30PROFILE STEPHEN GIBSON
‘ One more run’
Even after all these years of sailing hard every day I still get a rush from a good session. Jumping is my favourite discipline and on a good, windy day with any type of ramp I still have that‘ one more run’ thought about 50 times over, as we all do. Getting to work on time has been a real issue for me over the past 22 years!
Waiting for wind with the support crew Sylt 2015
I love learning manoeuvres. As a youngster I was heavily into BMX and I think it probably stems from that. I enjoy breaking down moves into their separate components and then learning them step by step, it’ s the greatest buzz in the world when you bust out that new trick for the first time after a thousand( and more) fails, nothing can beat that feeling. I guess this has helped me with my coaching as I find it quite easy to explain technique to people, having already dismantled the move for myself. Before I came to Fuerte I competed on the British circuit in slalom, course racing and waves and loved them all, but I always enjoyed a good day on my wave board more than anything and that’ s why I ended up where I did.
Wild card entry
I’ ve had so many great sessions over the years here that it’ s difficult to name one in particular as my best. The day I landed my first forward at Flag Beach, first flaka( after almost 14 months of crashing head first into my mast) or some of my sessions sailing the amazing wave at Lobos, a little island just off the coast of Fuerte with a perfect little reef break which works a couple of times a year if we’ re lucky. But I would say my most memorable day was when I won the wild card
uk
WIND SURFING
for the PWA Fuerteventura freestyle, coming from last place on the first day( I had to leave before the second round to get back up north to my job in a hotel), to win four complete rounds on the last day( day off), not losing one single heat. That was some party when I got back to my friends in Corralejo!
Everyone can go through phases when they’ re less motivated than others, and I’ m no exception. Normally for me it happens after a long stint of bad conditions or an injury. I quite easily get absorbed in other activities when not sailing and can sometimes find myself a little disinterested when the opportunity presents itself again. It only takes one good session to get rid of my apathy though, sometimes only one run. I think the secret is to wait until a good day appears, don’ t stress about getting back out there in whatever conditions