So you’ve got your mind set on a dream of travelling the world, visiting foreign countries and days filled with clear tropical blue water and sunshine. Television, fame, and at the same time making “big bucks” and retiring on a little island somewhere near Hawaii? Well, believe it or not, as amazing as that sounds, realistically attaining sponsorships these days is really not quite that easy but at the same time, “If you don’t go; you’ll never know”.

OK, so a few athletes are riding around in sponsored cars, some have their own beachfront homes on Maui, but if you take a careful look these are just a few out of thousands of athletes who have spent years of practicing and planning with much effort to see their dreams fulfilled.

With watersports being such a glamorous sport, one has to face the facts that the only way to achieve anything is by sheer hard work and dedication. Maybe you’re a natural and picked your sport up from the word go but even this natural ability will not get you far by itself.

Take for example someone like Kelly Slater, who is probably one of the most natural and talented professional athletes surfing has ever seen, but to stay on top he couldn’t just rely on his natural abilities; he had to work at it continuously. Even after all these years he could probably put his name on any watersports product and guarantee sales, the reason for this is because he is a marketable person.

To market one’s self in the early stages can be challenging at times, basically because no-one knows who you are so let’s take a quick look at some options to speed up your pro career.

A sponsor, will in most cases look for a person of higher profile that they can use to promote as well as market their products in the fraternity that person is surrounded by.

As an athlete whether kite boarder, SUP rider or windsurfer, there are a few different ways to be able to reach the status whereby you are “known” in your sport.

Probably the best, but at the same time most difficult way, is to go out and set your mind on winning a few contests, whether it be a freestyle contest in a club championship or a national wave event.

Whichever it is, by coming in the top places you will be noticed by other athletes and from those initial stages you can start your ladder to professionalism. If you’re not successful at first, don’t give up, most of us aren’t. It takes more than meets the eye to be a competitive athlete.

You may decide that there are too many good guys winning the whole time and you’ve got no chance. Everyone started somewhere. By putting your mind to something and believing that it is possible to be the best, who can stop you? But that’s not where it ends…

The amount of time you are able to spend on the water, the correct equipment for the right conditions, cross training such as gym, running or cycling are other important aspects not to be forgotten, after all your performance on the water reflects your fitness both physically and mentally.

Another unique way if you don’t wish to pursue the contest scene is to look for unique opportunities that will attract media attention. A long distance challenge with funds being donated to charity, a speed attempt at a nearby lake, riding a secret surf spot that has never been documented (do keep it a secret and don’t name it) – these are just some of the unique methods to attain exposure and build a portfolio.

Now you’re out there winning a few contests and performing at your best someone’s for sure going to step up to you and offer you a sponsorship everyone dreams about, right? That unfortunately only happens in the movies.

To secure a sponsorship is a whole mission on its own. Many times if you’re in the right place at the right time, you could meet the right person and you’re away, but more often it takes hours of typing letters, phone calls and often with no success. But don’t give up, especially with larger corporate companies where it takes longer that normal to get an answer. The reason (especially with sponsors outside the sport) is because they have to consider if associating your name and image to promote their company or brand is going to benefit them, whether it be to “sell” their product or just promote the good image of their company.

Very often trying to book an appointment for a personal interview with the company you are interested in representing is the best method even if it means travelling to where they are based. By making a personal appearance they will be able to see that you are serious as well as prepared to put an effort in from the start. If you are visiting corporate companies, be sure to dress smartly and look neat as the first impression is what will remain.

So, well done. You’ve signed your contract. This is where the real fun begins. Sponsorship is much the same as a relationship between two people where constant communication is essential for long term success. Just because you’ve been signed up, it doesn’t mean that you can just kick back and relax. This is where the work really begins as your sponsor will now wants to see results and a return for their investment. Stay in continuous contact with them and supply them with any media coverage whether it be in your local newspaper or a national magazine, they want to know that you are still out there doing your “job”. Monthly updates are key to a continued successful sponsorship.

Finally, if you plan on turning pro, make sure that you are always able to have fun and most of all enjoy your sport and Go for it!

Ivan van Vuuren

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Ivan van Vuuren has been sponsored for the past 25 years by companies such as Volkswagen, O’Neill, Gotcha, Continental and currently represents AAD Nissan, Battery Energy Drinks, Kauai Health Stores, Men’s Health, New Balance, Vuarnet and Oxbow in the sporting arena.

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