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THE NEXT GENERATION: JAVI ESCRIBANO

Seventeen-year-old Javi Escribano was recently crowned junior under 18 World Champion after claiming a thrilling victory at the Oceania Youth Wave Titles in Geraldton, Western Australia. The young Spaniard rose to the occasion when it mattered most, holding his nerve in a pressure-filled final to secure the win.

Hailing from Cádiz in the south of Spain, Javi’s windsurfing journey began at just six years old, learning the sport alongside his father Pick (Head PWA wave judge) at their home beaches. Since then, he has grown up chasing wind and waves, balancing schoolbooks and exams with international podium finishes! We caught up with the dedicated teenager to find out how he combines elite-level windsurfing with his studies, what it’s like to be part of the Goya team and what ambitions he’s setting his sights on for the future.

Photos: John Carter and Fish Bowl Diaries / WWT

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WINDSURF: How did it feel when you knew you were the under 18 world champion?

JAVI: “It was an indescribable feeling. I felt very happy and very proud when they told me I had won the heat. I celebrated it with my father on the beach and also when I came back home, with my friends and my family. It was quite difficult, as everything came down to one heat and there were also three possible championship winners. When I entered the water, I felt quite nervous, but as I started landing my jumps and catching good waves, I began to gain confidence.”

WINDSURF: Tell us about your recent trip to Australia? Was it your first time and how did you enjoy it?

JAVI: “Well, my trip was incredible, it was an unforgettable experience. It was my first time in Australia and an amazing adventure, especially doing the whole trip with my dad!”

WINDSURF: How was the competition for the finals day? Did you enjoy the spot?

JAVI: “Well, it was a day with a lot of nerves, I was with my father on the beach who was watching me compete and helping me go through the heats. The spot was incredible, it was a really good wave, the wind wasn’t very strong but enough to jump and wave ride.”

WINDSURF: Did you feel under pressure or are you generally relaxed at competitions?

JAVI: “I usually do feel pressure in competitions, especially when I manage to reach the final after several heats, but once the heat starts I usually settle down as I am so focussed on my own sailing. It is nice when you start a heat by landing your first move.”

WINDSURF: How do you like all the Goya gear you are riding?

JAVI: “Well, I was using my Goya Banzai Surf Pro Carbon sails and my Custom Quad 8 boards. I think the Goya equipment is incredible overall… it’s lightweight and adapts perfectly to my sailing style.”

WINDSURF: Do you feel happy the PWA and WWT are putting on these events for the younger guys?

JAVI: “I find it amazing that the PWA and the WWT are organizing these competitions for young people, as this allows us to meet more people who practice our sport, which I love so much. We can travel to more countries, continue competing and for those who want to become professional windsurfers, they have the opportunity from a young age to make a name for themselves.”

WINDSURF: Are you all very competitive or is it quite friendly between you all?

JAVI: “The atmosphere at the competitions is usually very friendly. There, you meet amazing young like-minded sailors! I have made so many friends like Ryoma Sugi, Jake Ghiretti and many others. On competition day, there’s usually a bit more rivalry, but there’s still a great vibe on the beach and I love that about the competitions.”

WINDSURF: How much is your dad a help / inspiration to push your sailing?

JAVI: “My father has been a great inspiration for me. He was the one who taught me this sport when I was very young. I have always sailed with him; he has taught me everything I know. He helps me every day to improve when I’m on the water and with my trips. He is practically the reason I continue sailing to this day. I am very grateful to him for that.”

WINDSURF: How old were you when you learned to windsurf?

JAVI: “I was quite young when I started sailing, around six years old. I went to the beach with my father for the first time to sail at that age.

Then, as I grew up, I was able to sail better, start planing, start jumping and my father continued teaching me everything.”

WINDSURF: How do you fit in your windsurfing with school and studies?

JAVI: “Well, it’s quite complicated to balance windsurf competitions and studying, because sometimes I have competitions during class periods. But my school does me a favour by postponing exams and helping me a lot with assignments. I am very grateful for that. It’s quite difficult for me, because when I’m traveling for competitions, I still have to study.”

WINDSURF: What is the best windsurfing location you have travelled too so far?

JAVI: “Well, I think the trip I enjoyed the most was the last one I took, which was to Australia, because I was able to become world champion. I went with my father and it was a very beautiful experience. I stayed there for 10 days, got to meet local people, and made new friends. Everything was amazing and I had a great time. Another trip I really loved was to Hawaii, where I also made friends and was able to go to Ho’okipa, a place I had really wanted to visit. The first time I went there was very impressive, and it was also with my father. These have been my favourite trips.”

WINDSURF: Do you feel lucky to have already travelled the world doing the sport you enjoy?

JAVI: “I feel like it’s a dream to be able to travel all over the world and meet people thanks to the sport I practice. I am very grateful for the opportunity, especially to my family and also to my sponsors who support me. It’s incredible to go to places where I used to see photos as a child and now be sailing with the pros there today.”

WINDSURF: Who are the windsurfers you look up to?

JAVI: “I don’t have a single windsurfer that I admire exclusively. I admire all the windsurfers who have been world champions and those who will be in the future. If I had to name a role model, it would be Marc Paré, who became world champion this year. He is Spanish like me and I would love to be able to sail like him someday.”

WINDSURF: What is your ambition in windsurfing?

JAVI: “Well, my ambition in the world of windsurfing would be to become a professional windsurfer and a world champion. It’s quite a difficult dream, as few achieve it, but that would be my biggest dream in life, alongside all the amazing riders who are competing today.”

WINDSURF: What is your home spot and what conditions do you get at home?

JAVI: “Well, here in the south of Spain, in Cádiz, we have quite a few spots with both west and east winds, with different directions and wave sizes, some with steeper waves, some less steep, good for jumping or surfing. I’m very lucky to be able to live in a place like this, even though we don’t have conditions most of the year, but when we do, they are really good for practicing.”

WINDSURF: How do you stay motivated?

JAVI: “I stay motivated because I love windsurfing. I believe that once you become a windsurfer, you are a windsurfer for life, and that will never change. It’s a sport that I love with all my heart, and I would like to keep practicing it for many more years.”

WINDSURF: What are you studying and what is your back up plan if you are not a pro windsurfer?

JAVI: “Well, I’m currently studying high school at 16 years old. My dream is to become a professional windsurfer, but if I don’t achieve that, I would like to study something related to sports so I can continue sailing for many more years.”