Exclusive Interview with ARXON – THE PWA U15 Champ!
How does it feel to be recognized among the top youth windsurfers in the world?
I’m proud of myself for all the effort, motivation and dedication I have putting into this. It feels good because you have people that look up to you. Now I know that when I set my mind to something, I can achieve it.
Can you tell us how you first got into windsurfing and what inspired you to pursue it at such a high level?
One of my uncle was out of Bonaire, and he was motivating me to do my best, so we could race when he gets back. I became so good, I was winning from the other world competitors on Bonaire, this was the moment I realized my true potential. As I was only windsurfing for less than a year at that point. But I was doing this every moment I’m got, most weekends from early in the morning till late at night, when there was no sunlight anymore.
Windsurfing is known to be physically demanding. What kind of training regimen do you follow to stay at the top of your game?
Currently I have a personal trainer I see 3 times a week. In the beginning I had to follow a strict diet as I was a chubby guy. I needed to loose some weight so I could glide better over the water.
As a young athlete, how do you balance school, social life, and your commitment to windsurfing? Is it a challenge?
Some day’s it’s not easy, I’m a top athlete, Bonaire is a small community. A lot of people know my achievements but they don’t know me. I’m still a teenager that’s learning how to deal with this thing called Life, or better said, Salt life. School has been a challenge, I know education is important and mandatory, but they don’t understand that I’m working on my future when I need to go off island for competitions. And I’m not doing this only for myself, I’m helping to make Bonaire more visible on the world map by competing around the world. A lot of people don’t even know where Bonaire is. So this is still a hassle to create the right balance, between school, practice and competitions. ì
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your windsurfing journey so far, and how did you overcome it?
One of the biggest challenges I faced in my windsurfing journey was not only mastering the technical aspects of the sport, but also securing the funds to compete at the World Tour level. When I first started, I was doing well in competitions, but since I was still new to the sport, no one really believed I could take it this far. It was tough to find sponsors, so I turned to my family and friends for support. They were the ones who believed in me from the start and helped fund my first World Tour with donations. It wasn’t easy, but it taught me how important it is to have a strong support system and how to work hard both on and off the water. Over time, I’ve been able to prove myself and gain more recognition, but getting that initial push from the people closest to me meant everything.
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?
Windsurfing requires a lot of mental focus, especially when there’s pressure to perform. For me, one of the best ways I prepare mentally is through music. I have a playlist that helps me get in the zone, but it doesn’t stop there—I actually end up singing or rapping to myself while I’m on the water! It helps me stay relaxed and keeps my mind focused on the rhythm of the sport. It’s like I’m in my own flow, even when the conditions are tough. Beyond music, I try not to overthink things. I take deep breaths and remind myself that I’ve trained for this moment. Staying positive and visualizing my best performance helps me stay calm and push through the pressure.
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?
I’ve been really lucky to have an amazing support system behind me. My dad has been a huge part of my journey—he’s the one who’s pushed me to keep going, even on tough days. He’s the one who brings me to Sorobon Beach every day and picks me up, no matter what. His belief in me has kept me motivated. As for coaching, Taty Frans has been my main coach, and he’s taught me so much about technique and strategy. But I’ve also learned a lot from other windsurfers along the way. Every tip and piece of advice I’ve gotten from them has been valuable, and I’ve made sure to apply it in my own training. Having this strong network of family, coaches, and fellow windsurfers has been incredibly important in helping me get to where I am today. It’s not just about my individual effort; it’s about all the people who believe in me and help me improve.
Now that you’ve reached the podium, what are your goals for this season?
Now that I’ve become the World Champion in windsurfing, my main goal for this season is to compete at the highest level in both the IFCA and PWA world competitions. To do that, I hope to secure some bigger sponsors who can help support me, so I can compete in these prestigious events. I know that competing at this level will push me to improve even more, and I’m excited to take on new challenges. The support from sponsors will make a huge difference in helping me travel to the events, get the equipment I need, and focus on my performance. I’m determined to keep growing as a windsurfer and represent the sport on the world stage.
