Skip to content
akdurablesupplyco-AK_LogoNavigation
  • Surfing
    • Traction Pads
    • Fins
  • Kiteboarding
    • Bindings
    • Harnesses
    • Spreader Bars
    • Accessories
    • Protection
  • Hydrofoiling
    • Hydrofoils
    • Foilboards
    • Footstraps
    • Protection
  • Bags
  • Explore
    • News
    • How To’s
    • Videos
    • Demos & Events
    • Tests & Reviews
    • Team
  • Shop
    • AK Shop Finder
  • Info
    • About us
    • Sustainability
    • Size Charts
    • Warranty
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Contact Us
Menu
  • Surfing
    • Traction Pads
    • Fins
  • Kiteboarding
    • Bindings
    • Harnesses
    • Spreader Bars
    • Accessories
    • Protection
  • Hydrofoiling
    • Hydrofoils
    • Foilboards
    • Footstraps
    • Protection
  • Bags
  • Explore
    • News
    • How To’s
    • Videos
    • Demos & Events
    • Tests & Reviews
    • Team
  • Shop
    • AK Shop Finder
  • Info
    • About us
    • Sustainability
    • Size Charts
    • Warranty
    • Newsletter Signup
    • Contact Us

Ydwer’s Recovery

  • March 2, 2021

Fundraiser launches for prolific kiteboarding photographer, Ydwer van der Heide, as he faces recovery from a serious spinal injury

2nd March 2021: Our special friend and one of the most talented, hard-working, and creative photographers in the kiteboarding industry, Ydwer van der Heide, has suffered a terrible injury that truly could have happened to anyone who spends time in the surf. Still, without movement in his hands and legs, this brave Dutchman has a long, uncertain journey ahead.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE: https://gofund.me/3c39c0cf 

akdurablesupplyco-Ydwer-portrait_and_Marije_hospital_1500Ydwer’s RecoveryNews

On Thursday 4th February, Ydwer was surf foiling near home at Noordwijk in the Netherlands when his foil hit the ground and he was thrown forward. Landing on his head he crushed the C6 vertebra in his spine. Unable to move in the water he was rescued by the friends he was surfing with and rushed to hospital by paramedics where he was immediately taken into theatre.

After a day on a ventilator and two days without it in ICU, then three more days on a neurology ward, Ydwer is now a resident at a specialist rehabilitation center, Heliomare in Wijk aan Zee, where his treatment will continue for the foreseeable future.

 

akdurablesupplyco-Y_M_Ydwer_self_edited_portrait_1500Ydwer’s RecoveryNews

Caption: Ydwer and Marije, day five after the accident. Shot using Ydwer’s remote trigger and then he edited the image himself using the tablet’s voice command functions.

 

Ydwer is one of the most prolific photographers when it comes to creating inspirational magazine cover shots, evocative action images for advertising campaigns, and for capturing sensational moments at international kiteboarding competitions. His images have helped riders develop careers and inspired a great many more to take up the sport.

 

akdurablesupplyco-Ruben-Lenten-Wijk-aan-Zee_1500Ydwer’s RecoveryNews

Caption: True grit. Ruben Lenten, Wijk aan Zee (the town where Ydwer is in rehabilitation), November 2012 Photo: Ydwer van der Heide

 

Truly dedicated, he is also one of the only photographers to purely make his living from shooting kiteboarding. In a moment everything has changed but, a testament to his immensely positive character, he has already promised the rehabilitation center staff that it’s his mission to somehow take some good photos of their facilities as he couldn’t find any online!

 

akdurablesupplyco-20190926_MADAGASCAR_LUNAMOON_YDWER_10472-edit_1500Ydwer’s RecoveryNews

Caption: Jalou Langeree, Madagascar, September 2019.
Photo: Ydwer van der Heide

 

Although he can only move his wrists, and is still without movement in his hands and fingers, in the last week Ydwer has managed to become friends with Siri and Voice Control on his iPad to verbally control the tablet. He is over the moon to have been able to do some basic photo editing this way. Photography is his life’s work and even small steps like this are making a huge difference.

We’ve seen how Ydwer and his girlfriend Marije have tackled their first three weeks since the accident with inspiring positivity, but they now surely face a difficult road ahead physically and financially when it comes to his rehabilitation.

They’re a responsible couple with suitable insurance for Ydwer’s career, but with an injury as serious as this and the lengthy, specialized recovery process to follow, there will be challenging costs that go beyond any policy cover.

The next six months are crucial in terms of how Ydwer’s long-term recovery will look. Although his treatment at the rehabilitation center in Holland is covered by insurance, the pair are already facing a loss of earnings as they’re both self-employed.

 

A shortlist of extra elements they’ll at least need to consider are likely to be:

– Equipment costs, such as wheelchairs, specialist beds, and in-home aids.
– Home modifications including ramps, railings, and lowering benchtops.
– Vehicle modifications.
– Perhaps the biggest of all could be visiting a specialist outside of Holland as that’s not covered by their insurance.

This fundraising page has been suggested and set up by their friends. Lots of people have offered their support and we feel that donating through this fundraiser is a good way for us all to collectively help make a difference at this very early stage of his recovery.

We, as Ydwer and Marije’s family and friends, appreciate any support, messages, and donations you can offer at this difficult time. One day, hopefully soon, we’ll get to see Ydwer behind his lens taking spectacular images again.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE: https://gofund.me/3c39c0cf

 

akdurablesupplyco-Kevin_Langeree_66A1286_1500Ydwer’s RecoveryNews

 

Enjoy Ydwer’s work:
https://www.ydwer.com/
https://www.instagram.com/ydwer/

Info
  • News
  • How to Foil
  • Surf Videos
  • Contact Us
Help
  • Shop Finder
  • Size Charts
  • Warranty
  • Network Media
Partners
  • Airush Kiteboarding
  • Starboard
  • Severne
  • FreeWing
Follow us
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • YouTube
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT