Congratulations on your podium finish at the PWA World Tour! How does it feel to be recognized among the top youth windsurfers in the world?
It’s an amazing experience to be recognized among the top youth windsurfers! I’ve trained hard to get here, and my family and I are filled with pride and gratitude.
Can you tell us how you first got into windsurfing and what inspired you to pursue it at such a high level?
I started windsurfing in 2016 when I was 11 years old. I learned from a former PWA professional windsurfer in Aruba. I quickly got the hang of it, and since then, I’ve been hooked. A year later, I competed in my first tournament, the Aruba Hi-Winds, where my cousin Casper Bouman coached me, and I won my first gold medal in the U15 category. Growing up in Aruba allowed me to watch and learn from top windsurfers like Ethan and Nathan Westra and Sarah-Quita Offringa. Their advice and seeing them race motivated me to push myself and continually improve.
Windsurfing is physically demanding. What kind of training regimen do you follow to stay at the top of your game?
Aruba is one of the best spots for windsurfing with constant wind and warm weather. I aim to be on the water every day to refine my skills. When I’m not on the water, you’ll find me in the gym or playing sports like soccer, beach tennis, or running to stay in shape.
As a young athlete, how do you balance school, social life, and your commitment to windsurfing? Is it a challenge?
As I’ve gotten older, balancing school with high-performance windsurfing has become more challenging. However, my ambition to be a top youth windsurfer motivates me to excel in both. My family and teachers have been incredibly supportive, which helped me earn my pre-university diploma last year. This year, I’m taking a gap year to focus fully on my windsurfing career while also working as a windsurf instructor. Though I sometimes have to skip social gatherings to stay focused, my friends support my goals, which I really appreciate.
What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your windsurfing journey so far, and how did you overcome it?
While we have consistent trade winds in the Caribbean that provide ideal training conditions, I found competing in Europe challenging due to lighter winds, which we’re not accustomed to. To overcome this, I’ve been making efforts to train in different parts of the world with varying conditions to better prepare myself for these challenges.
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?
My early life experiences shaped my mental toughness. Growing up on the streets of Addis Ababa and later in an orphanage with my sister before being adopted by wonderful Dutch parents in Aruba taught me to focus on the opportunities I have. I’ve developed a mindset that if I want something in life, I need to work and fight for it. This mentality helps me stay focused and perform under pressure, especially in competitions.
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 wouldn’t be where I am without my parents’ full support, both mentally and financially. I also get valuable advice from experts like Casper, Ethan, Sarah-Quita, Jordy Vonk, and Tati Frans. I work hard to pay for my gear and travel expenses, and while I hope to secure more sponsorships in the future, I’m incredibly grateful for the sponsors who have supported me so far. Their support has allowed me to use high-quality gear and unlock my potential.
Now that you’ve reached the podium, what are your goals for the future?
After receiving my 2025 sails, I’m thrilled with their performance and control! My goal for my final year in the Youth category is to compete in as many competitions as possible and finish in the top 3. I hope to end 2025 ranked in the top 3 youth windsurfers. I’ve been training in Tenerife since January, preparing for the upcoming season. Ultimately, my dream is to become a world champion!
