The kids are the future! After many years of observing a high attendence of young and highly talented riders in the pro fleet, that weren’t given a proper foundation to compare themselves with each other, it is now official: the EFPT will run junior divisions for boys and girls at two tour stops in 2018.
The IFCA stated:
‚The IFCA Class hereby announces the extension of its long standing relationship with the European Freestyle Pro Tour (EFPT), who have been awarding the European Champion title on behalf of the Class, by managing a series of expression events in the expression discipline of Freestyle Windsurfing for both men & women. The Junior Freestyle European title is an addition as from this 2018 season onward. We look forward to a successful season for the events and all the new European Champions at the end of this season.‘
Contender for the junior title Lennart Neubauer from Greece
We are more than happy to be able to offer a fair competition for all the up and coming freestyle windsurfers from 2018 onward. The first junior competition, divided in U18 and U16 as well as boys and girls divisions, will be staged in Fuerteventura from the 27th – 30th of June alongside with the pro division. The flat spot with strong offshore wind offers ideal conditions throughout the summer months.
Organiser Davide Zilli stated:
‚I truly believe in the future and I want to support the next generation in this great sport and that are the juniors! Fuerteventura is one of the best places for windsurfing in the world and I guess it’s the right place to start pushing our sport. I am very proud that the government also sees the potential in the upcoming talents and therefor supports the event. I am looking forward to see all the young guns competing at this great spot alongside with the pro riders!‘
Windsurfing young guns at the DAM-X 2017
After a few training months in summer, the cards will be shuffled once again, as the second tour stop for the juniors will take place at the famous DAM-X event in Brouwersdam, Holland from the 10th – 14th of October. With a high international attendence in the past years, we are expecting even more eager talents to take part at this perfect freestyle windsurfing location.
Dutch rising star Sterre Meijer
Rules: There need to be five registered riders in each category, otherwise the juniors will have to compete in the next higher category and the girls have to compete with the boys from the same age group. Furthermore, the juniors will have to decide if they want to register for their age division OR the pro division if a junior division is provided. To participate in both categories, an organiser wildcard needs to be issued.
Both junior event results will count for the overall ranking. In Brouwersdam the EFPT U18 and U16 Champion in both the boys and the girls category will be awarded for the first time.
To register, please send an email to the EFPT Office
Val Erzen at the DAM-X 2017