Interview with Shooting Star Sarah-Quita Offringa

Basics

 

Full name: Sarah-Quita Najive Offringa

Date & Place of Birth: 4th of July 1991 in Aruba
Where do you live? I live in Aruba
Surfing Disciplines: Freestyle & slalom
Website: www.sarah-quita.com ( under construction )
When did you start surfing? I started windsurfing at 9 years old in 2001
PWA Sail no.:  ARU-91

 

 

Meteoric rise to fame

 

Sarah, at 19 years you are this year’s and last year’s PWA world champion, you were “rookie of the year” in 2006 and the media calls you “windsurfing wonder”, “surfing superstar” and “the biggest shooting star”. How do you live with all this fame?

Hahaha I'm loving it ! The support I get from the people around me is amazing.
It's also really cool that people want to take pictures with me or ask for an autograph. I'm glad that until now everything has been going well for me !

When did it become clear to you that windsurfing was more than a hobby?

Not long ago actually.. I realized this when I remembered that the only trips my family and I have made since 2006 were mostly windsurfing trips. Going to competitions or a photo shoot. However we're very grateful to have seen the beautiful places windsurfing has taken us to!


Sarah-Quita Offringa wins the Lanzarote Cup 2008

Age Differences

 

Most other women at the top of the PWA ranking list are in their thirties and hence more than 12 years older than yourself. Does the big age difference make it difficult for you to gain their respect?

 

When I was younger, at about 14, 15 , it wasn't super easy because some people wouldn't take me serious. I was taught to respect other people so they will also respect you.

Over the years you get to know everybody much better and they get to know you so it's all good now.

You love your home country, Aruba. Tell us a bit about it, what is it like living there?

Aruba! Definitely love my island!  It's about 20 miles long and has a surface of approximately 70 miles so it's pretty small. The sun shines pretty much all year long which makes it quite hot there... about 28 to 30 degrees celsius, but because of the breeze it's still cool.

The people are also very kind. Everybody knows everybody and there are loads of other activities to do besides windsurfing. Aruba's best quality would definitely be the white beaches all around the island and the warm blue sea ! Everybody speaks at least three languages: Dutch, English and Papiamento. So, come visit and find out for yourself!

 

The everyday-life of a teenager


How did you manage going to school and becoming a surfing pro at the same time?

My luck was that the most important competitions in the canary islands would be in my summer vacation. If I had to travel during school time I would take my homework with me but it's very hard to study when you don't have a schedule so when I came back home I would have to catch up on a lot of work anyway. Other than that I would go to school and practice different sports during the week and go windsurfing in the weekend. I'm so happy that I finished high school this year and obtained my diploma.

What does your family think about your success?

They are all very happy for me ! Especially my grandma Dorothy is always talking about her windsurfing grandchildren! Although my dad would have loved to see my brother and I be this good at golf or tennis hahaha

Have you got the time to do typical “teenager things” like going out, dancing, going to cinema etc?

Definitely! I had and have enough time to do all of that and more :-)

What can male surfers learn from women?

I think especially when they start to windsurf they should know that they can't muscle there way through windsurfing. You gotta go with the flow .

 

Sarah-Quita also won Fuerteventura (left) and Gran Canaria (right)

Dreams, goals and challenges

 
Where do you see yourself in ten year’s time?

I'll be married to a famous singer and have 4 twins. We'll be living on different islands in the caribbean during the year Or just become the first female governer of Aruba !

What was the biggest set-back you had to fight during your career?

I don't think I have had any major set backs in my career but I do remember there was this competition that I was listening too much to what certain people said to me instead of concentrating on my own game. When I lost it felt really bad...

What is your next big surfing goal? And: what’s your next big goal in life, apart from surfing?

I am going to take a shot at becoming slalom world champion in the next years or maybe even represent Aruba in the Olympics!
Apart from windsurfing I'd like to help and make a change in the world but I don't know ow yet ! Other than that I want to make sure to go to a university and finish my studies.


Sarah-Quita about Sarah-Quita:

For me, luxury is : Being able to travel all over and to have loving friends and family around me
What I like about boys, is… Their smile :)
What I don’t like about boys, is : when they don't know how to act around you
My favourite surfspot is…  Fishermen's huts Aruba
My talisman / lucky charm: I Don't have a lucky charm...
When I don’t surf, I like to : be around my friends and family
My most important principles : Respect other people. Always greet people around you
It is never too late to: ask for forgiveness
Other favourite sports: Table tennis, Tennis, Swimming, biking, kiting

 

 

Fotos: John Carter