredictable weather, there was also no power in the camper to recharge our 70 batteries every day. We did this with an aggregate that of course broke down on day 2. We had to fix that. In the middle of the night we went to get another generator with our 4X4 500 km away. On the way we were overwhelmed by the turning weather in the mountains, so that we ended up next to the road by car. All in all, an adventure with many challenges and great kiters to remember! ”
All in all, it has become quite an adventure for me Jeroen. What a drive! Such a tight schedule and then having to cover 700 km for a good spot and conditions that turn out not to be so great on the spot. And then also another 500 km away to replace a generator in Iceland. That is quite something. The drone film takes on a completely different meaning. Splendid!
Kitesurfing with a drone
What kind of camera do you connect to the drone?
“There are different drones and different camera options. We usually choose to fly professional assignments with a DJI Inspire2 with an X5s and X7 camera. This combination is still quite manoeuvrable and also fits in a slightly smaller setting. In addition, this set is quite wind resistant. We always film everything manually and use almost no autofocus. This is better to emphasize certain topics in the story. But still, in the end it is all about what the budget is and what the producer expects in terms of footage. The equipment used must of course be able to handle this. ”
What kind of kitesurfing images do you think are the coolest to capture?
“The best thing is when a group sails in a 'train' and you turn a smooth close-up 'orbid' around it. The lines and the environment then create a gigantic beautiful cinematic picture. This shot can also be found in our Iceland video at 8.07. ”
What would you like to film with the drone?
“We want to tell a story with our videos. I think it very much depends on every situation and question of the client. We are happy to write a script for abroad, it is mainly about the adventure, the story and the atmosphere! In the meantime, we have gained more experience and we would like to 'redo' Iceland in Greenland, for example. Film-technically we see room to do even better next time and Greenland is just a bit more extreme… Haha. ”
What tip (s) do you have for people who also want to purchase a drone to film kite surfing?
“Gain experience before flying under extreme conditions. Also get your ROC-light certificate. This is mandatory for anyone who wants to fly a drone heavier than 249 grams. If you want to take it a bit seriously, an RPA-L certificate is almost indispensable. It also offers additional knowledge about the possibilities of flying safely in various places. It also makes it easier to obtain permits abroad. ”
Jeroen, thank you so much for the interview and sharing your adventure. Good luck in the shop at Eurofuncenter and with Drone Moments. We soon agree to go kite surfing.
Great article about super sporty people Jeroen and Lisette Gerritsen. Super