JOSEP PONS: UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL
JOSEP PONS: UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL
JOSEP PONS: UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL
From learning the basics in Menorca to charging the wind-blasted coastline of Gran Canaria, Josep Pons has spent a lifetime chasing wind and waves. With over two decades of experience on the water and a deep background in sports science, he’s not just a world-class windsurfer; he’s one of the sport’s most respected coaches, helping everyone from weekend warriors to professional athletes unlock their full potential. In this interview, Josep shares how it all started, what drives his training philosophy, and why mastering the basics might just be the secret to going big.
Tell us a bit about your background, where you are from and how you got into windsurfing?
JP: “Although I’ve been living in Gran Canaria for over 23 years, I was born in Menorca in 1984. As a child, my parents would take me on a Mistral Windsurfer along the island’s pristine beaches. When I was 9, I asked them to teach me how to sail, and from that moment on, I went from being a “passenger” to giving rides to all my cousins in those same waters. At first, I only sailed in summer, but by the time I was 11, I started going in the water all year round. From then on, there was no turning back, I quit all other sports to sail every windy day.”
Where do you live in Gran Canaria?
JP: “I live in Playa de Arinaga, just north of Pozo Izquierdo. It’s that town you see in the background of Pozo photos, behind the pier. A quiet place, but really close to the action.”
Tell us about your training and how you got into it?
JP: “Training has always been one of my passions. Since I was 16, I knew I wanted to study Sports Science, and even back at university I was already thinking about how to apply what I was learning to windsurfing. As soon as I graduated, I started giving advanced coaching. Most people came asking about the forward loop, and over time I specialized to the point of even coaching professional riders.”
Do you train guys both on and off the water?
JP: “Yes, I combine both. On the physical side, I work on improving the windsurfer’s or athlete’s capacities so they can perform better on the water, improve their technique, and sail with more control and less fatigue. The fitter you are, the more fun you have out thee and the lower your injury risk. Most of these training sessions are done online, through a platform that lets me coach people from all over the world.
And then there are the technical coaching sessions on the water. We work on everything from stance, early planing, and basic jumps to complex moves like the push loop forwards or doubles. I love helping all levels, from beginners to pros.”
How would you manage a typical coaching session?
JP: “Each session is different because I adapt completely to what each person needs. I always start with a short theory section to lay the groundwork. Then we go into the water so I can observe how the client sails and make an initial analysis. From there, I build a plan with specific drills to improve their technique, both in and out of the water.
We often go back to the basics first in order to progress more efficiently. We also film the session so I can provide real-time corrections, and at the end, I give all the clips to the student to review and visualize at home.
Getting out of the water, analysing and then going back in is key to improving. Many people think stepping out is a waste of time, but that’s actually when the biggest breakthroughs happen.”
What are the main skills you are teaching your clients?
JP: “Most people come to learn the forward loop (around 80%), about 15% for the back loop and the rest to improve their wave riding or general sailing. But regardless of what they’re looking for, I always work on overall sailing technique: from stance and planning, to jibes and tacks. Sometimes I think they’re going to get sick of all my corrections, but in the end, they appreciate it! Hahaha.”
How does it work with the microphone on the rider, what sort of tips are you giving?
JP: “I use a system called BBTalkin, which allows Bluetooth communication up to a nautical mile. Both the student and I wear microphones and headsets, so we can talk throughout the entire session.
It allows real-time interaction: I can correct technique, suggest which wave to catch, or guide them from the outside with a clearer view of what’s happening. It’s like having a coach right next to you at all times; it really builds confidence.”
How long have you been riding for Point7?
POINT-7 | The Darkside of Windsurf
JP: “Since 2019. I’m super happy with them, both the team vibe and the sail performance are top-notch. It’s a very close and professional team.”
Are you also involved in the design and testing?
JP: “Yes, I’m in charge of testing wave gear. I work directly with Andrea, giving feedback and helping fine-tune the gear until we find the right balance between control, comfort and reactivity. We want the sails to work for both newcomers and those chasing radical moves.”
What are the main events you compete at personally?
JP: “I’d love to do the whole tour, but right now I can’t manage everything. This year, I plan to compete in Pozo and if Tenerife is back on the calendar, I’ll be there too.”
Do you have ambitions personally as a windsurfer?
JP: “Absolutely. I’m always looking to improve. If I can do a move higher, cleaner, or smoother, I’ll work hard to make it happen. And as a coach, my goal is to help windsurfing grow, to get more people into it and to help the pros push the level. I’d love to be part of taking windsurfing to the next level.”
What are your favourite manoeuvres and why?
JP: “If I had to choose between jumping or wave riding, I’d go for wave riding… but in Gran Canaria, with so much wind, you end up jumping more.
I love a good turn on a critical section with side-offshore wind. But I also love it when you go in for a bottom turn planning to hit the lip, and you end up launching an aerial off the lip instead… that’s epic.
When it comes to jumping, I focus a lot on getting height so I can throw more powerful moves. One that really gets my adrenaline going is the stall double at good height… pure stoke.”
Do you get asked by a lot of pros for coaching?
JP: “Yes, they always have. For a few years, when I was doing the full tour, I stopped offering it, because in the end, it felt like I was shooting myself in the foot. But now that I’m no longer competing in every event, I really enjoy being able to help others improve. I honestly love it.
Throughout my career, I’ve worked with riders like Marc Paré, Jaeger Stone, Robby Swift, Marcilio Browne, Moritz Mauch, Julian Salomon, Mike Friedl, Sol, Pauline, and many more.
Marc Paré is a true example to follow. A full-on athlete, dedicated, focused and with a clear vision. He does everything he possibly can (and more) to keep improving. Years ago, I helped him with the double forward. Now he lands it better than I ever could… he’s a phenomenon! If I remember correctly, we also worked on the push loop forward. This year, I helped him out at a few events, specifically in Tenerife and Sylt. Mostly in a caddie role, but always analyzing everything; his technique, how to polish his wave riding, etc. Truth is, he’s got everything very much under control, but he always appreciates having an outside perspective to keep pushing.
Robby Swift and Marcilio Browne are also great examples of hard work and dedication. When they came to Gran Canaria for the event, they liked to keep up with their physical training, and on several occasions they trained out of the water with me. It was an honour to support them.
Jaeger Stone, who’s no longer on the full world tour, is another great example. He was always one of the first to get in the water; super focused and committed. He trained hard and paid attention to every detail. At that time, he was struggling to land the double forward and the push loop forward, and he asked for help. I remember perfectly how much progress he made in just a couple of sessions. That year, at the Pozo event, he did really well. He landed one of the best push loop forwards of the whole competition. A rider with a great mindset and a real hunger to keep learning.
Last year, Mike Friedl “senior” returned to competition and joined the Masters World Tour. He has always taken great care of his physical training, but he wanted to win the world title, and he asked for help to improve his windsurfing on the water. And he did it—congrats to him! After a year of hard work, both technically and tactically on the water and outside of it, he improved a lot. We’re still working together this year, always with the same desire to progress.
There are many more riders I’ve helped throughout their careers, but the list would be too long. I hope they all continue to improve and enjoy this incredible sport that is windsurfing.
Thanks to all of you for your trust!”
What are the most common wave sailing mistakes you see from wannabbee wave sailors?
JP: “The most common one is wanting to run before learning how to walk. Many want to try forwards or back loops without having solid control of the basic jump. Others want to surf waves without knowing how to tack or gybe properly. Even I, still keep working on my gybes and basic jumps to improve more advanced manoeuvres. Going back to the fundamentals is always key to making real progress.”
How important is the training off the water to help you with your skills on the water?
Training with Josep Pons | BLOG | POINT-7
JP: “It’s very important. The truth is, many people don’t give it the value it deserves, but solid off-the-water training makes a huge difference when you’re out there sailing. And this becomes even more evident as the conditions get tougher.
It’s essential to work on strength, cardiovascular endurance, and mobility, always with a program adapted to your specific needs. A well-structured training plan will not only make you feel more agile, fluid, and confident on the water, but it will also help you prevent injuries. You’ll have better control over your gear and, most importantly, after a physically demanding manoeuvre or situation, you’ll recover faster and be ready to keep performing at your best.
For example, after a long and powerful wave ride, a heavy wipe out, or any situation that pushes you to your physical limit, your heart rate spikes and you feel maxed out. But if you’re well-conditioned, you’ll recover more quickly and be ready to paddle back out, hit another jump, or simply continue sailing more comfortably.
That’s why I created an online training program specifically designed for windsurfers. Through it, I help riders improve their physical condition so they can feel a real difference when they hit the water.
There’s also one aspect of off-the-water training that I consider key: dry-land technical work. I’m talking about both visualization and specific exercises to learn the technical movements of different manoeuvres. It’s not just about watching yourself in videos or studying tutorials…it’s about training the movement itself. I focus a lot on this in the programs I offer, many of which are online, allowing me to coach riders from anywhere in the world.”
Tell us about your windsurfing camps?
JP: “Sure! It’s a part of my job that I truly enjoy. Being surrounded by people who share the same passion for windsurfing creates a very special energy. While I share all my knowledge and experience with them, I also learn a lot from each participant. Their enthusiasm is contagious.
I usually run three-day camps with small groups of up to 10 people. Although the levels vary, that actually enriches the whole learning process. Everyone works on their own goals and manoeuvres but also learns by observing and listening to the feedback given to others. Often, tips on how to improve something like planing, a jibe, or more advanced moves like the forward or back loop are helpful for the entire group.
The structure of the camp is very complete. We always start with a meeting where we break down the manoeuvres each person wants to improve. I explain the technique in detail and use video analysis to help them understand each movement better.”
Next, we do dry land practice. This is a key part of the process. If you can’t perform a movement correctly on land, it’s very unlikely you’ll manage it in the water. These exercises help me identify common mistakes even before the riders hit the water, which saves a lot of frustration later on.
Then we go to the water to apply everything we’ve worked on. During the session, I give each rider personalized feedback and record them on video to review later. The video analysis is done as a group, and it’s a very enriching experience. We often have discussions, questions, and different perspectives that help everyone learn—not just the riders, but also myself as a coach.
Each person learns in their own way, so my goal is always to adapt and make sure everyone fully understands what they need to do. These camps are three intense days, but also highly motivating and transformative. It’s a real learning experience, on and off the board.”
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