3 questions to Johan Søe

05/12/2022

At the age of 19, the Danish Johan Søe is entering the big league with an 8th place in the slalom on the PWA World Tour and an impressive top 5 in the final in Japan. A great hope for the discipline, he talks to Windsurfjournal.com about his season and his results.

Windsurfjournal.com: 8th in the world in slalom this year, this is a very good result at 19 years old! What does this inspire you?
Johan Søe: Yes, I’m very happy with my PWA events this year. It was the first year for me on tour, and it has been very exciting. I enjoyed the high level of racing to the fullest, and I’m already looking very much forward to compete on the PWA for 2023. I’m also satisfied to finish the last event in Japan within the top 5 - this was a big goal for me this year.

WJ: What lessons do you draw from this season and what does this mixed wing/wing race format, which is sometimes criticized, inspire you to do?
JS: I’ve learned lots of lessons throughout the year… Especially coming to the PWA with the no rules format as well as mixed fin and foil. I’ve actually been enjoying the current gear format quite a lot, as well as the “no rules” format. It for sure makes the racing more exciting when there are no rules protecting the riders from each other! For the future, I think that the PWA needs to be careful not to limit the gear options too much. But for now it seems that no one knows what will happen next year. I will be ready for whatever the outcome will be!

WJ: You are the youngest in the top 10 and with great potential in the future. Do you have a career plan, and what are your ambitions for the future?
JS: Right now I’m still mixing windsurfing and high school however, I will finish the school this summer! After that my plan is to go professional and see how far I can go. For next year I hope to do the full PWA tour but also go to all the other great events such as Defi Wind and One Hour Classic. I will hopefully also attend to some IFCA U21 championships and also be breaking some new speed records on both fin and foil. I’ve been lucky to have some amazing and fast gear sponsors this year (Point-7, FMX Racing, F4 Foils) and for next year I am also hoping to start helping out with all of the R&D to develop even faster gear. I am for sure looking forward for 2023!