Author: Matjaž Hrovat

Hi, I’m Matjaž. I love windsurfing. I also love to design and make fun things. I wanted to do more windsurfing but I ran out of time for whole day trips to the sea. Every time it’s windy I get butterflies in my belly. I just had to figure out something. If I only have an hour an a half… how can I do some windsurfing? So the Urban Breez was born...

Stories

A Life of a Shaper – Interview with Carlos Sosa, CS Custom Boards

Post author By Matjaž Hrovat
Post date May 9, 2022
No Comments on A Life of a Shaper – Interview with Carlos Sosa, CS Custom Boards

There are windsurfing legends and then there are windsurfing legends behind them. I am talking about gear developers and specifically about shapers.

Carlos Sosa is certainly a legend. I mean 20 years shaping windsurfing boards for 5 best riders in the world does make you a legend.

I have done quite a few interviews with riders over the past few months and have come to realize there’s alot going on “behind the schenes”. Gear developers and again specifically windsurf board shapers have a gigantic role in the progress and success of an athlete.

So let’s dive into a Life of a Shaper Carlos Sosa and his CS Custom Boards brand.

Tell me how did windsurfing start for you?

Since I was little I lived near the sea. Everything related to the sea fascinates me. One day, on Aringa beach, I saw a boy sailing and decided to try it.

When did you decide to become a shaper/maker of windsurfing boards?

It all started when I decided to build a windsurf board. All my life I had worked as a carpenter with my father. I was good working with my hands. I couldn’t buy a new board, and in order to windsurf I needed one. So, I took a broken board and made a new one for myself.

How did the windsurfing board business develop over the years?

Over the years I continued shaping boards for my friends. In 1990 I set up a windsurfing shop with a friend, where we repaired boards and sails. At that time I was riding Proof, which led us to work with many riders in different disciplines and thus gain a lot of experience. I spent 20 years shaping for the 5 best windsurfers in the world. Those were very beautiful years with many memories.

The engine of my life and what motivates me is having challenges and achieving them. With the boards there came a time when I felt that I had already achieved what I wanted. Other business opportunities arose and I bet on them. But I always kept in mind that board shaping was my passion. In fact, I never stopped making boards, I kept making some boards for myself, like the “Guarrilla”, a board known by my friends.

But in 2018 Josep Pons, after many family meals, convinced me to shape him a couple of boards to compete, and that’s where everything started again. So I owe it to him.

How many boards does your Company used to made per year before, and how may now?

Uff I don’t know before, we did a lot. In the company I had 15 people working with me. We could do a 700 a year, maybe. There is a fact that people find very curious when I talk about the past, and it is the number of boards that we did per year to some of the riders (it is a number that I remember well). Only from waves we could made 48 boards , apart from the slalom, freestyle and speed boards.

Right now the company is very small, you could say that we are just starting. Two years ago we started making boards for the public. I don’t know, we do about 4 boards a month, about 60 boards a year.

Does a shaper have to work with riders to decide on the shape of the board?

Yes of course you have to work with them. You must spend some time with them. Apart from receiving their feedback, the most important thing is to analyze the rider and know what they need to reach a certain goal.

The Shaper is responsible for making a board that adapts as much as possible to the needs of the rider, and to get the rider to improve day by day. Each board is made with an intention and goal to improve the rider sailing. If rider evolves and this objective is achieved, you are on the right track and you can continue working to improve the next one. If this is not the case, you did something wrong and you must start over. Trial and error. It seems that I still remember shaping, because with Josep we haven’t thrown any to the trash. In fact many times I tell him that it is time to renew the tables, but he does not want to take them away. If it were up to him he would keep them all forever. Hehe.

How long does it take to make a windsurfing board from start to finish?

Between 38 to 48 hours depending on the shape and construction. A board with standard shape is very easy and quick to build. Once you start adding wings or channels, things slow down a bit more with each process.

Do you test your boards?

Yes, of course, I always like to try them. But now that is more Josep’s job. The truth is that he has surprised me a lot with his ability to feel the different board intentions and his learning capacity.

Who are the riders in the CS Team?

For now just Josep Pons. Apart from working hand in hand with me and absorbing all my knowledge, he is the CS Custom Boards Rider.

How is success measured in this business?

We value it as follows; If the rider improves his windsurfing we do a good job and we feel satisfied. If not, we are doing something wrong, and business is not going well.

Any other “wild” Hobbies and Interests?

Spearfishing was always my hobby, but years ago, my eardrum was perforated, and it never recovered 100%. Now I have to fish from the outside.

I also really like mountain biking.

What are your (windsurfing) plans for the future?

I am passionate about windsurfing, keep shaping until my body lets me. But I would like Josep to retain everything I learned over the years and leave him my entire legacy. The truth is that he has surprised me a lot by his learning capacity in all facets. I’m sure he’ll do fine.

Do you have some favorite windsurfing board brands that you look up to? Why?

None in particular. I like to look at all the professional windsurfers and see how they evolve. But it could be Goya, because I’ve known Francisco Goya and Marcilio since they were young.

However, more than looking at the boards themselves, I look at how a rider’s sailing changes or evolves depending on the boards he is using. If you sit down to analyze the videos of Braw well, its easy to see when he changes the lines of tables. Each board offers different aspects. There are days when a riders performance is far better. And clearly it’s the equipment.

What are your favorite windsurfing spots?

When I was working with Proof I was traveling to a many places around the world, but I only sailed at a few, because I was always on the shore analyzing the boards performance, the result of my work in the workshop was “the shape”.

Where I have sailed the most is in the Canary Islands. There are many spots and very good ones. So, Canary Islands in general.

Any last words for people that love the wind and wind sports or maybe for anyone who want's to become a shaper?

Windsurfing is an individual sport, so you don’t need anyone to practice it. Just you and the sea. Once you start practicing it becomes a way of life, wanting to sail every day. It is special and different. I fully recommend it.

And shaping boards is not difficult, all you need is to be patient, and you need time. Like everything. Trial and error. Everything that is done with passion turns out well.

Here you can check Carlos:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/cscustomboards/

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/CS-Custom-Boards-519362588498889

Stories

PowerWomen in the Windsurfing Industry – meet Greta Marchegger

Post author By Matjaž Hrovat
Post date March 25, 2022
No Comments on PowerWomen in the Windsurfing Industry – meet Greta Marchegger

Photo by Alan van Gysen

Is it just me or do all Windsurfers look good? 😉

Greta Marchegger happens to be a pro windsurfer but also a model. I saw her windsurfing photos mixed with modeling photos and thought this would be a great story. Here it is…

How did windsurfing start for you?

Windsurfing has been part of my life since day 1. My dad is a former athlete and let’s say that I was born in this crazy windsurfing circus and the whole lifestyle with it. Lucky me, I grew up between the most beautiful beaches of this world and my homespot Lake Garda.

When I was 8 years old I stepped on the board myself, started competing when I was 11 years old and did that for 10/13 years. Nowadays I switched my focus from competing to working in the windsurfing industry. My dad does the distribution for JP and NeilPryde in Italy and I’ve been working with him, for almost 3 years. I’ve been working as Marketing Assistant in the NeilPryde office in Barcelona and recently I got an upgrade as International Marketing Manager for NeilPryde and JP. Furthermore I’m also part of the directive member board of the Circolo Surf Torbole in Lake Garda. Hence, it’s all about windsurfing in my professional and private life.

Are you a pro rider? Tell me more about that.

I have been competing for many many years, got sponsored and got several opportunities such as photoshootings, trips etc. thanks to it. So yes, but I have never made a living from windsurfing alone but always studied and worked on the side. We all know how hard that is, (especially as a Women). I am still a rider – but nowadays I actually am a professional in the windsurfing industry.

Do you have sponsors?

My sponsors have been NeilPryde and JP. Well, they actually still are but in a different way nowadays. Obviously I’m riding those brands.

Do you have a “regular” job? I see you are one of the models for an Italian agency DI MODELS. Tell me about that.

As already mentioned I recently got an upgrade as International Marketing Manager of JP & NeilPryde. A position I’ve been working hard for during the last years. I also have a Master degree in Marketing and Sales and I’ve been actually always working on the side. Last year I got the chance to join a professional model agency Di Models, so every now and then I also do some photoshoots, hostess – and speaking jobs during windsurfing competitions. I really love it as it’s so much fun and you get the chance to meet interesting people.

Do you have a family,... you know, husband, kids...?

No, I don’t. Or let’s say not yet haha :D. I’m single, no kids, no husband, no family on my own. But I have amazing parents, friends and people in my life. I’m a very romantic person, so if possible I would definitely like to get the full package one day: marriage, kids, etc. But atm I’m focused on my work and other things.

I see you are windsurfing “all the time” – how does that work with the rest of your land life?

I’m trying to spend as much time as possible on the water. Especially when I’m back home in Garda I windsurf actually every day. Since my upgrade as Int. Marketing Manager of NeilPryde & JP I’m also partly based in Munich to be close to the headquarter – therefore it’s not that easy anymore. People always think that if you’re working in the windsurfing industry you’re on the water every day, whole day long – but the reality is it’s not always like that. During the winter months I usually travel to warm places to be able to windsurf as much as possible. In the end, as everything in life it’s all about finding the right balance and making time for the things which are important to you.

I can hear in your interviews that you are German speaking,.. but you have "Italian windsurfing number" ITA193. Tell me about that.

I am fully Italian but grew up in the most northern region in Italy which due to historical reasons has an autonomy status (a bit like Catalunya and Elsaß) and therefore I grew up bilingual with German and Italian. The German language is still present in this region called “Trentino – Alto Adige” and I believe that is the biggest luck I had in my life to grow up with such two different languages.

So yes obviously I have an Italian sail number as I’m fully Italian

(Besides German, Italian and English I also speak Spanish and French fluently.)

Do you have a coach?

In our Windsurfing Club the Circolo Surf Torbole we have a coach who is doing training sessions and for example starting procedures for us. When I’m home in Garda I’m always joining these training sessions. But I don’t have a coach as the athletes have in the Olympic class for example. In Slalom / Slalom Foil the training system and the training itself is way different and most of the time you train on your own or with other athletes.

Do you also train on land,.. specifically for windsurfing - running, gymnastics, etc.?

Yes, I’m obviously also training off the water. I’m trying to hit the gym 3-4 a week and combine strength and endurance as best as I can. Obviously with the focus on important windsurfing body parts as the back, legs, core etc. My workouts need to be as fast, intense, interactive and variable as possible otherwise I get bored very quickly at the gym. That’s why for example I really like HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training), Tabata etc. But I still prefer any kind of sport activity outdoors such as hiking, SUP etc.

Any other “wild” Hobbies and Interests?

I definitely have a lot of interests – nothing too wild tough I would say 😀

Besides all kinds of watersports such as surfing, SUP etc., I really love traveling, longboarding, photography, hiking and dancing. In general I would say that I love to spend as much time as possible outdoors and I would consider myself a very active person. However, I also like very much classical girls things, such as shopping for example. Besides, I like to enjoy the little things in life, such as having a good coffee in a nice café or a glass of wine in good company. Cause in the end life is all about that – appreciating the beauty in the little things in life and enjoying these to the fullest.

What are your windsurfing plans for the future?

I’m very lucky and grateful to be able to combine my job with my passion. Because if you love what you’re doing you will never work one day in your life – quote by my dad who has been working in the windsurfing industry for 40 years. My real life goal is to be able to continue exactly this: to combine windsurfing in my daily life as my passion, my job and my lifestyle. And obviously to be able to spend as much time as possible on the water besides the office hours. 😀 Furthermore there are still many windsurfing spots who are definitely on my bucket list to travel to.

Describe your major highlights and achievements in the sport in the past.!!!!

Some highlights are definitely that I won several times the title of Italian female Slalom Champion and Female Vice European Champion Youth Slalom. There are also some other big competitions which results I’m very happy with like for example winning the Womens division during the infamous One Hour Classic, as it’s a very tough competition and first of all a challenge with yourself. But also taking part in the Defi Winds several times has always been a huge highlight just as the HIHO in the Carribean. In the end every windsurfer wants to be the best windsurfer he can be regardless of the actual results.

What does your daily windsurfing routine look like?

My home routine looks like this: Usually I train with the afternoon Ora wind in Lake Garda. Depending on the conditions sometimes also windsurf in the morning with Peler, the wind coming from the North side. Usually in the morning I work, hit the gym or go for a SUP session. Later I go to the Circolo, get my gear ready, have lunch and as soon as the wind kicks in and is stabilized we go on the Water. Usually it’s a mix between training by myself and some starts or sessions organized by our coach. The afternoons on the water pass usually too quickly. Afterwards I stretch, work again and then I would say that it’s time for a sundowner aperitivo and dinner. That’s basically it – my “home” windsurfing routine.

Do you have some favorite pro windsurfers that you look up to? Why?

Thanks to windsurfing I have met so many incredible and inspiring people around the world. It’s hard to name only one because there are many amazing personalities who are all inspiring me in their own kind of way: in windsurfing but also as a person. One name I would mention over and over again is definitely my friend Sarah Quita – as I believe she’s such a powerful woman, a role model on and off the water. Besides being super humble, she is intelligent and simply an amazing human being.

I see you also windsurf on a foil? How do you like that and how does that compare to windsurfing on a regular windsurfing board?

My main discipline is and has always been Slalom. I still believe that nothing beats a full power windy Slalom session with your friends. It’s just so much fun and so much adrenaline. But I really like Foiling and the fact that you can fly around with so little wind. That is definitely a benefit of Foiling compared to windsurfing on a regular board. I like the sensation of flying high above the water which Foiling offers and the angles you can reach. It’s simply an ideal discipline for European lake spots and there is no longer waiting around at the beach for the wind to be enough. Moreover it is crazy how exhausting one hour of full power Slalom is and how “fresh” you feel after one hour of foiling compared to it. I think they are just two different disciplines with their own advantages and disadvantages. But I definitely love both of them.

What about Wind Wing? Have you tried it? Do you like it and how does that compare to Windsurfing?

Yes, I started winging last summer and have to admit that I like it more than I expected to be honest. I have been very skeptical in the beginning but I was curious obviously and had to give it a try. Besides, you cannot work in the industry and not know the discipline or gear you’re actually selling. 😀

I still need to learn and improve a lot but I definitely like it and it’s a different, additional sensation compared to windsurfing. But for me personally it will never ever replace windsurfing.

Do you also teach windsurfing?

I’ve been teaching and coaching kids from the age 8-15 years at my Windsurfing Club, the Circolo Surf Torbole in Lake Garda for one season and I honestly loved it. Because teaching someone your passion is simply wonderful. And seeing how kids are improving step by step and falling in love with your passion made me really happy. In general I love kids and working with them but unfortunately I simply don’t have the time to do it anymore.

Any last words for people that love the wind and wind sports?

First of all, thanks to all the lovely people who took their time to read this interview all the way through. I appreciate it very much. I would definitely say: Keep sharing the passion. Do what makes you happy and do it a lot – and it doesn’t matter which kind of watersport it is in the end as long as it makes you happy. And BTW, don’t forget to “hit me up” for a session if you’re in Garda!

Here you can check Greta:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/greta.ita193

Instagram – https://www.facebook.com/greta.ita193

Stories

A Strange Commitment to a Life Based Around the Wind and Waves – interview with Bernd Roediger

Post author By Matjaž Hrovat
Post date February 17, 2022
No Comments on A Strange Commitment to a Life Based Around the Wind and Waves – interview with Bernd Roediger

Each of us has a different and interesting story about life and windsurfing. So all interviews that I do are fantastic, all great stories about,… well about something that’s really hard to describe. A life of chasing the wind.

Well in this interview with a young superstar Bernd Roediger, he describes it beautifully,.. this “Strange Commitment to a Life Based Around the Wind and Waves”.

Tell me how did windsurfing start for you?

Windsurfing started on the nose of my dad’s board, in warm water and light wind, on summer break, and then as something to look forward to after school. It wasn’t something serious until much much later in life, and for years I mainly windsurfed so I could spend time with my dad. We have become so close through sailing together! Windsurfing started how I hope it ends, happy.

You are a pro rider, right? Tell me more about that.

People call themselves pros when they start to get money from sponsors. But I don’t agree. I am a pro because Windsurfing is my occupation. I would do anything to windsurf, structure my life around it. It is the focus of my entire life, and the deciding factor in every choice I make.

Over the years, I’ve come to realize that this life is both good and bad – there are some experiences I won’t be able to fully appreciate or embrace, because windsurfing is my passion and it demands my time. I see below you ask another question: “I see you are windsurfing and surfing “all the time”,… how does that work with the rest of your land life (family, friends, school)?” The answer is that my land life is subdued and boring. I live with my parents. My friends and partners have always had to come to terms with my obsession. It is a defining quality in my relationships. And for school, I started online learning in the 6th grade and am still online in college. For this reason, above any other, I am odd and an outcast in my peer group.

How does one become a pro rider,... when is the "turning point". How did it happen for you?

Again, I think it means different things for different people all the time. Even in a pro career the definition changes. One day, you are focused on a determined goal, and that singular purpose propels you to new heights of personal experience. That sensation of rising, overcoming, learning and growing; that is the feeling of being a pro rider, the addictive positive feeling of trying to become something meaningful. But the reasons we have to wake up in the morning tend to change over time, and you lose the ability to feel totally positive. That’s when you lose your status as a pro rider, you are no longer pushing yourself to be a better person, no longer creating reasons to live, creating meaning. To live well, we must always reassess our lives, our motivations and convictions, test them against our feelings and values, to find out what’s really going on in our souls. You can call yourself a pro when you get your first sponsor, but after that, the road becomes much more uncertain, but also more rewarding!

How do you choose your sponsors?

Like a relationship, you just let it happen. Maybe you are interested in reaching out to a specific brand, but there has to be a natural synergy in the way you interact. A small brand that’s equally interested in you will be better than a larger one that doesn’t really value what you do, and who you are. I have had to learn that many times. But now I feel like I’m in a place where my sponsors are really personal. Jeff Henderson at Hotsails not only provides me with gear, but also with advice, he is a mentor and a friend. Black Project is a place where I feel at home, where I can work and develop my paddling, and much more. Chris Freeman, the founder of Black Project, was one of the first people to encourage me to pursue a college degree. Flikka works with me to create interesting custom boards, and we trust each other with our mutual vision!

Are sponsors all it takes to finance your windsurfing career?

Definitely not! While I’m incredibly fortunate to have the generosity of sponsors, windsurfing is expensive! And traveling the world to windsurf is doubly so. Like I said before, you’ve got to be willing to live in a unique way, if you want to be a windsurfer. I think pros and non-pros alike can understand this strange commitment to a life based around the wind and waves.

Do you also train on land,.. specifically for windsurfing - running, gymnastics, etc.?

Yoga is my go to. I like the aesthetics of yoga, the calming nature of the breath-work. Flexibility, strength, and balance culminate in yoga, preventing injury and helping the style of your turns! But another great training for windsurfing is throwing the sail away and surfing for a bit. It will do wonders for your wave reading, your sense of timing, and your comfort level in the water. Of course surfing is fun too! It’s a sport where injuries are pretty rare, and not too serious, I love it!

What does your daily windsurfing routine look like?

Go out when it gets windy!

Any other “wild” Hobbies and Interests?

I enjoy fantasy, fiction and mysticism. Getting lost in someone else’s world, something they spent years of their life developing and building. Sometimes I feel like I am working on one of my own, everyday. I like reading Tarot cards and I think astrology is pretty cool. I’m not super wild or anything, I am very agreeable which makes it easy for wild people to convince me to do things outside of my comfort zone. My girlfriend has a way weirder career than I do, she is a fairy.

What are your windsurfing plans for the future?

I plan on working on more videos for my YouTube channel. I really like YouTube and spend a lot of time following other creators there. I think it’s a really healthy community online, compared to Instagram or something, it’s a lot safer and more positive. I just want to provide a little more depth into the windsurfing experience, and maybe help some people with informative videos!

Considering the constant pushing the limit in extreme conditions,... how often do small or big injuries happen? What can a windsurfer do to avoid that?

Like I said, yoga is helpful! There is no way to totally avoid an injury, especially because injuries can happen in the smallest and gentlest conditions. I tend to be more worried about my mental health than physical health. A body can heal, or learn to adapt to an injury, but your emotions and your thoughts can be wounded deeply, and never recover.

When I broke my back, 9 years ago, I thought about what it would be like to never windsurf again; that was devastating. When I was healthy enough to sail again, I went out and stomped the biggest air I’d ever attempted, I knew I didn’t want to waste a moment, or live in fear. Now, every session is a commitment to that philosophy, to take risks for passion, and to always commit with a clear mind.

Do you have some favorite pro windsurfers that you look up to? Why?

Mark Angulo because of his radical commitment, but also because of his struggle with meaning and his creative talents. I think he is a brave person, fearlessly challenging his own demons and the largest waves on Maui, I look up to him. I also really like Kauli’s sailing, and as I head to Cape Verde for the PWA event, I can’t help but think of his sailing there.

Do you also teach windsurfing?

Yes! Although I don’t have a school or anything. I think I would like to incorporate more teaching in my YouTube channel in the future!

What are your favorite windsurfing spots?

Well of course Ho’okipa! But after that I love the Marshall Islands. I’ve had amazing memories windsurfing in Morocco, and I hope that Cape Verde will become a favorite too!

You make amazing windsurfing videos. Can you tell me about that? Who operates the camera? Who does your editing?

My dad has been my filmer since the beginning. My girlfriend has started to film me a lot too! I do all the editing, I think it’s really fun, plus it helps me learn so much about my sailing.

Your Instagram profile is super rich with great content and lots of fans. How hard is it to keep up with everything?

I have always had a really hard time with that website. So many years I couldn’t post regularly, but I have learned to be more consistent. Still, it’s obvious that social media is bad for our mental health, and I just hope we can use it to communicate positivity, and passion for windsurfing. I hope I don’t ever make anyone feel like they are missing out on Maui life, I want to honestly represent my life, so people see me as a human being. That has been my biggest challenge, and I think I’m feeling better about it all the time.

I see you also do some modeling,... how is that working out? Any plans for the future there??

I will do a little here and there, but I feel like it’s very difficult to find happiness in that field!

You were part of the windsurfing movie "RIDERS of the Liquid Plains",... can you tell me about that?

That was a terrific project! Jace Panebianco is a masterful filmmaker, and documented our travels so well! I will always appreciate his work. And that movie was made right before the pandemic too, so it was a nice preservation of memory for all those IWT competitors.

Check it out:
https://riders.tv/details?id=6064c6c0e4b0d75aa23f5dff&type=vod

What would you say is your unique quality that makes you different from other windsurfers that you compete with,... maybe more than one,... for example, highest jump, biggest wave rides, fastest top speed,.. most followers on social media 😉 anything like that?

I think I’m the one with long hair and the loose harness.

Any last words for people that love the wind and wind sports?

One of my favorite poems as a child was

“Who Can See the Wind” by Christina Rossetti

And it goes:

“Who can see the wind?
Neither you nor I:
But when the trees bow down their
heads,
the wind is passing by”.

A fitting poem for windsurfers living the quiet life, chasing invisible forces, appreciating all the wonderful powers of the universe that we can never hope to understand.

Here you can check Bernd:

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/bernd_roediger

Faceboook – https://www.facebook.com/Bernd-Roediger-221564547982664/

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCob52T1-YiGZlpN-NHsGwqg

Stories

109.1 km/h on a Windsurf!! – Going for ICE Windsurfing Speed World Record, interview with Adam Mróz

Post author By Matjaž Hrovat
Post date January 27, 2022
No Comments on 109.1 km/h on a Windsurf!! – Going for ICE Windsurfing Speed World Record, interview with Adam Mróz

Photo by Dana Kujalova

It’s not a secret that I am fascinated by land windsurfing.

With windsurfing in general of course, but the less popular and more DIY part of it thrills me even more. Maybe because the hard surface makes it more exciting and there’s more adrenaline.

And there’s a special part of land windsurfing and that’s Windsurfing on ICE. Sounds like a drink hehe. Anyway,.. iceboard windsurfing is super exciting because of the incredible speed that can be achieved. The great part about it is also that if you happen to fall the ice breaks the fall. So there’s not a whole lot of a chance for big injuries.

The ice board designs vary quite a lot and most if not all are DIY projects. And some of the iceboard designs are amazing.

So one rider caught my attention with incredible speeds and fantastic design of his board.

His name is Adam Mróz and he is going for an Ice Windsurfing Speed World Record.

And one detail about Adam is him being passionate about ice windsurfing is his last name. Mróz in Polish means “frost”. Now how cool is that (No pun intended 😉 )

Here’s his story:

How did windsurfing start for you?

I dreamed about windsurfing when I was 15 years old, but it was in the 90s and I had no possibility for my parents to buy me equipment and drive me to the spots. When I was 30 years old, with a family and a good job, I bought my first complete windsurf kit and that’s how it started.

Are you a professional rider? Tell me more about that.

No, I have always been and will be an amateur. I just approach it like a pro and give it my best. From the very beginning of windsurfing, I was fascinated by speed, and I went crazy from the moment I bought a GPS device that could measure my speed on the water. It’s amazing to set goals and achieve them.

Do you have sponsors?

I finance most of my hardware “cravings” myself, but of course I have a friendly Easy Surf Shop where I have special prices.

I suppose you have a "normal" job? I can see you windsurf "all the time" - how does it work with the rest of your life on land?

I run my construction company. It gives me great opportunities to escape from work when there’s good wind, ha ha ha. Each of my clients knows that when there is a storm, I am not at work because I windsurf. Windsurfing diversifies my life because I visit places where I would probably never go. This is the case all year round, because in winter I have ice windsurfing, i.e. ice surfing. From spring to autumn, I used to go to Hel to the Polish windsurfing mecca and for 4 years I have had a camping trailer at Surfcamp Gardno where I relax on the water surrounded by beautiful nature with my whole family.

Do you also train on land, especially for windsurfing - running, gymnastics etc.?

I used to train in the gym when I was still preparing for amateur slalom competitions and windsurfing formula. Now, when I am 47 years old, I think that windsurfing once or twice a week is enough for me. I also work physically so I need the rest. Sometimes I will go on a bike with my wife or if it is not windy, I like to paddle on a SUP.

Any other "wild" hobbies and interests? On FB I can see that you are a great enthusiast of ice windsurfing. Tell me about it. Do you build your own ice boards? Can you tell me about the progress of your know-how in building ice boards.

Apart from windsurfing and playing The Witcher, the most important thing for me is the time spent at the workshop where I build ice boards.

Almost 10 years ago, I watched the movie by Jeff Brown breaking the world speed ice-surfing world record in the US. That inspired me to build my own design for slalom.

With a friend from Team Żnin, we competed in building cars and the speed has always fascinated me.

With an Iceboard construction that I made in 2017, I won the world competition King of the Ice 2018. Then I built the Carbon Iceboard, which gave me more victories in 2019, 2020 and 2021. This competition shows the versatility of this structure, sail and competitor. You need to be fast 100m, average 5x10s, good alpha500m turns and keep good speed for 1 hour.

What are your windsurfing plans for the future?

In windsurfing, it is about improving speed records and fighting for the next wins in speed competitions, and on ice I want to set new world records on my board, at the level of 60kts + but this “plus” must be as high as possible .

Describe your most important sports events and achievements in the past.

Among these recent successes are:

On Friday, January 14, after four years of waiting, I got good wind and ice conditions in Poland on the Siemianówka Lagoon. I had only 20 minutes of strong wind 40kts + but it was enough to make three fast runs, including one record-breaking. GPS Motion showed 109.1 km/h.

The world records I have set are 1×10 57.59kts so far, the record 56.71kts belonged to Jeff Brown USA, the average 5x10s 54.08kts so far 53.93kts Henrik Mard Sweden, I also improved Jeff’s 500m from 56.19kts to 56.36kts.

In water speed, I am so far the only man who in Polish waters sailed an average of 5x10s over 40kts and that was on the lake.

Once, I also won a long distance competition as an amateur. From Chałupy to Puck and back. An unforgettable feeling, the more so because on the day of the competition I was sailing the Isonic for the first time in my life.

I also won a speed competition a few times in Poland, once it was a GPS Speed Master competition where the best average speed of 5x10s counted only in Polish waters. Last year I won the King 4 Speed where the Poles’ results from 4 speeds count: 2s, 5x10s, alpha500 and 1h. In average speed, I set a new Polish record.

What is your daily windsurfing routine?

Just check forecasts every update . And it is on three different portals .

Do you also teach windsurfing?

No, I don’t teach, but I always try to tell my friends what to do to sail faster or what part of their equipment needs improvement.

What are your favorite windsurfing / ice windsurfing spots?

In Poland there’s a Big Lake called Żnin and it’s my Team’s main spot.

Then “Chałupy na Hel” is one of my favorite spots these days because it’s the best speed spot.

Another great spot in Poland is Lake Gardno.

Abroad, it is the south of France and La Palme beach, an absolutely cult place of world speed.

In winter it is different because any place with good ice, about 3 km long and with good wind, is my favorite. It is important that nature creates such a place in winter and I will go there and be very happy with every minute of “the flight”.

Any last words for people who love wind and wind sports?

Use the beauty of this sport as much as you can, if that is not enough for you, set a few goals for yourself and build the motivation to achieve these goals.

Check out Adam's FB profile here:

https://www.facebook.com/adam.mroz.7946

And his YouTube Channel here

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeP9tYJyNje-0SPWHnUWg0g/

Stories

Windsurfing “My Religion” – Short Film by Aleix Sanllehy

Post author By Matjaž Hrovat
Post date January 25, 2022
No Comments on Windsurfing “My Religion” – Short Film by Aleix Sanllehy

I recently saw a short 3 minute film about windsurfing and the passion for it. I thought it was brilliant. It’s from a Catalonian windsurfer Aleix Sanllehy.

So I contacted him and he agreed to do a quick interview. And of course check out Aleix’s film called Windsurfing “My Religion” at the bottom of this interview.

Tell me how did windsurfing start for you?

I started when I was 3 years old because my parents and my brother practiced it.

You are a pro rider, right? How does one become a pro rider,... when is the "turning point". How did it happen for you?

I started on the PWA World Tour really young so at that point Goya Windsurfing saw me sailing in some events and offered me a contract, that was the moment when I decided to go with my 100% on the sport.

How do you choose your sponsors?

To be honest I think all raiders chose sponsors depending on two things:

– one who pays more money and

– two who has better windsurfing gear.

Are sponsors all it takes to finance your windsurfing career?

In my case first was my family and after my sponsors.

Do you also train on land,.. specifically for windsurfing - running, gymnastics, etc.?

I love to work out, I do weights and MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) that’s my passion.

I understand you have a bunch of “wild” Hobbies and Interests? Tell me more about that. (I was a MMA coach here in Ljubljana Slovenia for 10 years 😉 )

For me Sports are my passion, any kind of sport but my favorite ones are those ones that make me FEEL that adrenaline.

What are your windsurfing plans for the future?

I still want to participate in some PWA events but during my last 4 years we built a company with my Brother and we are fully focused on it.

Windsurfing is a lovely sport but there is no money in it, even if you are the best of the best it’s hard to live the rest of your life from windsurfing.

Considering the constant pushing the limit in extreme conditions,... how often do small or big injuries happen? What can a windsurfer do to avoid that?

I train a LOT to avoid injuries but it’s a Fact that when you crash hard you will get some Damage, it’s part of the sport.

Do you have some favorite pro windsurfers that you look up to?

Roby Naish, best of the sport!

I understand you are in Cape Town at the moment. Is that for windsufing or something else?

Windsurfing 100%

Do you also teach windsurfing?

No, I don’t have that much time because of the work I have to do for my business.

What are your favorite windsurfing spots?

Pozo Izquierdo and Hookipa.

Your Instagram is super rich with great content and lots of fans. How hard is it to keep up with everything?

I have a lot of different people who love Sports and it’s what I do most in my social Media is Sports.

I see you recently became a father. Tell me how life changes?

A lot, but only for a better life!! I’m lucky I have the best wife in the world and she pushes me to keep on working on doing what I love to do.

Any last words for people that love the wind and wind sports?

Keep on windsurfing and enjoying life and the Ocean!

Windsurfing "My Religion" by Aleix Sanllehy

Check out Aleix's Instagram here:

https://www.instagram.com/aleix_sanllehy/

Stories

How to be the Fastest Lady Windsurfer on the Planet

Post author By Matjaž Hrovat
Post date December 13, 2021
No Comments on How to be the Fastest Lady Windsurfer on the Planet

Windsurfing has quite a few extremes, and one of them is speed. Some windsurfers spend their whole life pushing the speed limit. Going fast on a board with a sail and the water banging on the board like a mallet at 90+ km/h. 50+ knots. 57+mp/h. That will sure get your pulse up.

So how does one go to achieve top speeds in windsurfing?

It’s was a total pleasure to hear this top speed windsurfing story of Heidi Ulrich.

Wow,... 2x Speed Windsurf World Record,... How does that feel?

🙂 that feels great. You know exactly that no woman has ever gone faster over this distance and that makes you proud. But I also try not to stop and push myself further to become even faster.

Is the road to Windsurf World Record long? How did it all start for you?

I started windsurfing around 2013. After I rode my first hard core Defi Wind with a 125 litre board and no loops (in 25-25 knots of wind) I went to Lüderitz to the speed channel with the Diethlem brothers. There I learned to surf loops and I watched the guys and knew, this is my goal. Ever since I work hard to get faster and better.

I take it this makes you a "pro rider"? Do you do this for a living?

It would be nice to be a pro rider 🙂 But I work 100% as a human resources business partner. Luckily my employer is very supportive and makes it possible for me to work remotely, otherwise it wouldn’t work.

Do you have a family?

I have a sister and a brother, wonderful parents… and a boyfriend who supports me from a-z and also does speed windsurfing and therefore also coaches me. That makes everything much easier 🙂

On Instagram I see you are windsurfing “all the time” - how does that work with the rest of your land life?

Instagram vs reality 🙂 🙂

Like everyone else, I work 🙂 But often in the morning or in the evening, so that I can also dedicate myself to training. I’m super happy that my boyfriend shares my passion for windsurfing. This way we can spend an incredible amount of time together on the water 🙂

Do you have a coach?

My boyfriend and in some part also Patrik Diehtelm.

Do you also train on land,.. specifically for windsurfing - running, gymnastics, etc.?

I don’t like going to the gym at all.

But I do a lot of trail running, biking, climbing, canoeing and in winter snowboarding, ski touring, cross country skiing and windsurfing 😉

Any other “wild” Hobbies and Interests?

Climb and downhill mountain biking 😛

What are your windsurfing plans for the future?

To have fun. That’s the most important thing to me!

But I also have a score to settle. I would like to get the world speed record in Lüderitz in the canal. I missed it by 0.3 knots in 2019. Furthermore, I would like to ride 50 knots top speed and thus become the fastest windsurfing woman ever. For the 50 knots, I still lacked 0.8 knots in 2019.

What does your daily windsurfing routine look like?

Having fun in the water together with nice people, after a nice breakfast. Than a worm shower, eat and sleep 😊

Do you have some favorite pro windsurfers that you look up to?

Yes, Karin Jaggi. When I was starting to windsurf I learnd everything from her and Patrik. She’s so incredibly talented and so smart.

Can you give me a few of your favorite windsurfing spots?

I really love my homespot in Switzerland at lake Uri. There’s wind almost every day and also the famous “Föhnsturm wind”. It’s a type of dry, warm, down-slope wind.

Also the south of France – it’s just about the windiest place on earth,… La Palme (next to Gruissan and Leucate).

We always go speed training there, but we also had several wonderful slalom and wave sessions.

Do you also windsurf on a foil?

I started with foil, yes. It’s fun, but not more than windsurfing. At least not for me at the moment. I haven’t discovered the passion there yet. But at the moment I still love it too much to hear the board on the water and to make the fins glow.

What about Wind Wing? Have you tried it?

Not tried yet, but I will for sure.

Do you also teach windsurfing?

Yes, already two seasons. It’s fun to bring this passion and lifestyle to other people.

Any last words for people that love the wind and wind sports?

Enjoy every single second on the water when you feel the wind in your hair. That feeling of freedom is what’s so priceless about windsurfing.

Follow Heidi:

on Instagram > https://www.instagram.com/heidi_ulrich/

on Facebook > https://www.facebook.com/heidi.ulrich.94

Stories

Getting Extremely Fit at the age 55 with Windsurfing and Athletic Biotuning

Post author By Matjaž Hrovat
Post date November 30, 2021
No Comments on Getting Extremely Fit at the age 55 with Windsurfing and Athletic Biotuning

Each Windsurfer that I interview is an impressive individual. All the stories we share are very inspiring. But this one is going to blow you away.

Børre Bendiksen is a guy from Norway that was not very impressive (physically) when he was 20 years old. He was still just an ordinary guy when he was 30. When he was 40 he was still not impressive.

At the age 50 Børre started developing a revolutionary health & fitness lifestyle method he calls Athletic Biotuning.

Now at 55 years of age his physique is super impressive.

And since I am just a few years away from turning 50 and I do feel I am getting a bit “rusty” I really wanted to know HOW he did it.

So,… on with his story:

How did windsurfing start for you?

My first windsurfing experience was on a Tencate Windsurfer in Spain in 1978, 14 years old. I was instantly hooked and chronically infected by the windsurf virus! 44 years later I’m more dedicated and motivated than ever.

Are you a pro rider? Tell me more about that.

No, I see myself as an ambitious hobby rider that trains and eats like a pro.

Do you have sponsors?

Yes, I am sponsored by Ski & Surf, the Norwegian importer of Starboard, Severne and RRD.

Do you have a “regular” job?

I have organized my life and job situation in a way that gives me freedom to surf and ski when the conditions are good.

I work in the online health & fitness lifestyle and nutrition coaching industry. A flexible job I can take with me anywhere I travel.

Since I was in my early twenties I have committed to a long term vision and plan to build up economic flexibility and create an independent job situation that gave me the freedom to practice activities I love while I still was young and fit enough to really enjoy the action.

I achieved this goal 15 years ago, at 41. Until then, my job was totally dominating my life, to an extent that I got severe health issues and was hospitalized with a bleeding stomach ulcer, suffered from severe insomnia and experienced cognitive symptoms like loss of speech in the middle of a sentence in pressed situations.

It took years for me to understand that these symptoms were stress related and a result of being constantly running after the clock and burning the candle on both ends. In that period I didn’t prioritize my own health and paid the price. At around 30 years of age I developed a BMI close to 30 and felt and looked like shit. That was a real health warning and a lifestyle wake up call for me. After this, I have “down prioritized” job, career, dependency of high income and social status and focused on building up my life quality, health and fitness again. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made and has resulted in a life-changing experience and a new business.

Do you have a family?

Yes, same, sporty girlfriend for almost 30 years and two grown up kids.

I am very much impressed with your land training (Athletic Biotuning), can you tell me more about that?

As a physiotherapist specialized in body composition transformations, nutrition physiology, metabolic syndrome and functional fitness training, I have for years worked with the development of a revolutionary health & fitness lifestyle method called Athletic Biotuning. It is a science based, chronobiological nutrition and training method that reverses physical decay by reactivating fallen metabolic and anabolic hormonal processes that regulate body composition and longevity health biomarkers.

The combination of activity and cirkadian rhythm adapted nutrition and functional resistance training with body control and strength in focus, is extremely effective for windsurfers, skiers, climbers and other technical sport practitioners that want to get back in youthful shape to get the maximum out of the sport activities they love. This system also prevents injuries and enables you to progress and perform at a high level far into elderhood. For anyone interested in releasing their unexploited genetic potential for athletic body composition, maximizing sports performance and longevity health after the age of 30, can find more info at AthleticBiotuning.com.

Any other “wild” Hobbies and Interests?

My favorite activities besides windsurfing are alpine and telemark off-piste skiing, off road mountain biking, surfing, nature hiking, fishing and Calisthenics.

What are your windsurfing plans for the future?

Not letting age be a limitation and an excuse. To keep travelling and chasing waves and wind and keep progressing into a complete windsurfer that can handle any sea state and wind condition.

Do you have some favorite pro windsurfers that you look up to? Why?

Robby Naish and Marcilio «Brawzinho» Brown.

Robby for what he has done for the sport and still going incredibly strong after 50.

Brawzinho for being my greatest inspiration for his extreme, ballet like, onshore wave sailing skills that I try to copy.

Do you also windsurf on a foil? What about Wind Wing? Have you tried it?

No, I am so far a dedicated windsurfer and have been so focused on improving my windsurfing skills besides practicing other sports, that I haven’t found time to start with more disciplines. Also, as a lightweight at around 70 kg, I “plane” in very light Winds on my Isonic Slalom Board. That said, I’m open for testing foiling in the future.

Any last words for people that love the wind and wind sports?

After testing most sports out there, nothing else matches the addictive emotions and adrenaline rush that windsurfing gives me. Flying over turbulent water, driven only by nature’s forces. The closest alternative may be the few times in life that I have experienced waking up to deep, light powder in the Alps and gone off-piste skiing. There is nothing else in life that gives me this childish joy and makes me tick like an eager little boy as when I’m on my way to new wind and wave adventures.

It’s amazing how the brain is totally emptied for any other thoughts, concerns and stress while surfing. The endorphin production it produces is like a pill of happiness that keeps me smiling from ear to ear the rest of the day after a good session.

The social part is also worth mentioning. I have met so many fantastic, inclusive and positive people in this sport. Most of my best friends I have today, I met for the first time on a windy beach. It seems like the sport attracts action seeking people with a general positive attitude to life and a wish to share with others the joy and exciting experiences and action that the wild weather conditions can offer.

There is probably no other sport that takes so many years to achieve an advanced level, making you capable of sailing with full control in most conditions. This alone makes a natural selection of the dedicated, stayer committed personality type it takes to be a long time windsurfer.

Windsurfing is a fantastic sport, so technical that you never will go empty for new things to improve or learn.

To be philosophic for a moment, I think windsurfers are really privileged people that generally get more out of life than most people.

Aloha…

Stories

Trying to “make it” as a Girl Windsurfer

Post author By Matjaž Hrovat
Post date November 23, 2021
No Comments on Trying to “make it” as a Girl Windsurfer

I love Young athletes. So inspiring. I don’t remember being that focused when I was 19. Whenever I check Ashley’s Facebook, Instagram or YouTube she is windsurfing all the time.

Not easy to do when you are a teenager.

How did windsurfing start for you?

My name is Ashley Veenstra, I am nineteen years old and live in The Netherlands.

I was 12 years old when I began windsurfing. My dad is a windsurfer and he taught me and my sister how to do it. I also had some lessons from Jordy Vonk. I did my first competition in 2014 and won. I really enjoyed it so from then on, I wanted to do more competitions. For a limited time, I trained at RTC (“regional trainings centrum”), but because of the distance it wasn’t possible anymore, so I have to train by myself.

The spots where I windsurf the most are:

Makkum
Lauwersmeer and
Eeltjemeer

Are you a pro rider?

I am not a pro rider (not yet hahaha) in the future I want to compete in the PWA or improve my foil skills and compete in the IQFOIL class.

Do you have sponsors?

Yes I have, I am very happy to have some sponsors.

My sponsors are:

Bug fins – who gave me very good fins!!
Eurosport nutrition – for some sport nutrition, during training and competitions.
Jibe wear – for some cool clothes.
Tmed physiotherapies
Decarme – who supported me the last few years.
And of course my parents who help me buy new stuff.

It’s a very expensive sport so all the support is very nice, without the sponsors it isn’t possible to compete. So, I am very grateful to have them.

You are very young so I take it you are still in school? Tell me a little bit about that.

I have finished my school this year, I did a sports education, now I have a “gap year”. This year I want to work a lot to save some money for the competitions and for new stuff. I also want to train more. After this year I want to continue with my education. I think something to help me become a personal coach.

On FB I see you are windsurfing “all the time” - how does that work with the rest of your land life?

I work a lot, when I am free and there is wind, I go for a good windsurf session. I now have a driver license so I can drive to the water by myself when I want to. This week I bought a new car so I can drive with our surf trailer. From now on I can go to the water whenever it is windy.

Do you have a coach?

Unfortunately, I do not have a coach. I would love to join the national team to have a coach. But then you need the lQFOIL set, and I don’t have enough money to buy that set. So, I must improve my skills first.

Do you also train on land, specifically for windsurfing - running, gymnastics, etc.?

I train a lot on land.

I go 5 times a week to the gym to become stronger and fit. I also sometimes do soccer, mountain biking and golf surfing.

Any other “wild” Hobbies and Interests?

I have a hobby which I share with my dad, ICESURFING. It’s so cool to do, we made an icesurf together with my dad and we bought one so we can do it together. It’s a weird feeling surfing on ice. It goes really fast, and you can jibe and tack easily. In The Netherlands you must be lucky to have some ice to skate on but when it’s freezing enough we love to go for a session.

What are your windsurfing plans for the future?

My plans are to train a lot. I want to compete in the IQFOIL class or/and the PWA.

I want to train a lot on my starts, jibes and foil skills. I want to improve my speed. It would be amazing to go one day to Luderitz for the Luderitz speed challenge.

Describe your major highlights and achievements in the sport in the past.

In 2015 I won again in the kids category by realtrip in Makkum.
In 2016 I won again at the category kids and I became 3th at the GPS speed challenge in Makkum in the category womens and youth.
In 2017 I became 3th at the GPS speed challenge in the category womens and I became 3th at the dam-x.
In 2018 I became first at the realtrip this is a longdistance race where you surf 4 kilometers make a jibe and surf 4 kilometers back this was my first time doing his long distance competition with 250 competitors and I finished 70 overall. I had this year an injury on my feet so couldn’t/t surf a lot, I did a competition the dam-x and finished second. I could walk 1 day before the races, I decided to try, and I did good. With over twenty competitors, I pushed myself really hard and became second. I did my first national championship and became 6th.
In 2019 I did more competitions and get more prizes:
- Regiocup Noord dames 3th place
- Dam-x 15/18 jaar 3th place
- Netherlands championships 5th
- The realtrip long-distance 2th
- Regiocup north 1th ladies
- Regiocup north 3th youth
- Regiocup south 3th ladies
- Gps speedchallenge women 2th
- Gps speedchallenge youth 3th place

In 2019 I did my first world championship, unfortunately the whole week there was no wind. I bought a foil in 2019, and did 2 competitions. I want to improve my foil skills. It would be cool to compete in the IQfoil class but it’s very expensive…

And ever since the “Corona situation” there were unfortunately not much competitions.

What does your daily windsurfing routine look like?

I wake up, make some breakfast, pack my car, drive to the spot, rig my gear and it’s surfing time!!

Do you have some favorite pro windsurfers that you look up to? Why?

Sarah Quita, because she can compete in all the disciplines.

Do you also windsurf on a foil? If yes,... how do you like that and how does that compare to windsurfing on a regular windsurfing board?

Yes I have a foil, you need more balance with foiling. I really enjoy the feeling that you fly above the water. No sounds, only you flying.

What about Wind Wing? Have you tryed it? Do you like it and how does that (for you) comapre to Windsurfing?

No, I haven’t tried it yet. Maybe in the future. It’s not something I really want to do. It looks fun but not a daily thing for me.

Do you also teach windsurfing?

Yes I do, I teach windsurfing in the summer, and I also give sail lessons!

Any last words for people that love the wind and wind sports?

When it’s windy, enjoy the day, you don’t know when it’s going to be windy again!

Do you have social media ?

Yes I am trying hard to get a lot of followers on my social media! I really enjoy making videos with my gopro while surfing. My parents take a lot of pictures of me and I post this all on my facebook/Instagram and youtube.

If you want to follow me on my windsurf journey you can follow me!

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/AshleyveenstraNED700

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ashley_veenstra/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6GxKjyWgZfuLjjOiwsdnbA

Stories

How to Become a Windsurfing Superstar at 17 – Lennart Neubauer (GRE-734)

Post author By Matjaž Hrovat
Post date November 14, 2021
No Comments on How to Become a Windsurfing Superstar at 17 – Lennart Neubauer (GRE-734)

Lennart Neubauer performs during a training session in Naxos island, Greece on December 15, 2020 // Alex Grymanis / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202012180114 // Usage for editorial use only //

Seeing top windsurfers do their thing like magic will really take your breath away. Even more impressive is when you see “Young Guns” do it.

At the age 17, Lennart Neubauer (GRE-734) is already a Windsurfing Superstar sponsored by the biggest. He loves to promote windsurfing and was happy to let us see inside his “Wind World”.

How did windsurfing start for you?

I was kind of lucky, when I was 9 years old, my mother had a birthday and the local windsurfing club “Flisvos Sportclub” here in Naxos gave her as a present a voucher of 6 lessons windsurfing. Since my mom was working a lot and had no time, she passed the voucher over to me.

Unfortunately, when I went to the windsurfclub, they saw me and asked how many kg I am, my answer was 27kg.

They told me to come back when I am 30kg. So I ate a lot all winter long and when they opened the club the following spring I was 30kg and I went again.

From that day on, I was addicted to this sport.

You are super young (17) and already a pro rider. How did you become a pro?

So I started to windsurf at 10 years old. When I was 11 I went to a Junior EFPT (European Freestyle Pro Tour) event in Croatia. I won in the category U13 (Under 13 years old). I was so stoked.

I loved to compete from the first event on. The adrenalin, the vibes and the best is that you learn so much when you are together in the water with the “big guys”. The Junior EFPT events were always at the same time like the main EFPT competitions.

My mom tried to bring me to as many competitions as possible, you know, as money and school would allow. My results became better and better also in the men’s fleet. Currently my ranking in the men’s fleet is 5th place and European Champion u18

On your FB page your have 3 titles - World Champion Windsurfing Freestyle U15, World Champion Windsurfing Wave U15 and European Champion Winds. Wow,... that's insane,... tell me about that.

In 2018 I won the World title in Wave U15 (Under 15 years old) at the PWA (Professional Windsurfers Association) competitions in Almerimare and Gran Canaria.

That same year I won the same title at the PWA Freestyle event in Fuerteventura.

This year I won the title of European Champion in Rhodos.

I see you're German, but riding under Greece?

I was born in Germany but raised in Greece, in Naxos. Here is my homespot and here I train whenever it’s windy. I feel a big support from the Greek windsurfing community and since I enjoy and live in Greece, I decided to race for the Greek flag..

Tell me about your "Wind Park".

My Wind Park was a huge project with Red Bull. Basically Red Bull asked me, if they would fulfill one wish for me for free,… what would it be?

Well, at another spot at Laguna Beach Park there is already one wooden Ramp which Stamatis Promponas, the owner of that spot, built a couple of years ago. So my dream was to have more than one ramp in the water and higher ramps.

Red Bull gave us a budget and together with Stamatis and Yiannis Maritsis, my board-shaper, we built 5 ramps with different heights.

We made this all ready at Christmas time last year but we wanted to wait till the weather was better. We tested the ramps around Easter time. At the beginning I had big respect, especially for the highest ramp which is like 2.5 m out of the water. After the first few jumps I fell in love with that feeling and I hardly could wait till May when the whole Red Bull team came to Naxos in order to produce the Film about the ramp park.

Finally they came with 7 camera guys, they stayed a whole week and we were filming everyday for many hours. It was so much fun… check out the video below:

What sponsors do you have,... tell me a little bit about how all this sponsor stuff works in windsurfing?

My sponsors are:

As a Pro windsurfer you are like a one man company, you are your own marketing company, travel agency etc. You have to organize everything by yourself.

Not like when you are a football player and everything is organized for you.

I am very thankful to have these sponsors. Without them it would not be possible to travel to so many competitions and to have lots of time for training.

I have to point out one specific sponsor - Red Bull. We all know Red Bull is only after the best. So that tells a lot about you. How did that happen? How does it feel,... and how does it work when you are sponsored by Red Bull?

Red Bull is a big support for me. They are all young guys, fully motivated and always ready for any crazy idea or project.

I can’t tell you how it works in detail but I can tell you that they have lots of experience with athletes, they offer a great health covering if anything goes wrong, they check you up in their own athlete performance center and they work close together with the athletes in order to fulfill the goal of the athlete.

I am more than stoked that they want to have me in their team.

You are young and a pro already. So I see you are windsurfing “all the time”. How does that work with your land life?

Generally I train whenever it’s windy. I get up early in the morning (at 6) and study for school. After school I grab something healthy to eat and go straight with my bike to my homespot – it’s just a 5 min ride from school.

After training I eat, chill a bit and sleep early in order to be fit for the next day. This is my final year at school. In June I have to take my exams and then I am free. It’s not easy, the combination of school and lots of training. But if you really want it, it’s possible.

If it’s not windy you’ll find me out in nature with my mountain bike or road bike. One of my good friends here, Manolis Orfanos, showed me the sickest trails on our island. If you ever come to Naxos make sure that you rent a bike and go for a round. The nature here takes your breath away. On the bike you can sweat like crazy and give all your energy.

My biggest trip on one day was 211km in one go. Took me 10 hours….

I see you also windsurf on a foil? How do you like that and how does that compare to windsurfing on a regular windsurfing board?

Windfoiling is great if the wind is lighter.

I love also Windfoiling Freestyle. Many of the tricks that I do on my normal (windsurfing) freestyle board I can also do with the foil. Actually it looks more difficult than it is.

I also have Wing Foiling equipment from starboard, this I use in even lighter wind. It’s fun and I like it also.

In generell, if you Windsurf in the water or at land like Windskate which I also like a lot, you have to be one with the energy of the wind. It’s amazing how it works when you decide to be in harmony with the wind. I see so many beginners who look like they are fighting with the wind. That’s a mistake.The wind is your friend, that’s for sure.

Any last words for people that love windsurfing and other wind sports?

I hope windsurfing becomes BIG again. From my side I’ll do everything possible to make this sport big again because it’s the best sport in the world.

Photos credit: https://www.redbullcontentpool.com/

Stories

Windsurfing Bad Grandpa (il Nonno Cattivo)

Post author By Matjaž Hrovat
Post date November 2, 2021
No Comments on Windsurfing Bad Grandpa (il Nonno Cattivo)

As a windsurfer I am fascinated more by older than younger riders. Why? Well windsurfing gets harder when you get older because it’s so much harder to find enough time to do it. I used to windsurf a lot when I was in my twenties. Now at 46, with 4 kids it’s very hard to run away from it all.

Fabio Tampieri is super fascinating because he is able to windsurf about 150 days per year. His Facebook profile (https://www.facebook.com/fabio.tampieri) is almost all about windsurfing. How does he do it?

Well,.. I’ve asked him:

How did windsurfing start for you?

I was 20 years old and a friend made me try it. From there the love for this sport began immediately. Obviously several years passed before I could afford my own equipment,… so at first I bought some windsurfing equipment together with one of my friends. It was not an easy progress, but for the short time I was in the water on windy days 50% with my friend.

Later over the years I was able to buy my personal equipment and I started going to different spots. I did a bit of everything. I tried slalom and wave also because years ago freestyle had not yet landed in the world of windsurfing.
Today I live on my beautiful Lake Como and I have a chance to windsurf all the time 😉

Are you a pro rider?

I have never been a Pro windsurfer, also because I always had limited time and for my time I dedicated I want to be in the water. In competitions it is the opposite. You stay a lot out of the water and therefore do little windsurfing …. … ha ha ha

Do you have sponsors?

As for my “sponsors”,… they are not really real sponsors. They are friendships that have been born thanks to the fact that in recent years I have spent many hours in the water. That gives me the opportunity to get close to producers and some of them give me the opportunity to use and try top materials.

One of them is FLIKKA Boards (https://flikkaboards.com/). Thanks to Luka the owner, we were able to create a board that can cover an incredible range of use from 10 knots to 40 knots, with a small set of sails from 4.0 to 5.2 and foil. This means avoiding having a lot of unnecessary equipment in the car and having even more fun in the water.

Do you have a “regular” job?

I do have a “regular” job, of course. If not, I wouldn’t be able to afford traveling and windsurfing trips. I am a very good salesman so consequently also a good promoter for windsurfing. I travel a lot for my work and I always have my equipment with me in the car so that I can find at any time a little water and a little wind to be able to go out to windsurf.

What’s with the nickname: il Nonno Cattivo (Bad Grandpa)? Something to do with your grandkids?

Noooooo I’m the Bad Grandpa because I practice a discipline that only kids practice now THE FREESTYLE, (at least I try). From there my nickname started – I go out in the water with some kids who could be my grandchildren.

My family is made up of me and that saint of my wife Danila who indulges the passion for this incredible sport by following me on incredible adventurous and WINDY trips, ha ha ha (it’s very difficult to be a surfer’s wife), THANKS MY LOVE.

On FB I see you are windsurfing “all the time” - tell us the recipe 😉

20 years ago, thanks to the skills at my work, I decided to change my life and move directly to my home spot on Lake Como (https://lakecomotravel.com/). An incredible place. So from my 50 days per year windsurfing I “upgraded” to 150 days per year. This gave me the opportunity to progress exponentially in this sport. Remember Windsurfers when you see a friend good at maneuvers is not just a talent but also because he has the ability to windsurf 10 times more than you, ha ha ha.

Do you also train on land,.. specifically for windsurfing, like running, gymnastics, etc.?

Thanks to the fact that I live on the lake I dedicate 80% of my time to windsurfing. Also now thanks to the foil I can go out even with just 10 knots, but every now and then thanks to the incredible mountains that surround my lake I take the ELECTRIC bicycle, ha ha ha, and I climb to the top of peaks with breathtaking landscapes.

Any other “wild” Hobbies and Interests?

When you try windsurfing everything else is NOTHING 😉

What are your windsurfing plans for the future?

Using more and better performing materials to enjoy more and more the hours that I spend in the water. Aa I already said, I have to thank Luka Jures of Flikka Boards (https://flikkaboards.com/) who builds incredibly light, resistant and super performing boards and thanks to the Rig Severne (https://www.severnesails.com/) that make sails, booms and masts incredibly light, think my complete freestyle equipment is close to 11 kg all toghether. 5.3 kg board and the rig equipped with a 5,2 Freestyle I arrive at around 5,650 kg, with such a light material someone like me that weighs 90 kg can plan with 14/15 knots, and thanks to the incredible Foil Redwing Severne (https://www.severnesails.com/redwing/) with the same equipment changing only the flight fin with 10 knots.

Describe your major highlights and achievements in the sport in the past.

As I told you the fact that I am not a featherweight I had to look for builders who explore light materials. So for me the only alternative in the boards are the custom construction both for lightness and for resistance to endure my 90 kg for a whole season of over 150 days out on the water.

What does your daily windsurfing routine look like?

Windsurf, work, Windsurf, work, Windsurf, Windsurf, work, great food and good wine, ha ha ha

Do you have some favorite pro windsurfers that you look up to? Why?

The professional raiders are all good and I admire them a lot, but I admire much more all the amateur windsurfers who love this sport and have to “share it” with work, family, time, money. It’s not easy.

How do you like the foil and how does that compare to windsurfing on a regular windsurfing board?

As I told you Flikka has built for me a custom freestyle with deep tuttle binding.

All I need is a few technical devices, and so I have only one board to do my usual discipline from freestyle to freeride to wave. And when there is little wind all I do is replace the fin with foil and that’s it. I don’t have to change anything to my board, not even the position of the straps, I just pull back the mast foot and FLYYYY.

Certainly I don’t glide on the water but in the air and the feeling is nice. So ultimately I only have one foil in the car and nothing more, no other boards with more volume, no long masts and booms and huge sails. So for me foil is an extra WIN.

What about Wind Wing?

Sorry but the wingsurfing is another sport, just like kitesurfing.

I would have to bring double equipment in the car. Windsurfing and wing brings me back to where I have to have a truck to bring everything with me. Then there’s the indecision of what to do every time. The wing will not be a fallback for little wind, it is becoming a discipline that has nothing to do with windsurfing and must be practiced with little and a lot of wind. Windsurfing is not an easy sport to practice. I apologize but the way I see it is kite and wing were born to cover an audience of people who want to learn quickly. Windsurfing takes dedication and time 😉

Do you also teach windsurfing?

Ha, ha, ha, I don’t even have time for Danila, my wife.

Any last words for people that love the wind and wind sports?

Guys and girls, to learn and progress you don’t always need to change equipment. But you need to have good equipment. Since usually we have less hours on the water than what we’d like, you have to concentrate on what you want to learn. You have to become like a blacksmith, striking that iron on the same place again and again – trying and trying only that maneuver, jibe, jump or freestyle move that you want to learn and perfect. This is the secret to progress and not get discouraged by changing in wing and kite…ha, ha, ha.

Good sailing to all!