Amado Vrieswijk (Future Fly / North Sails) is one of the most complete sailors in the world. The Bonairean quickly rose to the top of the Freestyle world as a teenager, and after hitting the crossbar on several occasions, he finally got his hands on the coveted world title in 2021.
However, Freestyle is now not Vrieswijk’s main focus with the 30-year-old shifting his attention to all things racing - where he has also enjoyed great success - finishing as the PWA vice-world champion in 2023, while he just became world champion in Foil Speed at the Prince of Speed ISWC World Championship.
The next event up for Vrieswijk will be the legendary Défi Wind, which runs between 14th-17th May. The Défi Wind is the largest windsurfing event in the world, where recreational windsurfers can rub shoulders with their professional peers. However, it can be a daunting task to try and conquer the Défi, so we decided to ask Vrieswijk for his opinion on how recreational windsurfers should approach the Défi.
What would you say are your top tips for recreational windsurfers trying to conquer the legendary Défi?
“I think the number one tip is to go out with a setup that you feel comfortable with and not focus too much on having the fastest or most radical gear. It’s a long race, and of course you want to make it to the finish without being completely exhausted halfway through. Comfort and control are super important at the Défi.”
The rabbit start is definitely visually one of the most spectacular images of the event - do you have any top tips how to navigate the start?
“That’s a good question! Even though we have the timing for when the boat should start at the pin, there’s almost always some delay. You need to make sure you’re not too close too early, but at the same time you don’t want to be too far back in the pack because the lower you start, the more dirty wind you’ll get, which means less acceleration at the start. So it’s definitely a tricky one to manage.”
Equipment wise - what do you think would work best for most recreational windsurfers?
“I would say a freerace board is probably the best option for most recreational riders because it’s more comfortable. And if it gets really windy, even using a wave sail can be a good choice.”
What will your setup be for the event?
“I’ll be doing the foil discipline, so it will all depend on the conditions we get. But the typical setup will be the Prisma 5.4, the Flying Camel 145, and the small Z Foil wings."
Aside from the on the water action - what are some of your other highlights of the biggest windsurfing event in the world?
“Beyond the racing, the atmosphere is honestly what makes Défi Wind so special. Seeing every level of rider sharing the same start line, the beach atmosphere in Gruissan, and of course share some drinks after racing.”
Do you have any other words of wisdom for windsurfers perhaps attending the Defi for the first time?
“I think the most important thing is to try to enjoy the chaos on the water and not take it too seriously. Remember to eat and drink enough because the race is really tough on the body, and there will probably be plenty of cramps along the way.”
Thanks, Amado and good luck at Défi.