Windsurf pro since the age of 14

As a talented new blood, the self-confident blond already made it to the top of the world in a very short time. Philip is the current no. 3 in the worldwide wave ranking, came second in Gran Canaria and first during the German Wave Cup on Sylt. Also, Philip was voted “Surfer of the year” in 2010.

The 17-year-old has a German passport, but was born and raised in Vargas, Gran Canary, Spain. His sister, 20 years old, is called Kyra. She is also a professional windsurfer and a successful runner.

“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.”, says Philip about himself. Kyra adds “my brother makes me laugh. He does some weird things sometimes!”

Windsurf pros have to train hard

Their family run 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. Until he finished school last summer, Philip went onto the water everyday straight after school. Now he just concentrates on surfing. “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.”

His goal: “I want to be world champion one day. Last year, it didn’t work out – but I was among the top 3. But maybe this year, who knows? I’ve been training hard”.  

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.