Sarah-Quita's New Sails

Gaastra sails have announced the signing of women's PWA Freestyle World Champion, Sarah-Quita Offringa.

Having exploded onto the PWA World Tour in 2006 at the age of just 14, Sarah-Quita Offringa (Starboard, Gaastra) has dominated the freestyle scene and has proved her worth by winning the World Title for the last two years running.

The young lady from Aruba has secured new sponsorship for the forthcoming season and will be working hard to defend her Freestyle Title and make it three in a row, as well as launching her slalom career!

Matt Pritchard caught up with Sarah-Quita:

MP: HI Sarah Q- welcome to Gaastra! You have been turning heads where ever you go.... Tell us a little about yourself and how you got so GOOD!!!! 

SQ: well.. my name is Sarah-Quita and I’m 18 now. I’ve been sailing since I was 9 years old. I have practiced many sports since I was little but none of them were as special as windsurfing ! My brother and I train freestyle together so we give each other tips to get better all the time. I think it’s also the rush I get from landing new moves or speeding across the water that keeps me coming back to the water for more !

MP: I think you have figured out this competition thing - it seems to come naturally for you. What is a normal day in your life? how do you prepare yourself for competing with such authority? 

SQ: I am naturally a competitive person so I actually enjoy doing competitions. It’s hard to perform well in a heat when you’re under pressure but once it all goes well and you stick all your moves you will definitely come out of the water with a big smile on your face! Before, during and after my heats I talk to myself a lot to keep me motivated and focused but most of all I pray.

MP: The moves you are doing nowadays are out of control! Who do you look up to and where do you come up with the tricks you are doing? Who are you training with? 

SQ: Since I started windsurfing I have looked up to the Bonaire guys! I love their styles on and off the water. In Aruba I train with my brother Quincy. I think continentseven.com is also a great website to keep up with what all the other sailors are doing!

MP: So you are getting into slalom racing!!!! Aruba was always known as a great slalom location- How much time have you spent on racing gear? 

SQ: I don’t practice slalom very often but occasionally I get a kick and just feel like being the fastest on the water hahaha. I love going into a lay down jibe at full speed and to exit at full speed again ! Because of the flat water here in Aruba it’s easier to work on jibes and perfecting my racing stance. I’ll be training more for the upcoming season though!

MP: That is gonna be interesting to see you on the race course.... What do you expect of yourself for results? Are you gonna be bummed out if you don’t win or what is the story there? 

SQ: I’m pretty new to slalom competitions and haven’t competed yet in different conditions. I know I can do well in strong winds but I don’t know how I would do in light winds yet. In Turkey last year I made many mistakes so I was pretty bummed out when I got a bad result but the day I got it all together and won the last race I was ecstatic! So losing is just part of the game :)

MP: What is your favorite Freestyle move and why?

SQ: Shaka’s are awesome because you’re floating through the air. Kono’s are great when you are fully powered and just get launched in the air. You lose sense of gravity and on impact you are brought back to Reality :-D

MP: Who is your favorite freestyler to watch and why?

SQ: Like I said before I really enjoy watching the Kiri, Taty and Tonky sail. Steven has also developed a style I like very much!

MP: Where's your favourite location to sail besides Aruba and why?

SQ: Fuerteventura is a great spot to sail ! It’s a very special spot to me. I had a lot of incredible sunset sessions to remember! First of all the water is blue! The wind is a little side off shore so you can sail down the coast line. The water is flat on the inside and some nice waves breaking. Perfect for sliding and power moves!

MP: How about your goals for 2010?

SQ:To push windsurfing to new limits!!

MP: Awesome - I’m happy to have you on the Gaastra team! I wish you lots of luck out there..... Any words of wisdom you would like to tell all your fans? 

SQ: I am delighted to be part of the Gaastra team! Smile while your sailing! Enjoy your session on the water!!