42 FEATURE ESSEX TO MAURITIUS
Development
My windsurfing development has been about applying what
I’ve read in windsurf magazines. Many hours studying the
articles of Peter Hart and Simon Bornhoft. I’ve only twice
ever had instructional clinic days. Once on a Simon Bornhoft
Windwise looping day at Hayling Island and another was a
slalom gybe clinic weekend at OTC Weymouth with Mark
Hosegood. Both were excellent. Perhaps I should have
attended more clinics then I might have been further on in
terms of windsurfing skills?
My most recent development was having a go at speed-
sailing with the local Essex/East Anglian crew and TWB (Team
WhiteBoarders), tagging along with the legend Dave White.
I’m forever grateful to have spent some time training
amongst this talented group (of friends) which pushed me
from a freerider, formerly using wave kit, to potential racer
using full on slalom kit and now speed-sailing.
Training with ‘Whitey’s gang’ was definitely the catalyst that
helped improve my windsurfing speed regardless of water state
and wind strength. Sometimes in gales those boys literally took
no prisoners. It was genuinely a case of either try to keep up or
go home. That association introduced me to speed sailing.
Something that I’ve brought with me to Mauritius – I’ve been
helping develop the speed-sailing scene here.
But thanks for labelling me as a slalom/ speed sailor although
I’m not sure that I am properly either? I do both but have yet to
make a significant mark in either areas. I’m really chuffed to be
involved in both as much as I can. I simply love our sport.
uk
WIND
SURFING
I sailed all over East Anglia’s coastal waters but West Mersea
was my closest, most frequented, local spot. Of course I will
always miss friends and familiar venues.
Coming from a wave sailing/bump and jump freeriding
background I used to think sailing quick in straight lines was a
tad ‘boring’ and that basically anyone could do it with the
latest, fastest, kit, hence where was the challenge in that? So I
ignored it for many years … but I was so wrong. The adrenaline
produced in racing today’s fast modern, short length, wide
performance boards has been responsible for my latest
addiction. The efforts the UKWA have made, in large part,
membership plus transitioning into the world of slalom racing
very easy and highly enjoyable. The craic is excellent. Speed