The Waterspeed app and the PWA have launched the Global Windsurfer Quest – a digital challenge running from June to December 2026. The concept differs from traditional competitions: it is not the fastest session that counts, but the total distance surfed over the entire period. Every kilometre surfed counts towards a rider’s position on the global leaderboard. World Cup professionals and weekend surfers are ranked alongside one another, assessed according to identical rules.
There are no entry fees or special requirements; anyone who uses the Waterspeed app and records their sessions is automatically entered. The system specifically rewards consistency rather than one-off peak performances. According to a press release, the organisers aim to bring the entire windsurfing community together on a single platform and encourage long-term involvement. Participation is open to all ability levels.
Anyone who registers for the challenge and records at least one session by the end of the PWA Grand Slam Fuerteventura (26 July) will be entered into a prize draw to win an official event Lycra top signed by the winners.
How the Global Windsurfer Quest works
The system operates on four basic principles: logging sessions in the Waterspeed app, adding every kilometre sailed to the total, tracking distances by session, spot and month, and climbing the global leaderboard. The app automatically records the distance covered during each windsurfing session. Users can analyse their performance according to various criteria – by month, by location or chronologically by individual sessions. The leaderboard shows the rankings of all participants based on their cumulative distance. The transparency of the system allows for direct comparison with other windsurfers worldwide. The period from June to December covers the peak season in most windsurfing regions. Continuous tracking over seven months prevents individual intensive periods from dominating the overall result.
The Challenge deliberately uses a different scoring system to traditional speed competitions. Instead of the highest speed or the best individual performance, what counts is the total number of kilometres covered. This format rewards windsurfers who get out on the water regularly and document their sessions. The organisers describe it as a competition for the most dedicated windsurfers – those who keep getting back on their boards, log their sessions and stick with it. Consistency becomes the decisive factor.
Find out more about Waterspeed, supported systems and how to download the app at waterspeedapp.com
