57
panicked, dropped the rig and then apologised to the rightful
leaders as they sailed past a few minutes later.
I’m now getting old as well. My ankle is knackered from ten
years crashing trying to learn to back loop. So I think it’s time
for me to formally give up on my dream of becoming world
champion. But I do want to get more involved with the kind of
experiential windsurfing events – like the Defi wind in France,
and there’s others like that. I think there’s still a lot to do.
Final thoughts on windsurfing and writing in general?
I’m absolutely certain that the experiences I’ve had
windsurfing, and the places it’s taken me, have had a huge
influence on my life and who I am, and I’m incredibly grateful
for that. I also think windsurfing has helped give me my little
bit of success as an author. Windsurfing teaches you to fail
and try again, which definitely helps with writing (I think it
helps in life generally). It also makes you different, and
somehow authentic. And people are happy to buy into those
qualities. I don’t think I’d be me if I couldn’t windsurf, and
couldn’t write. So I’m pretty happy with both!
Are you still part of the organisational team for The
Avon Beach Windsurfing Fest? If so, what’s your role?
I think I got fired after my attempt at writing a funny article
about it! Genuinely there’s not a lot I can add, the guys
involved are all way more competent than me at organising,
and running an event etc… And they’re so keen! I’m also
kind of busy with the writing (it really does swallow up the
hours). But mostly I just got fired.
Any opinion on windsurfing comps – we know you’ve
entered a few in the past?
I’ve never been very competitive. I once rode a lucky
windshift and got to the windward mark first in a race. I
Thanks and praise?
Thank you so much for the opportunity to be interviewed –
and can I also say how pleased I am to see a new
windsurfing magazine on the scene. I think it’s fantastic what
you guys are doing and I hope it goes from strength to
strength. (Thanks Gregg! – Ed)
And if you’ve room for a quick plug. Could you say that if
people are interested in finding out more about the books,
they can get a free copy of my second book from the website
www.greggdunnett.co.uk
Thanks!
uk
WIND
SURFING