Youth World Champion

Marc Paré (99NoveNove / Simmer / Maui Ultra Fins) has risen through the ranks over the last couple of years — building upon success of winning a few of the Youth PWA events in Pozo, Gran Canaria and El Medano, Tenerife in 2015 to make his mark in the main draw. 

Paré’s best result this season was joint 17th, but this doesn’t tell the full story as the 18-year-old looked set for a top ten finish in Pozo, after producing a superb comeback in the double elimination, but unfortunately the conditions deteriorated before the double could be completed meaning the result didn’t stand. Meanwhile, in Tenerife, Paré showed his potential pedigree once more by almost eliminating former world champion Thomas Traversa (Tabou / GA Sails). The Spaniard looks set for a bright future and deservedly walks away from 2016 as the Men’s Youth PWA Wave World Campion, so we caught up with Marc for an interview:

PWA: Hey Marc, firstly congratulations on being crowned the PWA Youth Wave World Champion. How does that feel?

MP: “Thanks!!! It feels amazing to be honest and it has motivated me even more to keep pushing and training as hard as possible.”

PWA: How long have you been windsurfing? And when did you start wavesailing?

MP: “I started windsurfing when I was 5, so it’s already been 13 years! (Thinking about it, it is a long time already hahaha) But I started wave sailing about 6 years ago, when I went for the first time to Pozo in 2011.” 

PWA: What first made you want to get into windsurfing?

MP: “Basically the need of learning new and more stuff all the time, that turns out to be like a “drug”. It’s like I always want more and there doesn’t seem to be an end to that need. I Guess this is what has hooked us all to this amazing sport!”

PWA: Who do you look up to in the sport?

MP: “If I had to say just one athlete, I’d say Victor Fernandez. He’s an amazing sailor in all types of conditions and you can see he’s up there because of his hard work and perseverance.” 

PWA: This year is the first year after finishing your studies - how has it been for you to just concentrate purely on windsurfing?

MP: “Can’t say much at the moment as I just finished my studies in June, but just for now it’s been great and really cool to being able to concentrate on what I love and live my dream.”

PWA: You’ve also been road tripping around Europe? What do you think you favourite trip so far has been and do you like van life?

MP: “Yes I did. I will always love being in Klitmoeller. I like being there because it’s a really peaceful place where I can relax and enjoy the ocean everyday (even if it’s cold). I really love van life! If I could, I would even bring it to Maui and Cape Town. It’s my home on wheels! It’s so amazing being able to have a warm shower, then relax and eat something just right after a windsurf session (and everything next to the sea!). I have to thank my friend from Caravan Girona for building such a sick camper van!” 

PWA: What’s your favourite move at the moment?

MP: “As a jump I’d say the double forward and the stalled forward (love the feeling of both), and as a wave riding move I’d say the frontside 360.”

PWA: What do you think has been your best moment on the tour so far?

MP: “I have had a few really good moments on tour! The first one was in Pozo this summer in double elimination when I had a great comeback after the single! The second one was in Tenerife this summer during the single elimination in my heat against Tomas Traversa, when I had probably my best heat ever in a PWA event and almost beat him.”

PWA: And the worst?

MP: “I would say it was in Sylt this year, where I had the worst heat of my life. I just simply couldn’t do anything. We probably had the hardest conditions I’ve ever sailed in.”

PWA: What moves are you currently working on? And what move would you like to be able to land the most?

MP: “Basically right now I’m trying to learn again all the tricks I know on port tack, on starboard tack. But on port tack I’m working on landing good doubles. I guess the stalled double is one of the moves that I want to learn the most.”

PWA: Move that you found most difficult to learn?

MP: “I actually think where I struggled the most was trying to make good turns in the wave and reading it, as unluckily until now I didn’t have the chance to sail proper waves and to understand how to read them.”

PWA: You are still in Maui after the Aloha Classic - how has it been out there? Any highlights or memorable experiences?

MP: “We had 3 amazing weeks with wind every single day (though with a lot of rain as well), but during the last two weeks it’s been really bad with no wind. We scored a few memorable sessions with Victor a few weeks back, with big barreling waves and wind.”

PWA: After your trip in Maui - What are your winter plans?

MP: “I’m going back home in a couple of days to spend Christmas and New Year’s Eve with the family and then I will go to Cape Town to keep training.”

PWA: Aims for next season and in the future?

MP: "I would love to break into the top 10. In the future my dream is to become world champion.”

PWA: Away from windsurfing…

— Favourite food and drink? “A big salad with an omelette. My favourite drink is a fresh natural orange juice.”

— What annoys you or frustrates you the most? “Sailing bad because of too small of a board or sail.”

— 3 words that you think describe yourself? “Ambitious, perseverant and stubborn.” 

— What do you think the best advice you have ever been given is? “Any advice that my dad gives to me, as he is normally always right.”

— What would be your perfect day? “Sailing windy side-shore conditions and perfect waves with just a couple of friends and then camping with our vans by the sea.” 

— Do you have any superstitions? Yes, I do. I have one that when really I want something to happen I try to avoid doing or saying about it so it happens. It’s difficult to explain haha.

— What is your greatest fear? “Coming across with a big great white shark while surfing.”

— What is your most treasured possession? “My van (with my gear inside).”

— Best place you’ve been? “Maui / Cape Town.”

— Where would you most like to go to that you haven’t been yet? “Perú.”

PWA: Thanks Marc. Good luck with your training over the winter and see you next year.