STEVEN VAN BROECKHOVEN SIGNS WITH JP-AUSTRALIA AND NEILPRYDE,
the official Press Release from about the spectacular change, 2nd January 2012
JP and NP proudly announce that the 2011 PWA Freestyle World Champion has signed a two year agreement with both brands. Steven made this decision after carefully testing the freestyle boards of JP and sails of NP. During this process he also got to know Werner Gnigler (JP Board Shaper) and Robert Stroj (NeilPryde Sail Designer) and their way of working.
This is what Steven van Broeckhoven says about the change:
“JP and NeilPryde already approached me last year, but I felt very loyal to my old sponsors as they supported me right from the beginning. So I did not want to leave. This year JP and NP talked to me again and I got to meet Werner and Robert and was able to try the boards and sails. I was very impressed by the guys and the equipment. Werner and Robert immediately understood what I am looking for – we simply speak the same language. I really look forward to work with those guys and develop stuff, which will take me to a new level.”
Steven on Maui (Photo: Darrel Wong).
“2012 will be a special year for me as for the first time I will be the one everybody wants to beat. It will be tough and interesting, but this is where I always wanted to be. I am positive that with the support of JP and NP I will be able to defend my title and hopefully further develop the freestyle discipline. I am also really happy to be part of a team, which includes some really big names – like Jason and Kauli and some guys I really like to sail with like Andy Chambers, Tilo Eber, Youp Schmit and Bryan Metcalf-Perez. I also like the way both brands support the youth with their Young Guns Camps and I look forward to be involved in that as well.” (Steven van Broeckhoven)
Steven and Jason, two world champions (Pic: Robby Swift).
Martin Brandner (JP Brand Manager) had to say following about his new teamrider:
“Steven is super professional and fit. He perfectly matches with Werner Gnigler and the rest of our team. He is not a crazy youngster, but a really cool guy with great personality. He knows exactly, what he wants and will be able to help us greatly with our product development. He will not just compete for us and hopefully win, but will also be very much involved in the development of our future Freestyle line. Since he is not from a Caribbean island, but from Belgium and started out sailing on a Lake, we also see him as a figure head for all those kids, who do not grow up in windsurfing paradise, but still dream about a professional career in windsurfing.”
Marc Leconte (NeilPryde Brand Manager) added:
“We are stoked that Steven is joining TeamPryde. We are putting a lot of efforts in our freestyle program and, with Steven on board, we believe we can bring freestyle to the next level. Robert Stroj, our Designer, is very impressed with his input and knowledge and absolutely enjoys working with him. The future looks great.”
Watch Jason Polakow in the first interview with Steven. And the first action shots from Steven on his new gear. This was the first trip of the current PWA Freestyle World Champion to Maui, Hawaii. Robby Swift and Bryan Metcalf-Perez, both teamriders of the JP-Australia and NeilPryde connection, filmed the clip. Robby edited the video.
i like sjoerd and his hangover-theory!:D
so, if rest of pros have to work for their money after their active competitive career,what about all young people who wants to become pro rider??where is the future?where is the dream of windsurfing?and be a windsurfer?is it the way to bring the sport up?Guys stop bying windsurfing gear,is all bull shitt.The chance is for the first two guys rest of people is just decoration.Even kiteboarding is getting bigger with more outside sponsors, supportting riders and events. This sport is dying because there is so bad brand management,everyone can see from outside,back on the days people like bjorn,robby,polakow and many… Read more »
What’s wrong with choosing the comapny that pays best, and can offer some stability in your income for the future? It’s not like he chose for the company that paid him 2 million Euros per year instead of the other that would only pay 1 million. It’s probably more of a difference between being able to get a ‘break even’ at the end of your season and now being able to put a little bit of money aside, for the future. Most windsurf pro’s are going to have to work for their money after their active competitive career, and hopefully… Read more »
Hello????
You start freestyling on your cold little lakes in belgium and Holland and you end up having the opportunity to be a colleague with Jason Polakow, develop your own equipment in Maui with probably the best facilities and most developed R&D teams in this sport. What’s wrong with that? Sounds like a dream to me! Doesn’t it?
Some of you lot are completely retarded!! I agree with True!