84PROFILEJIM CROSSLEY
Where did this come from? Plans for the remainder of 2018?
It all goes back to a time when windsurfers were superstars
and developments in windsurfing equipment felt like they
were world changing. Then put yourself in the position of a
windsurfing mad, starry eyed 15 year old working for £2/hour
to save for a new sail. Thirty years later the feeling of WANT
is still there when I see it on an online auction site for 99p. I
have also found it very interesting to review the development
path. Ideas that worked, didn’t work or sometimes good
ideas that got lost in time. Right now I’m preparing for Luderitz. This single event is a big
investment in time and money so I’m not looking far beyond
that. I will try and do Weymouth Speed Week if I can as that
is always a great event.
I would like to work on ideas to develop faster speed
equipment. I have a couple of things to test in Luderitz this
year so we will see how that goes.
What is your favourite piece of older equipment
to date? Any advice or tips for somebody looking to
progress with the speed sailing?
That’s like being asked to choose between your children!
They all have their place but I love the high aspect speed
sails like the Gaastra Speed foils, development revolutions
like the Neil Pryde World Cup Slalom and the competition
pedigree of the F2 Sputnik 270 board. Be in the right place at the right time. Follow the forecasts
and if you’re not sure what to look for then ask somebody
who does. Have the right equipment. Speak to somebody
who has experience with the equipment, there is a lot of
equipment out there that looks like it is good for the job but
isn’t. I see a lot of new speed sailors struggle with equipment
that isn’t right. Not many of the major brands put any focus
or R&D into speed yet still try to market it.
How far are you going to take this?
I think I’m about done! I have most of the things I want and
I’m running out of room to store it all.
And goals for 2019?
Thanks and praise?
What is your current set up?
I am sponsored by RRD, Loftsails, Unifiber, 4Boards and Moo
Custom
Speed: Moo custom speed board along with several older
production boards that fit different conditions and locations.
Sails I have Loftsails Speed Blades 4.6,5.1,5.4,5.6,5.9
Slalom: RRD Xfire 129,108,98; Loftsails Racing Blades
6.3,7.0,7.8,8.6,9.4
Wave: RRD Freestyle Wave 96; Loftsails Purelip
5.7,5.0.4.5,4.0
Freeride: Loftsails Switchblade 7.3, Oxygen 6.3
uk
WIND
SURFING
Thanks to Bob & Stu at 4Boards, Equipe Trading (Loftsails,
unifiber), RRD, F-hot, Jon at Moo Custom, and my family, in
particular my wife who becomes a windsurfing widow
regularly and even encourages me to get out on the water!