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WINDSURF: TRANSFER ROUND-UP AND CONFIRMED DEALS!

The 2026 windsurfing transfer market has already delivered a fair bit of sponsor shuffling, with the biggest movers and shakers coming from the racing scene. Contracts have been signed, logos quietly peeled off sails and a few “I definitely didn’t see that coming” switches have already set the rumour mill on fire. With heavy hitters like Matteo Iachino and Pierre Mortefon leading the charge into new colours, here’s a round up of the transfers that we have heard about so far!

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MATTEO IACHINO…SEVERNE TO NEILPRYDE

After a solid eight-year tenure with Severne sails, Matteo has switched his allegiance over to NeilPryde sails. Our money was down on Matteo might heading back to Point 7 but were proved wrong when he announced the news at the end of January.

We asked Matteo about the move to NeilPryde…

Matteo Iachino: “Regarding the latest news about leaving Severne and joining NeilPryde… Severne has been a long journey for me, an amazing journey of about eight years. Together we won three world titles…two PWA world titles and one speed world title. We had many event victories and many highlights. I was also vice world champion many times, five times actually. So three titles and five second places, it’s been an insane eight years together.

The time came to leave because I felt we were going in slightly different directions. Not necessarily bad for either of us, but I’m still fully focused on training and winning, while they wanted to focus a bit more on events and brand promotion, which I totally understand and respect. For me, I still feel like a rookie. I just want to train, give my best, perform and try to win as much as I can, without caring too much about the rest. So, we slowly went in different directions and it felt natural to part ways. I have really nice memories and I’m super grateful for what we shared, for the support they gave me and for believing in me all these years.

Regarding signing with NeilPryde…what can I say? It’s a dream come true. When I started racing, my dream was to compete on Starboard and NeilPryde. Alberto’s quote was always “Never leave Starboard.” I joined the Starboard team ten years ago, and since I started racing, I’ve always dreamed of being part of the NeilPryde team, working with Robert on his racing machines. Now everything has come together and I’ve entered the team. I’m super proud and super happy to be part of such an amazing group.

NeilPryde has always been at the cutting edge of racing in windsurfing. It’s a brand dedicated to performance and winning. Being able to take part in R&D and to compete with the new NeilPryde sails in foil, fin and speed is an incredible feeling. I’m super grateful and happy that everything came together and that I can do this now.

I think I’m going to be really competitive. I feel like I’ll have an edge, especially in fin racing and speed. The sails feel amazing and I can’t wait to compete against the other guys…it’s going to be super fun. We have training coming up at the end of February in Tenerife, then two weeks in March and another week in April. That will already be a good proving ground, followed by the Speed World Championships at the end of April. I can’t wait to properly test everything in real racing conditions. I already have amazing feelings, and I’m super happy about it.”

Severne posted on social media: “Matteo joined team SEVERNE in 2018; then went on to claim countless event victories across foil and fin racing, two PWA world titles, an ISWC speed title, and stacked up serious achievements that constantly pushed our race development program to new heights.

Matteo says: “It has been a pleasure sharing these 8 years together with Severne. We won a lot together and I learnt a lot in and out of the water. I’d like to say thanks to Ben and the whole team for the great time and I wish you the best for the future!”

We wish Matteo every success in his next chapter. It’s been a proper ride mate.”

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PIERRE MORETEFON…NORTH

Pierre’s move to North cam as a bit of a surprise as it looked like he might be settling in with NeilPryde at the end of last season. It will be interesting to see how he performs on North in 2026…

Windsurf asked Pierre this new partnership:

PM: “Well, It was not really expected but right after Japan we got in contact. First of all, I took a bit of time just to relax and think about it smoothly because it was a not my initial plan. Then the situation went really serious and all the motivation, engagement and invest North wanted to put into this project seduced me. After a special year, I wanted to go to a stable project and here we engaged together for multiple year. I was with North Sails for like 10 years then it changes. I had my 1st race victory, my first photo shooting in Hawaii, 1st event win etc… For sure it’s a different time with different people but it’s nice to be again under those mythical colours.

As I said before they were different points and the combination of all these elements motivated me. The project feels fresh, new and full of drive. The desire to return to the top is really important for both of us. They want to go back on top and I want to continue winning event and World Champion title. So from this they came with an interesting project with linked investments both human and financial. And all those points made around this objective looked serious and we were aligned on this. Motivation is the number one factor that seduced me. 

With the announcement of those big goals, the brand and myself as well must aim to have top-level equipment in order to line up on the starting lines with confidence and realism those objectives we have set together. I will therefore be very involved in all development processes and I will also, like always when I go on a project be fully committed to ensuring we have the best possible tools in hand. For sure as any project you need a bit of time to align all aspects with the team but I think the team is good for that too.

I tried some sails already, some old ones and some photos too. Like said in the previous questions, there is some work to do and we were straight into it. I really want to be ready in about 2/3 months. I will for sure have to sail, work , think a lot but I am ready for it and super motivated with this new adventure. 

It is a big year ahead, for sure I followed all the rumours and news around. The market is pretty active, lets say and for sure it means a good entertainment for the beginning of the season and tough the year. You know there is not many option now and myself and Matteo will have a similar profile on new gear. I am sure we will both work hard through the winter to be ready and fight in 2026. “

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VINCENT LANGER…NORTH

Prior to Pierre Mortefon joining North, German racer Vincent Langer, also announced his involvement with the brand on a deeper level.

Vincent Langer: “From the beginning of 2026, I took over the leadership of the Windsurfing Category at North. This means, I’m responsible for all decisions, from day-to-day business to long-term strategic direction, shaping North Windsurfing for the years ahead. My role includes defining where we position the brand in the windsurfing market, while protecting and strengthening the North brand vision. North has one of the strongest windsurfing heritages of any brand worldwide, and my goal is to build on that legacy and drive the category forward.”

In his interview with the PWA Vincent made the following comments.

VL: “Most people in the watersports scene know me because of my racing background. I won my first PWA slalom heat in Hvide Sande in 2016 and finished second in Sylt in 2017. I stepped back from the international tour a few years ago and since then focused more on national events. 

What many people don’t know is that I hold two Master’s degrees…one in Sports Science and one in Management. Alongside my sporting career, I worked as a consultant, which gave me a strong understanding of the business world as well. 

With my new management role at North Windsurfing, I now have the opportunity to combine both of these worlds. And I can say this clearly: we are aiming high. 
 
I was brought in to drive that change with North. Our wave sails are already performing at an incredibly high level, and the same is true for our freeride sails. This season, we will clearly demonstrate that the famous North racing DNA is back and fully alive. 

Together with the existing team at North, with Pieter Bijl, and backed by the full power of the North Action Sports Group, we are probably the only brand that is truly innovating…not only in terms of team and athletes, but also across product development, technology, and events.

As a world-leading brand in sailing, performing at the highest level across multiple watersports, it was a natural ambition for North to also bring windsurfing back into a strong position. With changes in leadership at group level, windsurfing moved back into clear focus…and that’s exactly where we are now.

Our intent is clear. We want to be back on the racing course, winning events and titles. While the new signings for North are still under wraps, I can say that I couldn’t wish for more passionate or more professional athletes. We’ve already been working closely with both of them for some time on our new sails, making sure they have exactly what they need to perform at the highest level and fight for victories. 

With our deep know-how from yacht sailing and advanced technologies that no one else brings to the windsurfing market, we are confident that our equipment will be truly outstanding.

We want to perform at the highest level of racing in the PWA. At the same time, we are chasing speed records in both fin and foil disciplines. We will compete with our top riders at IFCA events, and with our newly built national team, we will also be strongly present on the national racing scene. Germany, Italy, Holland, Baltic… people will see us.

Obviously, my focus has shifted now, but I will definitely still compete in selected events. Windsurfing is my passion, so I’ll continue to spend time on the water — supporting testing when needed and, of course, simply enjoying the best sport in the world.”

Full interview here: VINCENT

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AMADO VRIESWIJK…?

Amado Vrieswijk only switched to Point-7 at the beginning of 2025, and the transfer was announced with great fanfare at the time. But after a year, the all-round talent from Bonaire and the Italian sailing brand have gone their separate ways again. North hinted that there could be a couple of big signings so maybe Amado is also coming to the team?

Amado posted on his Instagram…”Thank you for the journey and the support in 2025! Thank you, Point-7!!!…On to the next chapter in my career!”

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BRUNO MARTINI…WE ONE

Italian tough guy, Bruno Martini has signed up with the We One team for 2026 alongside his partnership with S2 Maui. Last year Bruno was riding for I99 after losing his deal with JP-Australia and NeilPryde. In case you did not know, Bruno is also a quite into his martial arts and cage fighting so definitely not a guy to mess with!

Bruno posted: “I’m happy to be part of this brand that I really believe I can create something here that will last.”

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TATY FRANS…FUTURE FLY

Taty who was quite vocal on his social media about the possibility of quitting in 2026 (he even put it up to a vote from the public) has confirmed that he will continue to compete in 2026 and will be riding for Point 7 and Future Fly.

In 2025, Taty competed on Arnon Dagan’s boards, but was not officially sponsored. Future Fly announced… “We are very excited to announce that our friend Taty Frans is now officially back with Future Fly. He has been with Future Fly since day one and even in 2025 when there was no sponsorship deal, he chose our boards for the PWA season and helped us develop the 2026 Dark Horse line. We are therefore over the moon to have Taty officially back on the Future Fly World Cup team and to see him shpritz (Arnon Dagan saying for overtake / smoke!) anyone who gets in his way on our new boards!”

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DANIELE BENEDETTI: WE ONE / CHALLENGER

Daniele was the star signing for Duotone last year but only lasted one season with the brand after finishing 20^th overall last year (He did miss Japan and was unlucky in Guadeloupe!). He has now also moved to We One and Challenger sails.

Daniele announced: “I’m proud to announce the renewal of my collaboration with CHS, a brand that has brought me to be Vice World Champion over the years. Working together has been an important part of my journey, and I’m grateful to continue this partnership built on trust, shared values and passion. This year I will also not only be a rider, but I will also be involved into commercial and sells of the brand.

At the same time, I’m extremely excited to start a new collaboration with a brand that is completely new to me WE One. The boards look so sick. They’re fast and easy and also the colours are amazing!

From the very first moment, I already feel part of a family and fully welcomed into the team. Motivated, grateful, and ready for what’s coming next. Thanks Paul and the rest of the Team!”

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CYRIL EVRARD…BLACK COBRA

Young French hot shot racer Cyril Evrard will be competing on boards from Black Cobra Foiling in the new season and parts ways with his previous sponsor Patrik. The French brand will be a member of the PWA into 2026. Bertrand Litou, the man behind Black Cobra, commented “First of all, I’m over the moon to be joining the PWA next season and to continue building my brand. And what better way to do that than with a young, fast driver with great potential for the future! What I like about Cyril is his determination, his commitment and his will to win. I admire his training discipline and his desire to push himself to perform at his best, both physically and mentally. That’s a great quality that makes him a complete athlete!”

Cyril posted: “Having a new sponsor is always exciting, but this time it’s even more so because it’s a new brand with a new goal and big ambitions, and I’m proud to be the first building block of this project!” says the Belgian, who finished 15th in the 2025 Foil. “When I spoke to the boss/shaper Bertrand Litou, we were in complete agreement… we want to win – that’s it! The board feels fantastic and extremely fast and I can’t wait to unleash the horse on the water!”

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BOB VAN DE BURGT…FMX

Dutch foil racer Bob van de Burgt is returning to FMX Racing for the 2026 season while also continuing to ride for Point 7 Sails.

Finian Maynard from FMX commented: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Bob van de Burgt back to FMX. He has made significant progress in 2025, working his way up to 12th in the overall PWA standings. We see his potential and work ethic to further develop his skills and make an impact at the PWA and IFCA races in 2026. We look forward to working with him again!”

Van de Burgt posted: “After a year’s break, I’m delighted to be back with what I consider to be the best board brand on the market. Both the shapes and the construction of the FMX Racing boards set new standards in the windsurfing industry. For the time being, I will be riding and training on the tried-and-tested Hyperion 158 model. FMX has a new board up its sleeve for next year, which Finian has developed with a lot of passion and craftsmanship. I’m looking forward to the new season!”

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ALEXANDRE COUSIN…RETIRED

Alexandre Cousin announced on Instagram that he is ending his racing career in 2026. The 36-year-old who finished 3^rd in Guadeloupe at the beginning of last season, “After more than 15 years in various competition series, it’s time to close this chapter. These years gave me so much more than results. Victories and defeats, of course, but above all unforgettable encounters, meaningful moments and incredible memories shared with the people driven by the same passion. A very special thankyou to Patrik Diethelm and Karin Jaggi who sponsored and believed in me for more than ten years. Your trust and support meant more than words could express.  Of course I won’t retire from the water completely. Now it’s time for me to return to the family business!” During his career Alex took six elimination wins and six podiums 

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FREESTYLE

BODHI KEMPEN: DUOTONE

After rapidly rising through the freestyle ranks and breaking into the PWA Top 10 in 2025, Bodhi Kempen now joins Duotone to push his progression even further in the freestyle world. Duotone posted the following interview with Bodhi…

For those who don’t know you, how did you first get into windsurfing?

Bodhi: ‘My dad taught me how to windsurf, and I got hooked pretty quickly. Since then, I’ve basically wanted to be on the water whenever I can.’

Many top freestylers come from Brouwersdam, was that scene part of what inspired you to get into freestyle yourself?

Bodhi: ‘Yeah, for sure. Brouwersdam has an insane scene with so many sailors and riders pushing the level. Being around that really motivated me to get into freestyle and go all in.’

Foilstyle, tow-in, regular freestyle… are you excited to compete in all of these disciplines?

Bodhi: ‘Regular freestyle is my main focus, but I really enjoy the other disciplines too. I definitely want to keep developing myself in all of them.’

What has been your favorite move to land so far?

Bodhi: ‘The Air Kabi. The feeling you get in the air is just unreal, nothing compares to it.’

Which new tricks are you currently working on and hoping to land next?

Bodhi: ‘I really want to land the Shifty next. And I’m also working a lot on jumping moves like the Backloop and Pushloop.’

What would you say has been your biggest achievement in your windsurfing career so far?

Bodhi: ‘My biggest achievement was my heat against Gollito. I had the best heat of my life and everything worked perfectly. Beating one of my idols was really special, especially because he’s such a huge name in windsurfing.’

What does your 2026 season look like in terms of events, training, and travel plans?

Bodhi: ‘I want to train as much as possible and try to join all the PWA and EFPT stops. Just staying consistent, competing a lot, and improving.’

Is there anything in particular you’re especially looking forward to in 2026?

Bodhi: ‘I’m really looking forward to the competitions coming up. I love that whole event atmosphere.’

You’ve been steadily climbing the rankings over the past few years, what is your main goal for 2026?

Bodhi: ‘To keep improving and climb even higher in the rankings. Step by step, and keep pushing my level.’

And of course we need to know: what is your first impression of the Duotone gear?

Bodhi: ‘Honestly, really good. The sail has a lot of power and I think it suits my style super well, it felt great straight away.’

Duotone stated:

“We’re excited to see Bodhi push his progression even further in 2026 and to have Duotone represented more strongly in the freestyle scene across both the PWA and FPT tours. Good luck this season Bodhi, we’ll be following the action!”

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LISA KLOSTER…STARBOARD (DREAM TEAM!)

Lisa Kloster has officially joined the Starboard dream team. Lisa announced her departure from MB Boards some time ago and had been riding a borrowed Starboard from Sarah-Quita Offringa, since one of her old boards broke on Fuerteventura.

Lisa posted: “I’m super stoked to join the Starboard team. In summer 2025 I only had a few days to adapt to the Ignite before the PWA stop on Fuerte and straightaway I landed on my first podium with it! That already says a lot. The board gives me so much speed and control, whether it’s flat water or heavy chop. Riding switch, accelerating, popping for big moves just feels easier. I’m really proud to ride for one of the best brands in the sport and be part of such a strong team.”

Starboard Marketing Manage, Martin Ferrand: “We’re excited to welcome Lisa Kloster to Starboard, a rider whose commitment to progression and performance aligns perfectly with our vision. We look forward to supporting her next chapter on the PWA World Tour.”

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WAVE

ALESSIO STILLRICH…BRUCH TO PATRIK

After one season with Bruch, Alessio Stillrich sadly announced that their partnership would not be continue into 2026. By the tone of his post on Instagram, they have parted on good terms…He also announced last minute that he would be headed to Australia to compete at the Margaret River 4 start event and duly turned up riding for Patrik Sails. It looks like Patrik are going all out in 2026 and their team is gaining strength both in Racing and Wave!

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MYSTERY TRANSFER??

There are also some rumour floating around on the British Wave Sailing scene that some transfers are in motion but you will have to stay tuned for further updates as the news drops!