Emerging Talents

Gustav Häggström on harbouring ambitions to break into the world’s top 10

Gustav Häggström (RRD / RRD) made his debut on the PWA World Tour in 2012 at the age of 16. The now 19 year old took part in last year’s junior’s super session where he was able to claim 3rd place. In September of 2014 Häggström then attended the event in Cold Hawaii, Klitmøller, hoping to earn his place in the main draw. Unfortunately, the Swede had to learn his lesson the hard way as he ultimately missed out after one of his backloops and waves were adjudged to have been completed outside of the competition area, which cost him dearly. Now we caught up Häggström to find out more about him and what he wants to achieve in the world of windsurfing.

PWA: Name? “Gustav Haggstrom”

PWA: Age?  “19”

PWA: Where are you based? 

GH: “At the west coast of Sweden in a town called Varberg.” 

PWA: How many languages can you speak? 

GH: “English and Swedish” 

PWA: Number of years windsurfing? “10”

PWA: What first made you want to windsurf?

GH: “As a kid I was always on the beach looking to my parents and there friends who were windsurfing. My dream at that time was to be like them. My family and some other windsurfing family's were always in Denmark at the summer break and my parents were out windsurfing a lot. When I was four years old my older sister got her first own windsurfing gear and I nagged them to let me try and I finally got windsurfing by myself for the first time. I tried now and then and got my first own windsurfing gear when I was nine years old. From that day I have been trying to go windsurfing every windy day!”

PWA: Why is windsurfing your passion?

GH: “Windsurfing has been my passion for my entire life. Everything has been about windsurfing and my life’s dream has always been about windsurfing. What I love with windsurfing beside all the crazy fun, high, and scary jumps and waves, is the feeling on the water and the people around the sport. Windsurfers are happy, dedicated and stoked to see each other and do what they love and it doesn't matter how good you are, everyone is still buddies and having fun together and that´s what I love about windsurfing.”

PWA: Favourite quote or motto that you try to live by? 

GH: “You can dream about it, or you can go out make it happen!”

PWA: Favourite food and drink? 

GH: “Pizza and BOS Ice Tea.” 

PWA: If you were a super hero what special power would you choose? 

GH: “Fly.  So I can make higher jumps… hehe.”

PWA: Favourite location? 

GH: “I love sailing Ho’okipa but I think my home spot Läjet, Sweden, is my favourite. Läjet’s is a sweet cross onshore bump and jump spot. Great for trying new stuff and having fun.” 

PWA: Location(s) you want to visit and why? 

GH: “Peru is probably my dream right now. The wave looks so fast, steep and long. I really want to get some leg burners at that place. I also want to go to Chile and Cabo Verde and sail long down-the-line waves.”

PWA: Outside of windsurfing what do you do? 

GH: “Right now I'm in my last year of high school and working as an electrician.”

PWA: Do you do any additional training outside of windsurfing to keep you fit both physically and mentally? 

GH: “Yeah. I trying to hit the gym, run and cycling as fast as possible. Also doing some surfing when there is no wind but waves here in Sweden.”

PWA: Finally, what do you want to achieve in windsurfing?

GH: “My goal in windsurfing is to become one of the top 10 sailors on the PWA and also have windsurfing as my job and travel the world.”

PWA: Thanks Gustav and good luck.

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