OUT OF HIBERNATION: JORDY VONKOUT OF HIBERNATION: JORDY VONKGEARING UP FOR THE RACE SEASONIts April at last, the temperatures are rising, and it is finally time to dust the cobwebs off your race gear and get back to doing what you do best: leaving the competition in your wake! Of course, some hardcore lunatics have been braving freezing conditions all winter, while the lucky pros have escaped to warmer destinations.But for the rest of us mere mortals, its time to shed those extra winter kilos, rebuild those dwindling windsurfing muscles, and get race-ready. So, how do you make sure youre not just keeping up but leading the pack? Fear not Duotones Jordy Vonk is here to share his top secrets on prepping for a full season of high-speed action!How do you get back into physical shape for both on and off the water after Christmas and the season break?JV: Even though I take an off-season, which is about six weeks around December, I always stay active. I tell my physical coach not to create a strict program for me during this time. Instead, I work out freely, doing what I feel like, so it doesnt feel like a chore. I also allow myself to indulge a bit more in food and alcohol. This year, I arrived in Tenerife in January and gradually increased my time on the water, which naturally helped improve my physical shape.Are you aiming for a specific weight for racing this season?JV: Yes, I aim to be over 100 kg for Guadeloupe since I expect winds for 7.5 / 6.4 m sails. Being slightly heavier is an advantage in those conditions. Right now, Im at 104 kg, so Im on track! After Guadeloupe, Ill aim to lose a bit for the SlalomX events in the summer.How do you organize a schedule for a new season?JV: For the past 12 years, January through March has been the same: Tenerife; it truly feels like my second home. After that, my priority is the PWA calendar, as those are the key events. Around those dates, I schedule everything else: R&D trips, photoshoots, national events, clinics, and tuning trips. Its always a packed schedule!What does your training program look like, both on and off the water?JV: I have a physical trainer who designs my off-water training and logs everything in an app for me to follow daily. My schedule usually includes 3-4 strength sessions and a couple of endurance workouts, though I personally prefer strength training. On the water, it varies. In the winter, at the TWS Pro Slalom Training, we race four times a week, which is excellent practice. The rest of the time, I focus on fine-tuning my gear to ensure Im ready for upcoming events.Do most sailors have the financial means to make this a full-time commitment?JV: Not really. Many sailors have side jobs to support themselves. Of course, some manage to be full-time windsurfers, but nowadays, you have to be creative to make it work. Running clinics, for example, is a great way to earn extra income.KITDo you have new equipment to test and tune?JV: Yes, every year, its the same processtesting new sails, often having doubles of some sizes to compare. I try different masts in various sails, experiment with board and sail combinations, and fine-tune my foil settings. With SlalomX and Slalom Foil as the two main racing disciplines, theres even more to test! The maximum gear allowance for both disciplines combined is three boards and eight sails.What maintenance needs to be done on older booms, ropes, etc.?JV: This is crucial for both professionals and amateurs! I constantly check all ropes, boom head, outhaul system, extensions and replace them when necessary. The same goes for harness lines; I always inspect them inside and out because they might already be 80% worn through without looking damaged.How do you test the speed of your gear and decide on the best settings for different conditions?JV: Testing and taking notes is a daily routine. Whatever I learn on a given day might be useful in a competition later in the year. In Tenerife, I focus on fully understanding my gear, how different downhaul settings affect the sail, what changes in boom height or mast base position do, etc.Once I have my best settings figured out in April, I head to Lake Garda to test all my masts and find the golden stick for the year. When I arrive at the first competition, I double-check my settings based on the local conditions. After that, Im as ready as I can be!Do you train with a partner to tune Duotone boards and sails?JV: Before Guadeloupe, I always check in with my teammate Daniele Benetti to fine-tune my foil setup. Its great to have someone on the same brand to compare notes with. Otherwise, it depends on whos available, over the past few years, Ive worked with different people.How do you divide your training time between fin and foil?JV: Its tough to say precisely. I tend to train more on the foil because thats where I can still improve the most. The summer racing calendar is still TBD, but if SlalomX events happen in the Canary Islands, Ill focus more on foiling before Guadeloupe. After that, Ill switch to the fin for Defi Wind and other slalom events, then back to the foil again for Sylt, China, and Japan.When do you test your speed against sailors from other brands?JV: Ultimately, I need comparisons, like racing against Amado Vrieswijk, who uses different brands to know how fast I really am. It would be unlucky if we both turned out to be slow! But competing against sailors from other brands happens all the time, even during casual training. No matter the time of year or situation, you always keep an eye on your speed relative to the competition.Is testing already underway for the 2027 equipment?JV: Right now, were finalizing the 2026 racing equipment, which is both exciting and frustrating because Id love to take it straight to competition! Once thats done, its only a matter of time before we start on 2027 gear. The process never stops!RACE READYWhat are your goals to be race-ready?JV: The goal is confidence, knowing that I have everything I need to win. I need to feel fast on all necessary sail sizes for a given event. Thats what gives me the mental edge going into a race.Is everything tested and tuned? Are you at peak fitness?JV: I wouldnt say Im the fittest guy on tour, but Im heavy, which is what I want for Guadeloupe. Afterward, when I switch to the fin, Ill need to work harder on endurance, so Ill adjust my training accordingly.Is your season fully organized with a clear game plan?JV: Im an organized guy, its evident in how I keep my van! I might not be the most creative free spirit, but having a structured schedule makes me feel most comfortable.Are your finances, sponsorship agreements, and extra income sources sorted?JV: The end of the year is always stressful, securing contracts and calculating budgets to get through the season. It has worked out for over a decade, but its never easy. I also schedule clinics depending on the PWA calendar, filling in gaps where possible. Fortunately, I enjoy hosting clinics, but theyre a financial necessity these days.Mentally, are you ready for the season ahead? What are your goals?JV: I feel great! This winter, I took a slightly different training approach due to time constraints, but Im feeling especially strong on the foil.For Guadeloupe in April, my goal is at least one podium finish and a top-five overall. The competition is fierce, and many sailors could make the podium, but I believe that if I race sharply, I can be one of them.As for SlalomX, Im aiming for the title and, at minimum, a podium finish. Ive finished fourth too many times, its time to break that streak! Last year, I was just one gybe away, so now Im determined to take that final step. For me, its not a matter of if I can do it, but when I will.GEARTheres a reason Formula 1 teams show up with an army of mechanics to fine-tune their cars before a race. While you wont need a pit crew for your windsurf setup, its still a technical sport, and taking good care of your gear is crucial. Regular check-ups can save you from unexpected problems on the water.Gear Inspection ChecklistFind a spacious area in your garden, local beach, or anywhere you can rig everything up and go through the following checks:Boards No hidden holes or deep scratches? Footstraps in good condition? Footstrap screws tightened properly? Mast base free from stress marks? Fins fitting securely?Boom Ropes (outhaul and boom head) in good shape? Harness lines checked (open them up to inspect)? Uphaul line intact?Sails No holes in the monofilm? No damage to the mast sleeve? All battens intact? Top cap securely in place inside the sail?Mast No hidden cracks or cuts?Final Pre-Season PrepOnce youve checked everything, rig your sail and fine-tune your settings. If you spot any defects, now is the perfect time to replace or repair them.Skipping this step could mean showing up at the beach, pumped for your first session, only to find yourself stuck onshore or worse, swimming back because of a broken piece of gear!If everything looks good, youre all set, have an epic first session of the season!The post OUT OF HIBERNATION: JORDY VONK appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.