Namibia is a paradise for adventure enthusiasts, offering a plethora of activities that range from mountain biking and hiking to fishing and surfing. Among these, the Lüderitz Speed Challenge reigns supreme as one of the most thrilling adventure water sports events on the global stage, and yet, most people beyond the windsurfing community have never even heard of it. This annual sailing competition for speed windsurfers is held at the historic coastal town of Lüderitz and has been breaking records and pushing the limits of the sport since its inception in 2007, with no less than 150 national and 20 world speed windsurfing records broken across the men’s and ladies’ ranks.

Every year, from mid-October to the end of November, the winds of Lüderitz transform this quiet town into a hotspot for speed sailors. Competitors, including national champions and advanced windsurfers from around the world, converge at Second Lagoon, with its specially designed 1,000-metre- long canal that offers the perfect conditions for high-speed runs for these highly skilled windsurfers. The goal is simple yet incredibly challenging: to sail as fast as possible over a set distance of 500 metres and see which barriers and global records can be broken in the process. Smashing personal bests is a bonus; breaking the world speed surfing record is the dream.

Over the years, the event has seen most if not all of the top- tier athletes in the sport, including Erik Beale, the first person to break 40 knots (74 km/h), and respective national and world record holders Farrel O’Shea from the UK and Antoine Albeau from France. Björn Dunkerbeck, a legend of the sport, is a huge proponent of the event. Speaking about the magic of the event, Dunkerbeck says: “It’s a combination of the channel’s perfection, flat water, wind angle, the equipment and skill.” Dunkerbeck has been dominating the windsurfing scene since 1987. He set his first open ocean windsurfing record in 1992, clocking in at 43.30 knots (80 km/h) over 500 metres. With an impressive 42 world championship titles in various disciplines of the sport, he stands as the most decorated athlete in windsurfing history.