Yentel Caers is the 2019 PWA Freestyle Champion – Interview

In 2013 Yentel Caers participated in his first PWA Freestyle event and he travelled to Austria with minimum equipment. Only 3,5 years later he made his first PWA podium and 6 years later he got awarded with the European Freestyle champion title and 3 months later with the PWA Freestyle Champion title. What a great year for the 24 year-old Belgian windsurfer.

Yentel is one of three very successful Belgian windsurfers, who all won European and PWA Freestyle World Titles. Steven van Broeckhoven was the first who started to collect titles, Dieter van der Eyken followed and now Yentel Caers. And Yentel once told us their secret to success: “We didn’t have the chance to windsurf always, when we were younger. And I still have this motivation, if it’s light wind or strong wind. We always go out.” 

Yes it’s as simple as that and dreams will come true!

Yentel Caers - Pic: PWA/John Carter

Yentel Caers – Pic: PWA/John Carter

Continentseven: Did you already realize that you are 2019 PWA Freestyle World Champion?

Yentel Caers: Being world champion is just a dream for me and making this happen this year I can’t explain how happy I’m. I did take a few days to really understand it! It’s amazing!

Why did you win the title this year? 

I don’t really know but I think the EFPT events helped me a lot as I was used to compete and felt really confident with the moves and my gear. 

Which gear setup was the most used during the competitions?

My favourite setup is 4,4 Slash Sail, 92L freestyle board and a 19cm fin. But the most used equipment during competition was the 4,8 Slash, 92L freestyle 19cm fin and 30 harness lines. 

Yentel Caers in Fuerteventura - Pic: PWA/John Carter

Yentel Caers in Fuerteventura – Pic: Tom Brendt

Which heat was your best heat in 2019?

I think my best heat was in Lanzarote during the EFPT event. I did all double power moves coming in and big freestyle air moves going out. In the PWA I had my best heat in Fuerteventura. In Bonaire I had some solid heats, too. One thing is for sure I enjoyed every competition in different conditions.

You lost early in the single elimination in Sylt and had to come back trough the double to keep the chance for the PWA title. How nervous were you in your heats?

In the single elimination I lost against a really strong Balz Müller, who was on fire in these hard conditions. I started off with a bit too much stress in Sylt. But after losing, I got the focus back and really took it heat by heat and was not thinking on the world title. 

Amado Vrieswijk and Yentel Caers celebrating together - Pic: PWA/John Carter

Amado Vrieswijk and Yentel Caers celebrating together – Pic: PWA/John Carter

In 2013 you participated in your first PWA freestyle event. And 5 years and a few months later you are PWA Freestyle World Champion. Did you expect to win this title that quick?

I just started competing to have fun and travel around the world, not expecting to makes such epic results. For a year are so and then start working. Then I got some good results and started to focus more and more, still never expected where I’m right now. 

Whom and why would you like to thank for this success? 

My family. My family are the ones who put me the first time and the board and supported me all the way till here!!! For sure also my friends and sponsors.

Yentel Caers with his parents - Pic: PWA/John Carter

Yentel Caers with his parents – Pic: PWA/John Carter

What are your plans for the winter?

I’m at home after a long season, and just started planning my winter. No real plans yet.

Enjoy your time in the off season and congratulations again!

Thank you team C7 who also always has been supporting me since the beginning!!!

🙂 Thank you.

Interview with Yentel Caers

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Yentel Caers – European Foilstyle Champion 2023

Yentel Caers becomes the first ever European Foilstyle Champion. With no suitable conditions in the event window, the final rankings were set based on the results of the EFPT event in Vieste earlier this year.

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2020-02-06T13:14:24+01:00November 6th, 2019|
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