Congratulation on your podium finish at the PWA World Tour TYCHO SMITS! How does it feel to be recognized among the top youth windsurfers in the world? Tycho: To become for the second time in a row PWA World Champion was amazing! Especially in Turkey, the feeling to compete with the best upcoming talents of the world was amazing. Just the close racing is amazing and then to win it is even better.
Can you tell us how you first got into windsurfing and what inspired you to pursue it at such a high level? Tycho: I started in 2019 on Bonaire, and the beginning of learning how to windsurf is not the most fun. Luckily, I was having allot of friends here to windsurf with so that’s really the thing that kept me going in the beginning. And at that time, I saw Taty Frans out there racing and I said I want to become just as fast as him. That is now already 5 years ago and slowly I’m getting closer. The reason to pursue it at this level is simply because I love the sport and can’t go without it. And I really want to become the best one day.
Windsurfing is known to be physically demanding. What kind of training regimen do you follow to stay at the top of your game? Tycho: I’m usually 6 days a week training on the water, next to that I’m also going to the gym 4 times a week to stay fit and gain some weight. My mom helps me with healthy food and stay fit.
As a young athlete, how do you balance school, social life, and your commitment to windsurfing? Is it a challenge? Tycho: I start the day by going to the gym. Then school starts at 7:30 and finishes early at 14:00 then I go surfing until 18:00 and then it’s time to do some homework even though I hate to do it I know it has to be done. My social life is simple; all my friends are windsurfing too so we see each other always on the water, that’s probably the big reason for me to get to this level. It is a challenge for sure to combine all this. But if I don’t do my best the school won’t let me go racing so that’s a big motivation for me.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your windsurfing journey so far, and how did you overcome it? Tycho: as we all know the traveling is a big challenge every time because most of the races are in Europe, so we have to get there by plane first. Also to get all the gear every year has been a challenge. But after becoming world champion I got more sponsors and this has helped me a lot.
Windsurfing requires not just physical skill, but mental toughness as well. How do you prepare mentally for a competition, especially when there’s pressure on you to perform well? Tycho: For me the training tells me a lot if I see I’m faster than the rest it gives me more rest heading to the event. And also when I’m there I always like to evaluate the day and find my mistakes and make sure that they’re not happening again.
What kind of support system do you have from your family, coaches, or sponsors? How important has that been in helping you get to where you are today? Tycho: without my parents this all wouldn’t be possible. And together we form a team. my dad does all the planning and goes with me to the event to be my caddy. My mom takes care of my mental and physical health by making sure I eat the right things. I don’t have a coach but Taty and Amado help me getting my gear tuned up and I train a lot with the staff of the Frans Paradise. My sponsors The Frans Paradise, Hangout Beachbar, Paul de Boer bouw and Migaro Hairstyling are helping me making my dreams possible.
Now that you’ve reached the podium, what are your goals for next year? Tycho: After winning last years PWA u17 foil title I obviously want to go for that again, but then this year I want to win the fin at the same time. And this year I also want to go participate in the IFCA European and want to win there as well.
