WindsurfingUK issue 4 July 2017 | Page 28

28 PROFILE OLLIE SCOTT Club Vass I did a few stints working for Rich Page, Trevor Funnel and Andy Groom on the PWA and BWA tours which opened my eyes and surprised me in a few ways. But Club Vass has been the biggest influence, along with Benny Harrison, Si Hurrey and Bubble (Andy Chambers). My first competitive event was way, way back – I can’t remember that much about it. It was Poole Windfest a long time ago. I don’t think I did that well the first time out. Competition is a lot different to free sailing and you need conditions that suit. Plus being on it in terms of form. So many things play their part. After a while I started to get it. Sailing with Bubble and Whippy (Colin Dixon) really helped. Basically, you free sail with the boys but you’re always in competition mode with each other on the water. You also coach each other as you can see what’s going on when you’re flying next to them. It all helps (helped). “I’m often asked how much longer I’ll continue but I still have tons of energy so can’t see any reason to stop.” We were a tight little crew. It was wild times: travelling, partying and windsurfing hard. Yeah, for sure I miss the boys and that time but things change and you move on. We’re all still good mates and I will be Bubble’s best man next year! Can’t wait… Club Vass and some of my friends like Andre Paskowski (RIP) and Antxon Otaegui had moved on from competition as well. As I say, things change. I’ve always enjoyed the windsurfing scene as a whole and just wanted to be part of it. I didn’t stick at the competition thing for long though. I had some great moments/results over the years on the EFPT tour but it was always about being part of the freestyle movement at the time rather than winning and getting podiums. I had to stop because of my job. Things got serious with I fancied running the Club Vass beach operation for a few years having been manager in Dahab and Margarita during winter. I was stoked to be offered the job running the club not just the centre. It took a while to get my head around it all and dial in to the change. It was a shock realising I had to sit in an office for a few hours a day! It still is… uk WIND SURFING