Some of you may already know my lifelong passion for windsurfing. Over the years, I’ve traveled widely, often staying for months, even years, in spectacular places like Hawaii, Mauritius, Australia, and the Canary Islands. Surfing, they say, can change your life. Eleven-time world champion Kelly Slater once likened it to the mafia: “There’s no way out.” The “stoke”—that unmatchable joy and adrenaline from riding waves—has kept me fit and endlessly happy.
Surfing shapes our lives in unexpected ways. Through it, I’ve met some of my closest friends and discovered incredible places I never imagined would become favorites. Maui is one such place, a spiritual home of sorts. I’m currently writing these lines from a rainy night on Maui’s north shore, where the island’s motto, “Maui no ka oi” (Maui is the best), truly resonates.
Why am I on this remote island? I’m here for the final leg of the windsurfing World Cup—the legendary Aloha Classic, a nearly 40-year-old competition that attracts the best wave sailors worldwide. The best part? I’m not just here as a spectator; I’m competing in the Masters division! After placing well in a previous tour leg in Peru, I found myself with a ranking worth defending here in Maui.
What started as a distant aspiration—a chance to compete in the Aloha again (I previously participated in 2016)—soon transformed into a plan. I’ve trained intensely, physically and mentally, to prepare for the challenging Hawaiian waves. I’ve never been fitter in my life.
In the Masters division, I was seeded in Round 3—an acknowledgment of my standing that allowed me to skip the initial round. My heat was formidable: I faced legends like Francisco Goya and Brian Talma, two lifelong heroes. Francisco is not only a former world champion but also a business inspiration, having built a successful company making sails and boards. Alongside them was Charlie Riveira, a Puerto Rican champion I’d previously faced in Peru.
So, how did it go? I came last in my heat but still finished 13th overall—making me the 13th best master sailor (over 45) in the Aloha Classic. For me, that’s a dream come true. My score was 6.3, a solid achievement that I’m proud of. My final wave presented an intense challenge: the end bowl section of Hookipa, a towering wall of water that demands precision. While I held back on a risky aerial move, the experience taught me I could tackle it next time—an opportunity that’s both a challenge and a promise to myself.
This journey has been incredible. I held my own against some of the best, reaching a level that makes me feel truly “on top of the world,” with one last move waiting to be completed.
Last second. The global rankings just came out. 15th best master sailor in the world. Truly on top of the world.
