20 Questions

Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) may still only be 25-years-old, but the Lady of Aruba has already amassed 12 world titles — 9 Freestyle and 3 Slalom — and only looks set to add to that tally in the future. While proudly sitting on top of the world in Freestyle and Slalom, Offringa, is also making inroads in the wave sailing world having finished 3rd overall for the past two seasons, while in November of last year she entered uncharted territory as she produced a brilliant come back to win the most prestigious event in windsurfing - The Aloha Classic. As one of the current icons of our sport we caught up with Sarah-Quita for a candid 20 questions interview, which you can read below. 

Why are you so passionate about windsurfing? 

Windsurfing has it all for me !

I love being out on the water working with the elements of nature. I love how a nice session together with friends or even strangers bring people together. You never stop learning. It’s very challenging but that much satisfying once you learn a new skill. Within windsurfing there are different disciplines that each give you a different adrenaline rush. As exciting as the sport can be it can be just as relaxing too. I think honestly, my favourite thing is just getting in the straps and blasting across the water. Really, windsurfing just keeps me coming back for more!

What quality do you like most in other people?

I like people that are completely themselves. Isn’t it great how different we all are and that there’s always something we can learn from each other?

What annoys or frustrates you the most?

I think I’m most frustrated when I feel like I’m wasting or have wasted time.

What do you most like in yourself?

I like that I am hardly ever bored. I’m entertained by the simplest things.

What do you dislike in yourself?

That I’m all or nothing with some things. I can either be too focused on one thing instead of seeing the big picture or I want to do too many things at once. I should plan things out better ;-)

What has been your best moment on tour?

I’ve had several great moments on tour, and most of them were where I had to come back from behind. But the most recent one was winning the Aloha classic. And actually it was the whole last day of the event was a massive highlight for me. I sailed 5 heats in a row, (Ho’okipa all to my self!!) landed a wicked aerial, had tons of fun and won it in the end. That was the cherry on top of an amazing day already.

What has been your worst moment on tour?

I don’t want to keep referring back to it, but this slalom crash I had in New Caledonia was still the worst moment I’ve had on tour to date. 

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you have given yourself when your career started?

I think I got the advice but never really took it until now. But mostly that you should look after your body. Staying fit, and stretching etc. That way you can spend more time on the water in the long run.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

That I shouldn’t mind what other people say. As long as I enjoy what I’m doing I’d be fine!

What would be your perfect day?

Starting the day early! Watering the plants, breakfast with the family. An epic morning freestyle session with my brother, Coffee break, Lunch and siesta, and an evening session either, windsurfing, kiting, surfing, happy hour at the pier, whatever it is, as long as I can see the sunset. Somewhere in between dancing and music should have occurred as well.

Do you have any superstitions?

I don’t have any superstitions no…  Except for when I haven’t had any coffee to start my day with. Bad things could happen then…

Which living person do you most admire?

I am inspired by a lot of people around me that work hard for what they want to achieve. But my biggest role models will still be my family I’ve grown up with. My parents and my Brother being my biggest role models.

What is your greatest fear? 

Why do people jump out of planes?! Since I used to be really scared of flying, the thought of skydiving gives me goose bumps.

What is your most treasured possession?

Could be my diaries! Been collecting stories from trips from all over the world for the past ten years. Should be interesting later to read back :-) 

If you weren’t a professional windsurfer, what would you like to be?

Woah!! Am I a professional windsurfer? I still call it my hobby haha. I’d be an entertainer with a comedy, singing and dancing act! I’d have to learn how to juggle though!

Where is the best place you’ve been?

If I look back now, I think Egypt was one of my most memorable trips. 

A whole different culture and amazing windsurfing!
On my trip to Iceland I was in total awe of nature’s beauty there.

And again really good windsurfing! 

And lastly the West coast Australia was such an adventure. Very much worth it.

Where would you most like to go to that you haven’t been to yet?

I would really like to go to Morocco and sail there with Boujii!

And thanks to Amanda, for non-windsurfing purposes I’d love to visit the Philippines.

Who would you most like to have as a dinner guest, dead or alive?

Alicia keys! 

Most visited website?

My search history tells me it’s Facebook, continentseven and YouTube.

A phrase you live by?

Awo tin kos! (“it’s about to go down” translated from Papiamentu)

& Avontuurtje (Little adventure. Everything is more fun if you call it an adventure. Courtesy of Andrew Buckley.)