ONWARDS AND UPWARDS

The next big thing on the PWA Freestyle World Tour?

Amado Vrieswijk (Starboard / Severne) finished the 2013 PWA Freestyle World Tour in eleventh place overall, but has already shown, on several occasions, that he has the potential and talent to break into the top ten and beyond. The seventeen year old achieved his highest finish to date in the single elimination at the GP Joule PWA Sylt World Cup - fifth - whilst his best finish of the season came in Fuerteventura where he was able to claim seventh place overall. The Bonairean has consistently impressed both the crowds and the judges with his smooth and explosive style as he flies through effortless kabikuchis, skopus and spock culos to name just a few. After his best season thus far on the PWA World Tour Vrieswijk was rewarded with the honor of being named the PWA Youth Freestyle World Champion, so now we have taken the opportunity to catch up with the man who has the skills to challenge the very best in the world. Read the interview below: 

PWA: Congratulations on your PWA Youth World title, how are you feeling and how was the response when you got home?

AV: “After being away from Bonaire, family and friends for almost 6 weeks, I was glad to go home. The arrival was amazing. I’m still speechless when I think back, see the videos and pictures. A huge crowd was gathered at the airport to welcome Bonaire’s PWA Freestyle World Champion Kiri Thode (Starboard / Severne) and myself as 2013 Youth Champion. There was music, drum bands and lots of press. After an island tour in a limousine there was another party organized in front of Kiri’s home.” 

PWA: What originally made you want to windsurf and why freestyle?

AV: “I saw the PWA “King of the Caribbean” here in Bonaire in 2002 when I was 6 years old. I liked what I saw on the water and wanted to give it a try myself. After my first try on rented gear, windsurfing “hit” me and is my life since.”

PWA: Who are your windsurfing idols?

AV: “Of course my friend, training partner and now PWA Freestyle World Champion Kiri Thode, but also Taty Frans (Starboard / MauiSails / Mystic / Maui Ultra Fins). Kiri because of his enormous freestyle skills and Taty because of his slalom. That guy is so fast and makes me want to start training slalom again as well this coming winter.”

PWA: What was your favourite moment on the tour this year?

AV: “My favourite moment this year was in Poderdorf. After ending 2012 on the 27th spot, it felt amazing and rewarding after training so hard the past winter to achieve 9th place at the first PWA-event of 2013.”

PWA: Favourite location to compete on the PWA World Tour? And favourite place to freesail?

AV: “My favourite location on tour is Fuerteventura. This because of the temperatures, not have to wear a wetsuit and the strong winds. Bonaire is my favourite spot of all places. Here you can train slalom in the bay, wave at Lac Cai and freestyle on Sorobon. Fingers crossed that the PWA tour will come back to Bonaire soon.”

PWA: What is your favourite move?

AV: “Kabikuchi is my favourite move.”

PWA: What was your aim at the start of the year?

AV: “My goal was to achieve a place in at least the Top 16 and in my mind even in the Top 10.

Ending on 11th place overall now I’m super happy.”

PWA: What is your aim for next year?

AV: “Because of ending close to the Top 10 this year, my goal is to make it INTO the Top 10 next year for sure.”

PWA: How will you be spending your winter?

AV: “Bonaire has the perfect conditions to prepare myself for the next season. I have to attend school as well, so there will be not a lot of travelling. Of course when there is a good opportunity or something interesting to go to abroad I will go.”

PWA: What do you do when you aren’t windsurfing?

AV: “When I’m not windsurfing, there must be no wind !!   Besides windsurfing I’m at school studying Sports and Movements, at work or hanging out with my friends playing some videog ames and of course keeping my scooter up to date.”

PWA: Favourite food and drink?

AV: “My favourite food is all kinds of pasta’s and an orange juice on the rocks!!”

PWA: Favourite kit setup?

AV: “The perfect Freestyle combination for me is the Starboard Flare 91, Choco Fin 16.5cm with the Severne Freek 4.8/ 5.2.”

“Before ending this intervieuw I want to say thanks to the PWA-crew on tour, to all the event organisers on the 4 locations, to Markus Seidl for taking some awesome action pictures and last but not at all least my sponsors Starboard and Severne.”

“Thanks for the intervieuw and see you all in 2014 !! PS To give you an impression of the arrival on Bonaire last Tuesday see here:”

PWA: Thanks Amado and we look forward to seeing you competing on the water again in 2014.

If you don't already follow on Amado on Facebook then be sure to 'Like' his Fan page here.