30PROFILE OLLIE SCOTT
from a shop or sponsors point of view I ’ m useful as I can be used as a sort of sales tool for equipment .
Guests are a captive audience . But just because you ’ re a hotshot PWA freestyler doesn ’ t mean you can talk kit with the general windsurfing public . You must have good knowledge , understand each individual ’ s wants / needs and then have the people skills that making conversing with guests from all walks of life comfortable and relaxed .
Windsurfing is ever changing . I was with Bubble in March windsurfing at Avon ( Dorset ) and there must have been 50 people on the water so I ’ d say it ’ s doing OK . The vibe and buzz was right on ! If Club Vass is anything to go by then there are still lots of people from the UK wanting to get their windsurfing fix . Everyone in the industry has a different point of view though . I suppose it depends if you ’ re selling gear , the lifestyle , teaching or competing .
I see people progress very quickly at CV but most would say this is because it ’ s an easy place to coach and sail . Sun and flat water = huge improvement .
Club Vass coaching
We coach windsurfing in a slightly different way at Club Vass to most other venues . We teach the RYA syllabus for Start Windsurfing but we also coach the skills required to progress as a windsurfer in the purest sense . We ’ re not just about collecting tickets , although it ’ s still important to do so . Maybe update the syllabus ?
SUPs are keeping the windsurf game going now , to an extent – or at least inflatables . The foiling thing has got people ’ s juices flowing again . We ’ re running foiling tuition with Max Rowe this summer at Club Vass on our JP foil boards . Maybe foiling could go to the Olympics ?
Female pro sailors
It ’ s good to support female windsurfing as well – we do this a lot . It ’ s grown more in the last few years . Some female pro sailors are nailing all the bigger moves but they are coaching to a higher level as well . I have four advanced female instructors working at Club Vass ( check out Clare Elliott ’ s profile from issue two – ed ) – now that ’ s impressive in my book ! These girls can do spocks and loops so it ’ s good to see progression in the sport from all ages and all levels . The last few Diva Weeks at Club Vass had close to 40 female windsurfers per week , which we ’ re super proud about .
Windsurfing is a hard sport but an amazing one – a never-ending journey whatever your level . Club Vass is a special place that anyone interested in getting into windsurfing should visit . After that you ’ ll be back year after year .
There are too many shout outs to thank everyone . I ’ m just grateful to be part of windsurfing in the UK and abroad ! uk
WIND SURFING