In 2018, the International Windsurfer Class made the Windsurfer LT the Successor to the very dusty "original" windsurfer from the 1970s. At the time, few people could have guessed that the new edition would not be a niche product for ageing windsurfing pioneers, but would become a very successful and popular international standardised class. In addition to active boomers, more and more younger regatta newcomers are also using the favourable Epuipemet to start their competition career - and for them, switching to a shortboard is not necessarily the goal, as 15-year-old Chris Bierwag from Chiemsee shows.
Your first contact with windsurfing?
In summer 2019, through a friend of my sister Vanessa, I was able to get on a board at the surf club in Prien-Harras.
And then it was straight off to regattas, wasn't it?
A little later, when I was able to surf a bit, I got a taste of it at the weekly Friday regattas and then at the club championship.
You are at home in the RSCC, where you train every Friday and then take part in a small regatta. Has that helped you?
I then really prepared myself for the 2023 and 2024 seasons during the club's internal races. The training with our coach at the time, Selina Horber, on Lake Idro and Lake Garda was also very helpful.
Actually, your club mainly works on the even longer raceboard. Why are you now surfing on the Windsurfer LT? What appeals to you about this board?
The LT is super cheap compared to other board classes, for 2500 euros you can get a board with a complete rig. What's more, as everyone in this standardised class has to use the same material, there is complete equality of opportunity when it comes to equipment.
But body weight does play a certain role on the Windsurfer LT. Do you have an advantage as a lighter teenager?
Depending on the wind. In light winds I have an advantage, in strong winds I still have certain disadvantages, I still lack weight and experience, but I'm getting better and better through the regattas. I still see great potential there, partly due to my growth. There are also up to four weight classes at international regattas or at the European and World Championships.
You recently won your first ranking list regatta on the Tenderingsee. A strong performance. What was the wind like there?
The wind was changeable with up to three wind forces.
A week before that, you were surfing in the Italian Championships on Lake Garda. It was supposedly blowing hard there. Was it a matter of survival for you?
It was a real struggle at the beginning, but it got better with every run. If it gets too strong, I head for the shore in good time, like at the Chiemsee Island Marathon 2024, when the wind was up to six gusts.
You weren't the only youngster on the lake, more and more people in Italy are getting on this longboard. Tough competition?
Already stronger than in Germany, but they also have better training opportunities in strong winds. More coastline, more wind, more waves. It's really fun there to battle and swap ideas with your peers.
You also took part in the first International German Windsurfing LT Championship on Lake Banter near Wilhelmshaven. What had you planned to do?
I was hoping for a good midfield position. (Editor's note: The result was 17th overall and 3rd junior out of 60 starters).
The journeys to the regattas are sometimes long. Who drives you there?
Mum's and/or Dad's driving service is always on duty, it wouldn't work without it.
Your older sister Vanessa is also competing on the Windsurfer LT. Who is ahead of you?
Vanessa was always ahead of me on the Techno 293. Now it's my turn. (Interjection from Sister Vanessa: "I hope that changes again").
What are your plans for the rest of the season?
I already have the IDM behind me, then the Euro in Italy (Punta Ala)After that, I'll be competing with my team in the final of the Surf Bundesliga at my home spot of Chiemsee, followed by the LT World Championships in Athens. I'm looking forward to it, it's going to be a great experience.
What are your sporting goals for the next few years?
I'll be in tenth grade in September 2025, so I'll have to cram a lot for my final exams next spring, so I'll probably cut back a bit, at least in the first half of the year. I'll take my chances, but Euro 2026, probably at Lake Attersee, is a goal.
One of my role models is Heinz Häußler, who competed as a gymnast at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico and 1972 in Munich and is still racing in the LT regattas at the age of 85."
Finally, do you have any role models?
Two, the Austrian Thomas Wallner, a former Olympic participant in 1988 on the Lechner Div. II, who is now hard to beat on the windsurfer LT. And Heinz Häußler, who competed as a gymnast at the 1968 Olympics (Mexico) and in Munich in 1972, because he is still in top form at the age of 85 and still takes part in the LT regattas.
Thank you for the interview and good luck for the future!
Facts Chris Bierwag
- Age: 15 years
- Born: 20.11.2009
- Place of residence: Prien am Chiemsee
- Profession: Pupils (secondary school)
- Size/weight: 175 cm/60 kg
- Sail number: 1109
- Surfing since: 2019
- Regatta debut: 2021 at the Techno 293
- Successes Windsurfer LT: 2023: Best youth Rindbach Häf'n Traunsee, Wallersee and Chiemsee Insel-Marathon; 2024: Best youth and 12th place at Intern. Deutscher Bestenermittlung Starnberger See; best youth Chiemsee-Cup, Bostalsee, Achensee, Traunsee, Wallersee; best youth in the DWSV annual ranking list in 7th place overall; 2025: 4th place Chiemsee-Cup; 1st place Tender-Cup; 2nd youth Italian Championship Gardasee; 6th place Bayern- Pokal; 17th place overall Intern. German Championship Banter See (3rd Youth)
- Favourite spots: Lake Garda, Lake Achensee, Lake Chiemsee
- Favourite discipline: Course race on windsurfer LT
- Favourite move: Tack
- Association: Regatta Surf-Club Chiemsee (RSCC)
- Hobbies: 3D design, active in the Prien-Rimsting water rescue organisation and of course windsurfing
- Supporter: The family, the club - sponsors wanted
- Instagram: @chris.lt.1109
