75
Have you got any specific goals in mind
with your speed sailing?
I wanted to break 40 knots by the time I was 40 and I got
39.98 knots! Big 50 is next on my list and a 46 average.
You sort of get a bit number crazy. Every session you try to
beat your personal best. I’ve started to concentrate more
on the 250m/500m and basically holding that peak speed
for 10s/20s. I’m lucky enough to have the master Farrel
O’Shea as my team mate and mentor to help push my
speeds. Crashing wasn’t on my to do list last year!
What’s your normal stomping ground for
screaming reaches?
Our local lake NSC has a couple of great directions for
reaches but like any lake when it starts to blow 30 knots
the water state gets all choppy and speeds become a real
challenge. If the wind’s in the right direction I travel up to
West Kirby (three-hour drive) as you get super flat water and
even in 20-30 knots of wind it can be awesome fun.
Anywhere you desperately want to score?
I’d love to go to Luderitz, just to experience the place and of
course break the world record!
Where’s the best location for speed
windsurfing in the UK and why?
There are a couple of great spots: West Kirby and Southend
(The Ray) both can be epic. But I do favour West Kirby out
of the two. I always find Southend very iffy. The forecast
could be perfect and you get there and there be nowt. Kirby
always seems to deliver with super flat water and nothing to
stop the wind as it comes straight off the sea. The added
bonus of your van parked three metres away from the water
makes it so easy to change fins, sails or get the kettle on.
This is something you can’t do at Southend as it’s a mile
walk out to the Ray!
What about abroad?
Southern France gets some epic speed conditions at Le
Franqui and Le Palma. I fancy doing an event there called
The Prince of Speed. So I’ll see what happens on that.
There are also some great spots in Holland such as The
Brace and Strand Hoist to name a few.
How hard is it nailing good conditions
for speed sailing?
Now that’s the hard bit. You end up checking multiple
forecasts, watching ALL the weather maps, checking
angles, current wind speeds and in the end you just have to
go and see. You try your best but sometimes it’s not perfect
and sometimes you get that epic day. Normally it’s minus
5C, raining and on a Monday!
And what about other windsurfing
disciplines – do you indulge or are you
too focused on speed?
I love all windsurfing: big kit, small kit and everything else.
I’ve not tried this foiling lark yet but my other passion is
stand up paddle boarding. It’s completely the opposite of
going fast but I love it. On a summer’s day with no wind just
out cruising on my SUP is perfect. Plus the whole family
does it too so happy days…
You’ve been through the mill a bit in
terms of injury. Can you give us some
more details about that?
After what was an epic day at Kirby the decision to have
one last run probably wasn’t the best decision. It was
blowing 40 knots plus, we’d been out all day and were
beyond knackered. But it was sunny, broad and fast – I
mean really fast! I couldn’t quite get over 46/7 knots so had
to try again. The whole run felt wrong. I wasn’t quite in full
control. I peaked at 45 knots and after 20 seconds or so
started to slow down in the rolling death chop at Kirby. I lost
grip and bailed off the back. I remember crossing my arms
as I hit the water. At 40 knots that bloody hurts so I tried to
protect myself. As I hit the water my left arm got torn
upwards dislocating my shoulder. At first it hurt, yeah, but
my kit was flying off so I had to go get it. I swam for it and
think that’s when I relocated my shoulder. Next day my wife
and best friend (nurse) said I best go to hospital as one
shoulder was lower than the other (eek! – ed).
How long are you likely to be
recovering?
Luckily I’ve been able to carry on working as I’m self
employed but I’ve not sailed for a good eight months. As we
speak I’m due to go for open surgery in five days’ time
(April, 2019). I’ll then be six weeks in a sling and then
physio for a while. Fingers crossed I’ll be back on the water
for the summer.
But hopefully the problem should be
fixed by then?
Yeah. I tore over 50% of soft tissue from the bone but
hopefully it’ll be stuck back on by summer.
uk
WIND
SURFING