SCOTTY STALLMAN BREAKS INTO THE WORLD’S ELITE WITH 7TH IN JAPAN AND 9TH OVERALL

The Official Test Centre (OTC) Pro-Rider Scotty Stallman has capped off his strongest season yet, securing an outstanding seventh place at the final stop of the 2025 PWA World Tour in Yokosuka, Japan – and earning ninth in the world overall.

For the 24-year-old British racer, it marks the moment he stepped decisively into the sport’s global elite. After years of steady progression, relentless training and rock-solid professionalism, Stallman is no longer knocking on the door – he’s in the room.

In this week's blog Scotty talks all about the week that has changed his life!

By Emma Maguire.

The OTC Pro-Rider Scotty Stallman

A Week That Had It All

Japan delivered a roller-coaster week of conditions. The opening two days crawled by with no wind in sight, but once the breeze arrived, it arrived in style.

“We had a very slow start to the week with two days of no wind,” Stallman explained. “But from the third day on the wind started at 10 knots and by the last day we had gusts of 35–40 knots on the course. I actually managed to use every sail I’d brought with me – you rarely use everything at a comp!”

The powerful conditions triggered four full eliminations, each one seeing Stallman sharpen further, climb higher, and settle into the kind of rhythm he’d been edging close to all season.

“I didn’t have the best first elimination,” he admitted, “but from then on I only felt myself getting more confident – hitting the start line well, carrying great speed and making some good tactical decisions. The highlight for me was definitely winning the Semi Final against some pretty big names.”

Scotty rises to the top!

The Moment He Realised It Was Happening

Stallman arrived in Japan hoping to nudge into the top 10 for the event. What happened next shocked even him.

“I didn’t quite realise I would jump up the ranking so far in one day,” he laughed. “My plan that morning was just to go out there and try my best, looking to jump into the top 10. When the guys told me on the beach I’d gone to 7th, I really couldn’t believe it!”

The result didn’t just transform his event ranking – it reshaped his entire season. After a difficult run in Sylt, Stallman needed something big in Japan to break into the world’s top 10. He delivered exactly that.

“Being 9th also came as a bit of a surprise,” he said. “I knew I needed a good result in Japan because the level is super high from all the riders. At the start of the year I’d made it a goal to be inside the top 10 overall. Now that I’ve done it, it’s ignited the next step in my career. Knowing I can push with the big names has given me a new insight into what to work on.”

All of us at The OTC are so incredibly proud of Scotty!

The Season the Wind Shifted

The PWA’s event recap underscored how fiercely contested the week was. With world titles on the line and rising stars eyeing breakthrough moments, Japan delivered drama across every round. While Søe dominated the individual event, much of the spotlight fell on the heavyweight duel between Matteo Iachino and Pierre Mortefon.

But quietly, consistently, a new generation was making itself known. Riders like Bob van de Burgt, Elia Colombo, and Scotty Stallman all punched into their first Winners’ Finals – a sign of shifting tides in foil slalom.

For Stallman, the message was clear: he belongs in that mix.

Mindset of a Future Champion

What sets Stallman apart isn’t just speed or technical polish – it’s his ability to ride the emotional and physical swings of professional sport with maturity far beyond his years.

“I think the key thing is you have to enjoy whatever you do – that’s what keeps you coming back for more,” he reflected. “You have moments during your career where you face illness or injury, but with a sport like windsurfing I can’t wait for the next session. I normally look at setbacks as more of a reset. I use the time to recover and figure out my weaknesses.”

That mindset, forged on windy winter days at home and during gruelling training blocks, now forms the foundation for his rise up the world rankings.

Japan, Jet Lag… and Wave Sails

Despite the intensity of the event and the toll of long-haul travel, Stallman says the best recovery is the simplest.

“Rest, and lots of it,” he said. “With Japan and jet lag, it takes a few days to get back to normal. But since this interview, I’ve seen the forecast for home – looks like I’ll be out wavesailing…”

And when asked for his favourite location?

“That’s definitely a hard choice. Guadeloupe was amazing at the start of the year. But I have to say Japan is my favourite. The people are amazing, great food – it’s so different to what we have in the UK and I really admire that!”

A Rising Star Backed by the Best

Long-time mentor and UK windsurfing legend Kevin Greenslade summed it up perfectly:

“Congratulations to this legend Scott Stallman on his 7th place in Japan and 9th overall. He’s a real contender for years to come. A true hard-working gent on and off the water.”

As an OTC rider, Stallman embodies the centre’s values: performance without ego, professionalism with warmth, and an unfiltered love of windsurfing. His success is both personal and collective – a testament to the training environment and the support network behind him.

Determination, Digging deep, Dogged hard work!

Looking Ahead to 2026

With winter training ahead and confidence surging, Stallman knows this season is only the beginning.

He has the foundations.

He has the momentum.

Now, he has the belief.

The top five is beginning to look like a realistic target – not a dream.

But for now, seventh in Japan and ninth in the world stands as a career-defining milestone. A breakthrough. A statement.

Scotty Stallman has arrived.

Scotty started his epic journey at The Official Test Centre with a windsurfing taster when he was nine years old, why not book a session with us and you don't know where the adventure will take you, click here. You can also get all your GA and Tabou kit from SurfDoctor, click here. get kitted out just like Scotty. The SurfDoctor team are on hand to offer any advice you need on kit choices.