Zandvoort Surf Legend: Paul Jansen

"I am not only a windsurfer, but also a surfer and I used to skateboard a lot in the old days. It started all in 1978. Back than I was skateboarder in the Coala skate team. We travelled all over the Netherlands and a few times a year we did demonstrations. When the halfpipe arrived in the Netherlands, I was the first to break his leg. After I also broke my arm in the halfpipe, I was done with it. So, I focused on windsurfing and surfing. Together with a friend I bought an eight-millimeter film and we watched it on the wall. That’s how we've learned how to surf, because nobody else knew how to do it. We were definitely one of the very first surfers in Zandvoort."

Biggest Success

"I was third place at the 'Windsurf World Cup Amateurs' at Lake Garda in Italy and winner of the 'Slalom Windsurf World Cup Amateurs' in Zandvoort. One time I won a trip to Hawaii at the 'Mistral Kailua Cup' at beach tent Tijn Akersloot/Zandvoort. I went to Hawaii a few times for the 'Pan Am Cup', which was the premier funboard event of its time. I also sailed a couple of international Eurofuncups and a few Word Cups in the Netherlands. This was all the beginning of the World Cup Circuit. But it was not about success, it was more about fun, life experience, getting to know new cultures and people; and of course, surfing in great conditions."

Best Tricks

"Honestly, I'm some years older now. I used to do a lot more tricks than what I am doing now. My trick box has become a bit smaller over the years. For me it's mainly about having fun, it's not so much about tricks anymore. What I still like to do is a nice ‘duck-jibe’ or riding a wave. I love the ‘donkey kick’ and have the intention to do the ‘back loop’ again. I could do it, but I can't do it anymore."