JORDY VONK: THE NEXT CHAPTER
JORDY VONK: THE NEXT CHAPTER
JORDY VONK: THE NEXT CHAPTER
Jordy Vonk isn’t just joining Tenerife Windsurf Solution…he’s stepping in to shape its future. The IFCA World and European Champion and PWA Slalom X podium finisher has officially become Co-Owner, bringing in his fresh energy, deep connection to El Médano and a clear vision for what comes next.
Together with Harco-Jan Folkerts, Vonk will lead both Tenerife Windsurf Solution and the Duotone Pro Center Tenerife into a new era…building on their global reputation while pushing both operations to the next level. We catch up with Jordy as well as look at the official press statements to get the full story behind this new chapter!
Photos: The 7 Pixels
PRESS STATEMENT
Tenerife Windsurf Solution, one of El Médano’s and internationally well-known windsurf centers, together with Duotone Pro Center Tenerife, the flagship of the Duotone Pro Centers, offering premium lessons and rental, proudly announces that Jordy Vonk has joined the company as Co-Owner.
Jordy will now be part of the management team alongside Harco-Jan Folkerts, leading the centers into their next chapter. Jordy is a professional windsurfer with many years of experience, IFCA World and European Champion and 3rd place finisher in the Slalom X PWA World Tour ranking of 2025. His passion for windsurfing is not the only thing connecting him to El Médano. For the past 13 consecutive winters, Jordy has spent his time here, working at the TWS center when Harco-Jan purchased it in 2013, writing his university thesis at the center, managing the TWS Pro Slalom Training program, and hosting numerous clinics. Jordy has been connected to the center from the very beginning, making this step feel less like a new start and more like a natural progression.
WINDSURF: Tell us about your relationship with the TWS over the years, how did you first start working with them?
JORDY VONK: “Harco-Jan bought the center 13/14 years ago and when he realised he couldn’t be there the first week he searched for a solution. I was training for the first time in Tenerife that winter and as he briefly knew me, he asked if I could extend my stay a little bit. To work a couple weeks for the previous owner, check out how it’s being run and then transfer this info to him!
That’s basically how it started: working a couple weeks in the center …doing my university thesis for the center (writing a strategic marketing plan) for the TWS …organising the TWS Pro Slalom Training for 3 years … running a lot of clinics and now stepping in as Co-Owner!”
WINDSURF: What is your university background and how will you be applying these skills to the new role?
JORDY VONK: “I’ve studied commercial economics/sports marketing, especially at the beginning of the study you learn a wide range of skills in business management, commercial calculations, marketing and more useful things which I can all apply in my new role.”
WINDSURF: Will you be taking over a lot of the business side of the business as well as the day to day running and promotion of the centre’s?
JORDY VONK: “I’ll be basically increasing my involvement steadily through the next couple of years. Starting with Marketing/Sales now, as that’s where I have most experience already, to running the complete business in a couple years. I believe this is the best way for everyone. I’m still having plenty of things to learn, which I can perfectly do from Harco and he was not searching for someone to take over the keys at day one, but he can slowly takes things easier with me getting more and more involved… although I think it will mainly mean more energy to bring things to another level!”
WINDSURF: Are you going to be moving to Tenerife full time and is this your long-term plan for the future after you eventually finish racing on the PWA?
JORDY VONK: “Yes, I will be moving full time to Tenerife with the whole family after the PWA there in August. Levy, my oldest son, is registered for school there and we actually can’t wait to make the move. Massive credits to my wife who’s open to do this, but I believe family wise it will improve a lot of things for us. I won’t have to travel as much anymore as I can train, test, shoot right where we live. While now in Austria I have to travel regularly between competitions as well.”
WINDSURF: Do you have some new ideas for the centre’s or are you going to keep the successful formula as it is?
JORDY VONK: “My vision is to keep the successful formula as it is, but I have plenty of ideas to improve things further! So, I don’t want to step in and be conservative, I want to improve things further, implement ideas and make sure people have an even better time than before!”
WINDSURF: How much hard work is it going to be doing this and the tour and how are you going to juggle the two?
JORDY VONK: “+ my 5.5 years and 8-month-old son feels like I’ve got to juggle three things! Until September I expect to be in full power mode for a couple months, which will be tough for sure. Afterwards things will get more settled when we live in Tenerife full time. I also have to say I think the people that know me, know I’m already since a couple years not 100% dedicated to training for the tour.
I’ve been always busy with other projects (all windsurf related; like clinics/sustainability/PWA management board) so it’s nothing new to work on the side for me. Sometimes it’s hard of course, last year I saw some guys posting their total distance windsurfed in a year and it was 3 times more than what I did. But I take a lot of confidence out of the fact that now I know what I will do after my career as a competitor and my future is planned.”
WINDSURF: How is your relationship with Harko and do you admire him as a businessman?
JORDY VONK: “It’s a really good relationship, otherwise I wouldn’t feel confident to step into such a project with someone. I’m very grateful that he offered me this opportunity and I’m looking forward to learn a lot from him. I think what he’s done in El Medano is really impressive and can’t be denied it’s an amazing job done by him. So, it feels like learning from the best, which will help me develop as a businessman in short time as well.”
WINDSURF: How excited are you to get the ball rolling now and what are the plans once you move to Tenerife full time?
JORDY VONK: “I’m excited to make the ball grow and make it roll faster than ever before. I don’t want to rely on the success of Harco but really show my value in make it even more successful and I’m super excited for that. While I’m working on the background now, I can’t wait to be around at the centers to support and be surrounded by the amazing staff we have on daily base and bring everything to another level!
JORDY VONK (OFFICIAL PRESS COMMENT)
“When the opportunity arose to take over the centers and shop, I became very excited and basically wanted to start right away. El Médano has always felt like home.
As I slowly started thinking about the future and what I would do after my professional windsurf career, this opportunity was one I simply had to take. With my university background and passion for water sports, it feels like a perfect fit. I’m definitely not planning to end my professional career yet, people can still expect to see me on the starting line at the World Cups. From September onward I will move full-time to Tenerife, giving me the perfect playground to train year-round while working daily at the centers to create the best possible experience for all clients.”
HARKO JAN VOLKERTS (OFFICIAL PRESS COMMENT)
“I didn’t want to sell the company but was looking for someone who would continue this company with passion, energy, and fresh ideas. Someone who truly understands what we have built and who has the drive to take it even further. The success of TWS, the TWS shop, and the Duotone Pro Center is not only about the equipment we offer…as good as it is…nor only about our unique location here in El Médano, where you can practice all board sports at every level 365 days per year.
Our real success lies in the people. In their energy. Their commitment. Their passion. The way they connect with our guests. They make the difference between a good day on the water and an unforgettable one. That is exactly why I wanted a future-proof solution. Someone who understands the DNA of the company. Someone who knows the culture. Someone who truly values the team and Jordy ticks all these boxes!” The structure of the centers will remain the same, ensuring returning clients will feel just as welcome as before, while the team also looks forward to meeting many new visitors. As the sport continues to evolve, both centers will keep developing as well, always aiming for even higher levels of quality, efficiency and client experience.”
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