This leap into the top 20 overall ranking was rewarded by the jury of the "Rookie of the Year" award at boot Düsseldorf with 2020 euros in prize money. Mats is on his way to becoming a complete windsurfer, but also dreams of taking part in the Olympics.
You come from a family of windsurfing enthusiasts. When did you start and what fascinated you so much about windsurfing?
I learnt to windsurf from my parents when I was five years old. What fascinated me most was that you can only get so fast with the power of the wind. Once I was gliding for the first time, I didn't want to stop. At the Kids Camp, I got to know other children who love surfing just as much.
Did your parents encourage you to windsurf or was it more the other way round, that you motivated them?
In the beginning, my parents persuaded me to go out on the water, especially when the conditions weren't so good, but in hindsight this really helped me to develop a good board and sailing feel. Nowadays it's more the other way round and I try to persuade them to try new things, such as foiling.
Where did your windsurfing career start?
My first time on a board was at the Baltic Sea, then I did a surf course on Sylt with Calle Schmidt and we also spent a lot of time at Ringkøbing Fjord.
Whether on the foil on Lake Wittensee (above) or waveriding in Big Bay in South Africa - Mats von Holten enjoys every minute on the water.
Your sister and the rest of the family are also passionate surfers. How much equipment do you have and how do you organise the distribution?
It's not that easy, but at the moment it still fits, as we all have different sail sizes, so we don't need anything twice. Nevertheless, our trailer is already full to the brim. We now have foil, slalom and wave equipment with us
Are holidays always synonymous with windsurfing for you? Where is your favourite place to go?
Yes, I can't remember a holiday where windsurfing didn't play a role. We often stay with my grandad on Sylt and have the equipment with us. My favourite place is Klitmøller, because the wave conditions there are unbeatable. The autumn holidays in Sardinia are also nice, as it's still warm and there are lots of different spots. This winter, friends of our family took me to Cape Town. That was my first trip by plane and it was unforgettable, I'm so grateful that I was able to experience it.
You have a congenital skin disease. Does it affect your surfing?
I've had ichthyosis since birth, which in short means that my skin dries out very quickly and I can't sweat very well. I have to moisturise after surfing, otherwise my skin can tear. Surfing is the perfect sport for me, I can jump into the water at any time to cool down and the sun and salt water are extremely good for my skin.
Who got you into racing? Can you still remember how your first race went?
My first regatta was the final regatta of the Kids Camp, which I won in my age group. After that, Vincent Langer encouraged me every year to take part in the DWC. But then I took a few more years because I still felt insecure as everyone else was older and I didn't want to be an obstacle. In hindsight, I wish I had started earlier because it's so much fun. My first DWC season was last year. The first races on Sylt were extremely exciting and I was very nervous, so I overlooked a lot of little things. For example, I once forgot my helmet while foiling after I had repaired a previously broken batten and was already late anyway. Luckily I was reminded by another rider and just made it to the start.
I am extremely happy that foiling has become an Olympic sport, as it has made Olympic surfing much more attractive. I would love to compete in the Olympics as it is a unique opportunity, but there are also many good riders my age. I'm lucky enough to be in the SVSH state squad, where we currently train once a week in Schilksee
What are your next windsurfing goals?
I definitely want to learn the pushloop this year and in the long term I want to ride in the PWA.
What did you do with the prize money for the "Rookie of the Year"?
I actually wanted to invest some of it in travel, but as this cannot be planned at the moment and most of the international events I wanted to take part in have been cancelled, I used it for surfing equipment.
INFO-BOX
- Age: 16 years
- Born:9.11.2003
- Place of residence: Reinbek near Hamburg
- Size/weight:182 cm/75 kilos
- Surfing since:2008
- Regatta debut:2019
- Successes: Rookie of the Year 2020; 1st Junior DWC St. Peter-Ording 2019; 3rd Junior DWC Overall 2019; 3rd Junior German Championship 2019
- Favourite spots:Big Bay (Cape Town), Schilksee and Hanstholm
- Favourite discipline: Wave, but I also like doing slalom and foil.
- Role models (not only in windsurfing): Jamie O'Brian
- Hobbies: Windsurfing, SUP, mountain biking
- Sponsors: 4Point inserts, Vinc Wetsuits, ION, Duotone, Fanatic, Starboard Foils, Opa
- Instagram: @mats_ger2019
Andreas Erbe
Chief editor surf
