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DAIDA MORENO: QUEEN OF POZO ON GOYA, GEAR DEVELOPMENT AND STILL WINNING!

Fresh from another victory at the 2026 Pozo World Cup, Daida Moreno proved once again why she remains the undisputed Queen of Pozo. Despite insisting she’s long since moved beyond chasing titles, the multiple world champion showed that experience, preparation and smart equipment choices still count for everything when the pressure is on. Away from competition she’s embracing a new chapter…joining the Goya team, working as a full-time sports physiotherapist, raising her son and helping shape the next generation of female windsurfers. Windsurf caught up with Daida after her latest victory to talk about her move to Goya, where she stands with competition and why she’s still happiest on the water!

Photos: Carter / WWT

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WINDSURF: Congratulations on another Pozo victory. Did it feel different this year?

DAIDA MORENO: Thank you. I’m just happy we actually got a result because earlier in the week I wasn’t convinced we’d have enough wind. We finally got a window on Thursday and the organisers did a great job running the single elimination.

We only had one chance, so I was completely focused. The conditions were tricky. When it’s smaller, the level between the girls gets much closer because everyone sails well in those conditions. You have to be really switched on. I was well prepared, especially with all the training I’d done off the water and with my new equipment. I enjoyed the conditions even though the waves were small, and I’m relieved everything came together.

WINDSURF: How important was equipment in those conditions?

DAIDA MORENO: It was really important. I sailed on a 3.7m and my 74-litre board, although I had a 4m and 4.2m ready if the wind dropped. The wind was there, but the waves were tiny. More than anything, I was in a really positive mood that day. You need to stay motivated and enjoy it. That mindset probably made the biggest difference.

WINDSURF: This was your first major event with Goya. How did the move happen?

DAIDA MORENO: I was with Bruch Boards, but Danny started having production and financial problems. I asked Jonas from Pozo Winds if he could speak with Francisco Goya to see whether joining the team was possible. Francisco called me almost immediately and said he would be happy to have me.

What really convinced me was that they wanted to develop equipment specifically for women, kids and lighter sailors. That’s something I’m really passionate about because I love working on equipment and finding the perfect balance. Goya pays attention to every little detail and for me it was a fantastic opportunity. I think it’s going to be good for both of us.

WINDSURF: What gear have you been riding?

DAIDA MORENO: At first I wanted to get familiar with their standard equipment, so I tested everything they already had. My first set of sails were Banzaii 12’s, the same that Marcilio Browne uses. They made me custom colours…a different red, which is really nice! I also got the Goya Custom 9 boards which i love! But my priority was understanding the equipment before changing anything. Goya put a lot of work designing their equipment and i was immediately impressed with the performance. Now we’re already working on new boards and refining the smaller sails. Those sizes don’t get tested nearly as much because most development happens in Maui on bigger equipment. Jason Diffin is already building prototypes for me, so we’re making progress.

WINDSURF: Why is testing smaller equipment so important?

DAIDA MORENO: Because you can’t properly develop a 3.2m simply by testing a 4.7m in Maui. Pozo is completely different. The smallest sails need their own testing because they’re used in very different conditions. We’re making lots of small changes to improve efficiency so customers get the best equipment possible.

WINDSURF: You’re also using Goya’s new harness. What do you think?

DAIDA MORENO: As a physiotherapist I look at equipment a little differently. The harness is very light, comfortable and well balanced. I’ve already given the team some feedback on a few small details that could make it even better.

Lower-back injuries are one of the most common problems in windsurfing, so having a really good harness is important. Hopefully we can keep improving it in the future but it is already awesome. Having a physio in the team like myself for these details could be really useful for the team.

WINDSURF: You’re no longer chasing world titles, yet you’re still winning. What’s your motivation now?

DAIDA MORENO: I sail for fun mostly now! Windsurfing is part of my life. I’ll never stop. I stay fit, I train in the gym and I still love sailing. Windsurfing is in my blood and i cannot stop windsurfing. Competition itself isn’t really my motivation anymore. I’m competing at Pozo because of Goya and they know it. I don’t have the same desire to compete and do the tour that I had years ago.

What really makes me happy is seeing the level of women’s windsurfing improve. I am really happy to see the girls pushing. You watch girls like Justina doing 360s on the wave, trying push loops, stalled forwards and all these difficult moves. They’re pushing each other harder every year. I’m proud if I’ve helped raise that standard because it makes the sport much more exciting.

WINDSURF: You’re also helping with girls’ coaching camps.

DAIDA MORENO: Yes, I’ve been helping Pauline Katz with the Girls on Tour camps here in Pozo. She’s doing a fantastic job encouraging young female sailors, just like myself and Iballa tried to do years ago. Hopefully those camps continue growing in different countries because the more girls we have in the sport, the better. More events like Pozo will only motivate them even more.

WINDSURF: Outside windsurfing you’re now a full-time sports physiotherapist.

DAIDA MORENO: Yes, that’s my main job now…being a physiotherapist and being a mother. Every Monday morning I organise my schedule around the forecast. I leave myself two or three hours each day so I can still go windsurfing. That way I can work, sail and spend time with my son.

WINDSURF: Do a lot of the pro windsurfers come to you for treatment?

DAIDA MORENO: Most of my patients are athletes because sports physiotherapy is my speciality. During summer, especially before the Pozo event, lots of competitors come in because the level is so high now. They’re landing push loop forwards, stalled doubles and all these incredible moves. The neck and lower back take a huge amount of punishment from the impacts. Foot injuries are also very common.

WINDSURF: So we hear you like putting needles in the riders?

DAIDA MORENO: Yes (laughs), although needles are not for everybody. For windsurfers it’s often one of the fastest ways to recover. There are different techniques depending on the injury. We use dry needling, electro-acupuncture, neuromodulation and electrolysis…There are four types of treatments. If someone has a muscle tear, I’ll use electrolysis. If it’s a nerve issue, then neuromodulation might be the better option. Modern physiotherapy has a lot of different tools available now.

WINDSURF: Finally, after all these years, what does another Pozo victory mean?

DAIDA MORENO: Every victory is special because nothing is guaranteed. The level keeps getting higher every year and everyone is pushing so hard. For me it isn’t about proving anything anymore. It’s about enjoying windsurfing, doing my best and helping move the sport forward. Winning this one was a really nice reward for all the preparation.

Goya Windsurfing