French Waterman

Arthur Arutkin

Arthur is our French Waterman that you'll see ripping in all different watersports. Born to a windsurfing family, he is truly addicted to ride, and his multisport skills are just unreal! He is as comfortable winning SUP World Titles as he is landing massive Double Forwards windsurfing!

 

No matter the conditions, no matter what sport, you'll find Arthur pushing his limits in the ocean because that is what makes him feel alive!

 

Read more herafter!

French Waterman

Arthur Arutkin

Despite the strange times and travel restrictions, you have been able to maintain a complete and very strong training season. Where have you been training these last months?

I haven’t been locked down anywhere really, it was a bit difficult to go to Maui though, that’s why I ended up going to Mexico with Marc Pare for 2 weeks before continuing to Maui! But I can’t complain, I’ve been going in the water all the time! I’ve been training as usual and was lucky enough to travel a bit: Tenerife, Mexico, Maui for a while and lately back home in Brittany, France. We did a few Stand Up Paddle races in Europe and my latest trip was to Gran Canaria, in July.

 

You have an amazing level in SUP Racing, SUP Surfing, Windsurfing and Wing Foiling. Which sport have you been practicing the most lately?

Thanks, haha. Lately I have been windsurfing a lot, conditions have been epic at home in Wissant, but before that, mostly SUP.

 

Do you set individual goals for each sport?

I mostly have goals for SUP Racing and Windsurf so that’s where I put my focus on training but I’m super competitive so I always try to give my best whatever the sport I’m doing. If I have the opportunity to compete in other sports too, I always try to push myself the most, that’s how I have fun.

 

How do you organize your trainings when the sports overlap in terms of wind conditions?

It is not easy. When they overlap I just try to do both! Or I look at the forecast to see what will be happening the next few days and I choose the one I won’t be able to do then. So, I mostly go with the conditions unless I have an event coming up soon, in which case I’ll focus on that sport.

 

How do you keep so fit?

I mostly do water sports a couple of hours every day, and sometimes, I try to mix it with some workouts. Running or biking mostly, depending on the weather. I also try to listen to my body to not overdo it either.

 

Competing in different sports and on different tours, you spend a big part of the year traveling…

Yes, the travel organization is the most tiring. Dealing with all the gear when travelling is not easy. I usually travel alone but I’m always meeting with friends and competitors, so it’s quite fun. I’ve been doing it for a while and I have gotten used to it. But for sure it is nice to see family and friends after a long trip :)

 

We have seen you lately in amazing videos windsurfing at home. How is your home spot for windsurfing?

Yes, Wissant is my favorite place to windsurf. It’s a super accessible sand beach with side shore winds. If you want to see more about my home spot, I’ve made an edit « home turf », you can find it on my YouTube channel ☺

 

Have you spent more time at home than usual this year? Did you have the chance to connect more with the locals?

I’ve spent a little bit more time at home this year, but not that much more. I’ve been traveling and I did a few competitions. Unfortunately it’s not the best period to connect with people I’d say, with all the social distancing lately, but I’ve been windsurfing a lot with my local friends.

 

You have improved your windsurfing so much these last years!

With all the event cancellation I’ve been windsurfing a bit more and doing trips that I couldn’t do before. The conditions at home were epic when I was there, so I was really lucky too, I guess. Also, doing trips with top riders like Victor Fernandez and Marc Pare with Fanatic in Denmark or Maui, or with Julian Salmon to his home spot in Tenerife, definitely motivated me to push myself. Also, I have to say that the level of the windsurfers at home in Wissant is quite high, so it’s always super motivating!

 

Who is your favorite friend to sail with and who makes you push harder?

Honestly depends where I’m at. In Wissant I usually sail with my friend Romain Cordier, on Maui with Laurent Guillemin. I used to windsurf and travel a lot with my sister Alice Arutkin, but we don’t live so close to each other anymore, so we don’t do it as often as we used to. From the top riders and friends I love to do trips with Marc Pare and Julian Salmon, they are both so good and it really motivates me to sail with them.

 

What do you consider to be your best trick windsurfing and what moves are you working on now?

I’m pretty happy with my doubles lately, and I feel like my wave sailing is getting better too.  I definitely need to work on my starboard tack jumping skills though. Jump wise I’m trying to gain some height on my doubles, and get more control out of my pushies. I’m also working on Air Takas.

 

What event are you most looking forward to competing in?

I usually like the conditions closest to my home spot, maybe Klitmoller is the closest one, I’d say! Otherwise I really like the Aloha Classic too.

 

In these last two years of pandemic, what lessons have you learned?

I guess to enjoy what we have and to take advantage of the opportunities we have for practicing sports, being healthy and traveling to beautiful places.

 

Short term plans?

Some SUP training at home and races in Europe, hopefully with some good windsurf conditions mixed in, and then to focus on the APP World Tour to hopefully go back on top.

 

Longer term plans?

I think with these times I’ve learnt to not expect much and kind of go with the flow. Hopefully everything will get better and better for everyone and that’s what is most important.

 

A dream for you?

I’d love to make more amazing windsurf trips to crazy locations and with waves, hopefully it will be easier to do all that soon!

 

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