After a strong start to the 2014 campaign Youp Schmit (99NoveNove / Avanti) was forced to retire for the remainder of the season after two events. Schmit opened the year with joint 7th place in his homeland of Bonaire and then limped to 17th place in Fuerteventura - with an injured knee severely hampering him. After trying to battle through the pain in Fuerte, Youp made the wisest, but hardest decision, to retire from the tour for 2014. However, after eight months of rehabilitation Schmit is back on the water and getting back to his impeccable best. With just over a month to go before the curtain is raised for the 2015 PWA World Tour in Austria, we caught up with Youp for an interview, which you can read below:

PWA: Hey Youp, How’s your winter going?

YS: “My winter was back at home on Bonaire where it does not feel like winter. It's been a real different one compared to all the years though due the knee injury I had on my knee. But luckily by the end of December I started to take my first steps back on the water.” 

PWA: How long have you been back on the water since your knee injury and how is it feeling?

YS: “I’ve been about 3 months back on the water already since my knee was injured, and I gotta say by now on the water I don't even think about it anymore. But never forget to stretch and warm up anymore.”  

PWA: You’ve been unfortunate to suffer a few injuries - does that ever affect you psychological when you get back on the water?

YS: “For sure getting injured scares you a little, especially when getting back to your sport and doing the crazy moves again that you want to be doing. But once I always get back on the water I can't hold myself in to not do freestyle and to go big on those moves again, it's just too big of an addiction!” 

PWA: Have you changed any of your training and preparation before windsurfing now?

YS: “Well as I said I never forget to stretch and warm up anymore before heading out for a good session. 

For sure I have always tried the best to take care of myself and my body, but now especially since this injury took me off the water for about 8 months I started to focus a lot on my health and how everything all happened, and by that I started to do my trainings a little more different and trying my best to prevent injuries from happening.”

PWA: There’s only just over 5 weeks to go until the start of the season... how are you feeling ahead of it?

YS: “I’m feeling ready, now after a couple of months being back on the water have passed with a brand new board under my feet I feel comfortable and ready to hit the season! I can't wait!” 

PWA: Aim for the season?

YS: “My aim is to be strongly back in the top 10 fighting to make my way up to the top. Big thanks! And see you very soon on our first tour stop in Austria!”

PWA: Thanks, Youp. We look forward to seeing you back to your best in Austria.

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