PWA/IWT Tour: Preview of the Aloha Classic 2025 - who will be world champion and when?

There could be a German wave world champion in 2025! And in this case, we're not talking about Philip Köster, but Anton Richter from Kiel, who, after his Victory in Denmark is at the top of the U21 rankings. Anton is already on his way to Maui and therefore has every chance of taking over the junior title from Liam Dunkerbeck. Dunki Junior is now too old for the U21, but last year he impressively proved with his third place in the men's competition that he is one of the best ahead of Hookipa and should not be underestimated. His surfing background will certainly also stand him in good stead.

Maui locals in the middle of the World Cup battle

The men's world championship leader after his Victory on Sylt Marc Paré. The Spaniard is in top form and finished ninth in Maui last year. His world championship lead over Marcilio Browne is almost 4,000 points, and if he finishes in the top 4, Paré will be world champion in 2025 - it would be the first time in ten years that someone other than Köster, Fernandez or Browne would be world champion.

However, Brawzinho is at home in Hookipa - and with a win he would definitely be world champion. If he doesn't win, but finishes well ahead of Paré, his chances of winning his fourth world title in a row are also good. Just behind Brawzinho is Philip Köster, although he is not known to be a Hookipa fan and recently only finished 25th at the Aloha Classic.

One decisive factor for the World Championship race will be where the Maui locals finish. Bernd Roediger, Levi Siver, Kai Lenny, Morgan Noireaux - all have nothing to do with the World Championship race, but are among the absolute top favourites in Hookipa. Whether Camille Juban will also be there remains to be seen after his painful encounter with a kiter is not yet certain. If Marc Paré manages to place himself in the top group among all the locals, he has a good chance of winning the World Championship. Somewhat surprisingly, Ricardo Campello also wants to start at the Aloha Classic, he is registered and has apparently already arrived on Maui.

Who can be dangerous for Sarah-Quita Offringa?

The two world championship leaders in the women's event, Sarah-Quita Offringa and Alexia Kiefer, were able to cancel their results from Sylt. Neither made it past the semi-finals, but both retain their position in the World Championship rankings. While Offringa is taking part in Maui, Alexia has not yet appeared on the entry lists. Offringa is also the absolute favourite among some strong female waveriders such as Maria Andres, Shawna Cropas and Jane Seman. It will be exciting to see where Sylt winner Sol Degrieck ranks and whether she can still pose a threat to SQ. According to the entry list, last year's winner Sarah Hauser is not taking part this year.

Sarah-Quita will be world champion if she wins the Aloha Classic or at least finishes no lower than third. Sol Degrieck would create a sensation and win her first world title if she wins and Offringa doesn't make it into the top three.

While Lina Erpenstein has already finished her season, Maria Behrens is registered for the Aloha Classic. The Lübeck native was in the top group in 2023 and is much more comfortable down the line than pozo hack. Pauline Katz and Maria Schälin from Switzerland are also registered.

After a lay day to kick things off, it looks as if the contest could start very soon. There are windows of five competition days, three of which will be livestreamed. The heats and the schedule have already been finalised and the qualifying rounds will get underway.

You can follow the heats and scores here

Great Aloha Classic video to get you in the mood

A few weeks ago, the organisers presented a fantastic video to whet your appetite! Entitled "The Legacy Continues", it features spectacular scenes from over 40 years of the Aloha Classic. From Pete Cabrinha and Fred Haywood - whose historic picture of his lonely sailing stop between Hookipa foam rollers also adorns the poster - to Polakow and Dunkerbeck to Kai Lenny, Bernd Roediger and Sarah-Quita Offringa. There is no shortage of pathos: "Once you are Aloha Classic Champion, you remain Aloha Classic Champion forever," it says, and then later: "This is the arena of windsurfing. The legends, the newcomers, the women, the youngsters, the masters - all compete in the same conditions. From the first generation that built the sport to the new faces that are taking it forward, this event is where the story continues to be written."

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