Johan Søe, the interview

22/04/2025

One of the world's top Foil Slalom racers, Denmark's Johan Søe will be the big absentee at the Riviera Guadeloupe Windsurf World Cup, which gets underway this Tuesday. For Windsurfjournal.com, he talks about his participation in the Olympic Games last summer, his recent switch to Patrik and his desire to concentrate on the iQFOiL...

Windsurfjournal.com: First, can we go back to your participation in the Olympic Games last summer? Can you tell us about this unprecedented experience in the life of a sportsperson?
Johan Søe: To take part in the Olympic Games in Paris 2024 was definitely quite a unique experience compared to any other competition and most importantly a period where I have developed as a windsurfer in a pace I have not tried before. The focus and determination I had for the months leading up to competition in cooperation with the Danish Sailing Team was unbelievable, and I will always look back at this when thinking about the games. Despite the result being far away from the goal due to some reasons, it has still overall been a very good milestone for my windsurfing career.

WJ: What lessons did you learn from the competition?
JS: I learned a lot both technically and tactically as a windsurfer but also as an athlete and how to really prepare 110% for something. I also had the privilege of working very closely with many different professional people which I have learned a lot from moving forward.

WJ: Another highlight of the season was your move to Patrik... Why did you decide to change partners?
JS: I had been with my previous sponsors for many years and I felt like it was time for me to try something new. I had already been with the PATRIK team on the foil during 2024, and I was super happy with the performance and I felt like the whole package would be the next level. After the last PWA event in Japan I was in Australia working with Patrik Diethlem and Alex Cousin and I decided then that joining the team would be the right move for me. The brand is super development and performance orientated, and this is what I’m looking for. I’m really happy with the gear as well as being part of the team!

WJ: You were present in Lanzarote and Palma de Mallorca in iQFOiL, are you already involved in a new Olympic campaign with Los Angeles 2028 as your objective?
JS: Yes so right now I’m super busy and focused on the IQ Foil. I competed on Lanzarote as well as Mallorca, and I’m very motivated and excited to have the World Championships in my home town, Aarhus. So right now all my focus is on this event, and I’m really looking forward to it!

WJ: You weren't at Fuerteventura last year, but you won the next two Foil Slalom events on the PWA tour, so it's easy to imagine that your 2025 target is the world title?
JS: I will not be competing on Guadeloupe this year unfortunately due to my focus being on IQ Foil until the Worlds so hope there will be enough events after to get a discard.

WJ: You're still only 21, how do you see yourself in 5, 10 or 20 years' time?
JS: I see myself continuing to improve all the time and win a lot!

Source: Johan Søe
Photos: Photo Almanarre - Luca Fumagalli