Red Letter Day: Cold Brazil

Words: Sebastian Gux
Photos: Finn Lehrke
Location: Schönberg, Germany
Date: Monday October 30th, 2023

The pristine white sands and palm fringed shores of Brazil fell just a little out of reach for Sebastian Gux’s finances as the chilly Northern European autumn fully set in. And although the Baltic Sea might not be everyone’s choice of alternative, Sebastian was determined to make it work for him…

This year, I had planned to escape to the tropical climate of Brazil during the cold season. However,  due to scheduling constraints, I couldn't book the flights early enough, and the prices rose immeasurably week after week. Last minute offers also failed to materialize, and paying 1500 to 2000 euros for flights was not an option. Apart from a road trip to the south of France, it appeared I couldn't escape the cold in Germany.

That left me with the low-budget version of Brazil in northern Germany. But I believe the small beach section called “Brasilien” in the municipality of Schönberg on the Baltic Sea has a lot to offer to match it up in some part with the real Brazil. Blue skies, the finest white sandy beach, and wind from the right with small waves to ride. However, apart from the fact that the water is also salty, the temperatures are drastically different. With single-digit temperatures in both the water and in the air, it gets pretty chilly. With an easterly wind, the effect is amplified, and the perceived temperature drops into the minus range.

Once I arrive at the spot, I leave the warm van and step out into the cold. The heated seats played their part in making this moment of cold even more intense. You might ask yourself why you'd do this to yourself, but the answer will surely be found, as it almost always is. I hastily slip into my winter coat and sprint over the dike. Once I reach the top, the whitecaps and the approaching waves of the Baltic Sea spread out before me. It looks surprisingly promising, and the doubts I had a moment ago fade away. I quickly rush to the van to prepare my equipment. The GA Poison 5.2m wing, the 77l Tabou Pocket Air Team, and the GA Hybrid Foil are hurriedly taken out of the van.

“It is always an incredible feeling to float above the water, to hear the wind rushing by while the foil cuts through the ocean…”

At this moment, photographer Finn Lehrke also arrives at the spot. We continue our conversation while I tighten the last screws on my foil. However, there is one special feature on my equipment today… I decide in favor of my new HP 1450 front wing, which I've been dying to test since it was delivered. I slip into my winter armor, consisting of a 6mm wetsuit, hood, boots, gloves, and an impact protection vest. Another sip of water, and the key disappears into the key box. With the board under my arm and the wing bag on my back, I make my way to the dike. After a short arm workout, my wing is full and ready to go. After a brief discussion with Finn about where the best spots are for taking photos, I finally set off towards the ocean…

The cold wind is blowing at 16 to 20 knots, the water splashes into my face as I walk in and it refreshes my mind. I kneel on my board, pull my wing from the water, and push my board out. The wind catches my wing and lets me quickly climb onto my foil. It's a bit unusual for me to pump the new front wing, but I'm impressed with its acceleration from the first second. Accordingly, I head for the first kicker and aim for the first railey of the day. The bounce with the foil was surprisingly strong, and I climb higher and higher than ever before.

I continued with various 360s and wave rides for just under an hour until my hands start to go numb. I then warm up my hands briefly while I search the horizon for the last wave of the session. I head for the far sandbank and pull my jibe into an impressive Baltic Sea wave. I let myself drift with the wave, make a few big turns, and hold the wing behind my back. It is always an incredible feeling to float above the water, to hear the wind rushing by while the foil cuts through the ocean. I take the wave to the shore and jump off the board in knee-deep water. A big grin flits across my face again, and I walk through the dunes with my equipment, back to the meadow on the dike. Another good day on the water, even if the stinging pain of my thawing fingers makes me jump up and down awkwardly on the meadow for a few minutes. But when Finn gives me a little preview of the photos and holds the camera display in front of my face, I quickly realize that it was a perfect session in Cold Brazil once again.