Freya Hoffmeister
Profile
Freya Hoffmeister, the “Woman
in Black”, lives in Husum, North Germany, when she’s not
traveling for sea kayaking around the world. She’s either picking her
van, tent or a rental car to sleep in: independence is her lifestyle.
Accomplished in several styles of paddling, including marathon racing,
Greenland style rolling, expedition paddling and rough water kayaking
and who knows what else she’s going to try next. Freya chooses boats,
paddles and gear depending on the conditions, her moods, and by pure
chance! A squeeze into a squirt boat, a sidestep to white water rivers,
a sprint and balance act on a surf ski, it’s all about variety in life!
No time for her to get bored and when you see her having fun playing
around or experience her endurance on a race or trip, you might feel
what a kayaker’s life is all about.
She started kayaking 1997 with a folding kayak on quiet waters, where
her newborn son grew up in the back hatch.
In 2003, her interest was raised for the 'rough' waters, exploring with
her first sea kayak along Germany's and Denmark's coastline, inviting
her to play. In 2004 she participated in her first
international sea kayak symposium in Anglesey, which made her instantly
hooked and an extensive kayaking travelling career had begun.
In open water racing Freya won the Arctic Sea Kayak Marathon in Norway
2004, placed 2nd 2006 in the 300 km race around the Danish Island Fyn,
and took 14:07 hrs for a 120 km one-day trip around the Isle of Man.
Having been a former gymnast, bodybuilder and skydiver, Freya has
the balance and flexibility needed for rolling. Soon after she started
Greenland style rolling, she was already teaching rolls at symposiums
all over the world.
In 2005 Greenland style rolling has become her trademark. She
had not only mastered most of the 35 Greenland rolls in a very short
period of time, but had also made up some of her own, and added some
creative balancing movements ON the kayak. Freya won the overall
women’s class on the 2006 Greenland national championships. Her total
of 8 gold medals in rolling and races made her the most successful
foreign competitor ever.
She’s been a guest teacher in Japan, New Zealand, America, Sweden,
Great Britain, Denmark, Holland, Scotland, Spain, Finland and Germany –
so far! Invitaions to Iceland, Israel, Italy and more are on the 2008's
list. Combining this teaching with various kayaking trips in the area
has been an exciting way of traveling for the last few years.
Freya started her 'longer' expeditions career with a three weeks trip
in May 2006 on the remote South Coast of Newfoundland, where she joined
Wendy Killoran. Her appetite was wettened now for longer trips on even
more challenging coastlines! Together with her partner Greg Stamer, she
circumnavigated Iceland in June 2007 in the record time of 33 days/ 25
paddling days only.
A solo trip around the challenging and unforgivable coast line of New
Zealand's South Island made her the first woman to circumnavigate, and
the 4th person overall, again in the record time of 70 days/ 47
paddling days only.
Freya is part of Justine Curgeven’s “This is the Sea III” video.
She is available for lectures about her trips and with her special
rolling classes for symposiums all over the world.
For further information please visit www.qajaqunderground.com
Sea Kayaking UK sponsored paddlers have been selected for their expeditionary & kayaking skills. All are prepared to run courses on request having excellent seamanship and kayaking skills. They have the full support of NDK and we would be glad to arrange tuition, lectures, etc.
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