Official Statement
The Professional Windsurfers Association (PWA) wishes to clarify the facts surrounding the Phantom Foiling suspension from PWA membership. While a full explanation was already shared directly with PWA member brands on July 10th, we find it necessary to publicly reiterate key points to avoid confusion.
Background
Phantom Foiling has accumulated significant outstanding membership-related fees across the 2023, 2024, and 2025 seasons. These include unpaid membership, equipment registration fees (boards, sails, and foils), and result-based fees. Despite repeated outreach and the offer of multiple flexible payment plans, Phantom declined to reach an acceptable agreement.
Contrary to their public statement, this was not a voluntary withdrawal from the tour. Due to the continued use of PWA’s competitive platform and media materials despite non-payment, the PWA was left with no choice but to suspend Phantom’s membership in order to uphold the principles of fairness and responsibility to the rest of the membership.
Membership Framework
The PWA operates as a member-based organisation. The current fee structure—developed in collaboration with the brands—was created to ensure fairness, proportionality, and financial sustainability. Brands contribute through a base membership fee and result-based fees that reflect their performance and visibility on tour.
In return, brands receive:
- Full equipment registration rights
- Access to PWA-produced media and footage
- Global brand exposure through the world’s premier professional windsurfing tour
- Voting rights in PWA governance
This model ensures that all participating brands contribute fairly to the system from which they benefit.
The PWA does not force membership. Any brand is free to step away from the tour at any time. However, to be eligible to participate in PWA events and to claim the associated benefits, brands must be active members who meet the same obligations as all others. Suspension only occurred after all reasonable options for resolution were fully exhausted.
Addressing the Social Media Claims
Phantom’s recent public statement omits key facts surrounding their long-standing non-payment and rejection of workable solutions. Their assertion of being penalised for success misrepresents the result-based fee structure, which was designed by the brands themselves to replace high flat fees with a more equitable, performance-linked system.
Furthermore, Phantom has continued to use PWA content and branding without fulfilling the financial obligations tied to those rights, which is not acceptable under the shared standards upheld by the rest of the industry.
Commitment to the Sport
The PWA operates under a non-profit status, meaning that all incoming fees—whether from events, industry partners, or membership—are reinvested directly into the sport. These funds are used to support the governance of the PWA, invest in media production, and assist in developing events around the world that elevate the sport and its athletes to the next level.
We are not a profit-driven organisation, but a structure by windsurfers, for windsurfers. Our mission is to create the best possible platform for the world’s top athletes to compete and to enable brands to push the boundaries of what is possible on the global stage.
Unlike many other sports, PWA does not operate on TV revenue. Our events rely on the tireless efforts of passionate local organisers and community support that enable world-class competitions to take place around the globe.
We are proud of the commitment and collaboration demonstrated by our organisers, riders, and member brands, without whom none of this would be possible.
To the wider windsurfing community: thank you for your ongoing support. We remain focused on building a future that is fair, transparent, and sustainable for everyone involved.
For further inquiries, please contact:
Dieter Van der Eyken, PWA Chairman
Katrine K. Frandsen, PWA Tour Manager