– Big welcome to the RRD International team Tonky! Everyone is enthusiastic that you are now with RRD, not only for your outstanding talent on the water, but also because of your great personality. How do you feel about your switch?
I am very happy and stoked to become an RRD team rider. Yes, I got some good feedback from friends and fans, they are happy to see me on RRD boards and sails.. I feel really good with people that like to see me on the water enjoying my freestyle. I also love to stay with them on the beach laughing and making funny jokes and enjoying life. All this together makes me how I am, it brings out my personality and makes me feel good and alive and makes me the man I’m today: Tonky Frans.

– Tell us something more about your collaboration with RRD? What inspired you to join RRD?
What attracted me is that the brand is developing really good gear and I believe that I can perform very good on RRD. I am super excited and amped to be part of the RRD team.

– How do the boards and sails perform?
The first time I’ve ridden the RRD TwinTip I felt it was very easy to control, with a really good pop and an amazing spin control. The sail is powerful and stable and super easy and smooth to duck

– You have competed many years in the PWA freestyle and always ranked at the top. What are your goals for next season?
My goal is to be world champion. Everything is possible, my goal is to fight to reach a top 3 ranking or better: to be world champion

– What keeps you motivated at this point of your career?
Very simple: everyday is a different day, each move is different and also any attempt; that’s why windsurfing keeps me motivated every day. I feel like I will never get bored…

– What is windsurfing for you? What keeps you inspired everyday to be better and better?
Every time I go sailing there is something new to work on. This always makes windsurfing interesting to me and make me wanna go freestyling everyday

– Tell us something about your windsurfing career. Why did you start windsurfing? When did you understand that you could be a champion? What are the best moments you had?
I have travelled a lot for competitions and seen a lot around the world thanks to my windsurf career.
One day, while I was going fishing, I saw a guy sailing on a board; I thought that I could have used that board to go fishing but at the end the sail and board got my attention. I found out that I could become a champion when I’ve competed against my biggest fan Josh Stone, this was also one off the best moments.

– We know you come from a beautiful island Bonaire and that you have moved to Lanzarote; how is the sailing and training compared to the past?
There are big differences between the two spots. In Bonaire there is flat water while in Lanzarote the condition is more bump and jump. I love this kind off condition because I can train big air moves; In Lanzarote I have also found my lovely girlfriend that have made the time spent in Lanzarote longer

– What do you suggest to young riders who are going into windsurfing now?
I suggest them that if they have the dream to become a champion to try harder and harder and that hard work will pay back ….so don’t give up !

– What are your plans for 2017?
My Plans for 2017 are to train as much as possible with the new RRD gear so that I can get used to it better. I will be in Europe to take part in all PWA and EFPT events.