INTERVIEW DATE: March 4, 2026 WAVEWEAR FRIENDS
Interview with Son Jiwon
Interview with Son Jiwon
National Sailing Athlete
Son Jiwon (손지원) @sailor.son
fit reference: 162 cm | 66 kg
2019
- • 18th Korea Coast Guard Cup (Laser Radial) - 1st Place
- • 20th Chief of Naval Operations Cup (Laser Radial) - 1st Place
- • KSA President's Cup (Laser Radial) - 1st Place
- • Korea Sailing Championship & National Team Selection - 1st Place
- • Malaysia Championship - 2nd Place
- • Laser Radial National Team Member
- • 17th Korea Coast Guard Cup (1st National Selection) - 2nd Place
- • 31st President's Cup National Yachting Championship - 1st Place
- • 10th KSA President's Cup (3rd National Selection) - 1st Place
Please tell us about sailing and the competition format!
"Sailing is broadly divided into windsurfing and dinghy sailing. I compete in the Laser Radial class within dinghy sailing. The format involves rounding designated buoys and reaching the finish line. Competitions take place over several days, and points are aggregated based on ranking. The biggest difference from other sports is the start."
What makes the start different?
"Usually, you start right after the 'ready, set, go' signal. However, in our case, there is a 5-minute window given after the race begins. The actual race starts after those 5 minutes are up. During that time, we check the location of the buoys and the direction of the wind. Positioning battles between athletes also occur during this period."
What is the appeal of sailing that you feel as an athlete?
"The biggest charm is that it's a sport played on the ocean. You don't feel any sense of restriction at sea. I also like that it's not a common sport, making it unique compared to others. Also, the topography of each sea is different, so even though I'm always on the water, I feel that it’s different every single time."
What is the most important quality for a sailor?
"I believe you must have no fear of the ocean. When the wind is strong, the sea can look truly terrifying. If you get scared, you can't move forward. It's important to become friends with the ocean."
What are your strengths and weaknesses as an athlete?
"Because I have a lot of affection for sailing, I constantly ask coaches questions and continue to study on my own. As a result, I tend to make fewer mistakes. I think the strength and passion that allow me to do that are my greatest assets. My weakness is my mentality. It's critical because I tend to get shaken easily. However, the people around me know this and take great care of me, so I think I’ve improved a lot thanks to them."
Could you give us your honest review after wearing WaveWear?
"I really liked the 'Compression Leggings Y20'! Actually, even when I got injured in the past, I couldn't use taping because I have an adhesive allergy. When I do squats or running, it sometimes puts a strain on my knees or calves, but I always hesitated to use tape. Since the 'Compression Leggings Y20' uses silicone instead of adhesive, I could wear them without those worries. It was truly comfortable and great."
What are your goals for the future?
"I want to help make women's sailing events more well-known. Sailing itself is like that, but women's events are even less known. First, I will put more effort into becoming a coach or instructor. Since my career path isn't fully decided yet, I plan to continue studying and thinking about it. Besides being an instructor, I'm also considering the Korea Coast Guard."
Wavewear wholeheartedly cheers for Son Jiwon’s inspiring journey.
Son Jiwon's WaveWear Picks
Son Jiwon Wears: Top (L) / Bottom (L) / Shorts (M)
- Son Jiwon is a former national Laser Radial sailor and WaveWear partner who pursues excellence on the water through passion and continuous learning.
