Freestyler Max Rowe has been voted UKWA Windsurfer of the Year 2016. In a very hotly contested vote for this coveted award he was up against some big names from the world of windsurfing including Ross Williams, John Skye. Sarah Hilder and Louis Morris.
Max, after being nominated four times over his career, secured enough votes this year to lift the much sought-after trophy.
‘Wow, what a start to 2017! Incredibly surprised and stoked to get the news that I’d won the UK Windsurfer of the Year award. To even be recognised and be up there against the other nominees was a great honour and I’d like to congratulate them for their achievements in 2016. I personally thought Ross Williams would grab it after the incredible performance he put together this year. 2016 has felt like a comeback year for me after a disappointing season of results in 2015, a sponsorship change and a broken ankle I feel very humble to be heading into 2017 with this award. To be the first freestyler since my good friend and mentor Andy ‘Bubble’ Chambers to win this award also feels quite special and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank him for all his support and congratulate him on his on-going achievements in windsurfing. I’d like to of course thank my sponsors Simmer Style, Club Vass, Cat Rugged Phones, Mystic, Sungod and Wideye for believing in me and making this all possible. A massive thank you goes out to my Dad Peter for getting me into windsurfing and for all the countless airport trips over the last years, also to my mum Frances, sister Camilla, my girlfriend Valerie, my best mate Jay and the rest of my family and friends for all of their support. Last but not least to everyone that voted, Thank you! ‘
Previous winner and UK Simmer Style importer Farrell Oshea said: ‘I am very pleased for Max he has been nominated quite a few times, so good to see him finally win it. He is a great asset to Simmer Style in R&D on our boards and sails. This award for us is the icing on the cake.’
The final word from the UKWA Chairman, Bob Ingram: ‘Well done to Max on finally getting your hands on the trophy. It was, as always a well deserved line up. To come out on top is quite an achievement by winning the public vote. Well done to all the other nominees.’
Leave a Reply