Next up in our “In The Spotlight” feature is the PWA Wave Vice World Champ Victor Fernandez! Victor has been on the podium at every PWA event this season and even finished 1st on the last event on Sylt. He already won two World Titles in 2010 and 2016 and is the most consistent PWA Wave rider since many years, 6x Vice World Champ. Have fun reading!

Let’s rewind to the start of 2017 – how are you looking back on the season? It´s being an incredible season for me. I did great in all events finishing on the podium in all of them and winning the last PWA event on Sylt so I´m very pleased with my season.

Highs and Lows? I don´t see any lows, I gave my best in the events. I also had incredible trips as Cape Town, Portugal and Maui. My equipment works incredible, so it´s all amazing and I don´t see any reason to complain about anything.

Did you do anything different in terms of training and did it make a difference? I think training during the winter season and taking care of myself outside the water makes a difference for me while I´m on tour. Like this I feel way more prepared and can focus more on the water.

What is your favourite board in your portfolio you would never toss? Definitely the Grip 82, this board is just pure fun in any kind of around conditions and it´s the perfect volume for my weight. But I am also a big fan of the Stubby which I always use when the conditions are not so perfect.

Who do you look up to and why for inspiration in windsurfing and outside of the sport? I have always looked at people like Jason Polakow, Robby Naish, Mark Angulo and many other big windsurfers. They were an inspiration for me and still are. Everyone has its great own style and they were inventing moves that I love to do and they are inspiring me to come to places like Maui what I was dreaming about when I was a kid.

What advice would you give to young groms looking to follow in your footsteps? Never loose the fun and the hope, do it because you love it and share it with your friends. Be happy with what you do!

Who do you credit as part of your success? All the people that helped me from the beginning until now. My parents, friends, sponsors and fans around the world. They are all part of it and I am very grateful for their support.

Where do you see your future in the sport/immediate and long term plans? Windsurfing is incredible, the new generation is coming really strong (looking at all those Pozo kids) and the level of the sport is unreal, so it will stay interesting for sure!

Funniest moment on tour from 2017? I had lots of fun on every event, but Sylt was incredible as there are so many people on the beach watching and a lot of things going on. This year was epic with wind & waves every day. Some hard conditions but funny moments in the shore break.

Turns or airs? I like both but when I rather go for good turns, it´s just pure surfing.

Home or Hawaii? Hard to say – 50/50! Maui feels almost like my second home.

Thrusters or Quads? Grip as a Quad. Stubby as a Thruster – the perfect combo!

High boom or low boom? Low boom.

Big winds or big waves? A bit of both.

What do you expect from your winter training and what skills do you want to improve? A lot of good conditions, improve my jumping & wave move skills!

Finally, what are you looking forward to in 2018? Good wind and waves and being healthy – the rest will come together.

Victor ist at home right now and will host the The first PWA Junior Championship of the year and first event of the Spanish Tour from January 2nd till 5th 2018 at the Victor Fernandez Center with Wave & Slalom disciplines.

More about Victor: https://www.fanatic.com/team/victor-fernandez/