Sailor in Focus

She is studying to be a doctor and learnt to windsurf on a lake, we catch up with Dutch wave sailor Eva Oude Ophuis to find out how she rose to tenth place on the PWA wave tour.

Eva Oude Ophuis (Fanatic / North) made her debut on the PWA in 2011, and she stormed through the competitions in Pozo and Tenerife securing her position firmly in the limelight. Alongside studying to be a doctor she has been traveling around the world perfecting her skills in the air and on the water. We catch up with Oude Ophuis to find out a little more.

PWA: Firstly, what are your thoughts on the 2011 season and how would you rate your result?

Oude Ophuis: “In Pozo I was ninth and in Tenerife too. For my first contest, I guess that’s not to bad. The most important thing, it was fun! For sure I’m going to try to finish higher this year ;)”

PWA: How long have you been windsurfing? 

Oude Ophuis: “I started when I was eleven years old on a lake in Polen. Every summer holiday I went with my parents and brothers with the boat and windsurf equipment on the roof on trips to lakes somewhere in Europe. I almost never sailed in Holland, because the lakes where not close by. But when I went studying in Amsterdam I really started windsurfing. After my first trip to Maui in 2009, I was addicted.”

PWA: Who has been you biggest influence on your sailing?

Oude Ophuis: “My dad, because he taught me how to windsurf in the beginning.”

PWA: What would you be doing if you weren’t windsurfing?

Oude Ophuis: “I would probably be a doctor by now.”

PWA: Where is your favorite place to windsurf and why?

Oude Ophuis: “Gnaraloo (Australia), endless beautiful waves like in my dreams! Surfing in the morning and windsurfing later in the day! Just perfect.”

PWA: What is your favorite move and why?

Oude Ophuis: “Pushloop so far.”

PWA: What move did you find the hardest to learn and why? 

Oude Ophuis: “Backloop, I am still learning to land it consistently. It’s such a technical move! But the best soft feeling when you do land it and the nicest airtime to enjoy the surroundings from up in the sky.”

PWA: What new moves are you currently learning? 

Oude Ophuis: ‘I am still learning to land my backloops more consistently, bigger pushloops and stalled forward….. there are so many more moves I want to learn. I remember myself thinking three years ago: if I ever land a forward, I will be so happy…. See what I’m thinking now. Never give up, you can learn more than you can ever imagine!”

PWA: How do you learn your moves? Videos? Watching others?

Oude Ophuis: “I watch a lot of surf movies and imagine how to do the moves. On tour I see the best sailors right next to me on the water landing moves perfectly. Can’t see it closer I guess. And at the beach most surfers are always willing to help and give advise.”

PWA: Where is your favorite spot on the PWA wave tour and why? 

Oude Ophuis: “Pozo. Strong wind, good jumping spot!”

PWA: How does competition make you feel? And how to do prepare for your heats?

Oude Ophuis: “It’s exiting. In the contests I push myself more than normal. Sometimes it turns out better and sometimes not. Competition even pushes me before the contest, because I make some goals like moves I want learn or do better.

Before the contest I just try to sleep enough, eat healthy, trying to relax. At the contest itself I actually don’t’ know exactly how to prepare. Well, I have enough equipment know from my new sponsor (North/Fanatic/ION) so I can at least rig enough gear ;). Thanks!

PWA: What do you do when you’re not windsurfing? 

Oude Ophuis: “Doing a medicine residency program at a hospital and a lot of studying.”

PWA: What are your goals for 2012?

Oude Ophuis: “Finishing my medicine exams, enjoying trips with friends, getting the best out of it and pushing my own limits. And I will try to get in the top seven, so I don’t have to pay my accommodation anymore ;).”

PWA: Thanks for your time Eva good luck with the exams and we will see you on the water in 2012!

For more info on Eva Oude Ophuis you can check out here website at HERE