In 2003, a friend hands me a kite on a windy beach in Friesland. “Just give it a try.” A few crashes, some tangled lines, a lot of spray in my face, and then suddenly it clicks.

Luckily, I seem to understand the basics pretty quickly, because later that same day we’re already cruising back and forth together. Probably not with much style. But definitely with a massive smile. I still remember that feeling perfectly. The speed. The wind. The freedom of gliding over water with nothing but air pulling you forward. From that moment on, I’m hooked.

Not long after, I start bringing my camera with me. Not just to document kiteboarding, but to capture what it actually feels like to be out there. The interaction between water, wind, and light. The atmosphere. The moments in between. Through years of hard work, experimenting, and not being afraid to approach things differently, my photography slowly finds its way into the international kiteboarding industry. Including Mystic.

And then, in 2021, everything changes.

After my accident, water becomes more than a place to shoot photos. It becomes part of my recovery. As soon as I’m physically able to, I return to it. Not without challenges, but without fear. In the water, I feel space again. Weightlessness. Freedom. A place where my body temporarily stops reminding me of everything that has changed.

So when Mystic asks me to create a special edition of the Majestic harness, it feels like much more than a product collaboration. Mystic had once been one of my biggest clients, but they also stayed close after my accident. Now we’re creating something together that tells a story. Something that gives back to the community that shaped me.

For the first edition, I choose a black-and-white image shot from the water. Half above, half below the surface. A photograph where different worlds collide: light, movement, texture, tiny particles floating through the frame. The kind of fleeting moment you barely notice with your own eyes, but never forget once you’ve seen it captured.

For the second edition, I choose color. It represents the moments in between. The before and the after. The transition.

Both images come from the same place: the surface where light meets water. The moment where particles ignite and something almost invisible suddenly reveals itself. A kind of magic, really. Without sounding too dramatic about it.

Seeing the image printed on the back plate of the harness for the very first time makes everything come together. Combined with the Oswald Smith quote — “A gentle reminder that magic does exist.” — it finally feels complete.

Working with Mystic on this level means a lot to me. Not just creating a product, but building a narrative around freedom, resilience, and the privilege of being able to experience this sport in the first place. I hope that when people see the harness, and even more importantly, when they use it, they’re reminded of how special kiteboarding truly is. That feeling of freedom on the water. The wind. The silence between the gusts. And how lucky we are to experience it.

The Limited Edition Majestic Harness is available through Mystic Boarding and selected local kiteboard shops.