Blast From The Past

Antony Ruenes (Tabou / GA Sails) made his debut on the world tour all the way back in 2003 at the age of just 14-years-old. Since then the now 31-year-old has developed into one of the finest freestylers on the planet - consistently being ranked in the overall top 10 - while he also grabbed the headlines during the 2018 Mercedes-Benz Sylt PWA World Cup after taking down world title hopefuls - Marcilio Browne (Goya Windsurfing) and Philip Köster (Starboard / Severne / Maui Ultra Fins) - in the wave division to finish 6th. Ruenes has some interesting advice below, so read on and see what he has to say…

Hi Antony, take us back to the memory of your very first windsurf experience - where were you? 

In La Ciotat in my home town in the south of France next to Marseille.

When was it? 

I think it was around 24 years ago... I was 6 or 7.

Who were you with?

My cousin and the boyfriend of my older sister, who were instructors in a school and he was cheaper than baby-sitting so was easy for my parents.

What do you remember from that very first ‘session’? 

I remember, I was in the sailing school and I saw a guy planing on a windsurf board. I said I wanna do this. No boat or catamaran or anything just purely wanting to windsurf. 

Who was your local hero? And why? 

The guy I was with  from the beginning was Thomas Traversa. He was older and much better, and we were having fun. So we were just doing our thing you know. Julien Taboulet also was the upcoming freestyle French guy and on the International tour it was Scott Fenton.

What gear were you using? 

AHD and Neilpryde.

Describe your feeling when you were planing for the first time? 

Haha a funny question. Describe the feeling the first time you came ahaha sorry. I think the best way to know the feeling is to try it hahaha.

How did you realise you were becoming a professional windsurfer? 

Actually I never realised and I still don’t. I'm just trying to have fun and to enjoy as long as I can ...

Give a tip for the next generation…

Stop social media!!!! Go out and sail!!! It's not what you post that counts, it's what you do!! And never forget we only do windsurfing... we don't save lives so be yourself…

Thanks, Antony.