PWA Athletes

Maxime van Gent

Maxime  van Gent
NB-22
Age: 27
Height: 0
Debut: 2011
Residence: Bonaire
Nationality: Dutch
Boards: JP
Sails: NeilPryde

Biography

1st PWA event entered, Bonaire Freestyle 2011

2016 5th Fuerteventura
2015 ranked 6th overall PWA Freestyle
2012 ranked 7th overall PWA Freestyle & Women’s Freestyle Youth Champion

SLALOM U 15 Girls
3 NB 22 van Gent, Maxime Bonaire
2010 IFCA Pro Kids Junior and Youth Freestyle World Championships in Sorobon, Bonaire. 9th

I moved to Bonaire when I was 12. During the first year I didn't windsurf at all, because I didn't think I would like it. Then I got a friend who windsurfed and she took me to Sorobon. It looked so amazing and I really wanted to try it myself. So I asked if I could rent a board. For the whole summer I tried and tried and after a month or so I planed and was hooked for life. The feeling when you go fast on the water was just great. The next one or two months I learned how to jibe and tack and go very fast. But then I saw all the freestylers and I wanted to be like them! So I just started to practice.

After half a year, when I got my own stuff, I really could start freestyling. The first time I landed my Vulcon was great! The feeling you get when succeeding after a long time of training just pushes you for more.

Last year, 2011, the PWA came to Bonaire and Aruba. First I didn't want to compete because I was really scared - all the big names and all the people I looked up to. But many freestylers where training in Bonaire that time and they said I should try it, cause it would be an important experience. So I though "Let's do it!". My first heat was with Sara Quita. She and all other girls were very nice and explained the most important things to me. The PWA was also very understanding with regard to my school schedule, because I had to do tests every morning at that time. Aruba was also a very nice experience as the wind is quite different compared to Bonaire.

I was super happy when JP decided that I should become a JP Girl. It was like a dream coming true.

For now, I am looking forward to competing in further PWA events!

Sponsors

JP, NeilPryde, Maui Ultra Fins
Maxime  van Gent
Maxime  van Gent
Maxime  van Gent