Youth U20 World Champion @alexa_g200 Recalls Her First Windsurfing Moments In Fuerteventura

Alexa Escherich (JP / NeilPryde / Maui Ultra Fins) may only be 18-years-old, but the young German has already enjoyed plenty of success in the early stages of her career. Escherich became the 2016 Youth PWA Freestyle World Champion, while in 2017 she went on to be crowned rookie of the year before going on the win her second Youth world title, but this time in the U20 Girl’s Wave. Alexa is also our next sailor up in ‘Blast From The Past’. Hi Alexa, take us back to the memory of your very first windsurf experience… Where were you?

Risco del Paso, Fuerteventura.

When was it?
2006

Who were you with?

With my Dad and my Mum.

What do you remember from that very first ‘session’? My dad was always preparing my gear in the water, I got on the board, sailed to my mum and then the other way round.

Who was your local hero? And why?

My parents, because they were teaching me all the time and helping me improve.
What gear were you using?

JP & Neilpryde
Describe your feeling when you were planing for the first time…

I can actually not quite remember... what I still remember is that at first I was quite scared of going in the footstraps while planing.

How did you realise you were becoming a professional windsurfer?

I guess it was the moment registering for my first PWA event.

Give a tip for the next generation... Send it and enjoy every moment on the water!

Thanks, Alexa!

If...we would have been with the slalom riders in France for the @cnmarignanais PWA World Cup this week.
So that's why we are looking back at this funny edit from @adamsims.k72 & @alex_merts ! Enjoy your day!
#pwatourlife #pwaworldtour #slalom #windsurf #france #marseille #marignane

Next up in our latest ‘Blast From The Past’ interview is Croat @luka.mratovic (Fanatic / Duotone), who made his debut on the PWA Slalom World Tour in 2017 - having previously competed at 3 Olympics!

Hi Luka Mratovic - take us back to the memory of your very first windsurf experience… - Where were you?
I was in Peljesac Peninsula in Croatia, where we have a summer house. - When was it?
My first time was in the summer of 1996. But I was too young and small to use that ‘big’ equipment. So a few years later I started to windsurf more often! - Who were you with?
With my brother. - What do you remember from that very first ‘session’? Lots of falling down, but it was fun and I enjoyed it. - Who was your local hero? And why?
My brother and one Dutch tourist. They were the only ones windsurfing there at that time. - What gear were you using?
A small waveboard manufactured in Croatia. (MOSOR Boards) - Describe your feeling when you were planing for the first time…
It was the best feeling ever, and from that moment I started to think only about that and wanted to sail more and more. - How did you realise you were becoming a professional windsurfer?
That was my dream from the first video tape I was watching; about trips and just windsurfing around the world. - Give a tip for the next generation...
Just enjoy, love what you do and everything is possible.

Thanks, Luka!