In time-honored tradition, the close of season marks a period of brief reflection, and the chance to applaud the most deserving new talents who’ve made the biggest impacts on the elite competitive scene.

15 yr old Sarah-Quita Offringa of Aruba, first turned heads back in the 2005 season with a magnificent showing in her first two European events in the Canaries leg of the tour - then aged just 14! Finding the strong winds and rough water a contrast to the smoother Aruban conditions at ‘The Huts’ where she lives and trains, Sarah-Quita also entered the King of the Caribbean event at nearby Bonaire, although sadly no wind showed up to give her a chance to shine in the super flat freestyle location.

What a difference a year makes however, and in 2006 Sarah-Quita rocked up to the opening event in Pozo and immediately had the top ladies worried when they saw how much this charismatic young performer had progressed. A full arsenal of switch stance moves and more, all performed in the hectic waves of Pozo, and furious chop in Sotavento sent fear coursing through their veins. Those fears turned out to be warranted when she finished up 5th in Gran Canaria, and took an historic victory in Fuerteventura, beating fellow newcomer Laure Treboux (SUI-4 Naish / Naish), and legend of women’s windsurfing Daida Moreno (E-64, Mistral/ North) in the process.

Congratulations Sarah-Quita.

© PWA / Brian McDowell