Let the season begin
The 2022 freestyle season has officially started. The Freestyle Pro Tour (FTP) just finalised its first event at Lake Neuseedl in Austria, and the Severne team occupied podium positions in both the women’s and men’s fleets.
FREESTYLE SEASON KICK-OFF
With a five day holding period, the action commenced on day two in the early hours of the day. A 7 am start was followed by a full day of action, all the way until 5 pm. The competition crew managed to make it through a single and most of a double elimination.
With winds being on the light side and patchy at places, tactics and consistency made the competition even more tight than usual, while also favouring the slightly lighter riders.
On the women’s side, we saw many new faces come up against the 2021 European Freestyle champion Maaike Huvermann on the chocolate lake in Austria. The flatter water of the lake allowed for easier sliding moves for most girls making the competition even tougher for Maaike.
However, with a combination of both sliding and some power moves Maaike showed the consistency needed to make her way to the top to claim the victory in the single elimination to keep her winning strike going on the EFPT.
On the men’s side, we saw a whole new host of upcoming talents climbing up the ranks.
In the single elimination the most outstanding performance must have been from full Severne rider Jamie Howard from the UK who impressed the judges with his amazing pop despite the light wind conditions to score the highest heat total of round 2. In the process, he took down Adrien Bosson before tweaking his knee on his last move in that same heat. This made it difficult for Jamie to repeat this performance further in the event.
Gear used; Freek 4.8 , Psycho 92
The winds remained on the lighter side for the quarter finals. Being one of the heavier riders on tour, the 2021 winning streak of Amado Vrieswijk came to an end as he narrowly missed out on a spot in the semi finals. With stronger winds in his first heat of the double elimination Amado was able to perform closer to his full potential, scoring the highest heat total of the event with 32,52 points.
Making it back on the podium for the first time since 2015 was Dieter Van der Eyken who put down a solid performance to start his 2022 Freestyle campaign. After passing the quarter finals against teammate Jamie Howards, Dieter got the machine fired up for his last two heats with a brilliant performance in the loser final to grab 3rd in the single elimination and eventually 3rd for the opening event of the season.
Gear used; Freek 5.2, Psycho 102
During the double elimination, we saw an upcoming rider from Netherlands Bohdi Kempen put down some solid heats to confirm his spot in the top 16 before being stopped by local hero and comeback king of the double elimination; Michael Czech.
Michael Czech might have been the outstanding sailor of the double elimination to fight himself all the way up to shared 7th place after showing immense consistency throughout all of his heats.
Gear used;
– Bodhi Kempen – Freek 5.2, Psycho 92
– Michael Czech – Freek 4.4, Psycho 82
Local hero Michael Czeck at Lake Neusiedl
Congratulations to all the team for their excellent performance. The next stop of this year’s Freestyle Pro Tour will be Vieste in Italy from the 9 to the 12th of June. You can follow all of the latest info on this year’s tour by visiting https://efpt.net/
More Severne news
Pauline Katz: Five Years on the Redback
Pauline Katz has ridden the Redback since ’21. Five seasons across Pozo, Chile, and Maui; all on a sail built for riders her size. Here’s why she’s never switched.
Girls on Tour Goes European
Team SEVERNE rider Pauline Katz expands her Girls on Tour women’s windsurfing camp series to a full European calendar in 2026. Seven events across four locations covering waves, freestyle, and slalom; coached by top female pros including Daida Ruano Moreno and Maaike Huvermann.
Blanca Alabau Signs Eighth Year with SEVERNE
2023 PWA Slalom World Champion and women’s foil speed world record holder Blanca Alabau returns to team SEVERNE for her eighth consecutive season. The partnership that started when she entered Formula Foil competition has produced world titles, speed records, and consistent podiums across both fin and foil disciplines.
SEVERNE Margaret River Wave Classic 2026: Jaeger Stone back on top
Jaeger Stone reclaims Margaret River while 17-year-old Sarah Kenyon wins her first Pro Women’s event. Jake Ghiretti scores the highest wave of the competition. Team SEVERNE dominated every podium; all on the Stone.
Engineering Breakdown: What Powers your 026 Wave Sail
The 026 wave sail program delivers systematic weight reduction, enhanced reactivity, and direct power transmission. VX2 leech panels cut swing weight at the critical four-metre leverage point. D6 Dacron luff technology creates silent forward pull without backhand pressure. CarbonFusion welded construction eliminates micro-flex for instant response. Carbon insert systems lock every connection point for zero energy loss. SEVERNE engineering; lighter where it matters, stiffer where it counts, more responsive throughout.
Scott McKercher and Federico Infantino: XXL swell up north
The forecast was too good to ignore. Big swell, clean wind, perfect tide; everything aligned for one of those sessions you remember for years. Federico Infantino had already committed to heading north when the charts lit up with solid lines marching toward Western Australia’s remote coastline. Scott McKercher made the two-day mission north specifically for this swell
Oceania Youth Wave Titles 2026: Geraldton Calls
The world’s largest youth wave windsurfing event returns to Geraldton, WA, 12-18 January 2026. Junior Windsurf Camp and competitive divisions (U13, U15, U21) for riders under 21. Progression-friendly conditions from flat water to proper waves.
Iachino World Champion; Alabau claims Japan event title and Vice Title
Matteo Iachino secured his third PWA world title with a controlled performance in Yokosuka, while Blanca Alabau won the event and claimed vice world champion after one of the most dramatic final days in recent PWA history.
OBX-WIND 2025: the community gather on the Outer Banks
OBX-WIND 2025 delivered everything a windsurfing event should be. Consistent Outer Banks wind powered Long Distance racing and Mega Slalom competition on the Pamlico Sound, while Friday’s freestyle expression session brought pros and up-and-coming sailors together. The Beer Race, giant raffle, and Halloween costume party proved that growing the sport requires more than just competition; it’s about building community. SEVERNE has backed this event for years, and watching it expand what’s possible for grassroots windsurfing makes the commitment worthwhile.