The PWAxIWT tour kicked off in Japan with a 4-star event in Omeazaki. It was an exciting event, with cold weather and big performances from our Starboard riders. Federico Morisio, after spending the winter training in Chile, pushed through the tough conditions to finish in 7th place. Local rider Ryu Noguchi, the newest member of the Starboard Dream Team, showed his skills and took 9th place. But the biggest story was Jahdan Tyger’s return after two years away due to injuries. Despite the break, his powerful style and talent stood out, earning him an amazing 5th place in the Pro Men’s division. We caught up with Jahdan to hear how it feels to be back on tour and what his plans are—read the interview below!
Jahdan Tyger: Back in Action and Ready for More!
Hi Jahdan, great performance! How is it to be back on tour, and what are your plans for 2025?
“The place where I feel most comfortable is on the water. After two years away, I’m thrilled to be back in the world of windsurfing. My upcoming destinations will be Maui, Hawaii; Essaouira, Morocco; Pozo Izquierdo, Canary Islands; Sylt, Germany; then back to Maui before returning to Jericoacoara, Brazil.”
How was the feeling to be back in the competition? Were you nervous? How did you deal with the pressure?
“Competing again allows me to reconnect with people who share the same passion. I love that little rush of adrenaline when the countdown starts, so yes, I was excited to be part of an event again, especially on a spot I had never sailed before! I always have an incredible time on the water, which helps me stay relaxed and enjoy the moment.”
Your last heat was a banger! Which moves did you score and are you happy with the outcome?
“I learned to jump quite high in Jericoacoara, even with small waves, so arriving in Omaezaki with big ramps was the perfect setup for jumping! It was those jumps, like push loops and back loops, that helped me reach the semi-finals.”
Were you expecting the Top 5 results in the Pro Men’s division, or did you just take it heat by heat and it all came together?
“I didn’t have specific expectations for my results. The conditions were good and worked in my favor, allowing me to progress in the competition. I took it heat by heat, and the results followed!”
We also caught up with Federico Morisio, who flew all the way from Chile to the PWAxIWT stop in Japan. It is great to follow Federico’s progress and we are exited to see what the season brings for him.
Federico about his experience in Omeazaki:
“Japan was overall really nice. The community here is strong, alive, and really cool. And the spot is super fun. It’s a gym. It’s kind of like a Pozo, but starboard tack. And for me, with better waves, even better riding. Honestly, I struggled. I think it was one of the few sessions of my life on 3.3 and 3.6, kind of like overpowered starboard tack. So, I struggled a bit on my jumps. I still had some good rides. So, you know, overall, my goal was to make it to the semifinal. I missed out for a tiny bit, mainly, I missed out on my jumps against Jahdan. But I’m stoked that he went through. So, overall, I’m satisfied with seventh place at the first event of the year. The cold was a kind of a factor. I think I never sailed in such cold. It was five degrees or less. The hood was necessary and also gloves made a big difference. My hands were feeling like ice after each heat. So for sure, it was a factor, but overall still manageable.
I used mostly my Hyper 88, and in order to make it a little more playful and agile in these side-on-shore conditions, I used the 13 central fins instead of 14. And then, the first days, I also used the Ultra 82. But I feel like it would have been better with the Ultra 78. The Ultra is wider, so it feels bigger with such strong winds. Overall, I am happy with how the boards were working. And now I’m looking forward to the next event in Puerto Rico.”
Photo Credit: International Wave Tour / Harimoto Akihiko
