German Paz was seen wearing a wide smile while retrieving the sailboard used by Dhenver Castillo on the final day of the windsurfing races in the 6th Asian Beach Games.

He wasn’t the first to celebrate, as he still had duties to attend to, but everyone knew he was the happiest. After all, his mentee just copped the silver medal in Sanya, China.

For one, the young athlete he began teaching on the beaches of Mabini, Batangas during the pandemic has now become a medalist not only in the Southeast Asian Games but also on the continental stage.

For a coach who built the windsurfing program from the ground up, the achievement was deeply personal.

“I started during the pandemic. I built a program for kids in our barangay in Mabini, Batangas. They’re the ones who worked hard and persevered. That’s why they are the ones who are here,” said Paz in a mix of Filipino and English.

“We developed them and trained them. We began with flat-water beginners and eventually moved into events like foiling,” he added.

From seeing many young, aspiring sailors and windsurfers come into the sport, Paz also witnessed how many eventually had to quit due to the high maintenance costs and price of equipment.

Knowing the sport could fade if left unsupported, Paz chose instead to become the wind behind its sails, ensuring it continues to grow in the country.

“It runs in our family. My brother was the first Filipino windsurfer, while I became the last sailor in our family, so I can’t just leave the sport behind because, honestly, it could die. I truly care about the sport, which is why I can’t abandon it just like that,” he added.

Paz said he has been encouraging kids in their barangay to try the sport, often spending his own money to provide food and support just to keep them engaged.

Some eventually quit, while others developed the same passion for sailing and went on to join the national team.

“It’s hard for the kids because sometimes they have nothing to eat. You need to give them snacks, you need to feed them, so we’re the ones providing for them, at least to help them out,” he explained.

With Castillo’s success drawing more attention to the sport, Paz hopes for greater support for young athletes who, like the Asian Beach Games silver medalist, continue to train hard with dreams of representing the country in international competitions.

“I’m really happy because windsurfing is still alive in our community up to now. It makes me happy, and we’re happy that we’re winning medals. Actually, I also have other programs, including one for the Youth Olympic Games. There’s a young athlete training with us who also came from my grassroots program,” said Paz.

“The program is continuing, and I keep saying that for the next Asian Youth Games, I’ll still have athletes to develop there. They just need to be honed further, trained patiently and guided properly so they can improve even more,” he added.

For Paz, this success is only at the beginning.

Like the unpredictable wind while in the middle of the seas, he just knows that a bigger and stronger second wind is coming. And all they have to do is to continue riding it to keep the sport moving forward. (POC Media Pool)