As they couldn't afford the boards from Hawaii, Francisco Goya started building his own with his brother Lalo at a young age. At the age of 17, the young Argentinian came to Maui to become a professional windsurfer. Today, he has a wave world championship title in his pocket and owns his own renowned windsurfing brand. Even though the busy 53-year-old would certainly have a lot to tell about his eventful and inspiring career, this interview with Francisco is much more about the present, his current life and his outlook for the future, which sounds no less inspiring.
You are a former world champion, founder of Goya, co-founder of Quatro, active in the PWA and a father. Can you still find peace and quiet with so many activities? How do you reconcile family and career?
Having children helps me to prioritise and gives me a new perspective on time and what is possible. They have taught me to trust that I can manage everything that is important to me. At worst, it just takes a little longer. Time does go by faster when you're so busy - sometimes it's downright frightening how quickly it passes. But all my dreams are there: the enthusiasm for life, family, sport, exploring new spots and the desire to connect with my team and people around the world. At the end of the day, I do what I love and always let myself be inspired and guided by both my feelings and the people around me.
What does a normal day look like for you?
No two days are the same. I wake up before sunrise while the family is still asleep and deal with the first emails, usually from Europe or the US mainland, before night falls. Then I go for a walk with my wife or we walk the dogs on the beach, do yoga or go swimming early in the morning. There's always a lot going on in the company in the morning, everyone is very busy trying to get as much done as possible so that there's still time to get out on the water later. We try out the new boards, rigs and fins and talk about them. Then it's back to the office. Sometimes at the end of the day, before I go home, I try to go jogging to slow down before I see my family and we have dinner together. If there's nothing urgent, I try to be in bed by 11 pm at the latest. However, I'm working on going to bed at 9.30 pm and I'll be happy if I manage that at some point (laughs).
Life is a gift and time is on our side."
That sounds like a lot of action. Where do you get the energy from, how do you motivate yourself?
If you're unmotivated, it's probably because you're not doing what you enjoy, or that you're not doing what you're doing for the right reasons. Or that you should simply sleep a little more or eat better. Ultimately, it's about a connection between body and mind. My biggest drivers are my team, my family, our planet and the time I have available. I am fully immersed in empowering my team and my business - and at the same time, I also allow myself time every day to be mindful of myself and my own needs and to socialise, rest, climb and swim. I love variety, you'll never find me at the same spot two days in a row.
You are now over 50 years old. How do you deal with getting older?
Yes, 53 successful laps around our sun and hopefully it will be 54 by the end of this year. There was a phase when I was really scared of getting older. But then that subsided quite suddenly. Today I'm just grateful to have lived a long time. I enjoy surrounding myself with older and younger people, there is so much value and meaning in all phases of life. Life really is a gift and time is on our side.
How have your priorities changed over time?
Well, on the one hand they have changed, but on the other hand they haven't. Windsurfing still plays an important role in my life. The team, family, travelling, the connection to life as a whole and an open mind for each new day have gradually been added.
Does your lifestyle have anything to do with the fact that you are vegetarian? Are there ethical and/or health reasons for this?
Both: It is important that we take responsibility for our decisions. A lot happens in the meat industry that we are not immediately aware of. I think it's important to take a closer look and draw the appropriate conclusions. And I don't believe that eating (a lot of) meat is healthy or necessary - neither for us humans, nor for other living creatures, nor for our planet.
I know you like to eat. Do you have any other passions?
Phew, that's quite a lot: Family, life, the team, people, the environment, the sea, Hookipa, windsurfing, swimming, yoga, the beach, travelling, staying at home, walking our pets and even the challenges - I don't look for them, but when they come, I embrace them.
How did you actually get into windsurfing?
My brother and I started skateboarding at an early age. And when windsurfing came along, it wasn't long before I was fully into it. I became obsessed; windsurfing was all I wanted to think or do. Then my brother built a customised board with a friend. When I saw the board for the first time, the resin was just hardening. From that moment on, I couldn't stop dreaming about getting into the business myself. I started drawing my favourite boards, sails and moves and working with the best local shaper.
Do you still come windsurfing often?
Oh my God, yes! In the last few weeks, I've been driving until nightfall as often as usual. It's a challenge to keep up with everyone. But on the other hand, each time you experience another ride full of youth and energy. I sleep more these days and can fully enjoy the present - I'm grateful for that. And every loop towards the sun brings so much positive energy with it!
Are your children passionate windsurfers like you?
You have developed a passion for many things in life: learning, travelling, surfing, art, music, sport, cooking and so on. But not so much for windsurfing in particular. I think for them, windsurfing was the only thing they had to share me with. They watched how intensely I got involved in it - and then decided not to choose the same path for themselves.
Where do you live now?
I mainly live on Maui, but we also spend time on the US mainland, especially now that both our children are studying in New York. And we have offices on the Gorge and in Europe, so the year is pretty varied in terms of where we live.
How has Maui changed since you've been on the island?
Maui's north coast hasn't changed much, but there is noticeably more traffic on the roads than before. Still, I get a lot of solo rides in Hookipa, sometimes more than once a week. It feels like everyone is in the car to go somewhere, while so many waves remain unridden.
Does the island sometimes get too small for you? Is that why you travelled to California and Europe a few years ago?
We lived in San Diego for four years and in Barcelona for three years, broadening the horizons of the children, my wife Tamara and myself. It was great for the family; as challenging as you can imagine. During this time, I was still regularly on Maui at least a couple of times a year to test, photograph and keep in touch with the team. I was able to learn a lot during this time; at the same time, I started US sales for our company and networked with life itself and friends who live in other places.
What does Argentina mean to you?
I grew up in Argentina. It's a huge, beautiful country. You can drive for hours through the provinces and the Andes without seeing a single car. I spent most of my time living in Buenos Aires, a city of 13 million people - until I finished high school. I love the people and I enjoy the cities for a few days. But I get on better overall with more nature and less concrete.
You have travelled to many places. Where do you feel particularly at home and why?
The people in Argentina and their warmth are unrivalled. You get the feeling that there really is time to socialise every day. The food there is also delicious. The River Gorge is everything: windsurfing, sky, wingfoil, great outdoor community, food, scenery, hikes ... and our sail designer Jason Diffin and his whole family have welcomed us there like a second home for decades. Tarifa is one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, especially in the low season. I love the team and the community there - it really is a windsurfing town, even in winter there are great waves. In New York we now have a flat, a place where the kids can feel at home and where we can also come together as a family. Everything there runs at 1,000 kilometres per second, but there are only people behind it, and after the initial shock you eventually find your rhythm there too.
Which country would you like to travel to?
I would love to travel to Vietnam and explore the country as I have always been drawn there for some reason. I've heard so many good things about Vietnam, for example from our team rider Yarden Meir, who fell in love with the country, the people and the good windsurfing conditions.
Back to Maui: There was a major fire in Lahaina on Maui. What has changed since then? Do the people affected receive support from the government or the community?
That was terrible! I still don't understand how something like that could happen these days. It was almost as if everything that could go wrong did go wrong. I'm so sorry for all the losses and the suffering of so many people. The IWT/PWA Aloha Classic team immediately organised fundraising activities. Meanwhile, they tried to boost tourism again. This is urgently needed on Maui because 90 per cent of the income comes from tourism. On the other hand, it was so inspiring to see how many people helped each other in times of need. This willingness to help never ceases to amaze me. It was a good feeling to be part of these relief efforts and at the same time I realised how valuable it is to be able to be together with your wife and children. It brought tears to my eyes.
Is there a way to help people? Is there a donation account? Is some normality returning to Maui at the moment?
There are many online fundraisers - and yes, people are coming back to life with a much greater mindfulness to make sure this never happens again.
I was on Maui in November 2016 and 2023. The island has always been expensive, but in 2023 I was very surprised at how much prices have risen. How can the locals afford the high prices to make a living?
Yes, it's a big challenge for many people, property prices and rents are skyrocketing. That's really crazy, because after the pandemic you would have expected the opposite.
Has Maui become an island of the super-rich?
I have heard that many wealthy people have moved to Maui, but this mainly affects the south of the island. The north side, that is Paia, Haiku and Hookipa, has fortunately remained rural. I am so glad that we have been able to preserve nature as we know it. The view from the sea to the land in Hookipa is just as it was: with its green fields, cloud-covered mountain ridges, rainbows, whales, flying fish and birds - nature is simply still intact and alive here.
Why are the prices so disproportionately high? A bottle of olive oil costs over 20 dollars?
What size was the bottle (laughs)? Yes, I know, but it's still worth it. What else do you want to spend your money on apart from good food and time for windsurfing? In Europe, there aren't the crazy insurance policies that I've been doing without here for years. I refuse to support the pharmaceutical industry system of pills and prescriptions, nature is health. And I need to save up for tuition fees, in the US they are astronomical. In the end, the secret for me is to own less and do more, that is, to focus more on the things that really matter. This attitude makes me feel better and freer, so it makes sense from my point of view.
What else do you want to spend your money on apart from good food and time to surf?"
Back to your great passion: how has windsurfing developed over the last five to ten years?
I have the feeling that people who windsurf are still incredibly enthusiastic. We have set out to inspire the new generation in our own way. What are the kids of today attracted to? Exactly: FUN! And what's more fun than riding yourself and having professional riders around you who set and define new standards with their skills. The things that are possible ... unimaginable.
The fun sport cake has grown significantly. In addition to windsurfing, there is now kitesurfing, wingfoiling, SUP, surfing, etc. Do you see these sports as competition to the original fun sport, windsurfing?
No, not at all. It's great that there are so many different fun sports. We are constantly developing new reasons for people to get out on the water. The water sports culture is growing and with it the opportunity for individuals to connect with the environment and themselves. This is a huge opportunity for us humans. The competition lies elsewhere.
How do you see this development?
Change is everywhere and constant. If anyone ever doubted Darwin's theory of evolution, just look at what has happened in the world of boardsports in the last decade: kids who have been surfing for a few years are now world champions. It's so inspiring to see this evolution - athletically and in terms of a state of mind that permeates the human spirit and connects us to our source and what's possible.
What is the fundamental difference between windsurfing and the new fun sport of wingfoiling?
I think wingfoiling is great. It's really futuristic to glide over the water like that, effortlessly and quietly. This sport has a lot to offer and it's only just beginning. But as Marcilio said: "I think people will get bored in the long run." Hahaha. I can only agree.
How does wingfoiling feel for you compared to windsurfing?
You can't compare the two. Wingfoiling is, at least at my level, a wonderful new experience. For me, windsurfing is simply the perfect mix of power, speed and flow.
Where do you see windsurfing in five years' time?
I'm really bad at predicting. When I watched Flash Austin and his boys start kiting back then, it didn't make any sense to me - well, it still doesn't, hahaha. But when I lived in Barcelona, there were so many days with 15 knots that were just perfect for kiting. The same thing happened to me with Rush Randle, who was already playing with the foil a long time ago. I didn't really take it seriously - and then you see Goyard and all the PWA racers flying over the water at over 40 knots today. And when I saw SUPs coming up, my only thought was: why the hell would you want to do that? Then our team rider Kai Katchadourian went for it, paddled into the biggest waves of Jaws - and off we went. Apparently that's how my visionary mind works (laughs). One thing's for sure: we're in for more surprises.
Do they still exist, the big PWA windsurfing contests?
If you look at the PWA Tour over the decades, it mainly consists of the reliable locations of the Canary Islands and Sylt, with other events taking place for one or two years and then disappearing again. If we take the responsibility of promoting our sport around the world seriously, then we can't make decisions based on what's closest to home or what pays the most. We need to pool our resources for our top riders and show the world what our sport looks like today. One way to do this would be to build a special community around each of the good places, such as Pozo, Klitmøller, Guincho, Garda, Omaezaki, Margaret River, Brandon Bay, Maui, am Gorge, Carro, Leucate, Gruissan, Chile, Cape Verde, Jeri.
What do you do at the PWA and what is its aim?
I am just one vote of the seven elected members. The majority of the industry didn't choose me because they like the way I ride, they chose me because of the spirit that my team and I represent with our products: Transparency, balance and inclusivity - all things we need to drive our sport forward. Our purpose and constitution are clearly stated in the first paragraph: "The primary purpose of the PWA is to promote the popularity of windsurfing through the organisation of competitions and events." I am really grateful to have a constitution that gives a clear direction.
Jason Polakow has been with Quatro for decades. People just haven't looked under the stickers on his boards."
An icon of windsurfing has certainly contributed to the popularity, I'm talking about Jason Polakow. I've heard that Jason Polakow is now with Quatro. Is that true?
(laughs) He's been with Quatro for decades. People just didn't look under the stickers on his boards. I think he sold his own company. He only rides for himself when the conditions inspire him. And he needs equipment that allows him to keep pushing his own limits.
You say good material. What characterises Goya/Quatro products, why are they so successful?
For me, success means doing what you love with the people you love. The recipe is to surround yourself with people whose values inspire you, not their achievements or outward appearances. There is not much you can do more than try to realise your true passions with patience. Even difficult situations always offer a good chance to grow, especially in the long term.
What is your vision for the future?
To have fun, to enjoy the moment. And I sincerely hope that I can inspire the next generation as much as the generations before have inspired me.
For me, success means doing what you love with people you love."
What are you looking forward to this year, both professionally and privately?
The two go hand in hand: together with my wife Tamara, we are celebrating our 30th anniversary, which is so great. At the same time, I'm celebrating 40 years of windsurfing since my brother showed me how to build a board. I am happy and grateful for the beautiful things that life gives us.
What does happiness mean to you?
Balance, I mean the equilibrium, the alternation between rest and activity. For example, some days I enjoy the relaxation and peace and quiet, but I also feel that on other days I am full of energy and want to make a difference, and on other days I just want to go full throttle.
And last but not least: What do you wish for the world?
Quite simply: stop electing people who lead us into war. We should have the same expectations of our governments that we have of ourselves in our private lives: We don't shoot people just because they think differently. We don't condemn our children if they don't behave in a civilised way. We should invest our time in creating a beautiful and balanced home - financially and emotionally. And we should invest in good education and look for ways to contribute to climate protection in a meaningful way.
