Sil Romeijn’s passion for water sports runs as deep as the ocean that shaped him. Born and raised in St. Maarten and Bonaire, Sil’s journey has been nothing short of exciting. Now, as the newest member of the Harlem Family, Sil brings his fearless spirit and adventurous energy to the world of wingfoiling. He has an eco-conscious mindset and a drive for innovation and is ready to take on new challenges! Jen Tyler sat down with Sil to dive into his story, his love for the water, and what excites him about joining Harlem.

Hi Sil, it’s great to have you here. Congratulations on your recent move to Harlem! How does it feel to be part of the Harlem Family?

It feels fantastic to be part of the Harlem family. Honestly, it just feels like the right fit for me. Harlem shares my values and passion for the water, and I’m excited to see where this journey takes us together.

What drew you to the Harlem brand specifically?

What really drew me to Harlem was their ambition for constant development and their approach to everything with an eco-friendly mindset. I really appreciate and can get behind that. When I learned about their collaboration with Brainchild Production, I knew they were on to something special. It was clear they were taking innovation seriously.

We’ve got to ask, what was it like growing up on St. Maarten and Bonaire?

It was simply amazing. Growing up on those islands was like living in paradise. As a child, the beach and ocean were my playground. Every day felt like a new adventure, and it was like living through 17 years of continuous summer. I couldn’t have asked for a better place to grow up.

Who first sparked your interest in water sports?

My parents, without a doubt, had a massive influence on my love for water sports. They were great sailors, and everything we did as a family involved the water somehow. Whether sailing, swimming, or hanging out by the sea, it was always part of our lives.

How has growing up in the Caribbean shaped the person you are today?

Growing up in the Caribbean has shaped my laid-back and spontaneous approach to life. There was never a rush to do or be anywhere—life was simple and easygoing. Not everything was readily available, so I learned how to make do with what I had and appreciate the small things. Plus, being around people from all over the world taught me to appreciate different cultures, which has stayed with me throughout my life.

Living in the Netherlands must be quite a big adjustment. What have you found most challenging to adapt to?

Yes, moving to the Netherlands was a huge adjustment! I think my biggest challenge has been adapting to the mindset here. People in the Netherlands always rush towards the next thing, always focused on what’s coming next. In the Caribbean, it was all about living in the moment, enjoying what we were doing that day. My spontaneous nature wasn’t always appreciated initially, but I’ve found my balance over time.

When did you first get into pump foiling and wingfoiling?

I first got into pump foiling in 2021, right in the middle of the COVID lockdown, when everything was shut down. I was living on a sailboat then and wanted a way to surf straight from the docks in the marina. It wasn’t long before someone lent me a wing to try wingfoiling. Since I already knew how to pump foil, it didn’t take me long to figure it out, and after that, I was completely hooked. Wingfoiling became my new passion.

How does being raised in a sailing community impact your approach to wingfoiling?

Being raised in a sailing community had a huge impact. Whenever we sailed to a new destination, there was always time to explore and get to know the area and the water. I think wingfoiling is one of the best ways to explore a place, and that mindset—of discovery and connection to the environment—definitely comes from my sailing background.

How do you think wingfoiling will evolve in the coming years?

The gear will keep getting lighter and stronger, which is exciting. As for the foils themselves, I think we’ll see even more efficiency and agility in their design. Wingfoiling is still a young sport, so there’s a lot of room for innovation, and I can’t wait to see where it goes.

What is your favourite wingfoiling trick, and what are you working on?

My favourite trick has to be the front loop. The pull you get during the trick is such an intense, exciting feeling—it’s hard to describe! Right now, I’m working on landing my first 1080, which has been a fun challenge. I’m also focused on improving my back mobes, another trick I enjoy.

What sets the Harlem Pace wing apart from other wings you’ve tried?

The Harlem Pace is by far the lightest wing I’ve ever held, which makes such a huge difference. The direct feel you get from the wing is amazing—it gives you instant feedback, so you can sense what you’re doing right (or wrong) when attempting tricks or cruising. It’s made my sessions a lot more intuitive and fun.

What is your go-to gear setup for freestyle or wave riding?

My go-to setup is pretty simple but effective. I use a 4m Harlem Pace wing, a 55L board, an 85cm mast, and a 650cm² foil. That combination works perfectly for both freestyle and wave riding, giving me the control and agility I need.

Can you share a day in the life of Sil Romeijn?

Every day is different, but I’ll give you a typical one! I usually start the day by walking my dog, which is a nice, quiet way to wake up. After that, I’ll either load up my tools for a job as a freelance carpenter or, if the conditions are right, pack up my foil gear for a session at Wijk aan Zee. If I’m not working or riding, you’ll find me working on my boat, trying to tackle the never-ending list of projects that come with living on board. When the weather’s nice, I’ll anchor the boat somewhere, wingfoil for a bit, and then get back to work. It’s always a mix of things, but it keeps life interesting!

Tell us something most people don’t know about you!

Something that surprises a lot of people is that I never actually planned to become a professional wingfoiler. That wasn’t the goal. I just wanted to be on the water as much as possible, and everything else kind of fell into place from there.

Thanks, Sil. We’re looking forward to seeing what the next chapter brings!

 

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By Jen Tyler
Italian/Egyptian Jen Tyler grew up on the sandy beaches of the Red Sea and has been on the IKSURFMAG & Tonic Mag team since 2017.

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