Please find here a TV report about Philip Köster (German). Click here.

How it feels to be a windsurf pro at the age of 14

Philip thinks that windsurfing really isn’t that hard to learn. Therefore, he even wouldn’t hesitate to teach the Pope how to surf, if he would come to Gran Canary one day. He has to know it. The 14-year-old surfs for only five years now, however, he already made a name for himself in the international men’s level. His latest success was the 9th place at the Pozo World Cup in the men's fleet. As the youngest starter he did very well.

Windsurf pro at the age of 14

As a talented new blood, the self-confident blond already made it top of the world in very short time. In his new international team at the well established brand Neil Pryde he surfs among the best of the best. At the photo shoot on Maui he shared the waves at the legendary Hookipa Beach with manifold world champions and record holders from all over the world. “Some of the international team already knew me from last year at Pozo, that was really cool!” the 14-year-old smiles. Within the World Cup at Gran Canary last year, he had won the international Junior Jump Session by far. 

A bright star at the new blood heaven

That is Philip Köster. He’s got a German passport, but he was born and raised in Vargas, Gran Canary, Spain. His sister, 17 years old, is called Kyra. She surfs as the only girl in the North Team and is a successful athlete. Together they even managed to win over Mercedes as a sponsor. Few people of their age have ever managed to do that.

Philip has only been to Germany twice, however, he would like to come to Sylt and take part in the most important event of the scene, because it must really be worth it, he says. “On shore I’m rather shy. Not a go-getter. Once on water, I’m the exact opposite: radical, hazardous and often close to the limit. I enjoy trying out new moves and high jumps.”

Windsurf pros have to train hard

His family runs a surf center at one of the best spots in the world. Therefore, Philip quasi lives on holiday. Hardly 100 meters separate his home from the sea. He surfs every day, four hours as a minimum. He starts right after school and homework is done in the evening. “You need the time to learn the difficult maneuvers and to become steady. The waves and the wind are different every day, therefore I have to be fit on different boards and be able to manage sails of every size.”

Philip doesn’t have a coach and that’s not unusual in the surf scene. “I watch lots of surf movies and get my ideas about what I would like to learn.” Some further tips from better surfers and there he goes! Philip works very hard on his trick repertoire, because he knows that he does not only have to be good for himself but also for his sponsors. He is already in the middle of the professional circus. Jon Squires at Neil Pryde praises him: “It’s fantastic to work with such a young and talented rider. If Philip improves his performance as fast as he’s already done it during the last years, it’s very possible that we’ll see something extraordinary.”