A New Chapter

Since 2011, when he started photographing kiting professionally, Ydwer van der Heide has been one of the leading artists in this sport. He has shot for almost every major brand in the industry. His pictures have been on the cover of every magazine in this industry, including this one multiple times. He has been a team photographer for the GKA World Tour and part of the core media crew for King of the Air since it returned to Cape Town.

In February of 2021, that all changed when he suffered a spinal cord injury due to his surf foil striking the sand and sending him headfirst into the water. In a split second, he lost something he never knew to value – freedom. Everything Ydwer used to be able to do for himself, now he needed someone to do for him. That meant sitting up, eating, using the bathroom, moving around, or even sleeping comfortably. Doing things for himself would now involve lengthy physiotherapy, and the mobility outcome was in question.

As soon as he could after the accident, Ydwer started taking pictures again. He took pictures of everything that he could. At first, he was determined to do things the way he always had. Less out of stubbornness and more out of familiarity, he had a mentality that adjustments weren’t really going to be necessary.

Eventually, no matter how determined he was, doing things the same didn’t cut it. About a year after the accident Ydwer was invited to shoot Lasse Walker and Janek Grzegorzewski for Red Bull. Ydwer took his wheelchair tank deep into the dunes to a spot he thought would have the best framing. Even though his tank afforded him more mobility than a traditional wheelchair, he recognized that moving like he used to to get the shot wasn’t going to be an option. The few other adjustments he brought along were a monopod for the camera and a bigger shutter switch he could hit with his whole hand because of limited finger mobility.

It was as windy of a day as they come. Just how he has always liked. When other photographers would typically stay inside, Ydwer has always ventured into the elements ready to do his job. This day was no different. Sand and foam were flying around. Bundled up in a beanie, thick sailing pants and goggles to protect him, he was as stoked as ever. This is what he truly loved. A day like that one would have been enough to make any photographer struggle with the conditions.

He could envision the composition of the finished product before the shoot even started. As the kiters took off, years of experience meant Ydwer knew when Lasse or Janek would jump and pull the loop. As they flew through the air he realized his reaction time just wasn’t there. Between focusing the camera, activating the shutter, and following the kiter, it just wasn’t working. He scaled back his camera settings to try and make it easier but even that didn’t help. With a lack of core strength and dexterity, he kept falling over and missing the moment. The shots he was getting were out of focus or without the kiter altogether.

Finally, he asked for help. He could aim the camera, but doing that and pressing the shutter at the same time more than a couple of times became untenable. Thankfully he had his girlfriend Marije by his side that day, and together, they devised a system where she would trigger the shutter when Ydwer would tell her to. It was far from how he imagined the day would have looked, but it worked.  

At a typical photo shoot, pre-accident, he would have been satisfied with the heaps of high-quality pictures to choose from. However, this time, there were disappointingly few, and only because he had been shooting kiting for so long that he knew how to follow the kiters and anticipate their tricks. As rough and discouraging as that day was, it was a turning point and a chance to move forward. Despite delivering excellent shots, he knew the gap between what he used to be able to do and his new limitations. Frustrated, he chose to change his perspective. It was time to do something new, perhaps even better. 

Many of the shots that came out of that day, and days since, are filled with motion, emotion, and intrigue. Often they are out of focus, intentionally or not, leaning towards the abstract. The perfect cover shot is no longer the goal. Taking pictures for the sheer joy of it is. Imperfection abounds and has opened space for viewers to find their own interpretation in the photos. The end product is an experience for the photographer and audience alike. 

Instead of epic shoots for major brands in far flung locations, today’s shoots look a little different. Ydwer’s face lights up when talking about a recent sunset where he wasn’t able to get into position for the perfect shot so instead he just sat back and enjoyed the colors and silhouettes, soaking it all in. No one will see what he saw that day, something he used to be able to share all the time pre accident. But now, he was enjoying the beauty. The goal is no longer the perfect captured image but to love what he is doing at every moment.  

Other projects of late for Ydwer have included his book, Unseen, published this past winter, which is a celebration of kiting and his desired love for the elements. He also spends time riding his adaptive bike, racing it even. And he co-founded Amongst Friends, a creative agency, with Jason Broderick where he is helping other visual creatives in the kite industry excel at their craft.  

Ydwer has changed the narrative for what life can look like post-accident. Rather than dwelling on the loss, he has a persistently positive outlook with a focus on what he can do. He has accepted this new challenge head on and found a way to create moving art, advise top creatives in this sport, and be an encouragement to anyone who has had a similar setback. Everything is possible to Ydwer, it just takes a little adapting. ■