Pool party: The elite of freestyle windsurfing meets at boot Düsseldorf this weekend

The countdown is on for one of the most extraordinary events on the windsurfing calendar. The world's best freestyle windsurfers are preparing for the season opener at the boot Düsseldorf Tow-In Invitational 2026. From 23 to 25 January, eight hand-picked men and four women will compete for the first title of the year in the unique atmosphere of the indoor pool in Hall 17. The special format of the competition presents the athletes with a unique challenge and promises spectacular manoeuvres right in front of the audience in one of the sport's most spectacular arenas.

A portrait of the male participants

At the top of the list of participants is Lennart Neubauer (Starboard/Severne), the reigning champion. Since his first major victory at the FPT Austria 2023 in Podersdorf, Neubauer has firmly established himself at the top of the freestyle world. Last year, he made history as the first ever Tow-In World Series Champion and began this run of success with a victory in the pool at boot Düsseldorf. After a comparatively quiet off-season, Neubauer will not only be looking to defend his title in Düsseldorf, but also to make a statement for the rest of the 2026 season.

Yentel Caers (JP Australia/Neilpryde) is known for his breathtaking tow-in performances over the artificial wave in Geneva, especially when the crowd is loud and he is completely free to push his limits. Tow-in has not always been his strong point on flat water like in Düsseldorf, but his ability to perform complex combinations is undisputed. Last year's fourth place at the boot Invitational should provide additional motivation, especially in front of the packed indoor arena. His victory at the Tow-In contest in Naxos 2025 with an Air Funnel Double Burner proved that his potential on flat water is far from exhausted.

Experienced champions and up-and-coming talents

Steven van Broeckhoven (WeOne/GUNSAILS) proved in 2025 that he's still got what it takes. When it looked like his tow-in chapter might be coming to an end, he made a surprise return to the discipline at FPT Geneva and reminded everyone why he is the most successful European freestyler of all time. Originally travelling to the event just for foil style, he decided at the last minute to join the tow-in fleet without any training runs or warm-up phase. What followed was classic Steven: a perfect double air burner and a one-handed burner 360 in his qualifying run, delivered with the calm confidence that only comes from decades of experience at the top. With the unique pressure of the indoor arena in Düsseldorf and the packed crowd around the pool, experience counts for everything - and nobody brings more to the table than the six-time European champion.

Tigo Kort (JP Australia/Neilpryde) used the final phase of the last season to shine. Although he didn't make it to the final at the tow-in contest in Geneva, he impressed with remarkably consistent double air rotations. This consistency was already evident at last year's boot Invitational, where he delivered a very solid qualifying performance, even if the finals did not quite reflect the level he had previously shown.

Technical perfection and German participation

Bodhi Kempen (Duotone) is a thoroughly technical rider who is not afraid to experiment in the tow-in. He is known to favour his regular stance; his air bob in Geneva 2025 was one of the standout moves of the qualification - the moment that secured his place in the final. When it comes to flat water tow-ins, he is more than comfortable. Vieste 2024 was the perfect example, where a beautifully executed double culo in the final earned him a well-deserved third place. Bodhi is at his most dangerous when it gets technical. When the competition gets tighter and creativity becomes the deciding factor, he's definitely a rider to keep an eye on.

The German Niclas Nebelung (Duotone) returns after his absence from the Freestyle Pro Tour since last year's edition of boot Düsseldorf as a rider who we already know can compete with the very best. A third place last year, followed by a second place in the tow-in contest during the FPT x German Freestyle Battles at the Fehmarn surf festival, made it clear that Niclas belongs firmly in the top group of the world's best tow-in riders. It would be no surprise to see Niclas go far, especially in front of the German home crowd where he is aiming for a statement result against riders like Neubauer and Caers.

Showman and up-and-coming talent

Foivos Tsoupras (Duotone) is Mr Tow-In, the greatest showman, the "Cana Brava man" - all these labels fit him. There is probably no rider on the tour who approaches Tow-In with more enthusiasm than Foivos. Always on the limit, always with a smile and always ready to show off his signature Cana Brava - a move that lights up the arena every time he lands it. Tow-In is the discipline where Foivos fully embraces his high-risk but potentially high-reward approach. His results confirm this: second place at FPT Geneva 2023, second at FPT Vesoul 2023, fifth at the boot Invitational last year and third at the FPT x GFB SurfFestival 2025. When Foivos is there, one thing is guaranteed: He's there to put on a show.

Leander Halm (Starboard/Severne) is the youngest rider in the tow-in fleet and faces one of the biggest challenges of his young career in Düsseldorf 2026. After a breakthrough season in 2025, in which he made great progress in the tow-in, the pool at boot Düsseldorf presents a completely different challenge. Without the ramp required for double air rotations, the indoor pool format demands a change of approach - precision and fast progression on flat water are required. To be competitive here, Leander will need to transfer the same hunger and adaptability that fuelled his performances last year to this more technical tow-in environment. Progression has never been a problem for him. If Leander can make the same leap in the flat water tow-in as he did over the wave in Geneva 2025, he will not only be here to gain experience, but also to challenge some of the top riders at the event.

Focus on the women's elite

Maaike Huvermann (Severne) is the reigning force in women's freestyle and is travelling to Düsseldorf as the benchmark. A six-time women's FPT champion and winner of the women's division at last year's boot Düsseldorf Invitational, Maaike returns to this year's edition of the event as the rider to beat. Over the course of 2025, Maaike has pushed her tow-in level harder than ever before, with strong performances in both Sardinia and Naxos, supported by additional off-tour tow-in training at events such as DAM-X in Brouwersdam.

Lisa Kloster (Sailloft/Starboard) follows a familiar pattern: when Maaike takes the lead, Lisa is not far behind. And after the course of her 2025 season, that gap is closing fast. New moves galore: Culos, Kabikuchis and even a Spock Kono to kick off 2026 were added to her arsenal as we saw her move repertoire continue to expand in the second half of the year. This progress continued straight into the tow-in. In Naxos, she showed a real glimpse of her potential in the discipline, securing the win with a confident and consistent performance.

Elena Dominick (Severne), despite her last FPT appearance where she missed the Tow-In final in Naxos, is more than capable of putting in a strong Tow-In performance when it counts. We've seen this level before. At last year's boot Invitational, her spocks challenged Maaike Huvermann to the end in the final and proved that she is more than comfortable performing under pressure. With a German home crowd, that confidence will only grow.

The newcomer Živa Batis (Gunsails) is an up-and-coming freestyler from Slovenia who has been making a name for herself internationally since her PWA debut in 2025. She has already shown strong potential at prestigious events, landing a very good fourth place in the women's field at the Fuerteventura PWA Grand Slam 2025. She also achieved a top result at the Freestyle Pro Tour 2025 in Naxos, finishing third in the women's tow-in final behind her more experienced rivals and showed that she is technically and mentally capable of competing at a high level in this discipline.

The stage is set

The stage is set and the pool is waiting - and once inside, there's nowhere to hide. The boot Düsseldorf Tow-In Invitational begins with practice and qualifications on 23 and 24 January and runs until Sunday 25 January, when the final will take place at 12 noon. And if history is any indicator, the level will continue to rise. The competition conditions in the indoor pool place special demands on the athletes. Without much wind and waves, the focus is entirely on technical perfection and the execution of the manoeuvres. The packed crowd around the pool creates a unique atmosphere that puts additional pressure on the participants, but also provides an adrenaline rush that spurs them on to top performances. The combination of technical challenge and show character makes the boot Düsseldorf Tow-In Invitational a unique event in the windsurfing calendar and the perfect season opener for 2026.

Programme boot Düsseldorf Tow-In Invitational in Hall 17

Friday, 23 January

• 16:30 - 17:00 Training session
• 18:45 - 20:00 Training session

Saturday, 24 January

• 8:30 - 9:30 am Training Session
• 15:45 - 16:45 Qualification

Sunday, 25 January

• 9:00 - 10:15 am Training Session
• 12:00 - 13:00 Final
• 13:00 - 13:15 Award ceremony