80PROFILEJIM CROSSLEY
ALL ROUND
CLASSIC
WORDS: WSUK
PICS: DUNKERBECK SPEED CHALLENGE, PAL
FORSTERVOLD, PETE DAVIS, JIM CROSSLEY
JIM CROSSLEY IS PROBABLY BEST KNOWN
FOR HIS SPEED SAILING EXPLOITS,
ALTHOUGH OF LATE (AND IF YOU FOLLOW HIM
ON SOCIAL MEDIA) YOU MAY HAVE SPOTTED
HIS PENCHANT FOR SNAPPING UP CLASSIC
WINDSURFING GEAR AND THEN PUTTING THIS
THROUGH ITS PACES ON THE WATER.
Windsurfing UK caught up with family man
Jim to find out what it’s all about.
Tell us where it all started for you in terms
of windsurfing – what got you hooked and
wanting more?
I started windsurfing in 1982 as an eight-year old. In those
days it was unusual to start that young. I was instantly
hooked and spent every hour I could on the water. Living in
a beach hut every summer, it was the perfect life.
Was there any specific area of windsurfing
you gravitated towards? Why?
I love all disciplines of windsurfing but raceboard events
back in the day were massive and really exciting. It was
also lovely to be able to go for a cruise around the bay on
a summer day even with light winds. I have always loved
wave sailing but was never agile enough for freestyle.
How have things changed over the years in
terms of the type of windsurfing you do?
These days I get my buzz from speed sailing and wave
sailing. Many things have changed over the years but for
sure speed sailing has become far more accessible. With
improved, far more accurate, weather forecasting and GPS
devices it’s possible to travel with some certainty of what
you’re going to get and without the complications and
expense of fixed timing equipment.
uk
WIND
SURFING