Flashback Friday | Break the Surface: Vieste 2022

We’re back with the second installment of Flashback Friday — the Freestyle Pro Tour’s new weekly series diving into the Break the Surface archives, now released on YouTube for the very first time. These episodes go beyond the action and podiums, offering a behind-the-scenes look at the evolution of modern freestyle windsurfing, while giving insights into the fundamentals of the discipline.

In today’s installment, we head to Vieste, Italy, for one of the most exciting and dynamic stops of the 2022 season. Set against the stunning Adriatic coastline, the conditions delivered in full force: big swell rolling in, clean ramps for massive moves on the way out, and flat sections with just enough speed for power combos on the way back in. It was a textbook example of how diverse and challenging freestyle conditions can be—and the riders rose to the occasion.

The episode features in-depth commentary from Dieter van der Eyken, who breaks down some of the standout moves of the event, including Paskos, Shiftys, and a mix of Backloops and Pushloops – all moves that push the riders to their limits in the air. To help bring freestyle closer to fans and newcomers, Sam Esteve takes a moment to explain key concepts: regular vs switch stance, ducking vs non-ducking, sliding vs power moves, combos, and how riders adapt their approach depending on lightwind or strong wind conditions.

Steven van Broeckhoven shares his perspective on the rise of Foilstyle, a discipline that continues to develop and evolve on the sidelines of traditional freestyle competition. Always ready to support his teammates, Steven even made it out onto the water mid-heat with a spare rig for his friend Yentel Caers, just in case the conditions shifted.

As for the main event, it was a battle to remember. Yentel Caers claimed victory in the single elimination, but Jacopo Testa mounted a fierce comeback through the double, setting up a dramatic and incredibly tight superfinal. After an intense back-and-forth with barely anything separating the two, it was Jacopo who took the win in one of the most thrilling finishes of the season.

Check the full episode out on YouTube now and make sure to tune in every Friday as we continue to Break the Surface!