22 PROFILEBOB INGRAM
What appealed?
I guess the appeal in those days was that windsurfing was
seen as an extreme sport and much like rugby it took place
in the great outdoors. I really enjoyed the social side, and to
be honest the competition. There are not many sports where
you can rock up and compete against the best in the world,
Olympic and world champions.
Still compete?
I think I am as obsessed now as I was back in the 80s. Ok, I
have to accept that my best years are probably behind me
but on a good day there is still life in the old dog.
You’re a fan of the longboard. Is this still the
case? What does it offer that other kit doesn’t?
Yes I love longboards! I see myself as raceboard sailor. The
raceboard I currently own is a Starboard Phantom and it is
useable in pretty much any conditions. I love the light wind
battles in two or three knots when it becomes nothing more
than a pumping and tactical race. Whilst the youngsters are
stronger and fitter than us older guys experience really pays
off when the wind is light and difficult to find.
When the wind picks up get the track back and lock yourself
into the foot straps and blast about with 3m of board in front
of you, it’s a great joy. Whilst I love the longboard I only race
them inland and all my racing on the sea is done in the
formula windsurf class. For pure adrenalin this is the most
fun you can have on a race course.
I also really enjoy slalom racing. It is a
completely different beast with races taking
three or four minutes as opposed to 30 to 40.
Again, sailing a Starboard Formula board powered with a
good quality fin and a sail too big for any sensible racing is
pure pleasure. Perhaps a bit scary at times but never dull.
Unfortunately numbers have dropped from the high of 80+
10 years ago and maybe it will have to be longboards only in
the future however I am learning to foil which may open up a
completely new experience on the race course. Currently the
UKWA is racing formula and foils together so the step across
may not be such a big deal.
I also really enjoy slalom racing. It is a completely different
beast with races taking three or four minutes as opposed to
30 to 40. The fundamentals are, however, the same. Get a
good start, stay in clean air, don’t make any mistakes and
particularly in slalom stay out of trouble. One thing you do
learn as you get older is that confrontation just gets in the
way on a race course. It does not matter how much you are
in the right, it’s just going to take up valuable time so avoid if
you can.
Where do you normally sail longboards?
Only on lakes as there are so many other opportunities. I
don’t mean that in a derogatory way. There are some very
uk
WIND
SURFING