THE BIG FIFTY: TATY FRANS

By popular demand, The Big Fifty is back—and who better to relaunch this series than Bonaire’s very own slalom and freestyle legend, Taty Frans! Known for his infectious energy, unfiltered honesty, and status as one of the most popular characters on the PWA Tour, Taty is here to kick off 2025 with a bang.

Get ready to dive in as Taty reveals all, in this exclusive, no-holds-barred interview. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride—the first Big Fifty of the year is here!

Photos: John Carter, Dasher Films and Inna Bru.

POINT 7

1. Full name? TF: Elton Evert Frans but everyone knows me as Taty Frans.
2. Date of birth? TF: 24-May-1984.
3. Height and Weight? TF: 176cm and 90kg.
4. Hometown? TF: Bonaire, Kralendijk.
5. Favourite music or band? TF: I really like slow jamz, R&B, or whatever music with deep meanings, Boyz2men.

   

   Photo: Inna Bru

   
   
6. Years on PWA world tour? TF: I have been on the Tour since 2002 and never missed a year since then.

   

   Bonaire crew with Josh Stone 2002

   
   
7. Single or taken? TF: I am taken and am a happy father of 2 kiddos.
8. Party Factor? TF: I am not really a party guy.
9. Sail number? TF: NB-9.
10. Car or van you would like to own and car / van you own? TF: I am not much of a car or Van enthusiasm, I like my 2023 Toyota Hilux truck, reliable, great engine and it takes me from A to B and back so that’s all that matters 🙂

    

    
    
11. Favourite movie? TF:  I REALLY LOVE all the MARVEL MOVIES, like literally all, ha ha.
12. Windsurfing hero? TF: I used to watch allot of movies / videos, which featured all the big guys like the Pritchard brothers, Bjorn Dunkerbeck, Micah Buzianis, Antoine Albeau, Anders Bringdal and Scott Fenton. I was 15 years old back then and I even back then I started dreaming of being a professional I had no particular hero; I was impressed by each of their talent.
13.  When you are not sailing you are… TF: Nowadays I work 7 days a week at THE FRANS PARADISE from 9:00 to 18:00 and also do fitness training from 6:00am to 7:00am three days a week, so my life continues like that, but I like it! I like staying active. I sleep maybe 4-6 hours and that’s enough to keep me awake to go through the next day.
14. Favourite windsurfing destination? TF: I still like Lake Garda in Italy, but Fuerteventura is always a great place to sail other than that Bonaire is and will always be special.
15. Favourite move? TF: I still like the Air Chacho rotation feeling.

    

    Always smiling Taty Frans

    
    
16. Apple or PC: Apple? TF: I can’t seem to understand how a PC works, but I am a quick learner, so it won’t be difficult to switch to PC, but I like the simplicity of Apple, either way I don’t spend much time on the computer.
17. Tea or coffee? TF: TEA for sure, ginger with lemon or mint add some honey. Oh YES!”
18. How many tattoos do you have and why do you have them? TF: I really don’t know how many! The reason is that you may see it as one/two full sleeve but there are many pieces combined. My first Tattoo was tatted, if I am correct in 2008, so it took me 16 years to do both my arms. Growing up I went thru some hard times it’s why on my left arm I have Buddhism, lotus flowers, koi fish etc, it helped me to find peace, calm and let things be and find positivity and on my right arm I have all these cute, smiling animals and it’s happy arm… YING, YANG.
19. Tell us about your mother and father – what are they like? TF: Mom is / was a nurse then moved to Holland back in 2000 and still she lives there I see her every time I am traveling! It is funny, every time we speak, we sit for hours talking about EVERYTHING, it’s just amazing. My father a great person, he’s a person who can fix anything, he is a great builder and overall handy man in everything but too bad he let the alcohol control his life, but it is what it is. I learned to accept and I know whenever he calls, I am there to answer and help him. Even though I grew away from both my parents, I know the connection and love is always there, I love them.
20. Describe a favourite childhood memory? TF:  I love that myself, Tonky and my brother Choko grew up at our grandparents who took care of us and we lived maybe two minutes’ walk from the ocean. After school we always end up walking to the fishermen pier and we would just fish and swim till the sun went down and repeat that each day! Even though we used to get smack for being away from home so much but all three of us as well as Kiri Thode had a great childhood, I still pass by every time I can and I just get flashback of that whole scenario if I could go back I would not change anything 🙂

    

    
    
21. Do you remember your first day on the PWA world tour…tell us about it? TF: By the time I was fifteen I was dreaming about windsurfing and watching all the videos! Back in 2002 at 18 years old when we first competed on the PWA at the Boston CAPE COD PWA freestyle Qualifier, and I had to compete against Matt Pritchard. Then later we went to Costa Brava and to the Lake Garda, King of the Lake with Josh stone, Nik Baker, Collin Sifferlin and many more and all others! It was a dream, but I felt like I was here before because of watching all the videos repeatedly. I remember I had an interview, and they asked what do you want to be when you grow up… I answered, ‘I want to be a professional’ not believing or knowing I was already earning money for winning Cape Cod! I then won the pro freestyle event in Costa brava and finish 4th in King of the Lake etc, so from there everything blew up! When we arrived in lake Garda after Costa brava, everyone knew us and the word that there are some Caribbean boys shaking the freestyle scenario spread like wildfire, it was a crazy moment, but I felt amazed.
22. What sailor has had the greatest impact on you? TF: Honestly, I really don’t know, I was happy when Finian broke the world speed record, I was happy when Kevin Pritchard won the overall windsurf title, I was happy when Antoine Albeau was dominating the slalom tour, I was very happy when Tonky won the 2002 King of the Caribbean freestyle PWA event. I would say I don’t have a hero, but each sailor achievement made me feel great and it feels satisfying to see people do great things.
23. What was the happiest day of your windsurfing career so far? TF: Back in 2009 in Germany, Sylt when all three of us Myself, Kiri and Tonky were on stage placing 1, 2 and 3 in freestyle. That year, that moment was one of the greatest moments of my career.

    

    Bonaire crew top three!

    
    
24. What was the worst day of your windsurfing career so far? TF: The injury back in 2017 crashing in Fuerteventura, where I cut my hamstring and was not able to walk for 5-6 months was the worst. All I said to myself if I will be able to walk, I can and I will strengthen my leg and I will go back to windsurfing. But there was worse yet to happen! I wasn’t as fast! For a moment I thought it was me but then after days of testing and getting to understand the equipment I realized it was due to the gear I was riding that year was not as fast. I remember I had a poor season and it wasn’t really my fault! Too bad but it is what it is.

    

    The big crash of 2017!

    
    
25. What do you love about riding for Point 7? TF: I like the energy and vibe of Andrea; he is not just the owner but also a full-time active windsurfer himself. I still can’t believe how much drive this guy has and how much he is willing to find different ways to improve the sails each year by just adjusting the smallest mm on sail. As a result, the sail feels completely different. I feel good to be on Point7 even if in the future, I am no longer in the team! Honestly, I will say anyone who will be on Point7 you will for sure have one of the BEST sails in your hands, and Andrea and the whole team will always support you at 100%. Andrea & Family and the whole team behind Point 7, THANK YOU!

    

    Andrea Cucchi and Taty Frans

    
    
26. What is the wildest thing you have ever done? TF: I really don’t know what the wildest thing was, but when I finished school and decided at that moment to go on the PWA tour that felt pretty wild! All the great adventures round the world travelling and competing were amazing! I would say this whole windsurf lifestyle is wild! Even though you go through some hard moments, travelling with all the board bags… but in the end it’s just something great and wild!
27. When did you start the Frans Paradise? TF: So, after the 2018 PWA tour season I realized I need to work on myself and I can’t depend on the brands to support my future. The contracts I received for 2019 wasn’t worth being on the tour, was only free equipment and that’s when I decided to push to start my own business THE FRANS PARADISE!
28. How do you stay motivated? TF: 99%, I motivate myself but then there is 1% from the people that send me great messages! I love seeing newcomers that look up to me and see how quick they develop their windsurf skills. They are the ones who inspire me and motivate me to keep going. I just love it, and I really want them to become way better than me! That would make me happy. So, you Rebels out there reading this I want you to be the next BETTER VERSION OF ME!!
29. Fin or foil? explain why… TF: To be honest if foiling was on a more an upwind downwind course, I would say more people would have bought the gear and even weekend warriors would have tried their luck coming back to the course racing fleet but it’s not what it is right now.  I like the fin, because it gives more adrenaline you feel connected to everything and the action! The thrill is just different, you can control with the fin, adjust your jibes and you can jump… that is just what I feel is real windsurfing. Nothing against foiling because I like it myself but only to a certain level.
30. Why do you love windsurfing? TF: It’s the connection of freedom and just being out on the water, free where you can express yourself and just the thrill of being out with nature.

    

    Photo: Inna Bru

    
    
31. Are you scared of going bald? TF: No, I can’t escape it, my whole family from my father side is bald, so the day will come.
32. What is it like being a dad? TF:  It’s great, it gives you something to look up to and the love they give back is something you can’t describe, I love my kids.
33. How many minutes a day do you spend on your phone? TF: I guess too much, ha hah, especially now with having the windsurf centre it makes my life easier when clients WhatsApp or email, I can give faster answers/respond but I notice I do spend less time from 9:00am to 18:00pm due to helping clients at the beach.
34. If you don’t become a full-time pro windsurfer, what would you do? TF: I didn’t think about it until the day I got injured. I had to think about plan B, and I realized I don’t want to work for anyone and having my own business was worth the fight to make it happen. So, at the moment I am doing what was long awaiting to be my destiny; to run a windsurf business successfully.
35. If you could have dinner with five eight famous people from history, who would they be? TF: It would be Malcom X, only him!

    

    
    
36. What three words would you use to describe yourself? TF: Extroverted, funny and deep conversations!
37. Have you ever felt like giving up professional windsurfing and why? TF: Not 100% but 2024 by the end of the season I thought about stopping and to focus on the centre. If you ask why, it’s because I don’t believe windsurfers nowadays are really professional, some riders don’t even get paid enough to save for their future! To be honest having one- or two-year contracts, won’t get you far unless you are lucky enough to get an outside sponsor to cover your expenses and maybe you could save a few thousands but that’s a big MAYBE. I had few years where I struggled and used my own money to do the tour! Even last year 2024, I ended up using most of my savings to be able to travel and compete and all that came to my mind, why do all that work, just for what…?  But I believe in many things. I feel I have built a great reputation; I love to entertain the world who is watching the PWA and also give FIN SLALOM the flowers! I don’t do it for the money, but I do it for the love for the sport and for myself and that’s what matters the most. I had to find a reason to continue and not to give up! So, for a moment it came to my mind to give up but…  I mean the fans love me, ha ha.
38. What would you do if you won ten million dollars? TF: I would give one million to each of my brothers and sisters and the rest I don’t know. There are many people who need help on Bonaire.
39. What or who inspires you? TF: I inspire myself, same as I motivate myself but to be honest, I like people who work hard and want to achieve in life! I like people that are humble and always ready to make it happen.
40. How many days a week do you go to the gym and why do you love the gym? TF: I don’t love the gym! It is more of a lifestyle and I train three times a week from 6:00am to 7:00am and that makes me feel good.

    

    
    
41. Dream windsurfing trip?  TF: A spot where there are pure smooth head high waves and then sitting at the beach watching the sun go down, while sipping a piña colada with some fresh fruit, ha ha….
42. If you could change one thing in your past, what might that be? TF: I don’t think I would change anything. I love how my life has turned out to be! Each moment has shaped me to who I am today and I am happy with this TATY FRANS 🙂
43. What achievement are you most proud of? TF: I believe I am happy to achieve the lifestyle that I have and I am living it. I am satisfied just spreading the good vibes.
44. What’s the one thing about you few people know? TF: That I snore and don’t sleep deep for more than 4 hours!
45. What do you dislike most about yourself? My overthinking is sky high!

    

    Freestyle action from Taty. Photo: Inna Bru!

    
    
46. What do you dislike most in others? TF: I don’t know, but I think I am a person that quickly accepts how another person is, and I adapt.
47. If you found a €100 Euro note in the supermarket, would you hand it in or put it in your pocket? TF: I would take it and give it away to people I see that could use it. What I often do on Bonaire when tourist gives me a tip, I always end up using that money to help others in need.
48. Do you believe in God? TF: I believe in God, I believe in the universe, and I believe in energy! What you give comes back around!
49. Would you pick up a hitchhiker? TF: I would.
50. If we gave you $50,000 to start a business, what would you start up? TF: I would start a pizza place.

    

    
    

    

    Photo: Inna Bru