Paskowski Prepped

One of the PWA's finest freestylers casts his view on Austria and the year ahead.

Andre Paskowski (Fanatic, North) is one of the most respected sailors competing on the freestyle world tour today. He's finished in the top ten overall for the past 3 years, and directed the highly acclaimed movie, Four Dimensions.

With the competition season just days away, we caught up with the German styler and quizzed him about the year ahead.

PWA: Are you looking forward to the Surf World Cup, Podersdorf, in a few days time?

AP: "Yes i'm really looking forward to the tour starting again. Podersdorf is always lots of fun. It's a huge event, with lots of competitors and plenty of spectators. I hope we manage to get some strong winds so that we can all put on a good show for everyone there and perform some of the best moves."

PWA: How have you been preparing for the tour this year?

AP: "I've been training in Jericoacoara, Brazil and in El Yaque, Margarita. Unfortunately I had a few problems with my arm so I couldn't train as hard  as the previous years, but i think i'm quite fit, and ready to give the tour my best shot."

PWA: What are your goals?

AP: "Well, I want to do the best I can. Being 2nd in the EFPT and 7th in the PWA last year was good considering all of the other commitments I had. if i can repeat these results or maybe even slightly improve on them, i'll be happy."

PWA: What new moves can we expect?

AP: "I guess in Podersdorf we'll see some new moves (I can't tell you what they are just yet). But, the really high level moves we'll see in Fuerte because the strong winds there allow us to do much more. What I can say is that you'll see loads of double combination moves that we previously didn't think were possible!" 

PWA: Who do you think will dominate the freestyle tour this year?

AP: "I think Jose 'Gollito' Estredo (Fanatic, North) will be hard to beat. After that it'll be a fight between Steven Van Broeckhoven (F2, Gaastra), Kiri Thode (Starboard, Gaastra) and Tonky Frans (F2, Gaastra). After that comes a bigger group of people which I count myself inside."

PWA: We've seen you throwing a few 360's on the waves here in Maui for the cameras, does this mean you'll be competing in waves as well?

AP: "Haha. I have been sailing in waves here in maui, but I'm far from good! It takes a while to get the timing right, and perform in front of the judges. So I won't compete in wave events this year, but I'll carry on pushing myself and enjoy sailing in waves just for fun."

PWA: Lastly, have you got any plans for another movie? 'Fifth Dimension' perhaps?

AP: "Yes I have got plans. I think the success of Four Dimensions has of course resulted in a renewed energy to create something else. But, at the moment we don't have the necessary budget yet. However, our team is working on it, and i hope to start filming again soon. It won't be called 'Fifth Dimension' though!

Thanks for your time Andre, we'll look forward to watching some stunts in a few days time!