The PWA caught up with the Dutch wave sailing lady Eva Oude Ophuis, who had here PWA debut in 2011. Eva is studying to be a doctor and learnt windsurfing on a lake. And Eva got our attention because of her crazy Pushloop style in high wind in Pozo. Watch a Pushloop by Eva here.
Read below the interview with Eva.
Eva - Pic: PWA/John Carter
PWA: Firstly, what are your thoughts on the 2011 season and how would you rate your result?
Oude Ophuis: “In Pozo I was ninth and in Tenerife too. For my first contest, I guess that’s not to bad. The most important thing, it was fun! For sure I’m going to try to finish higher this year ;)”
PWA: How long have you been windsurfing?
Oude Ophuis: “I started when I was eleven years old on a lake in Polen. Every summer holiday I went with my parents and brothers with the boat and windsurf equipment on the roof on trips to lakes somewhere in Europe. I almost never sailed in Holland, because the lakes where not close by. But when I went studying in Amsterdam I really started windsurfing. After my first trip to Maui in 2009, I was addicted.”
PWA: Who has been you biggest influence on your sailing?
Oude Ophuis: “My dad, because he taught me how to windsurf in the beginning.” PWA: What would you be doing if you weren’t windsurfing? Oude Ophius: “I would probably be a doctor by now.”
PWA: Where is your favorite place to windsurf and why?
Oude Ophuis: “Gnaraloo (Australia), endless beautiful waves like in my dreams! Surfing in the morning and windsurfing later in the day! Just perfect.”
Eva enjoying Sylt - Pic: PWA/John Carter
PWA: What is your favorite move and why?
Oude Ophuis: “Pushloop so far.”
PWA: What move did you find the hardest to learn and why?
Oude Ophuis: “Backloop, I am still learning to land it consistently. It’s such a technical move! But the best soft feeling when you do land it and the nicest airtime to enjoy the surroundings from up in the sky.”
PWA: What new moves are you currently learning?
Oude Ophuis: ‘I am still learning to land my backloops more consistently, bigger pushloops and stalled forward….. there are so many more moves I want to learn. I remember myself thinking three years ago: if I ever land a forward, I will be so happy…. See what I’m thinking now. Never give up, you can learn more than you can ever imagine!”
PWA: How do you learn your moves? Videos? Watching others?
Oude Ophuis: “I watch a lot of surf movies and imagine how to do the moves. On tour I see the best sailors right next to me on the water landing moves perfectly. Can’t see it closer I guess. And at the beach most surfers are always willing to help and give advise.”
PWA: Where is your favorite spot on the PWA wave tour and why?
Oude Ophuis: “Pozo. Strong wind, good jumping spot!”
Pic: PWA/John Carter
PWA: How does competition make you feel? And how to do prepare for your heats?
Oude Ophuis: “It’s exiting. In the contests I push myself more than normal. Sometimes it turns out better and sometimes not. Competition even pushes me before the contest, because I make some goals like moves I want learn or do better. Before the contest I just try to sleep enough, eat healthy, trying to relax. At the contest itself I actually don’t’ know exactly how to prepare. Well, I have enough equipment know from my new sponsor (North/Fanatic/ION) so I can at least rig enough gear ;). Thanks!
PWA: What do you do when you’re not windsurfing?
Oude Ophuis: “Doing a medicine residency program at a hospital and a lot of studying.”
PWA: What are your goals for 2012?
Oude Ophuis: “Finishing my medicine exams, enjoying trips with friends, getting the best out of it and pushing my own limits. And I will try to get in the top seven, so I don’t have to pay my accommodation anymore ;).”
PWA: Thanks for your time Eva good luck with the exams and we will see you on the water in 2012!
©Interview: PWA/Ed Sinclair
i’m in love…
Dear continentseven team,
the name of eva is spelled as oude ophuis and not oude ophius.