Two young riders from British and Irish shores are taking on the Youth competition, at the PWA Tenerife event. 

Finn Mellon and Freddie Ide are ready for the challenge, here Boards have caught up with both riders ahead of the first international competitions.

Finn Mellon

Finn Mellon has only been windsurfing properly for just over a year, but he is already landing forwards and taking on his first international competition here in Tenerife.

DOB: 12/07/1998

Years windsurfing: One and a half

“I learnt to windsurf a few years ago, but I didn’t get properly into it until around a year and a half ago. First of all it was because my dad kept bugging me to go sailing, but then I started to really enjoy it and after a little while it was me bugging him to go out. It’s usually my Dad I sail with at home (in Brandon Bay), plus Duncan Knox and few other local guys. We get a range of conditions, but it’s usually port tack, so hopefully my riding will be ok over here!

“I went to Hawaii last year, at the end of winter, I learnt to waterstart out there and since then I’ve really been pushing it and loving windsurfing. Now my aim is to get my forwards consistent, that’s really why I came out to Tenerife. I can land some, but I want them a lot more consistently. I didn’t expect to compete at all, but as I’m out here anyway a few people encouraged me to do it, so we will just see how it goes!

“I love competing, it’s a lot of fun when it goes well, although not so much fun when it goes badly. I’ve done a couple of the BWA contests and quite a few of the Irish contests too, so I feel good going into this one.

“One day I hope I can sail like Victor Fernandez and those guys, but first I’m just excited to compete and do my best here.”