Stone set to soar on tour

Geraldton’s Jaeger Stone has high ambitions for this year’s Professional Windsurfers Association Wave World Tour.

The 24-year-old physiotherapist was super competitive in his first full season on the tour last year, sitting inside the top 10 for much of the tour that starts on the Canary Islands and visits Denmark, Germany and France before coming to a finale in Maui.

His form fell away towards the back half of the tour to finish 12th, but he says it has only driven him harder for success in 2015.

“After the Canary Islands, I was ranked third for quite a while, then the last couple of events I didn’t get the results I wanted, which was disappointing, but looking back it’s the best motivation you could ask for, ” he said.

Stone started competing in the world tour when he was just 15, but only raced intermittently until last year, with school and university commitments, and injuries not allowing him to be able to commit to the full tour.

But he earned a reputation for himself last year and spent a month in Maui in March and April to help prepare for this year’s series.

“My preparation this year is similar to last, but I know what to expect a little more now.

“Last year, quite a few events ended up having conditions with the opposite wind direction to WA, and it’s like trying to write with your opposite hand, so is really difficult to adapt to.

“As I learn more about physiotherapy, I’ve learnt smarter ways to prepare off the water as well.

“Not having to study in Perth anymore has allowed me to spend more time windsurfing than previous years and that’s been the best thing, but I’ll approach this year the same as last year.

“Obviously, the aim is to win so I’ll try to do that in every heat I’m in, but I also just want to enjoy all the different places I get to visit.”