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UNBREAKABLE: SARAH-QUITA OFFRINGA’S DOUBLE WORLD TITLE TRIUMPH!

After a gruelling first day of Slalom X at the PWA Fuerteventura World Cup, Sarah-Quita Offringa came close to calling it quits. But instead of throwing in the towel, she dug deep, rediscovered her rhythm and came back stronger, ultimately dominating the rest of the event to take a decisive win and the Slalom X world title.

Her determination didn’t stop there. Sarah-Quita jumped straight into the freestyle competition, where she faced an intense challenge from Maaike Huvermann in a dramatic double elimination. After losing the first final, SQ regrouped and delivered a powerful performance in the super final to claim her second world title of the event. We caught up with Sarah-Quita to find out where she found the mental and physical resilience to push through both competitions and come out on top.

Photos: PWA / Carter, PWA / Inna Bru, PWA / Tom De Brendt

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WINDSURF: How did you feel after the first day of extreme slalom, we heard you were considering giving up the racing?

SQ: “Between Pozo and Fuerte there were about 5 days and I feel like I wasn’t able to mentally reset or get used to the switch from wave to slalom gear in that time.

So, I wasn’t mentally there and still very tired when the contest started. And that whole day I just felt like I was getting rag dolled by the extreme conditions.  On top of that I was already thinking about the freestyle contest and the way things were going I wouldn’t be able to perform in neither contest. For once I felt like I had too much on my plate and that I should have prioritised disciplines.”

WINDSURF: What made you get back on track?

SQ: “I had some phone calls with my family and friends that all said it was okay if I needed to take a break, which was relieving. But on the other hand, I had a little chat with John Carter and Sarah Jackson who both said to just show up the next day and see how it goes. When I went to bed, I was sure I was done. But the next morning, conditions were less extreme. And I just went out there. So, the strategy was to take it race by race and day by day.  I remember that last race of the day I won it and it was the first time I let out the SQ yell ha ha…That’s when I knew I was back in the game mentally. By the end of the 2nd day, we were 8 races in and I was leading, so dropping out was not an option.”

WINDSURF: When you started dominating, what gear were you riding and did you start feeling comfortable sailing in those strong winds? (gear sail board sizes etc fin sizes and set ups to make life easier)

SQ: “I sailed my 63cm, Starboard Isonic all the time.

Used 5.3m NeilPryde Evo racing on the 1st day.

On the second day mostly 5.6m and 6.5m once

And on the 4th day I used my 5.6m again.

I had to get used to the conditions and just accept the speed that slalom gear offers! Going over that chop at top speed is a bit scary especially since an unexpected gust can just lift you out of the water at anytime! So, it was a bit of a mental process and some little adjustments to my setup to get comfortable again.”

WINDSURF: What element of slalom X felt the scariest / fun and why?

SQ: “The jump is kind of fun for me, but that’s mostly because I know that the others don’t like it too much. So, it betters my chances I’d say.

The Speed run is the toughest one for me, I’m very careful there. I try to stay close to the pack but I’m not pushing. The gybe is very tricky after that run as it’s hard to engage the rail at that speed and angle, so that’s usually when I try to pounce ha ha..

I think I really like the chicane, or at least when the marks are put close together. Sometimes I nail it, sometimes I don’t but it feels very technical and tactical. Oh! It was also cool when the jump was close to the mark where you basically landed and then straight had to go into the gybe. I love that feeling of having to perform technically and at the same time your brain is doing over time thinking about the tactics, am I jumping upwind, more downwind, can I go inside that person, should I rather go around, is it okay to not accelerate out of the gybe but have clean wind etc etc.”

WINDSURF: Then you had to switch to freestyle…how did it feel to suddenly be on a tiny board and sail and have to perform tricks etc?

SQ: “Switching back to freestyle is the hardest of all. The fin is so small and I struggle to sail in a straight line!

The board actually felt bigger than my small slalom board. 

But I do feel like the freestyle gear is an extension of my body, and I get used to it quite quickly.”

WINDSURF: Was the freestyle victory your main goal coming into Fuerte?

SQ: “Yes, I care a lot about freestyle and I could really see that Maaike was on a mission, so that kind of lit up something in me as well to want to do well.

WINDSURF: Which size / model Maui Ultra Fins were you using and how was the fin working etc How much does a fin make a difference in freestyle?

SQ: “I don’t switch fin size often. This year I’ve been riding Maui Ultra Fins Style PRO 3 20cm. It gives me the right amount of control with that size but because of the shape, I can still slide around moves easily.

These days you’re making a trade of between having more lift versus being able to slide better. And with all the power moves, I believe that more riders have transitioned to bigger fins. However the core attribute of freestyle is being able to slide well and sometimes after a power move you still want to be able to slide into an added 360 or so..”

 

WINDSURF: Come the double elimination what did it feel like playing that waiting game?

SQ: “Finishing 1st in the single is very relieving and the best spot to be in, but then waiting in the double can feel a bit like torture. That day I was quite nervous all day, and at some point I just wanted to get it over with, no matter what happened. Waiting for your heat to come can be tough. Once I started preparing my gear and going to the beach about than hour before I felt more calm though.”

WINDSURF: How were you feeling when you lost the first double elimination final to Maaike?

SQ: “I was quite calm and felt it coming towards the end of the heat. Having re-watched the heat I found that I didn’t sail a bad heat, but was just missing some moves, so that was okay.

And I had been prepping myself for days already, that this could be the time that Maaike would take the win. So when she did, it didn’t hit too hard and I also felt pretty stoked for her for sailing so amazing. I gave her a hug to congratulate her and I said “let’s go, one more heat”​. I was in exactly the same position 2 weeks before against Daida. So I experienced both sides of the story in that moment. And was kind of curious to find out how I’d do in the final! It’s tricky because one part of me felt like I couldn’t do it and that Maaike would just take it, and the other part, was like nah, she’s gotta work for it!”

WINDSURF: Did Being tested like that the victory a lot more emotional?

SQ: “Yes, I was super emotional hearing that I won that. It was just an intense week of battling myself mentally. And that was really tiring. The moment I heard all of that tension and pressure just washed over me!

Maaike had an amazing heat both times. Winning like that definitely feels amazing, because I feel like I rose to the occasion and didn’t crumble under the pressure.”

WINDSURF: So, you walked away from Fuerte with two more World titles…how does that feel…I guess they will be proud of you at Sarah Quita Beach!

SQ: “That is awesome! At the beginning of the week I really regretted my choices.. by the end of the week I was quite proud for keep it together and pulling that off. Looking back it was an awesome week of competition to be part off. And I guess at Sarah-Quita Beach they already have to edit the plaque with the amount of titles ha ha!”

WINDSURF: Now you have to set you mind to waves in Tenerife …are you looking forward to that challenge?

SQ: “I always feel a little bit on vacation when I’m in Tenerife ha ha. Doing Pozo and Fuerte one after the other is a rollercoaster. I think freestyle and slalom are the most demanding competition formats. And then when I go to a wave comp I feel like it’s much more relaxing only trying to fin 2 waves to ride in about 14 minutes whereas in freestyle you need to land 8 moves in 8 minutes ha ha.

So I’m happy to be here and feeling less pressure!”