70 PROFILETOM PRINGUER
He loves to go fast (he’s hit 25 knots) and keep up with the
adults in a F6/7. He has recently tried foiling and managed
to get some good flights within the first couple of sessions,
but this is very much a work in progress. During summer
2018, Tom became a team rider for Worthing Watersports
plus the emerging K66 Grom team and loves his sponsored
Duotone sails.
He likes to watch windsurfing videos, and in particular the
likes of Polakow getting nailed at Jaws. He can’t wait for the
day that he goes to Maui and sails Ho’okipa. He’s quite
studious as well, us as parents using the ‘do your homework
so you can sailing’ mantra to good effect.
Hayling Island Sailing Club – especially at low tide – is perfect
for Tom to hone his skills. With perfect flat water next to the
sand bank, and a hot shower a mere stone’s throw away
from the launch, getting Tom hooked has been a relatively
easy task. Obviously having me as his dad helps. We’re down
on the south coast most weekends. Being surrounded by the
sailing/nautical culture will obviously wear off on people. It
certainly has with my son!
So what does Tom himself think of windsurfing?
We think the following quotes typically sum up Tom’s youthful
enthusiasm and stoke!
“I love going fast and racing the other windsurfers on the
water – most of them being much bigger than me!”
“I now want to do some cool tricks.”
“I also want to start massive jumps and riding big waves.”
“Foiling is so much fun and the wipeouts are scary yet funny
at the same time!”
“Foiling rocks.”
As Tom increases in years and perhaps other ‘stuff’ starts to
enter his world he may get side-tracked. That said he’s got
plenty of inspiration around him, so maybe he’ll stick with it
and we’ll see this young gun standing atop podiums in years
to come.
With windsurfing being a sport needing a constant supply of
new blood it’s great to see TP captivated by a sport that
some describe as an ‘old man’s game’. Those in the know
are only too aware of the youthful side of windsurfing, with
plenty to offer kids and adults alike, as is demonstrated here
by Tom.
We wish Tom well in the future. Stay tuned and watch this
space…
Tom is supported by Worthing Watersports
and part of Nik Baker’s K66 Grom Team.
uk
WIND
SURFING