If you see Jesper Vesterstrøm, while he is standing on the beach, you might have the impression that his mind is far, far away from this beach. Calmly observing the ocean before him, Jesper is controlling the situation around him. This tall, blond haired Danish man with deep blue eyes is concentrating on his tasks; reality can be somewhere but it cannot disturb him from his thoughts. Here, he has his own goals, his dreams are happening right now, and he is going to keep them alive. With this power he can do anything. Jesper has a deep energy inside, his energy is totally under his control. He is visible, powerful but expressive only when it is needed. A very nice wide smile and a warm look. There he is. On the sunny beach, ready to go windsurfing, waiting for the perfect winds, living his dream that he first had as a 12 year old boy. What could this child see as amazing in the view of windsurfers on the water? While standing on this Danish beach, a 12 year old Jesper thought about: “freedom, speed and colors”. That was enough. He decided that windsurfing could define his life.

- Jesper, is everything in life possible?
- I am a perfectionists, I work hard. Everything is possible. If you can dream it, you can do it.

His first steps in windsurfing were learning on a small Danish lake. A quick learner, Jesper started to compete in 1993 and the year after he became Nordic Junior Champion. A trip to Australia in 1996 changed his attitude to windsurfing in a big, new way. He learned how big the world is and how much windsurfing could bring to his life. Windsurfing was his ticket to how many places he could see and how much he can learn from traveling and being with other people.

Modeling vs Windsurfing 

Jesper’s straight and proud (but not arrogant) posture might seem to be a kind of pose. His trademark way of standing – one could say – expresses his other side. Jesper is also a professional model. His story with modeling started when he was 18. Having fun on the Danish disco, Jesper, was seen by model agent, who invited him for a meeting. And that it has started.

Is modelling a passion for him?

Jesper: Modeling is for money – Windsurfing is the passion. – Of course because of modeling I could see many fantastic places and stay in the best hotels around the world. But definitely you cannot compare it with windsurfing at all.

Jesper has been in many environments. In one hand he spent time in the best and most fashionable places all around the globe because of his modeling. But also while at home he was spending time with the younger windsurfing boys and girls helping them prepare their gear for racing and teaching them about the sport. Preparing his windsurfing equipment in the hot sun and wet sand far away from the safety of home and the comfortable modeling world; these wide scope of experiences of many different companies and workplaces has taught him, that windsurfing gives more value than everything else.

- In windsurfing – people have their feet on the ground. Models’ minds are flying away…

This might be contrary to what most people would think. Jealous, and unhealthy competition. Modeling requires more luck than skills. Jesper is currently working mostly for catalogue shoots. Mainly for the clothing label Cottonfield. He finds this job quite nice in comparison with the big fashion shows’ world.  This kind of modeling is very nice. A cool team of people; easy Job – adds Jesper.

Jesper explains things very precisely. He has clear view of his life and order of the world in his mind. Everything has to have sense and value. Windsurfing has a value.

- Why?
- In the windsurfing world we all are the same: your color of skin, views, everything doesn’t really matter.

His words have a deep sense. Windsurfing exists apart from any bad emotions. You can find within the sport smiling faces, common effort, easy going people, an understanding and open minded crowd around. Jesper finds windsurfing very social. All windsurfers on the tour are going to parties together after the events, dinners and lunches, they spend sometimes free time with each other, even holidays. Nearly all of them know families of others windsurfers.

His Road Upwards… 

The path to success is not easy. To be able to ‘live the dream’ Jesper had to be strong and constant in his effort. His family weren’t very rich. All that he has achieved he has done by his own hands. Before he was a model he was working in a casual job like many other young guys. He was working at the petrol station, as a restaurant waiter, he was even delivering newspapers in the morning.

Living your dream costs not only physical effort but also courage to go away from things and traditions others might believe are for you. Your friends ask you why you are not married, where are your kids? Safety home and steady job?

Questions without straight answers. Jesper believes everything will come in time, in its proper time. But social patterns are always following you. Questions without answers are given to him by the crowd. What is in this wind that Jesper and other windsurfers want to follow with confidence that it is the right choice for their lives?

- Freedom.

Imagine yourself inside an aeroplane. Jesper is sitting inside in the first row. He is very tired, after a hard week of racing each day he is finally resting, traveling back home. Constant travel has taken his toll on him. Destination of that plane – world, waves, wind. Is this life worth it? Jesper is having a quick look at the seat next to him; a young man in a black business suit - on his way to “work”. The suit is tight to just below his neck. The suit is definitely too tidy. Too tidy? Well… Jesper just smiles to himself, taking off eyes from the business man. This life is worth it!

How often At Home? 

These days Jesper is spending 6 months at home in Denmark and the other 6 months around the world travelling. This has changed over the years. There was a time when just 3 months of travelling was a maximum.

Asked about dreams, Jesper smiles widely. Very common one. In that whole wonderful life he would like to have a wife he loves, a few kids (asked about definition of the word “few” he answers: 1 or 2), a few Labradors (dogs) : one brown, one white and one black. And of course a house…

- …hmmm… a house near the Ocean.

In this house he will have his office. Because work “from - till” doesn’t suit him. He will keep living the windsurfing lifestyle even if in the future he doesn’t windsurf as much as he is doing now. The windsurfing lifestyle is freedom of mind, going your own way and do not be scared to take a risk.

PASSING DREAMS FORWARD 

When you see little kids and you know that you can give them something… teach them that living the dream and going for your goals is worth every effort… it is just a fantastic feeling! There is so much potential in them!

Jesper has his own company. He organises coaching and youth camps. He gives a lot of speeches to young people to motivate them and encourage to following their own plans and ideas for life. The most important thing is to pass to people that for every problem you can also find a solution.

Fear?

To loose someone you love. That makes Jesper scared the most. As he also admits, a little bit of stress is always present before each and every windsurfing trip. Mostly it relates to worries that everything he needs to race was taken. Windsurfers organise their own travel and baggage, and there is a lot of it needed to race!

The World. 

For Jesper the most amazing experience was a trip through the Gaza Strip. On that particular trip he was travelling with his longtime friend Arnon Dagan. Jesper and Arnon have been friends since 10 years.
Arnon is living in Israel and Jesper decided to visit him there. Both were passing by one of the most dangerous places in the Middle East.

- Helicopters and military everywhere. Soldiers armed with weapons…

Asked about his favorite place on the planet, he has no doubts. Sydney, Australia.

Why? Because it is beautiful, relaxing, full of happy people and small charming cafés. Jesper likes the fact that in every each corner you can find so called bio-shops and almost ever each person has his own personal trainer. Australians are very in to their sport. Sydney - crowded and energetic. Denmark is for him too calm. During the lunch period in the middle of the day, Denmark is dead. He feels more at home in Australia than in his own country, even if he appreciates to be Danish and is obviously missing his home there. Jesper has fallen in love with Australia so much that he intends in the future to base himself there for half the year and the other half in Europe (what a great idea!). Jesper is a model, but still he appreciates that in his mind, Australian people do not care about fashion that much. They are well dressed but they feel comfortable in simple jeans and shirts. They do not care too much about labels and showing off their status.

A few more quick facts about Jesper …

Favorite color: blue
Favorite dish: a big steak
Hobbies: going out with friends, the gym, running, just having fun…
Favorite movie/series: Entourage
Music: U2, Pearl Jam, Green Day
Important in lifestyle: freedom and having fun

A Message for YOU from Jesper 

The Windsurfing Lifestyle is for everyone, not only just for windsurfers: “Start dreaming. Realise your dream, and be yourself.”

Jesper is sitting on the chair in a small café near the beach. Waiting for the wind which will start the competition. With his laptop on his knees he is busy responding to emails. This particularl day is very sunny and the sky is a deep blue. Jesper could have now been in the office in a tidy suit, covered by a pile of documents. Jesper could have been sitting now in the corporation’s canteen on the floor number 1001 in the highest building of the Universe, with a shining label stock to his new shirt for one billion dollars titled: “Finally my status is good enough to make all people respect me”. He could have done that…

Instead of this, without bothering about social patterns and expectation, he is waiting for the wind. Full of experience, knowledge and success. And you know what else? He is relaxed and happy.