“Thanks to Kite4Life, my brother and I took our first kitesurfing lessons together in 2019. A bit exciting of course, but luckily we dared to take on this challenge together. The expert guidance of the instructor gave us a lot of confidence and we liked the lessons! It is a wonderful feeling to stand in the water, control such a powerful kite and let yourself be pulled through and over the water. What I really liked is that there is no room for wandering thoughts: all your attention goes to the kite and the environment. Now there is only the rippling water, the strong wind, the kite in the air and the board at my feet. Everything else falls away and doesn't matter at the time. It was a challenge to let go of the bar when the kite pulled too much on me. I just tended to pull back harder. Later I realized that not only in kitesurfing it is sometimes better to let go of the strings when you are being pulled too hard. My self-confidence has grown through kitesurfing and I feel stronger. Since I've been ill, trying new things helps me to keep looking forward, instead of longing for my old energy level. For example, last September I went to study abroad for half a year. The kitesurfing adventure really helped me make this exciting step. Thanks Kite4Life” This testimonial was published in the Youth and Cancer magazine 2020. www.jongerenenkanker.nl/magazine

Y.D. Deelnemer uit 2019 - www.jongerenenkanker.nl/magazine

“I found it incredibly exciting to meet fellow cancer patients and step out of my comfort zone, but I was able to do this together with a friend through Baris's initiative. This made the situation less difficult and we were able to share a positive experience during my recovery. The kick-off was a success and the fears were unfounded. At the end of the day at WVZ Zandvoort we enjoyed a BBQ and chatting with each other. During the kick-off, people were warned about the potentially addictive effect of kitesurfing. As far as I'm concerned, totally true! After lesson one I was already madly in love! For kitesurfing you are of course dependent on the wind (wind direction and strength) and during the lessons it was said that, among other things, the windfinder app is used to look at the forecasts. I couldn't wait to kitesurf again and checked the forecasts several times a day. As soon as there was enough wind I sent surf school Beach Break in Noordwijk a message (sorry guys for all my messages) to ask what time we could come. It was so nice! No space for the thoughts in my head and just being busy with the kiting, the wind, the water and the sun. After lesson two I told Baris that I was barely an inch out of the water but felt like I could fly. This is so cool! During lesson three I made my first meters (and wave) on the water and I knew for sure. I wish tokeep on doing this! In the meantime I bought a wetsuit and I am saving up to be able to continue lessons as soon as possible and to be able to buy my own stuff over time. Kitesurfing, being outside and sharing all this with a loved one has helped me a lot in my recovery. I feel stronger both physically and mentally. Baris thank you for sharing your experience with us and making this possible together with the Kite4Life team, ambassadors and sponsors. For anyone who is or has been in a similar situation and is still in doubt… #THETIMEISNOW”

M.L. Deelnemer uit 2019

I had 2 WONDERFUL kite sessions. My heart and my soul are full of energy and happiness. I don't know exactly how to describe this feeling. I have happiness in my chest :))) and from time to time I get a shot (like a waterstart). It is so so nice to be on the water and that time, for me, it's a time when I am without thoughts and worries. My mind is completely empty. It's just me and a kite. I was really upset in the beginning because my lessons were canceled 4 times in a row but in the end this waiting was worth it 🙂 I want to thank you for this opportunity, it helps me a lot 🙂 and I also want to thank you for your call. it gave me the strength not to be ashamed of my illness and to be able to talk openly about the subject. I used to hide this problem especially from strangers but also from friends. Thank you very much for both lessons. The kite lesson and the courage lesson Wish you all the best!

I. P.

Last year was a very special year for everyone. It was all very strange. When Charlie was diagnosed with cancer, our world was turned upside down. After an intensive and intense treatment process, on July 15, 2020 we received the news we had fought so hard for: cancer free! Finally moving on with our lives, we thought at the time. Not knowing that cancer phase 2.0 had yet to begin. Because no matter how relieved, happy and happy we are with the fact that the cancer is gone, the consequences of the chemo, the processing of that whole roller coaster and the recovery are not easy. Just picking up your life is not possible. That was and is a hard lesson. In this battle, many beautiful things also happen. "On the hardest road, you meet the most beautiful bears" we read. And that is so true, because there are beautiful people in our lives! For example, last November we came into contact with Baris, who runs the 'Kite4Life' foundation in a very passionate way. This foundation recognizes exactly what we feel: you don't have cancer alone, you have cancer with your whole family. This foundation has made it possible for us to create moments of relaxation, in which we don't have to be busy with anything else than wind, sun, sea and each other. Since this year Kite4Life started with Kite4Kids. Because this period was also tough for the children. This recognition feels so good to us! Last Monday Gio, Michelle and Senna had the scoop; they were allowed to start with their first kitesurfing lesson with the help of the foundation. It was a fantastic day! A day that was not all about all the worries, the sadness, but just about being together, laughing together and actively working. Lovely to see them like this. We are very much looking forward to the next lessons. The kids are allowed again next Friday, next Thursday it's our turn! Many thanks to Kite4Life Foundation and BLOW Kitesurfschool, you are great!!

Familie van Velzen