ThePADDLER 102
Interview : Sarah Thornely ( Supjunkie ) Photos : Supjunkie , Giant Killer Studios and Waveslider Photography
Having known Sav for a few years now , I was lucky enough to put some questions to him about his life , career and family – with a dream location in Christchurch and a fast-growing business ; I hope you enjoy reading his story .
CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WHERE YOU WERE BROUGHT UP , AND WAS THERE ANY WATER EXPERIENCE / SPORT IN YOUR LIFE AS A YOUNGSTER ? My name is Saviour Aquilina – I am half Maltese but grew up in sunny Grays , Essex . We didn ’ t have much water in our lives in the early days growing up , and unfortunately , Grays wasn ’ t blessed with the greatest beach ( on the River Thames ). My two brothers and I were always up to something , whether good or bad , but as a child , I couldn ’ t get enough of the grimy Thames water ! I think you could say water mad ; perhaps I got this from my Mediterranean father ’ s roots . We also had a local lake , Grangewaters , where I used to go in the school holidays and with a Cub Scout group , participating in kayaking , canoeing and adventure activities .
WHAT WAS YOUR PROFESSION BEFORE YOU BECAME INVOLVED IN SUP ? I was a boat builder at Sunseeker International for ten years , manufacturing superyachts from 40 to 155 feet based in Poole , Dorset . I also was lucky enough to travel abroad carrying out yacht repairs . My last project was to work on Eddie Jordan ’ s 155 ft masterpiece BLUSH . I worked on this project from the first day it started until we finished on a twoyear build . I highly recommend to any youngster who isn ’ t sure what to do as a career , learn a trade , get experience while working out what you would like to do with your life – it will all fall into place .
HOW DID YOU GET INVOLVED IN SUP , AND HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN PADDLING ? SUP SUP SUP Wowza ! It is crazy to try and think back to when I first started , as it is such a big thing in