WindsurfingUK issue 4 July 2017 | Page 38

38 PROFILE CORKY KIRKHAM POPPIN’ THE CORK WORDS: CORKY KIRKHAM PICS: GILBERT BARA CORKY KIRKHAM HAS BEEN A LONGSTANDING AND RECOGNISABLE FACE ON THE UK WINDSURFING SCENE SINCE THE 90S. RESIDING IN THE CANARY ISLANDS, FUERTEVENTURA, CORKY HAS HAD HIS FAIR SHARE OF WINDSURFING SUCCESS AS WELL AS HOSTING MANY TOP LEVEL RIDERS, AND EVERYDAY SAILORS, AT HIS INFAMOUS CORKY’S BAR. With a new set of sponsors in the mix and a renewed focus on his sailing we caught up with Corky for a natter. It all started for me on a holiday in Spain. My dad bought a second hand board to the beach. He gave up soon after and I got left with it. So after I sat watching everyone else sailing I decided to give it a go. I was up and running straight away. That was in the sea so when I got back to Newcastle I started taking my kit to the local lake. My mum used to drop me off for whole day, glad get rid me for a while, and I’d sail until she came back to pick me up. I soon got better and I wanted to get back into sea sailing. Stronger winds also became my thing. Gales were what I looked out for as there’s no better feeling than jumping. In Fuerte I also do a lot of stand up paddle boarding – it’s ideal when there’s no wind. Great for cardio and another sport where I get to enjoy the ocean. I also go jogging to stay fit for those big winds ahead. I’ve been windsurfing for more than 25 years. I love it and still get a buzz from seeing the trees blowing. When it’s like that I just have to go. It’s why I moved to Fuerteventura years ago. I wanted to concentrate on windsurfing – my motivation, as anyone knows, has always been super high. With sun and wind in the mix, like you get here, it’s through the roof. uk WIND SURFING