Breakthrough

Taty Frans cracks the slalom podium for the first time to end 2015 on a high

Taty Frans (Starboard / GA Sails / Mystic) is one of the few sailors who competes on the world stage in more than one discipline. The Bonairean is not only one of the world’s most stylish and explosive freestylers, but he’s also an extremely talented slalom sailors — lighting quick in a straight line, while boasting one of the best gybes in the business. Frans finished 6th overall in the freestyle, while completing the season in 19th place in the slalom, but that doesn’t tell the full story and the 31 year old showed how dangerous he can be when everything clicks into place after achieving his first podium finish at the final event of the year in New Caledonia. After ending the season with a flourish we caught up with Taty for an interview:

Hey Taty, congratulations on your first podium finish in slalom, is it true you almost didn’t go to the event?

TF: “Thank you. I didn't wanted to go due to the cost of air fare which amounts to about $4,500, plus I was ranked 25th after sylt and of course of my bad result in Costa Brava and skipping Korea. After making a few calculations I knew that even if I won in Noumea it wouldn’t be enough to move me into the top 16 and that was the only reason behind not going.”

What changed your mind? And you must be happy that you went now :)

TF: “Knut told me you have to go, you are capable of great results and I believe you race great in NC  just like you did in Fuerteventura, and beside we like the way you race — it’s exciting. YES! I am sure pleased with the way I did race and finishing on a podium it's a dream I had. So I am thankful to Mr Knut for believing in me. Maybe he saw it coming and I didn't. So I am grateful and thankful that he pushed me to go.”

How does it feel to get your first podium finish? 

TF: “It feels so amazing and it didn't get into my head that I got to hold the trophy of a slalom world cup event. To fly 30 plus hours to New Caledonia and coming back home with a prize, words can't describe the feeling. I remember getting back to the hotel after the prize giving and I just put the trophy in-front of me on the table… I took a little nap, woke up and it was still there… I just smiled.”

Overall how was the whole event for you in NC?

TF: “Ever since last year when I traveled for the first time to NC it was mind blowing windy, choppy, and with the level at its peak with great racing in what should be each event slalom conditions the event is good. It's not because I placed 2nd but it's because we get to race in good slalom conditions with 7.9m, 7.1m powered and medium to small equipment. Beside the conditions, the organisers are also doing a great job getting a new event on the PWA calendar, which is very hard work but they do make it possible which is a big A+.” 

In the slalom it seemed you were firing on all cylinders or a bit off the pace this year? Why do you think that was? A 2nd and a 6th and then a 50th, 17th and 20th

TF: “I was a bit off the pace in places where the wind was to light and I couldn't adjust my light wind gear to get the best out of my kit to make better results, I trained the whole winter on windy Bonaire with my small-medium gear and it showed that I had better results in windy conditions like Fuerteventura & NC — compared to all other places that we had light wind slalom. But it's something I’ve learned from and I already started to prepare my light wind quiver for the new season, especially fins.”

You’ve been doing a lot of work in the gym — what does a daily routine consist of for you? 

TF: “I have been going to the gym due to being more involved in slalom racing plus I believe it can help with me doing 2 different disciplines. Fitness 3 times a week, 1 hour intense session with personal coach. 4am: wake up, eat, take supplements and vitamins. 5:30: drive down to the gym and from there we start, we do mostly a lot of legs exercises which I hate so much, push up, pull ups, abs, we barely do weight lifting, self body weight is what we do. Nothing really special but the training give the body strength and mental stability.” 

You had another good year on the freestyle tour finishing 6th overall… do you feel any difference when you are freestyling now with more time spent in the gym?

TF: “I don't spend any less time on the freestyle gear than before, I feel I have more energy, sure I feel heavier but I don't think that it is a problem with doing freestyle moves, maybe certain moves but it's do able. 6th is good and I am happy for that overall top 10 result another year, as to do two disciplines, it is hard but being in the top of both is harder but it feels good because the only athlete that is being able to do multiple discipline and be on top of that is Sarah-Quita. And it shows that no talent should go wasted and if you have the power and ability why not prove it.”

How do you find balancing training for two different disciplines?

TF: “I love windsurfing it’s an addiction, sea, wind nature at it best providing freedom & peace of mind, so the balance comes automatically. When I freestyle I just train the moves that need to be done and sailing with Amado and Chepi is enough to keep me where I need to be level wise. Whenever I get bored of freestyle and I feel it's time to do some slalom training I go out on my slalom gear, train with the locals find the perfect settings and once I have that locked in I go back to freestyle. Maybe it sounds simple but because I know what I need as far my slalom gear goes, I don't need to test much, if a fin or mast is working good I stop testing and I just focus to control that setting. But the time spent on the water windsurfing gives me enough knowledge about both disciplines.”

Which do you prefer when freesailing, and which do you prefer competing in? why?

TF: “I prefer freestyling it's more fun even by yourself, it's just you enjoying the moment doing stunts, hahaha. Competing in slalom the adrenaline is unspeakable. Aiming for the perfect starts, being fully locked in full speed reaching that first mark with 8 guys. Jibing, pumping getting away from the pack, heart beating fast, it's not a scary feeling is more like a workout, heart beat you are having. It's just scary, fun and exciting moment. Love it.”

You spend a lot of time travelling from event to event… do you get bored of travelling and is it being away from home sometimes?

TF: “I have been traveling for the last 13 years and the traveling part is what I hate the most due to spending countless hours in the airplane and airports, sometimes I just wish I could snap my fingers and get to the destination, but once at the destination all that bored thinking wears out, and it's all good. I think I am still doing okay being away from home, I love Bonaire but at the same time I love my sport and work. So I am good with the life I have, it's what I have worked/dreamed for now I have it and I am making the best of it.” 

You are quite active on social media… do you enjoy using social media is or it just something you have to do?

TF: “Maybe I am to active in social media. Hahaha, but i feel I have to share to the world and beside that the numbers of people that msg/contact me and send me positive feedback is unbelievable, it's not something that I have to do, but to me being active it gives the outside world a better view of who I am as an athlete and for my post to inspire and motivate people is a good feeling, At the other side my sponsor do like a lot what I do on social media, so that give more of a boost to keep it going. Self promotion is a must in the windsurfing industry. Besides that I have met a lot of people I didn't know about coming up to me and  telling me that they follow me on FB — keep it up you are doing a great job. I think I should keep doing it :) with pleasure.”

On the tour who would you say your best friends are?

TF: “I am having a hard time trusting people but I would say, Brother Tonky, Amado, Bjorn Saragoza, Jordy Vonk, Ethan Westera and Ben Van der Steen is a cool guy.” 

Favourite event?

TF: “Fuerteventura — I hope they can find the budget for pozo slalom one day. Oh yeah!”

Favourite music?

TF: “POP/R&B” 

Favourite food?

TF: “Fish with funch 'corn meal’"

Night in or Party?

TF: “Night in. I love movies even though I always fall asleep 15 minutes after the start. Hahaha.”

Finally, where will you be over the winter and what are you goals for next year?

TF: “Winter Bonaire, the windy season is on, development of the Gaastra Freestyle sail on Bonaire, which I am proud and thankful to be trusted to do this for Gaastra and working closer with Peter Muzingler. The work on & off the water continues, with my fitness program and with the goal and mind to have good results once the season starts again.”

PWA: Great, thanks Taty. Have a great winter and see you next year.

Stay up to date with all of Taty Frans latest news via his Social Media Channels:

Facebook: Taty Frans 

Instagram: @taty_frans