Interview with Janina Zeitler

Meet up with the lovely Janina who is sponsored by Rip Curl, promising pro surfer girl from WSL QS (Worldwide Surf League).

In 2019, Janina won national competitions such as « German Champion Rapid Surfing » and « Wave Masters Boot Düsseldorf« . Also passionated about Yoga, she explain how this regular practice is important in her surfing workout and training. The young surfer is comfortable in the river on artificial waves and also in the open water competition in the ocean.  Watch out this young talented girl, she will become a pro surfer on international level in the next coming years!

My name is Janina Zeitler and I´m 19 years old. I was born and grew up in Munich Germany. The Bavarian capital is very close to the edge of the Alps. I´m a student and will graduate from high school in July 2020.

Surfing is my passion. It all started at the river in the summer of 2012, since then I can no longer imagine life without this sport. A friend of mine gave me the idea to start. At that time the film Soul Surfer was on TV and we were  totally enthusiastic about surfing and the lifestyle, so I decided to give it a try. So as a Munich native, it makes sense to take the first steps on the river. One year later I started surfing in the ocean. In the meantime, I regularly take part in competitions in the ocean (open water) and standing waves (rapid surfing).

The best souvenir while surfing is the happiness you take in and out the water. It’s pure joy!

This is so difficult to choose because  every spot has something nice, it always depends on the conditions. I think the variety also makes it exciting. If I have to decide, I would choose Playa Negra in Costa Rica. I love this place so much!

Definitely sunset!

I just feel free and happy while surfing. I like the connection to the ocean, the nature and also the challenge because every wave is different.

I still go to school and it is a big challenge for me to combine both. So when I am not in the water, I am in school to study 🙂

I had my first yoga experience in a surf camp. Yoga was offered there every day and I simply tried it out. In the meantime, I also have surf trainers who often do yoga with me after the surf coaching.

Yoga helps to bring body, soul and spirit into harmony and thereby to find inner peace.

It just feels good and I´m more relaxed and balanced!

I think my favorite is “the chair” (Utkatasana)

Yes of course! The movements while surfing are very one-sided and I am often tense, yoga is a good balance and helps me to relax the muscles and stay fit.

I would definitely recommend a surf course at the beginning, but the most important thing is just to have fun.

After graduating from high school, I would like to concentrate exclusively on my sport for a while, this includes participating in the WSL QS competition series, the Rapid Surf League competition series and the Citywave Pro World Tour including the corresponding preparation. Then I will start a distance learning course so that I can continue to practice my sport professionally.

Stay positive, work hard and make it happen!

You can follow the pretty Janina on Instagram @janina_zeitler