Interviewed by Greta Welcome some time ago to Tenerife.
You can tell us about yourself and how you started windsurfing and the motivations that drove you to continue in the practice of the sport?
S.Q.O.: I started windsurfing with my brother when I had 9 years. Initially I didn't like it very much because I wasn't strong enough to lift the sail. And after a while I decided to give up. The following year, in 2011, my brother participated in the Aruba Hi Wind and many people came to Aruba a little from all over the world just to participate in this event. There were people from Bonaire, Venezuela, Curacao, Holland and even Argentina. The atmosphere that was on the beach was really nice and I noticed that everyone had a lot of fun. In October of 2011 we went to the Bonaire regatta with the whole Aruba team. It was there that I tied myself to windsurfing. I had a great time that week. Everyone had a good time and the atmosphere was great. I don't just love sports, but everything that surrounds it, all lifestyle. Go on the water with your friends to try the latest maneuvers or just have fun and then share everyone's stories. Keeps people together. I have also traveled to several countries, met many people over the years and got to know different cultures. Windsurfing has given me many opportunities and for now it is a great adventure. This is what motivates me to continue windsurfing.
• You can give some advice to girls who want to start freestyle?
S.Q.O.: The best advice I can give is to windsurf with friends, because this stimulates so much and it is much more fun to try new maneuvers together. I know that many maneuvers can be difficult and it takes many weeks, sometimes months to close them, but believe me that when you finally manage to close that maneuver you will have an incredible feeling. So the next time you fall... Smile! And try again :-)
• I know you've been to Tenerife for a week... how it was? Can you tell us about the conditions you found for windsurfing?
S.Q.O.: You, I had a week of vacation from the University and absolutely wanted to windsurf somewhere. The Canary Islands are close to Holland and the forecasts looked good. This time I wanted to go to a new place so I decided to travel to Tenerife. The only person I knew was Greta Benvenuti but this was enough to book my ticket. ( ndG: thanks Sarah )
I've had several conditions this week. Most of the time I used my freestyle equipment. I had left with my 5.2 but every day the wind increased so then I used the 4.8 and the last 2 days there was an incredible wind that I couldn't even hold mine 3.7.
There are 3 spots in El Medano. The Bay, El Muelle and El Cabezo.
At the pier there are cute waves for waveriding and between the waves there is flat water so it was perfect to try the freestyle maneuvers to get back in and out you can try the great maneuvers like shaka, ponch and also backloop. At Cabezo the waves are steeper so it's nice to try the jumps.
All I know is that I definitely want to go back there. Not only for the good conditions for windsurfing but for the people, the atmosphere and "the easy life" 
• Can you tell us about the atmosphere between the girls in the World Cup?
S.Q.O.: In the slalom the group is quite young. Many of the girls are among the 18 and the 30 years so I think the atmosphere is very relaxed and not very competitive but when we are in the water and the green flag rises it is time to compete and everyone fights to get first. When we go back to the beach everything is still nice especially when the athletes are out and the party begins ... Ha ha ha
• Which maneuver would you like to learn?
S.Q.O.: I would like to learn a lot of maneuvers and I've closed several lately like burner and ass but I can't always close them when I want and that's what worries me. When I can close these maneuvers consecutively I would like to learn the combinations that the guys are doing now as burners 900 and double maneuvers. Also I would like to learn some maneuvers on the waves like taka, wave 360 and backloops.
• Where you'd like to take a radical windsurfing trip?
S.Q.O.: A trip to Australia would be very nice!!! With all your material, in a car with a few friends and drive along the coast looking for the best spots to navigate. Enjoying the sunset and a good BBQ.
And the journey we talked about. ( ndG: refers to a speech we had made one morning in the van with Verena going to get fish at Gaiettas ). Going by van to Tarifa, continue to Morocco and then embark for the Canary Islands. Sounds good no?
• How you see yourself in the future?
S.Q.O.: I'm not very good at planning and I try not to look too much to the future because sometimes it can give stress and you worry about nothing. For now I would like to finish university and then travel as much as possible. Who knows where it will take me??
• You know how to cook real Italian pasta??? And the coffee???
S.Q.O.: Siiiii, I know how to cook pasta! Although Paul ( Greta's boyfriend ) says nooo. This week I learned how to do simple things and cooked. When I get home I think I will cook a lot of Italian dishes!
• When you come to Italy to eat the "tagliatelle con il ragù"???
S.Q.O.: Well, I do not know when I will come to Italy but I am very curious and I will look for a date in my calendar to go there as soon as possible…
Thank you Sarah for giving us some of your time and your positivity! I had a really good time with you in Tenerife and I hope to meet you again soon!!! "All the best" for your season and for your studies!!!
interview©Greta-ITA38 4 www.riwmag.com
