The Men's Final brought together four former Aloha Classic champions — Bernd Roediger, Antoine Martin (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC), Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC), and Morgan Noireaux (JP / NeilPryde / Black Project Fins) — in what head judge Luis Escribano later described as one of the highest-performing contest heats ever witnessed at Ho'okipa.
It was Roediger, the Hawaiian local hero, who rose above the field with a final score of 16.40, claiming his second WWT victory of the young season — following his win at the Puerto Rico 3-Star — and adding another chapter to his legendary relationship with this beach.
His decisive wave was something else entirely. Entering the critical section with full commitment, Roediger executed a taka into a one-handed turn deep under the lip, the sail briefly released as he carved with full rail pressure — a move that was simultaneously radical, functional, and breathtakingly stylish. Judges awarded it an 8.93. Many watching felt the number should have been higher.
"It's really hard to get into that level of just like carefree sailing," Roediger reflected after his win. "You feel pressure, you feel expectation. I found since the last time I won it, it's gotten harder to compete — it's become more difficult to manage the expectation. But to be able to get to the point where you feel totally carefree, totally unattached to the result — like, I'm just gonna go out there and see what happens — you feel it. I'm in last place in the heat. Cool. It's not going the way I thought it would. But you just keep sailing and keep believing."
Roediger also revealed an unusual omen from his opening heat. "The timing lined up exactly with the launch of the Artemis mission — that rocket that just took off. I don't know, it just kind of felt like a charm day the whole time. And that's Ho'okipa. It's got good vibes, good energy."
He closed with heartfelt thanks: "I'm so grateful to have this event. Last year it was an experiment — this year it's really happening, and it's happening on this level. Shout outs to Francisco and the team at Quatro and Goya, my own team at Flikka and Hot Sails for supporting me for this long. It's unreal."
Antoine Martin of Guadeloupe finished third with 14.63, and delivered arguably the single most talked-about manoeuvre of the entire event. In the semifinal, Martin landed a no-handed goiter — releasing the sail completely mid-rotation — that drew gasps from the beach. Head judge Luis Escribano singled out the move as one that pushed the boundaries of scoring. "I think he was pushing the judges to score higher," Escribano said. The manoeuvre received 6.53 — a score that many felt undervalued what was one of the most technically demanding and visually stunning moves ever attempted in competition at Ho'okipa. In the final, Martin continued to push boundaries with a series of one-handed goiters. As Escribano noted: "No hands is better — but one-handed is also great."
Marcilio Browne of Brazil, led for much of the final and eventually finished second on 14.74, narrowly edged out of second on countback. Morgan Noireaux of Hawaii rounded out the podium in fourth with 13.50, but his words may have captured the day best: he described the level of sailing as some of the highest-performance windsurfing he had witnessed in a contest at Ho'okipa in a very long time.
WOMEN: HUNTER MAKES HISTORY; BEHRENS AND COCHRAN SHINE
Marine Hunter of France claimed back-to-back victories at the Maui spring event — successfully defending her title from last year's 4-star edition at this year's elevated 5-star contest. In the Women's Final, Hunter was a class apart, scoring six waves all above 5 points for a total of 12.83, winning by a margin of 1.43 points.
Her surfing drew consistent praise for its flow, power, and precise connection with the lip across a range of conditions. "I'm super, super happy," Hunter said after her win. "We had really nice conditions for the final — it was cross-off, super smooth waves. Awesome."
Maria Behrens (Duotone Windsurfing / Maui Ultra Fins) of Germany claimed second place with 11.40 in what marks her second podium result at a Maui event — a remarkable statement from a young athlete who is quickly establishing herself as a force in women's wave windsurfing. Behrens showcased powerful turns, great style, and intelligent wave selection throughout the competition.
Angela Cochran (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing) of Hawaii, a former world champion and true legend of the discipline, finished third with 11.36 — back-to-back podium results at this event, and a powerful reminder that she remains one of the most competitive women in the fleet at the highest level.
Lina Erpenstein (Severne Windsurfing) of Germany finished fourth with 11.30, just 0.06 points behind the podium — a heartbreakingly narrow margin for a sailor who performed at an exceptional level throughout the day.
Swiss standout Pauline Katz (Severne Windsurfing) had been one of the highlights of the entire competition, her performances drawing attention at every stage. A crash in the B-Final resulted in a knee injury that forced her to limp to the finish line. The World Windsurfing Tour wishes Pauline a full and speedy recovery and looks forward to seeing her back competing at full strength very soon.
A NEW FORMAT THAT DELIVERED
Today marked the debut of a new advancement structure from the Semifinal onward: first place in each semi advanced directly to the Final, while second and third advanced to the B-Final — four-rider heats that gave everyone a podium path. The effect was immediate. With less pressure on survival and more incentive to attack, riders went for their most committed and risky maneuvers. Antoine Martin's no-handed goiter — the move of the event — came in a Semifinal under exactly this format. It worked.
THE JUDGES' VIEW
Head judge Luis Escribano, surveying the day's action with characteristic passion, left little doubt about where this event stands in the global canon. "The level of windsurfing here is amazing. These guys make it look easy, like a swimming pool — but it's not a swimming pool. I always come here and I didn't expect anything, but I always go home saying: my God, this is the best windsurfers in the world, doing the best moves on the best beach. That's the show."
LOOKING AHEAD
Competition at the Quatro Maui Pro continues tomorrow with the Junior and Master fleets taking centre stage. The forecast is excellent, with more trade wind and surf conditions expected to deliver another full day of competition. Following the extraordinary standard set by the Pro fleet, expectations are high.
MEN'S FINAL RESULTS — QUATRO MAUI PRO
1st Bernd Roediger
2nd Marcilio Browne
3rd Antoine Martin
4th Morgan Noireaux
WOMEN'S FINAL RESULTS — QUATRO MAUI PRO
1st Marine Hunter
2nd Maria Behrens
3rd Angela Cochran Hawaii
4th Lina Erpenstein Germany
ABOUT THE QUATRO MAUI PRO
The Quatro Maui Pro is a 5-star rated event on the World Windsurfing Tour (WWT), held at Ho'okipa Beach Park on the north shore of Maui, Hawaii — widely regarded as the world's premier wave windsurfing venue. The 2026 edition marks the event's second year and its elevation to full 5-star status, making it the highest-rated event on the tour's opening schedule.
]]>Day 1 belonged to three standout performers: Morgan Noireaux (JP / NeilPryde / Black Project Fins), Kai Lenny (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC) and Bernd Roediger (Flikka / Hot Sails Maui / Black Project Fins), each stamping their authority on the opening exchanges.
Noireaux led the charge with the most complete performance of the day, posting the highest heat total of 14.20, locking it in with the single best wave score - an 8.77 - combining power, flow and critical section selection that set the benchmark for the event. The highlight of his best wave was a stunningly critical goiter in the pocket of a mast high bomb, where he flew way above the lip, fully rotated, and landed with absolute perfection on the face ready to flow into another bottom turn move. It was an astonishing move and the best of the day in a day full of the world's best riders.
Kai Lenny, performing at his home break, delivered a commanding showing to secure the second highest heat score of the day with 13.27, reminding the field of his unique ability to adapt to any conditions Ho’okipa delivers.
Meanwhile, Bernd Roediger made his presence felt with one of the most explosive moments of the day, earning the second highest individual wave score of 8.07, showcasing his progressive and dynamic approach in the pocket.
Together, the trio defined the standard on Day 1, setting up an exciting progression as the competition unfolds.
The Women's day was dominated by France's Marine Hunter (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC) who secured the highest heat score with 8.67. Well clear of the next highest heat score performer of the day from Switzerland’s, Pauline Katz (Severne Windsurfing). Followed by France's Coco Foveau (GUNSAILS) with 6.90 point, and Germany's Lina Erpenstein (Severne Windsurfing) with 5.17.
These 4 standouts have advanced to the semifinals where they will wait for the rest of the pack to battle it out to find the next best 4 riders. The riders to watch for that last four seem to be Guadeloupe's young Lisa Wermeister (Duotone Windsurfing / Maui Ultra Fins), Spain's Maria Andrés (Hot Sails Maui), Germany's Maria Behrens (Duotone Windsurfing / Maui Ultra Fins), and the young title challenger from Belgium, Sol Degrieck (Severne Windsurfing).
Challenger Rounds Set the Stage
Earlier in the day, the Challenger Rounds saw a deep field of 20 outstanding riders whittled down to four, with Hawaii's Graham Ezzy (Tabou / Ezzy Sails) leading the charge ahead of Argentina's World Champion Francisco Goya (Goya Windsurfing / MFC), Hawaii's Casey Hauser (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing) and Brazil’s Levi Lenz (Goya Windsurfing), all advancing into the main event draw and the round of 32 advance seeds. This is where the rubber really hits the tarmac!
Broadcast Innovation Debuts
Day 1 also marked the successful debut of the WWT’s new 5-Star broadcast advertising model, attracting a strong mix of local and global brands including Maui Toyota, Mana Foods, Quatro and Swift Watersports with NeilPryde and JP.
Revenue generated from the broadcast feeds directly into athlete support, helping fund participation across the global tour while elevating the quality of coverage for fans worldwide.
Driven by Passion
Special thanks to event organiser and former world champion Francisco Goya, whose passion and commitment continue to power this iconic Maui event.
Aloha and Mahalo to our event partners:
@world_wave_tour @quatro1994 @countyofmaui @windsurf_ai @pacificstorytellers @acl_cinema @mauitoyotadealer @pacificmillworksmaui @manafoods @hitechsurf @NaluKaiLodge @dimensionpolyant @kuaustore Modo Doctor @kangen_water_hawaii @bestwaterworldwide Carl Nyberg @pritchardwindsurfing @robbyswift Swift Watersports bit.ly/swift-watersports-maui-pro @planchemag @windsurfer.mag @dailydose.de @windsurfingtv @surfmagazin.de @windsurfjournal @weareKurk @dukefoundation @surfridermaui @pwaworldtour @worldsailingofficial @ktsurfing @goyawindsurfing BrandwaveTeam
Photo Credit: Fish Bowl Diaries
]]>Hi Marc, how are you feeling ahead of the start of your world title defence?
“I’m feeling good, excited to reset and start all over again. It’s going to be an exciting season ahead.”
What have you been up to over the winter months?
“I have been mainly working a lot at Simmer and focusing a lot on product development and learning the ropes of sail design, and also designing my first full sail range. Also been to China, at the factory where we produce all our sails and components, which has been a really cool experience and learned a lot from it! It’s been a little different preseason, with less time on the water and more on the development side of things, but I was happy to spend a few weeks of training on Gran Canaria after finishing development on the new Evoq sail range.”
This is the first 5-star wave event held in Maui for over two decades - what are the key differences between say the conditions at the Aloha Classic in October versus the upcoming spring conditions?
“In theory, spring conditions tend to be a little windier and offer better chance for jumps, but it’s been a weird season and forecast looks pretty much like some of the conditions we got some years back in some of the Aloha Classics, with more side on winds and bigger lumpy messy swell. Ho'okipa is always hard to predict and sometimes can just offer gold from an average forecast. But as of now, it doesn’t look like we are going to get the conditions that this event was intended for.”
What’s in your quiver for this event?
“I took all the sizes from 5.3 to 4.2 Blacktip TC with some spare sizes in between and mainly 90l boards, with some of the shapes being what we have been working on for the next generation of production boards.”
Awesome, thanks Marc. Best of luck for the contest.
Hey Morgan, you won the Aloha Classic last October - this event obviously takes place in spring in likely quite different conditions - which conditions (Autumn vs Spring) do you favour, if either and why?
“Normally both seasons are pretty different but this spring has been really strange. Tons of rain with the wind essentially doing circles meaning lots of kona winds and onshore days. It's calmed down a bit and the trade winds are back but I don't think we will be getting your standard sunny windy spring conditions. Looking at the forecast I think the first day will probably be pretty tough. Side onshore with some good size north swell means it will likely be pretty messy. The following days the wind seems to turn a bit more side which should help things. I'm hoping we will get a bit lucky and that we maybe get a bit of rain during the day. That sounds a bit weird but a quick squall might help the wind turn a bit more side off. Either way it looks like we have opportunity all five days which is all we can ask for!”
What have you been up to over the close season?
“I stayed on Maui for the winter. The last few winters I was in Guadeloupe with Coco [Foveau] so it was nice to have a winter at home again. I wanted to go to Chile but since this event was confirmed I figured it made sense for me to stay here and honestly it was nice to be in one place for a bit and get a good training routine leading into this event and the rest of the season. The weather has been strange for a few months now which has led to us getting a lot of different conditions. I've never sailed port tack on Maui as much as I have these past few months so that was quite fun.”
What are your goals for the upcoming season and are you looking forward to competing again?
“I want to have a shot at the World title going into the last event in Chile. Looking at the calendar I know I can put myself in that conversation this year so that's my goal! It's honestly a bit funny having back to back events at Ho’okipa, but I think it's helped keep some of that pressure away so I'm actually really looking forward to getting the event started.”
Great, thanks a lot Morgan and good luck for the contest.
]]>All stunts were performed by professionals. Don't try this at home. No PATRIK gear was harmed in the making of this video.
Footage by: John Skye, Colby Stanley, Moritz Mauch, Alessio Stillrich, Canelo, Muaro Farenzena"
You can see the PATRIK Team's strike mission to Fuerteventura @ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G_AUCMV_l_w
]]>Hoʻokipa is not just another contest venue. It is the heartland of the sport. To win here is to plant your name among the greatest who have ever sailed a wave. And in 2026, the stakes could not be higher.
THE BIG GUNS ARE OUT IN FULL FORCE
As the first 5-Star World Cup event of the season, the Quatro Maui Pro carries maximum 100% ranking points — and maximum pressure. Every top ranked sailor on the World Wave Tour knows that a strong result here sets the tone for an entire season. The field reads like a who's who of the sport's greatest.
On the men's side, reigning World Wave Champion Marc Paré (Simmer / Simmer Sails / MFC) of Spain arrives determined to defend his crown, while 5x world champion and last year's Maui Pro champion Brazil’s Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing / MFC) will be hungry to reclaim the title at the break he knows so well. Germany's Philip Köster (Severne Windsurfing) — five times a world champion and one of the most explosive wave sailors alive — is always a threat wherever he competes, and Spain's three time world champion Víctor Fernández (Duotone Windsurfing) brings the kind of experience and power that demands respect at any Hoʻokipa event.
Then there are the Hoʻokipa specialists, riders for whom this break is home and who have made it their hunting ground. Hawaii's Morgan Noireaux (JP / NeilPryde / Black Project Fins) and Bernd Roediger (Flikka / Hot Sails Maui / Black Project Fins) between them hold seven Aloha Classic titles — four and three respectively — and both know every reef, every swell angle, every shift in the trades. Guadeloupe's Camille Juban (AV Boards / S2Maui / MFC), a two-time Aloha Classic champion sailing for France, and fellow Guadeloupian Antoine Martin (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC) — the 2019 Aloha Classic winner and one of the most explosive talents on tour — clearly showing that the men's draw that has no soft spots.
The women's field is equally formidable. France's Marine Hunter (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing) arrives as last year's Maui Pro champion and a rider on the rise, while Germany's Lina Erpenstein (Severne Windsurfing) brings deep World Tour experience and a relentless competitive drive. Hawaii's legendary Angela Cochran (Quatro / Simmer Sails) — four-time Aloha Classic champion and one of the defining figures in women's wave sailing — joins the fray once again, a living testament to what longevity and mastery at Hoʻokipa looks like. And the next generation is already knocking loudly on the door: Belgium's Sol Degrieck (Severne Windsurfing), the teenage powerhouse who shocked many with her run at the world title last season, and Australia's teenage sensation Sarah Kenyon (Severne Windsurfing), freshly crowned Junior World Champion, are among a cohort of young riders on rapid ascent who have the established names looking over their shoulders.
This is merely a snapshot of the talent pool descending on Maui. The full entry list underlines why the Quatro Maui Pro, as the opening 5-Star of the season, sets the standard for everything that follows. With over 100 of the world's best wave riders we’re going to enjoy quite a show.
MORGAN NOIREAUX AND SARAH-QUITA OFFRINGA: TWO CHAMPIONS, ONE HISTORIC MOMENT
At the conclusion of the 2025 season, something remarkable happened at Hoʻokipa. On the same day, at the same event, both Hawaii's Morgan Noireaux and Aruba's Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) claimed their fourth Aloha Classic titles — independently equalling the all-time records held by legends Robby Naish (Naish / Naish Sails) and Angela Cochran. Two competitors. Two records equalled. One extraordinary afternoon at the break that makes the legends..
Noireaux and Offringa now arrive at the Quatro Maui Pro as the sport's reigning Aloha Classic champions, carrying the momentum of a historic 2025 season final into the first major event of 2026. Their mastery of Hoʻokipa's powerful waves is unmatched on tour, and both will be immediate contenders from the opening heat.
For every other competitor in the field, the message from 2025 is clear: to win at Hoʻokipa, you must first find a way past two of the greatest windsurfers this sport has ever produced.
KAI LENNY: THE OCEAN POLYMATH RETURNS
Kai Lenny (Quatro / Goya Windsurfing / MFC) is among the most celebrated watermen of his generation — equally at home charging Jaws or competing at the highest level of professional windsurfing. His ultimate ambition in the sport remains an Aloha Classic title, contested each October when Hoʻokipa delivers the large, powerful swells that make that event the most prestigious in windsurfing.
2026 presents Lenny with something new. For the first time in his career, two WWT 5-Star Majors are being held in his own backyard. With the WWT season title determined by each athlete's best four results, those who can accumulate maximum points close to home carry a distinct strategic advantage. Lenny knows these waves as well as anyone alive. He knows this crowd. He knows this wind.
What he does with that advantage will be one of the season's most compelling stories to follow.
MAUI: THE WORLD'S PREMIER WINDSURFING DESTINATION
The Quatro Maui Pro reflects a vision championed by Francisco Goya (Goya Windsurfing / MFC), whose commitment and leadership have been instrumental in bringing a second WWT 5-Star Major back to Hoʻokipa in 2026. Maui has long been the spiritual home of professional windsurfing — a status earned on the water across decades — and the return of a spring 5-Star Major to the island is a significant moment for the sport.
Hoʻokipa has a storied spring tradition stretching back to 1982, when the original Maui Grand Prix first put the break on the world map. Through the decades that followed, a succession of title sponsors — most notably the long-running O'Neill Invitational, followed at various times by Chiemsee, DaKine, Jeep and others — kept a spring World Cup event alive at Hoʻokipa sporadically until the mid 2000's. The last confirmed spring PWA World Cup here was in April 2005. The Quatro Maui Pro marks the return of that tradition after over two decades.
"Maui has not seen a spring event since the PWA event in April 2005, two full decades ago. It is great to have it back on the schedule. If one goes back into the history of wave events at Hoʻokipa, some of the most memorable competitions were held in the spring during the long standing O'Neill Invitational, which ran from the early 80s to the mid 90's. DaKine, Chiemsee, and even corporate sponsors like Jeep sponsored events at Hoʻokipa in the spring. Maui always comes alive with abundant energy as we see the world's best windsurfers take to the water and challenge the elements." — Kai Katchadourian
"Maui is the heartland of this sport," said WWT Commissioner Simeon Glasson. "Having two 5-Star events here in 2026 is a statement about where professional windsurfing is heading — and it wouldn't be possible without Francisco Goya's extraordinary dedication to this island and this sport."
EVENT PARTNERS
WWT · Quatro · County of Maui · Windsurf AI · Maui Toyota · Pacific Millworks · Mana Foods · HT · Nalu Kai Lodge · Dimension-Polyant · Kuau Store · Modo Doctor · Kangen Water Hawaii · BestWaterWorldwide.com · Pritchard Windsurfing · Planchemag.fr · Windsurfer.co · DailyDose.de · Windsurfing.tv · Surf-magazin.de · WindsurfJournal.com · Kurk · Duke Kahanamoku Foundation · Surfrider Foundation · PWA · World Sailing · KT · Goya
]]>From the nuclear winds of Pozo, to the storm-driven chaos of Sylt, and the more technical, ramp-hunting conditions of Tenerife, the world’s best pushed aerial performance to the next level. Expect massive stalled double forwards, pushloop forwards, perfect timing and full commitment in some of the toughest conditions on tour... oh and some massive crashes are thrown in there too!
These are the moments where precision meets power, and where heats can be won or lost in a single move.
Let us know in the comments which jump was your favourite from 2025, and don’t forget to subscribe for more PWA action as we head into an even bigger 2026 season.
You can see a selection of the best jumps from the 2025 season @ https://youtu.be/1hzHGutjkz4?si=6lDryvTquhO2fglr
]]>As we Unpack the Boardbags, Robby talks about how hard it is now to make a living as a pro windsurfer, the good old days where with one season's prize money you could buy a house, injuries, gnarly crashes at Jaws, Red Bull Storm Chase, future plans and what it's like raising two groms on Maui...
You can see the latest episode of Unpacking the Boardbags with Robby Swift @ https://youtu.be/tgMxpNesD6w?si=rELTbolc2D0gQeuU
]]>Hi Thomas, Surfmedizin is run by a team of watersports enthusiasts… maybe you could introduce yourselves a little bit and also tell us more about Surfmedizin?
“Absolutely!
Surfmedizin” is a non-profit association founded by doctors and medical professionals who are not only passionate about medicine – but also about watersports. All of us are active windsurfers, kitesurfers, surfers or sailors ourselves, so we truly understand the demands of the sport, the travel, the competition pressure and of course the typical injuries that can come with it.
Our goal is simple: to provide sports-focused, practical and accessible medical support specifically tailored to watersports athletes – from ambitious amateurs all the way to World Tour professionals. We combine medical expertise with real-world experience on the water. That makes a big difference.”
Can you tell us a little bit more about how exactly this new collaboration will work for PWA athletes? How can they sign up and what details do they need to provide?
“Through our cooperation with the PWA, all registered PWA athletes will have direct access to our medical support network.
The idea is straightforward: Athletes can contact us directly via email / social media. After a short initial intake – including basic details such as their name, discipline, current location, medical issue, and any relevant medical history – we connect them with the appropriate specialist from our network.
There’s no complicated process. No bureaucracy. The focus is fast, practical help – whether they’re at an event venue or somewhere remote between stops.”
The service is being offered 365 days a year with no costs or contracts. What was the main motivation behind making this so accessible to the sailors?
“Our motivation is rooted in our background as athletes ourselves. We know how difficult it can be to access high-quality, sports-specific medical advice when you’re constantly travelling. Especially in international competition settings.
By offering this free support, we want to remove barriers. If an athlete hesitates to seek help because of cost, complexity or uncertainty, that’s already a problem. We want it to be simple: if something feels wrong, reach out.
Early advice often prevents long-term issues.”
What are the primary ways PWA athletes can utilise your expertise? Is it strictly for injury recovery, or can they reach out for preventative care?
“Definitely not just for injury recovery.
Of course, we help with acute injuries, rehabilitation strategies, return-to-sport decisions and second opinions. But prevention is just as important to us.
The earlier we’re involved, the better. Prevention is always more effective than rehab.”
If a sailor needs help or advice outside of events (remotely), what is the best way they should contact you?
“The best way is simply via email, through our official website contact form or via Instagram (@surfmedizin_official). From there, we triage the request and respond quickly – usually within a very short timeframe."
Will you/your team be present at all World Tour events moving forwards?
“We plan to be present at selected World Tour events in person whenever possible.
However, regardless of physical presence, our remote medical support will always be available – at every event and between events. Even if we’re not standing on the beach that day, we’re just one message away…”
Prevention is better than cure – what would be some of the simplest advice to help windsurfers avoid injuries? And as watersports specialists, what are the most common problems you see?
“You’re absolutely right – prevention is key.
Some of the simplest but most effective advice:
Proper warm-up – especially for shoulders and lower back.
Strength training for stabilisation (shoulder girdle, core).
Recovery matters – sleep, hydration, structured rest days and appropriate nutrition.
Listen to early warning signs – pain is information, not weakness.
The most common issues we see in windsurfers include:
Shoulder overuse injuries (muscle strains) and instability
Lower back pain
Knee strains
Acute impact injuries during crashes, especially injuries of the mid-foot (“Lisfranc”).”
Great, thanks a lot Thomas. It’s fantastic to have you on board.
]]>
You can see Boujmaa Guilloul enjoying his time in Morocco @ https://youtu.be/G8OZWz8Rpng?si=iSQwazACxCV0Ft3P
]]>You can see more high octane Slalom @ https://youtu.be/JYtstZK3EtE?si=dKkvA163ywrqh4Tt
]]>In this episode of Unpacking the Boardbags, we dive into the story of how Blanca grew up in Seville and how the Olympic success of her sister Marina shaped her career. From the early days of foiling in Tarifa to becoming World Champion and the aspirations she now has to also join the Wave Tour.
You can see the latest episode of Unpacking the Boardsbags @ youtu.be/pO78FKlyJIk
]]>
For PATRIK team rider Marion Mortefon (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails / PATRIK Foils), the wind has always been a constant. But lately, the tides have shifted in the most beautiful way. Join Marion on an intimate journey as one of the world’s premier professional windsurfers navigates her most rewarding challenge yet: motherhood.
In this short film, we step off the podium and onto the sand to witness the "new normal." It’s a story of the balance between chasing world title dreams and the quiet, precious moments of family life on the beach.
At PATRIK, we are incredibly proud to support this powerhouse athlete as she defines what it means to be a professional woman in sports today.”
You can see episode one of Chasing Two Dreams @ youtu.be/RFsLuG7cSmg
]]>George Grisley: "In this video I breakdown how to do the windsurfing ponch. Whether you're an aspiring freestyler or a wave sailor stuck with flat water, the ponch should be a move you're mastering. Watch till the end as I switch positions with Maarten behind the camera and teach him to Ponch in a single 30 minute session."
You can see George Grisley's latest tutorial @ https://youtu.be/SAaRmZuGip8?si=uzfTATFyuvvl62hS
]]>From the powerful walls of Chile to the nuclear winds of Pozo, the technical challenge of Tenerife, the raw conditions of Sylt and the ultimate showdown at Ho’okipa, this is wave sailing at its highest level. Expect towering aerials, critical wave riding and clutch performances under pressure as the world’s best pushed the limits in their pursuit of victory.
Let us know in the comments which wave was your favourite from the 2025 season, and don’t forget to subscribe to both channels for more PWA & WWT content as we look ahead to another huge year on the World Wave Tour.
You can see the best wave rides of 2025 @ https://youtu.be/3pgoxXPYw-c?si=hklm1XVILXqVYCw_
]]>You can see Takuma Sugi ripping in Western Australia @ https://youtu.be/Qt1aRkvmByE?si=QCwZvbkL1OSXjYBO
]]>In this episode, we trace his journey from the early Freestyle days travelling with Kauli Seadi and Ricardo Campello, to his first Wave world title, the setbacks that followed, and the turning point that came during the COVID years. We also dive into his passion for equipment development, why he travels with more than ten boards to certain events, and the advice he has for everyday windsurfers looking to fine-tune their setup and elevate their performance.
You can listen to the latest episode of Unpacking the Boardbags with Marcilio Browne @ https://youtu.be/M4FmnKZaLhM?si=AC9ScK3zkeNd2Mf2
]]>]]>
Hey Amado, congrats on your new move to North Windsurfing - how are you feeling about the move?
“I am very excited, North Sails is an amazing team with great vision.
Stoked for what's coming ahead and the new season.”
In the past you’ve made it pretty clear that you want to be challenging for world titles - you’ve already won the Freestyle world title and finished as the Slalom vice-world champion in 2023 - have you made this move because you think it gives you the potential to challenge for the world title in 2026 and beyond?
“Yeah, that ambition hasn’t changed.
I’ve already achieved some big milestones, but I still want to be challenging for world titles.
The move to North is about putting myself in the best possible position over the upcoming years to keep progressing and be competitive at the very top.
North has a strong development culture and a clear long-term vision, and that gives me confidence that I can keep improving season by season.
There are no guarantees in racing, but I believe this move gives me the best chance to fight for wins and, ultimately, for a world title in the upcoming years.”
You’ll be teaming up with Pierre Mortefon - arguably one of the greatest racers of his generation - how are you feeling about working with Pierre for the first time?
“You’re right, Pierre is definitely one of the best racers out there.
I’ve never really had the chance to train and test with him before, but I know he has a huge amount of knowledge.
I’m sure I’ll be able to learn a lot from him, and I’m very confident that together we can develop some amazing sails in the future.”
As one of the best all-round windsurfers in the world - you’ll also be helping North to develop their Freestyle range - does that mean there’s a chance that we’ll see you competing back on the Freestyle World Tour? Or you’ll still mainly be focused on your racing?
“I’ll definitely be helping with the development of the freestyle sails, and freestyle will always be something I enjoy.
If it doesn’t interfere with my racing program, I’d also like to do some freestyle events as well.
But overall, racing remains my main focus.”
What are your goals for 2026?
“I think the most obvious goal is to go for the slalom, foil, and fin titles.
To do that, I want to enjoy the process, have fun, and make sure I’m fully prepared for the season. I’m confident that if I focus on that, the results will come and give me a strong chance at the top spot.”
Thanks, Amado. Good luck for the coming season.
Photo credit: Israel Gil
]]>PATRIK: "Please welcome Mister Alession Stillrich. Lean back, grab some snacks and enjoy the first session on his new gear."
]]>Following his 2024 challenge, an extreme crossing of nearly 400 kilometres across the North Sea, 2026 marks the next step. Where that challenge was a battle against the elements and perfect timing, The Challenge Race Against Time is a test of pure endurance. For 24 consecutive hours, day and night, Bob will windsurf without stopping to reach a minimum distance of 800 kilometres.
Once again, Bob will push his physical limits to raise awareness for children with a muscle disease. Because this challenge cannot be carried out on just any day, we are working with a so called wind window. This wind window is open in week 24 and 25, with June 11 and 12 as the ideal dates. And weeks 26 and 27 as back-up dates.
This year, main sponsor Howden plays a crucial role in enabling the challenge and ensuring that funds can be raised in support of the cause.
About the Charity
‘Spieren voor Spieren’ (translation: muscles for muscles) is committed to defeating all muscle diseases in children. Proceeds from fundraising activities are used quickly and effectively to accelerate diagnosis and improve treatments for children living with a muscle disease. Under the motto “Healthy muscles support sick muscles,” the foundation is supported by many current and former elite athletes who actively contribute to its mission.
About Lucas
At the heart of the campaign is Lucas (11), the child ambassador of the challenge. Lucas lives with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive muscle disease that causes his muscles to become weaker over time, eventually losing their function altogether. As long as there is no effective treatment or medication, time is slowly running out for Lucas’ muscles. As his mother Debby puts it, “While time moves forward, Lucas continues to fall behind.” It is, quite literally, a race against time.
We also discussed how he got into the sport, his battles with Philip Köster over the years in Pozo, the filming of 4 Dimensions and Minds Wide Open with Andre Paskowski and whether he's thinking about retirement as he enters his 25th year on tour...
You can either watch or listen to the first episode on YouTube or Spotify.
]]>Thule and Ghiretti put on a masterclass in wave knowledge and critical aerials, maximising the potential of every set wave. In the semi-finals, Köster suffered multiple heavy wipeouts and a gear change, leaving the German superstar floundering as the youngsters surged ahead, proving they could compete with — and beat — the sport’s elite. The crowd watched in stunned silence as the moment sank in.
The final saw Thule open strong with solid aerials, but it was Ghiretti’s triple aerial wave, scoring 8.73 — the highest single-wave score of the competition — that lifted him into second place, solidifying his reputation as one of Australia’s most promising young talents.
Meanwhile, Julian Salmonn (Naish / Naish Sails) from Germany, who had multiple 14+ point heats and impressive wave 360s earlier in the day, also fell victim to the heavy conditions in the final and finished fourth after several wipeouts.
In exciting news, windsurfing fans might get to see more of Jaeger Stone in 2026.
“I’ll consider travelling to a couple of events this year. I definitely won’t be doing the full tour, but events like Fiji and Chile have been on my radar for a while and hopefully I’ve got a little bit more flexibility with work this year. Chile is somewhere that I would really love to visit anyway and I’ll be very interested in attending that event for a few years now that the event looks like it gets bigger and better every year, so we’ll see if that happens.”
Rising Star Kenyon Outshines the Veterans
In a breakthrough performance, seventeen-year-old Junior World Champion Sarah Kenyon (Severne Windsurfing) from Geraldton, Australia just did the unthinkable, beating highly experienced pro women in solid waves at Margaret River.
With her strong surfing background, Kenyon found the longer, cleaner waves and was able to perform multiple tight snaps and a small aerial to just edge out world number eight, Margaret River’s Jane Seman (Severne Windsurfing) by 0.06 of a point.
“I was really excited to win here, because it’s dream that I didn’t think I’d get to for so long”, said an ecstatic Kenyon. “To do it this early was pretty special to me. I didn’t think I could do it, but once you put your mind to do it, you can do anything.”
The well composed rider drew on her experience and love for the break to secure the win over much more experienced competitors.
“I’ve spent heaps and heaps of time in Margaret River and the wave is really hard to know when to hit the lip. The time spent there really helped me to read the wave. Margaret River is a break I love to sail, I just don’t get as nervous. I’m excited to watch the other girls and guys ripping, so I just get excited to push myself. And the waves looked so sick, it just makes you want to go out there.”
Runner up, Seman charged hard and attacked the heavy lips throughout the competition, but wasn’t able to find the longer waves that offered multiple scoring opportunities in the final. Juggling event organisation and competition, she was ecstatic for her protégé.
“My motivation for running this event is to help the youth, so they can watch and learn from the top pros at home. People like Jake and Sarah just improve so fast and have such a good read on waves.”
“I really love sailing with Sarah as she always wants to get better and just goes for it. This is just the start for her, and I really feel she will become one of greatest ever female wave riders.”
Former world wave champion, Karin Jaggi (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails) showed excellent consistency with powerful turns on the large waves of Margaret River to take third place, while Maria Andrés (Hot Sails Maui) chose some of the largest waves Margaret River had to offer and used her trademark power carves to make her way into the final - eventually finishing fourth.
The finals day replay is available here to watch:
https://www.youtube.com/live/bq2faStk5CA?si=4jgLgEhyN3C6uPlk
Pro Men’s
1st Jaeger Stone (AUS | Severne Windsurfing)
2nd Jake Ghiretti (AUS | Severne Windsurfing)
3rd Simon Thule (DEN | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails)
4th Julian Salmonn (GER | Naish / Naish Sails)
Pro Women’s
1st Sarah Kenyon (AUS | Severne Windsurfing)
2nd Jane Seman (AUS | Severne Windsurfing)
3rd Karin Jaggi (SUI | PATRIK / PATRIK Sails)
4th Maria Andrés (ESP | Hot Sails Maui)
Master's
1st Ash Nicol, Perth Australia
2nd Jonah Desforges, Perth Australia
3rd Peter Kenyon, Geraldton Australia
4th Ivan Zecca, Margaret River, Australia
Pro Junior Boy's
1st Jake Ghiretti (AUS | Severne Windsurfing)
2nd Max Ford (AUS)
3rd Josh Ledger (AUS)
4th Tyler Wallrodt (AUS)
Junior’s
1st Max Ford
2nd Nikiforos Ford
3rd Ines Callenaere
Grand Master’s
1st Paul Jackman
2nd Mark Slade
3rd Richard Hall
4th Darren Clark
Photo Credit: Scotty Bauer
]]>]]>
The competition will run from 31 January to 8 February at Margaret River, with early forecasts pointing to powerful three-metre swells and ideal wind conditions expected mid-week, particularly on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Defending champion and multiple-time world wave title holder Philip Köster (Severne Windsurfing) returns to Margaret River following a standout performance in 2025. He will be challenged by Julian Salmon (Naish / Naish Sails), last year’s runner-up and current world number 11, as well as first-time Australian competitors Alessio Stillrich (Bruch Boards / Bruch Sails) and Takuma Sugi (Tabou / GA Sails / Black Project Fins), currently ranked 17th and 18th respectively.
“I saw footage from last year and was really excited to see such a bowly, powerful wave,” said Sugi. “I decided to come after hearing how epic Western Australia is from my brother.”
Denmark’s Simon Thule (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails), one of the tour’s fastest-progressing sailors, returns for his third season at Margaret River after pushing Köster close in a semi-final last year.
The international stars will face strong Australian competition, including former world number three Jaeger Stone (Severne Windsurfing) and rising talent Jake Ghiretti (Severne Windsurfing), the reigning U21 World Pro Junior Champion. Ghiretti is currently recovering from a recent concussion and remains hopeful of competing, pending medical clearance.
The women’s division features a world-class field, including Maria Andrés (Hot Sails Maui) and Sybille Bode (Goya Windsurfing), alongside Margaret River locals and experienced world tour sailors Karin Jaggi (PATRIK / PATRIK Sails) and Jane Seman (Severne Windsurfing), as well as reigning Junior World Wave Champion Sarah Kenyon (Severne Windsurfing).
“This is a dream come true for me,” said Andrés. “Western Australia has been on my bucket list for many years. I’ve heard so much about it, and it’s something I’ve wanted to experience at least once in my life. This felt like the perfect opportunity.”
The event will feature a livestream on finals day, available at:
www.youtube.com/@world_wave_tour
]]>Hey William, congrats on a great season, which is arguably your best performance to date on the World Tour. In 2021 you finished third overall, but then there was only one event and it was a mix of both Fin and Foil… whereas last year you earned a top ten finish at all three events to finish fifth overall - how happy were you with your performance last season?
“Hi! I’m obviously super happy with the outcome. As you said, I finished 3rd in 2021 and we only had one event in Israel. I’m happy to confirm that I’m a top contender, especially this season with three events and no event discard, so there really wasn’t much room for mistakes. We still had three great events with pretty much all kinds of wind conditions, so it shows my versatility and confirms that the training is paying off."
If we go back a little bit, in 2024 you had to race without any sponsors and still managed to finish 12th overall - can you tell us a little bit how you coped with that situation both mentally and financially?
"2024 was not that easy, yes. I have nothing to complain about, but I approached the season differently. I was racing with my 2023 gear, so I really had to take care of it. I’m usually someone who sails a lot all year long. This time I had to save the gear, not use it too much, but still keep training. I had no spare in case of breakage or a crash, and I even ended up borrowing some masts to finish the last event.
On the financial side, I had to run the season on a very limited budget, with only a few extra windsurf industry sponsors, just enough to make it to the most important events. But in a way, it was a good experience. It helped me put things into perspective, stay more motivated than ever, remember that nothing is guaranteed, and enjoy even more my place among the best windsurfers in the world. Since then, I feel like I’ve never enjoyed windsurfing this much.”
Last season you joined the PATRIK Team, how did that move come about and how much of a benefit do you think it was to you to go from being without sponsors to then being part of team very much on the ascendance in the sport…
"Yes, in 2024 I was already pushing to join the Patrik Team, but it was too late and there was no room for me. I really wanted to join that team because I already felt, beyond their strong momentum and the very good gear they were making, that the overall spirit and team atmosphere were really motivating. I already knew Patrik [Diethelm] a bit, as well as his staff, and they are very human, connected people. They are understanding, they push you to be your best, but in a very human way.
Looking at the whole picture, I had the feeling this was exactly the kind of environment I needed to feel good and fully express myself. So I told myself, OK, racing is one thing, but I’m going to show them my value and how motivated I really am. To give myself the best chance, in July 2024, after months of work, I started the PATRIK Pro Shop Bretagne together with Alexandre Cousin.
Then in 2025, the door finally opened for me to join the team. Still at an entry level, with one clear mission: show them that they made the right decision. From the very first jump on the gear, I felt it straightaway -, this is going to be a good one. The style of the gear was fitting my sailing 100%.
So I trained hard to know the gear at 110%, every detail, every condition. At that point, I could fully focus on myself without even thinking about the equipment. The engine was running by itself, and I just had to drive it."
Are you also involved in the equipment development side with PATRIK? If so, what is it about the development side of things that you enjoy?
“I was a little bit involved in the R&D in 2025, but I didn’t want to come in too quickly, and I had full confidence in the team working on it. Alex is one of my best friends, I know exactly how he feels on the water and how good he is at testing and developing gear. So I mainly helped him with speed testing and as a sparring partner.
At the end of the season, I got an amazing reward from PATRIK, being invited to Australia after the last event in Japan to finish and conclude the latest racing sail development. That was the best reward I could get, and I enjoyed it so much. For 2026, I will be much more involved in the R&D, which makes me super happy.”
In Brittany you also have your own shop, right? How do you find balancing running your own shop and training to compete on the World Tour? Are you always just training at home and do you have any training partners?
“Yes, as mentioned, I run together with Alex the PATRIK Pro Shop Bretagne. It’s an online shop, but we differentiate ourselves with our unmatched knowledge of the gear and the sport in general that we are so passionate about, and that we run at a professional level for many years.
I am super reactive and available for customer requests, and I can advise them on the exact gear they need because I know the gear better than anybody, and I have so much on-the-water experience that I can easily feel the type of profile of the customer.
Then I give as much value as possible to them, tips, coaching support, tuning guides. My goal is to provide them with a complete customer experience, from saving time to trim and set up their gear from the first sessions, to keep progressing forever.
Besides, I try to be as active as possible on the beach with advice, demos, etc. I am there anyway, so I just take time to share with the community.
On land, that’s a full-time job, but a very good match with the pro windsurfing career, both on land and on the water.
I am mainly training at home, but still moving a lot across Brittany, and several times a year to the south of France, where we have very good training camps.”
You’ve been very foil focused for the last five years, but next season you are planning to compete on the fin again - what made now the right time for that? And despite not competing on the fin recently - have you still been sailing a lot on the fin?
“Yes, that’s going to be a challenge. I haven’t sailed on fin for five years. When I was in Australia with Patrik, we sailed and tested a lot of slalom fin gear. The first sessions, I had to adapt myself a bit, but I always try to be a complete windsurfer, and I’ve done slalom for so long that it came back relatively quickly. Five years ago, it was also with another brand, so on top of that I had to adapt to new feelings, but I enjoyed it so much.
After two weeks, Patrik asked me: “Would like you to go back racing on fin? Do you want to?”. Even though I didn’t feel 100% competitive, I didn’t even hesitate. I just love windsurfing no matter the discipline, so it was a no brainer.
As I said, to be the best in windsurfing, I’ve always believed you have to be very polyvalent. Slalom, wave, foil, fin, flat water or heavy seas, you need to be complete, and when you love that, it’s not even an issue. Just look at Antoine Albeau.”
As someone who has been so focused on foil then also switching to the fin - what are the main differences you feel between the two different disciplines and which do you enjoy the most?
“The sailing position is pretty different. On the foil, you are only pushing on the front foot, and on slalom it’s the opposite. The gybing is also the most difficult part to adapt. On the foil, it is completely effortless with no speed lost, so you just focus on your trajectory. With the fin, if you hit the chop badly, then you immediately stop. The good thing is that the racing part is the same, so I just have to readapt my sailing.
Honestly, I enjoy both. Even though the last years I enjoyed a lot developing the foil gear and pushing the limits, every year we were faster, could hold on in harder conditions, and kept evolving constantly. While in slalom fin, the evolution every year is very, very small.”
After your best season yet - what are your goals for 2026?
“My goal for 2026 is to keep spending as much time on the water, and even more. Enjoy my comeback on fin, and a top 10 result would be awesome. On the foil, I will keep training to secure my top five and my Speed Foil world title. All around, I want to share even more with the windsurfing community, and my last goal is to transmit as much energy as I can so that people are crazy about windsurfing and don’t go into winging :). Haha, (joke).”
When you aren’t training / racing are you wave sailing or freesailing?
“Yes, as I said before, I am completely mad about windsurfing, so in the wintertime I don’t miss any wave sessions, surfing, and even a few times a year winging :).”
Away from the water what are your other passions / hobbies?
“I have to be honest, outside of watersports I don’t have many hobbies. I just try to spend and give the little time I have outside the water to my family, enjoy nature, and develop myself to be a better adult and learn something every day.”
Thanks, William. Have a great winter and good luck for the coming season.
]]>Hey Pierre, congrats on your new move to North Windsurfing, after a turbulent year with sponsors last season it must feel great to have that sorted nice and early this time round?
“Thanks! It’s a really nice moment for me to finally announce it. It’s been a crazy year, with ups and downs. I am really happy with how I handled the whole year and with my results last season. I kind of needed a big break and I didn’t sail much in the last weeks, just enjoyed a few waves. But I thought and discussed a lot.
It’s a big move, a big change, and I was not really expecting it right after Japan. But I was really seduced by the project, the ideas, and the motivation. This was a key point and made me move. Having strong support and big expectations is something I really appreciate.
I was also looking for stability and a solid project for the coming years. The last seasons were very successful, honestly, but the instability took a lot of energy. Now I felt it was important to set a good base to keep pushing forward with strong goals at the highest windsurfing level.”
At the start of your career you unlocked a lot of major accolades with North - how does it feel to be returning to the brand where it all began?
“I spent the biggest part of my career under the North Sails colours. I got my first interesting contract there, then my first photoshoot, my first race win, my first event victory, etc. So for sure, it feels special.
I think the brand has always been a strong character in the windsurfing world. It’s also well known for being at the very top in sailing and yachting. Having such a big machine behind you and feeling that level of support again is great. Of course, it adds some pressure, but I’m ready for it.
The other day my father was still wearing an old hoodie from that period, it made me smile. The circle is about to be complete, but it will be truly complete when we achieve success together again.”
How does it feel stepping back on to North equipment?
“This logo is iconic and it’s special for me. It moves forward and changes after all those years. For sure the arrival of the foil redefined and changed a bit the overall concept of the sails - even on the fins. So it’s different compared to seven years ago. We are already in the process with the equipment and sails. The plan is to be on top quickly and it will work. I am impressed by the quality of all the accessories, booms and all details of the gear.”
What are your goals for 2026?
"It’s clear, be on top in the two racing disciplines. It’s a big challenge, but I think I showed last year that I am ready for challenges. Now being supported by a strong team will be an advantage and I want to show them we make a good choice working together. On top of that, even if the last years were not the easiest I enjoy WINDSURFING a lot. It’s the best sport in the world, in the water and I want to keep the flame alive.”
Thanks, Pierre. Congrats on the move and good luck for the season ahead.
]]>
This episode features huge upsets, generational clashes and history-making moments. From Bodhi Kempen (Duotone Windsurfing) taking down nine-time world champion Gollito Estredo (Tabou / GA Sails), to all-out WeOne and GUNSAILS team warfare between Steven van Broeckhoven (WeOne / GUNSAILS) and Jacopo Testa (WeONE / GUNSAILS / AL360), and the unforgettable Women’s Double Elimination showdown between Maaike Huvermann (Severne Windsurfing / Maui Ultra Fins) and Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins).
And at number one, a heat that redefined what is possible in competition freestyle, as Lennart Neubauer (Starboard / Severne Sails / Maui Ultra Fins) dropped a record-breaking performance in Sylt.
Let us know via our channels if you agree with the order, subscribe for more PWA content, and stay tuned for everything coming in 2026.
Also, as a passionate fan, we’d love it if you could help support the sport by simply giving us a follow us on our Social Media Channels. For those of you that already have - a massive thank you
- Facebook: @PWAWorldTourWindsurfing
- Instagram: @pwaworldtour
- LinkedIn: @PWA - Professional Windsurfers Association
- YouTube: @pwaworldtour
Hey Justine, now you’ve had a bit of time to reflect how does it feel to have successfully defended your world title?
"Hello! It took me over a month to realise that I had that second world title in the pocket. I now feel proud to have done it twice in a row, and with two different teams. It was a big challenge to switch to PATRIK and try to do it all over again, but I’m very happy that I could give PATRIK their first world title!"
You don’t like doing things the easy way do you… heading into the final day in Japan you held a healthy lead, and given how consistent you had been all season it looked kind of like you had things wrapped up… Can you try and talk us through the emotions on that final day? After finishing third in Elimination 3, which was a totally fine result, things really turned into a rollercoaster ride… what exactly happened with you thinking you had been disqualified from Elimination 4 Winners’ Final, which turned out not to be the case?
"I had a hard time sleeping the night before, just like in previous years. But I woke up confident and excited for the day. I made a mistake in the first race of the day, but overall I was still feeling good mentally.
The chaos started when I misunderstood the committee boat. I had what I thought was a perfect start on my watch, but they called us over early. I knew I was the first one on the line, so I went back towards the starting boat, and the committee made a cross with their arms, which I interpreted as “you’re out.” I went back ashore and was then told that I was actually not over early. I went back out, but it was too late. My mistake was not waiting for a clear, official signal that I was disqualified.
"I also think this situation raises questions about how over-earlies are handled. I spoke with the committee later in the day, and on the video my start was perfect. We train all year long to nail perfect starts, and when you finally make one at a crucial moment of the season, it gets cancelled. Maybe the committee could call over-earlies later in the race, after video review, to ensure fair racing for everyone. That result then really changed the dynamic of the world title race - you were still in control, but now things weren’t clearcut - what was going through your head heading into the fifth and final elimination? I was angry when I came back ashore. That situation, at such a key moment in the title race, was very hard to digest. I had brought my dad with me to Japan to help with logistics and stress, and he really helped me reset mentally, because we still had one last race to do. We managed to refocus, and I went back out very determined and hungry to finish on a high."
Obviously the wind was absolutely cranking in the last elimination - was that the main reason for your fall at the third buoy?
"I went out with the small kit, which I was the right choice. The semi-final was going really smooth as had a healthy lead without pushing to the max. Getting closer to the third mark, I saw a big gust coming down. I saw it coming and still the gust just lifted me up, I managed to get it back together but then it went up again and threw me downwind of the buoy. I tried to get back on the board but I first had to do upwind reaches to make it around the mark – I was done…"
What happened next was one of the hardest sporting moments to watch ever I think as you went from being almost guaranteed becoming world champion at the start of the day, to now being forced to abandon the last race in the semifinals… what was going through your head at that point as the title race was then completely out of your control… Did you watch the last Winners’ Final or you couldn’t bare to watch?
"After my crash I didn’t have any emotion for a moment. I was in complete disbelief of what just happened… I came back ashore, talked a bit with my dad and then started to think that it was done - that I had lost it. It was a hard moment as I couldn’t make sense of the day. I watched the final, but I had no idea of the points. I knew I was third for this event and I was not aware that Blanca [Alabau] could win the event in the last race. So, I did watch it while derigging, but I had no idea that this race would decide the outcome of the world title…"
Could you believe it when the media came over to tell you that you had actually still won? What were those emotions like?
"Rafa came over with a camera while Mae Davico was by my side trying to get a smile back on my face. Rafa had told me that I could still win it, but I didn’t believe him. Mae saw the PWA crew coming towards our tent and told me it might be happening. At that moment, I was completely overwhelmed by my emotions. I froze until Katrine [PWA Event Manager] told me that I had won. I had to ask for confirmation before I finally broke down in tears—out of relief, after such an emotional rollercoaster. It was the most intense emotional moment of my life."
Do you think that having such a big lead heading into the final day may have made you a bit too relaxed?
"It might have played a role. I’m still not completely sure what led to this scenario. I wasn’t relaxed the night before—I barely slept. I focused on sticking to all my routines in the morning to keep the pressure on. But it’s now two years in a row that I’ve made mistakes on the final day of the world title race, so that’s something I’m working on with my mental coach. It’s an incredibly intense moment, and not an easy one to manage. I still need to find the right tools to handle it properly until the very end."
After an absolute rollercoaster of a day - how did you celebrate?
"It was actually the year I celebrated the least since I started on tour. I felt more angry at myself than proud of the title. We attended the official ceremony, then went back to the hotel early to pack our suitcases, as we were leaving the next morning. I did celebrate later at home with my neighbours, friends, partners, and family—but it still took me over a month to truly realise that I had secured that second title."
Overall 2025 was another great year for you with one world title and a vice-world champion in Slalom X – what did you learn from 2025 and what are your main takeaways?
"2025 was a good season in terms of results. I was really excited to start a new partnership with PATRIK, and I’m proud that I could give them those titles in our very first year together. I’m happy to continue working with this amazing team next season.
The biggest lesson of this year was about my mental health. This summer, I went through a complete burnout from training and competing. I worked extremely hard over the past few years to reach this level, but along the way I forgot to take time for myself. For two months, I couldn’t train the way I usually do—both my body and my mind were exhausted. In August, I was even considering stopping my career after Japan. I took time away from my board to find my motivation again, and now I’m hungry for 2026. But I also had to change some aspects of my project to make sure I protect both my body and my mind in the coming seasons. That’s the biggest lesson of my career so far."
There’s quite a bit of time before the next World Tour event - what will you be up to between now and then?
"First, I took proper rest with no physical activity at all. Then I went training in the mountains, discovered new activities, and from February onwards I’ll be back to a proper training rhythm in Hyères. The main goal is to enjoy training while building a solid base for 2026."
Thanks, Justine. Congrats once again on your second world title.
]]>Hey Vincent, congrats on your new role with North - can you tell us a little bit more about your new position?
"Most people in the watersports scene know me because of my racing background. I won my first PWA slalom heat in Hvide Sande in 2016 and finished second in Sylt in 2017. I stepped back from the international tour a few years ago and since then focused more on national events.
What many people don’t know is that I hold two Master’s degrees — one in Sports Science and one in Management. Alongside my sporting career, I worked as a consultant, which gave me a strong understanding of the business world as well.
With my new management role at North Windsurfing, I now have the opportunity to combine both of these worlds. And I can say this clearly: we are aiming high."
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think “North Windsurfing” was created in 2022, but aside from the Wave scene there’s been a slow introduction on to the World Tour scene in other disciplines… it sounds like that’s about to change though - please could you tell us a little bit about North’s new plans and the updated structure of the company?
"That’s exactly right — and this is why I was brought in to drive that change. Our wave sails are already performing at an incredibly high level, and the same is true for our freeride sails. This season, we will clearly demonstrate that the famous North racing DNA is back and fully alive.
Together with the existing team at North, with Pieter Bijl, and backed by the full power of the North Action Sports Group, we are probably the only brand that is truly innovating — not only in terms of team and athletes, but also across product development, technology, and events."
What made now the ‘right’ time to try and build more momentum around the brand?
"As a world-leading brand in sailing, performing at the highest level across multiple watersports, it was a natural ambition for North to also bring windsurfing back into a strong position. With changes in leadership at group level, windsurfing moved back into clear focus — and that’s exactly where we are now."
There is a rumour, that you have already made a couple of very high profile signings, which is a clear statement of intent - how excited are you and the Team about capturing two of the biggest names in the sport?
"Our intent is clear. We want to be back on the racing course, winning events and titles. While the new signings for North are still under wraps, I can say that I couldn’t wish for more passionate or more professional athletes. We’ve already been working closely with both of them for some time on our new sails, making sure they have exactly what they need to perform at the highest level and fight for victories.
With our deep know-how from yacht sailing and advanced technologies that no one else brings to the windsurfing market, we are confident that our equipment will be truly outstanding."
Do you and the Team have specific goals for the season ahead?
"We want to perform at the highest level of racing in the PWA. At the same time, we are chasing speed records in both fin and foil disciplines. We will compete with our top riders at IFCA events, and with our newly built national team, we will also be strongly present on the national racing scene. Germany, Italy, Holland, Baltic… people will see us."
You yourself are a top racer… do you think you’ll be competing at any events in 2026?
"Obviously, my focus has shifted now, but I will definitely still compete in selected events. Windsurfing is my passion, so I’ll continue to spend time on the water — supporting testing when needed and, of course, simply enjoying the best sport in the world."
Thanks, Vincent. Good luck with your new role and to North for the coming season
]]>Lisa Kloster upon joining the Starboard Team: "I’m super stoked to join the Starboard team. In summer 2025 I only had a few days to adapt to the Ignite before the PWA stop on Fuerte and straightaway I landed on my first podium with it! That already says a lot. The board gives me so much speed and control, whether it’s flat water or heavy chop. Riding switch, accelerating, popping for big moves just feels easier. I’m really proud to ride for one of the best brands in the sport and be part of such a strong team.
Starboard Marketing Manage, Martin Ferrand: "We’re excited to welcome Lisa Kloster to Starboard, a rider whose commitment to progression and performance aligns perfectly with our vision. We look forward to supporting her next chapter on the PWA World Tour."