Vice-World Champion

Amado Vrieswijk on best season so far as Bonairean steadily works way to summit of freestyle world

Over the last few years Amado Vrieswijk (JP / Severne) has emerged as one of the most exciting and radical talents in the sport. This year the Bonairean has continued to push the boundaries of freestyle and in October he became the first person to ever land a double air culo in competition. Since 2014 the 20-year-old has steadily improved his results on the world stage — finishing 4th, 3rd and now a 2nd in the overall rankings and It seems only a matter of time before he will be stood on the top of the podium. After another groundbreaking season we caught up with the 2016 Men’s PWA Freestyle Vice-World Champion — you can read the interview below:

PWA: Hey Amado, how’s it going? Glad to be back home in Bonaire after a long competition season?

AV: “Hey Chris,  yes I’m happy to be home for a while. After being away since the end of March and only home for 3 weeks in August (due to cancellation of the Alacati-event) it feels great to sleep at the same address in the coming weeks.” 

PWA: Congratulations on becoming the 2016 Men’s PWA Freestyle Vice-World Champion… how was the season for you?

AV: “The season was beyond great. After a good start with a second place in Freestyle in Podersdorf and a 16th place in Slalom Ulsan, Korea my mind was set to make 2016 a success! If you’d told me that I would become the Freestyle Vice World Champion and that I would just miss out on the title at the beginning of the season, I had hoped for it, but would not have believed it. Once again a statement that my hard work during the winter 2015/2016 paid off. A good feeling.”

PWA: It seems you are going from strength-to-strength each year — in 2014 you finished 4th, 2015 - 3rd and in 2016 2nd… so next year is the year to be on top of the podium?

AV: “Of course I will go for the title next year (again). I will do everything to make that last step up. Knowing that fellow competitors are getting stronger I will use that as a challenge to train harder and focus more on the moments that count.” 

PWA: Second is obviously a great result and your best so far, but having been so close to the world title after winning the single elimination in style, was it painful to miss out on the final day in Sylt?

AV: “Before the final hours of the Sylt event I already was very satisfied with my results this year. Of course I was heavily disappointed for a moment after the super final against Gollito, 

as I was so close to the title after winning the single-elimination earlier that week. During the single we had perfect conditions. The light wind on the last day in the final was to my disadvantage and Gollito was the stronger one. Again a new experience, new emotions and a confirmation that I can do it. Maybe not this year, but very soon…”

PWA: You landed the first ever double air culo in competition how good did it feel to be able to land that move in a heat and have you got any new moves currently in mind?

AV: “I wanted to do the double air culo already on Fuerte, but waited for the right and special moment in the right conditions. During the final of the single elimination in Sylt, the moment was there. I was motivated, felt super fit and had to give it my all to win the final. It felt great to finally show this move in competition, and for sure it was even sweeter to land it in the final! I have some new moves in my mind, but will not tell you anything about it until I can execute these steady and perfect. Let it be a surprise for the 2017 season.”  

PWA: You are pretty close with Gollito, do you to use your friendship and rivalry to push each other further on the water?

AV: “Gollito and I are good friends on and off the water. During a competition he is my rival at that moment. That is good, that is a challenge and we respect each other for that.” 

PWA: It’s looks as though there’s a mutual respect between both of you on and off the water — what is your rivalry like?

AV: “I do not feel any rivalry with Gollito. He is the most experienced freestyler I know, for that I look up to him. On the water we only can learn from each other.”

PWA: As well as competing in freestyle and slalom you’ve started to enter a couple of the wave events as well… will try to do all the events next year?

AV: “This year I visited 9 out of the 11 PWA events and competed in 8 (including the wildcard-events in Wave). If budget and event agenda allow it in 2017 I will visit them all. The Freestyle and Slalom 100%, the wave events depending on the wildcards I receive.”

PWA: Rumour has it that you don’t really like wave riding? Is that true? And is the main attraction of waves jumping for you?

AV: “Haha, I know who brought this rumour into the world! It’s not completely true. It’s not that I do not like waveriding, but….when there is wind and waves, I only see one thing and that to me is jumping. This gives me a kick. I like to go high, go big and radical. Waveriding is fun and I will be training it a lot for sure when in Cape Town next month!”

PWA: If you had to pick a highlight from the 2016 season what would it be?

AV: “Many people would say, my first event win on Fuerte. That for sure was a big moment, but the highlight was on Sylt , winning the final of the single-elimination. The perfect conditions, a packed beach with enthusiastic spectators, the double air culo and a clear win against the now 7-time world champ Gollito. A moment I will not easily forget!”

PWA: Why are you so passionate about windsurfing?

AV: “A difficult question ! I’m just addicted to my sport and everything which comes with it. (training, perseverance, gym, R&D, traveling, beach life and meeting people with the same passion). This December it is already 13 years ago I started and never, ever had a moment or thought “this is enough, I want something else”. Every session is a challenge. I love the water, the wind and the excitement.”

PWA: Three words you think describe yourself?

AV: “Adventurous, dedicated to my sport and a bit radical sometimes.” 

PWA: A phrase you live by?

AV: “Go big or go home.”

PWA: When you aren’t windsurfing what do you get up to?

AV: “When there is no chance of a windsurf session on a day, I will spend some extra time in the gym, catch up with friends while on Bonaire or travel to the next spot when in Europe.” 

PWA: If you could pick super hero, which super power which would you choose and why?

AV: “I would choose time travel. With which I mean travel from one place to another in seconds. Don’t get me wrong, I love to travel but hate the long hours hanging in an aircraft.”

PWA: If you could have dinner with any person dead or alive who would it be and why?

AV: "The Dutch Formula 1 racer Max Verstappen I would choose. I always liked racing, the need for speed. Until two years ago I had a quad and a motocross bike but gave it up to avoid injuries that could end my windsurfing career. Since Max is racing I follow him in every race.


Besides that, we have a lot in common. He was carting when he was 6 or 7 years old, I started windsurfing at the same age. He is now at the top of the Formula 1. I think I may say I’m at the top in (freestyle) windsurfing. We both have our passion and go all the way to achieve our goals. The only difference between us is the prize money ;) haha. So Max, when you’re on Bonaire, give me a call!”

PWA: Winter plans?

AV: “Yes, I will be leaving on Christmas Eve for South Africa to catch up with everybody who’s training over there and join them to gain again some new experience in a new destination for me. I will take my freestyle and wave gear and go for the max hours on the water. In the beginning of March I hope to visit Gollito on Los Roques in Venezuela for a week or two. The rest I will spend on Bonaire before leaving for 7 months traveling in and beyond Europe again as of April.” 

PWA: And finally have you already thought about your aims for 2017?

AV: “Be fit, be ready, do my utmost best, aim for the highest result possible in all disciplines and enjoy every moment of it.”

PWA: Thanks, Amado. Have a great winter and see you next season.