Last week Boards caught up with some of the top names on the BSA tour just before their first event of the season. Now, with the BWA competitions just over a month away, it’s time to find out more from some on the wavesailing tour. First of all we speak with some of the well known pro names, as well as a couple of the masters to watch out for. In the next installment we will then find out more from the ladies and amateurs…
Name: Phil Horrocks
Sail No: K303
Fleet: Pro men
2012 results: Rhossy 1st, Ireland 3rd, Cornwall crap, Overall 2nd.
Where have you been training? Chile in November, Cape Town in February, UK the rest of the time, but there’s not been any wind!
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? I wanted to improve my contest sailing in crappy conditions.
Do you think you’ve achieved this? No, I spent my cash and went to some awesome spots that were insanely good…and I don’t regret a minute of it!!
What competitions will you take part in this year? All PWA and UK events, hopefully… but GC might not happen for me, I’m expecting to be a Daddy on the 17th of July, the week after it finishes.
What are you aims for this year? To win some events and survive parenthood!
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? The sails I tested in CT this winter are amazing, I hope to have them for the summer events. The boards I can’t say I want anything other than what I have at the minute..
Fighting talk…I think the usual bunch will do well, but I suspect this time around Adam Lewis might start to cause a few more upsets, I just hope we get some wind!
(Ed – Adam Lewis has informed us he won’t be entering the UK events this year…some relieved faces maybe?)
Name: James Cox
Sail No: K106
Fleet: Pro men
2012 results: 4th Overall Men’s Pro Fleet, 2nd Cornwall Classic, 4th Brandon Bay
Where have you been training? I’ve actually had an injury so down the gym and at the coal face.
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Wave moves and port tack consistency, but that’s not been easy with a bad ankle.
Do you think you’ve achieved this? Not yet, but being held back can make an explosive start to the preparations. It just looks like I’m going to get there a little later than I anticipated but with more passion.
What competitions will you take part in this year? Definitely the final competitions of the year: Tiree, Cornwall. But depending on treatment I may need to miss Rhosneigr and Ireland.
What are you aims for this year? Get wave moves: wave 360 upwind and downwind in the bag. Get on the podium in at least one event.
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? Equipment has been constantly improving on exceptional standards. I now have the Ezzy Panther Elite 4 batten, whose performance really sum up the amount of R&D and testing that have gone in to these sails. The boards I have the super radical Quatro LSs 110 litre, 85 litre, 78 litre. In summary the gear is golden.
Fighting talk…Jah will provide the bread.
Name: Muzza aka Chris Murray
Sail No: K202
Fleet: Pro men
2012 results: Think I was 8th?
Where have you been training? Cape Town and Maui.
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? All my jumping and riding
Do you think you’ve achieved this? I hope so, it’s been a great winter.
What competitions will you take part in this year? I’m going to all four.
What are you aims for this year? To win win win!
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? Got the new Rock, which is epic and Starboard Kode and my warm Spartan suits.
Fighting talk…Can’t wait bring it on boys, bigger the better!
Name: Steve Thorp
Sail No: K4
Fleet: Pro men
2012 results: 6th Rossy (only event I did).
Where have you been training? UK weekends and 2 days in Ireland.
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? My wave freestyle
Do you think you’ve achieved this? No, both times I sailed the waves have been too big!
What competitions will you take part in this year? Hopefully all four BWA events.
What are you aims for this year? More TOW, a good excuse for some time off. Keep the Pro’s honest.
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I’ve moved over to the awesome and very light Hotsails Maui Firelights, and also to the very light Moo custom boards, so should be frothing like a grom, flying round smashing everything!
Fighting talk… You FOPs (fresh off plane) may as well go back to your holidays!
Name: Andy King
Sail No: K100
Fleet: Pro men
2012 results: 6th Cornwall
Where have you been training? Cornwall
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Muscle definition.
Do you think you’ve achieved this? Hell yeah.
What competitions will you take part in this year? Those with decent wind and waves … Not many then…
What are you aims for this year? World peace and top 3 finishes.
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? No need, Goya Quads / Banzais rock …
Fighting talk…Go hard or stay at home! Biggest rival? John Hibbard, I heard he’s on a come back tour!
Name: John Skye
Sail No: K57
Fleet: Masters…. Ah no… they moved it. Pro then.
2012 results: 4th Rhossy, 1st Ireland. Missed last 2 events.
Where have you been training? Gran Canaria, South Africa and Maui.
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? I really wanted to get my doubles better, so they are actually landed rather than just sailed away from.
Do you think you’ve achieved this? Not really yet. I have been trying lots though, which is a good start. Gets me over the fear and then it becomes easier.
What competitions will you take part in this year? Hopefully all the UK and PWA wave events, but it depends a bit on the family. Our new edition, Lily, has sort of changed the priorities a bit.
What are you aims for this year? I would like to win the UK title again. It’s been a few years since I last held the title, and would be nice to take it again.
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I have been working loads on the sails and they are loads better, so I am really looking forward to competing on the them. Last year’s sails were nice, but the new ones have more control
Fighting talk… I don’t really go for trash talking, I am more of a wish them well, good luck type. Main rivals are the usual Ben, Phil and Jamie, plus I think the toughest will be Ross williams if he chooses to compete. He will be very hard to beat!
Name: George Shillito
Sail No: K630
Fleet: Pro men
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Everything, unfortunately I was unable to attend all events in 2012 but the level in the UK is rising so fast that if you don’t look to improve it all something will get left behind!
Do you think you’ve achieved this? I’ve been doing an internship in sponsorship and marketing this winter so my time on the water has been stripped right back to basics. Saying that, it does mean when you get a chance to get in the water you realise just how epic windsurfing is every time so I’ve pushed myself harder in those sessions then I normally would for sure.
What competitions will you take part in this year? I’m hoping to get along to as many BWA wave events as possible and could never miss the infamous NWF.
What are you aims for this year? Just have fun. With a winter in an office you quickly come to realise just how awesome every session is whether it be crumbly, onshore mush or perfect down-the-line conditions. Can’t wait just to hit the water hard and enjoy every second!
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I would say I’ve improved my knowledge in all areas to do with promotion, marketing and sponsorship….not sure that will help me much on the water! Haha! I’ve taken order of a new Starboard Kode and am feeling super happy on the Tushingham Rocks so hopefully this combo of kit should help me make the most of all conditions and every comp.
Fighting talk...Muzza is and has always been my biggest rival – let’s see if all his “training” (holidays) has paid off!! Hahaha!
Name: Jack Hunt
Sail No: K657
Fleet: Pro men
2012 results: 7th overall
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? It would be great if I could hang on to a tour rash vest for more than one event this time round.
Do you think you’ve achieved this? We will have to wait and see, but I doubt it.
Training; Peru then sidelined with a fractured ankle.
What competitions will you take part in this year? All of the BWA tour.
What are you aims for this year? To get some great UK waves!
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? Yeah I have a new 78 litre custom Carbon Art for the UK this year. It’s a v bottom single fin that really loves the kind of abuse I have in mind.
Fighting talk…Not for me I’m just there to “punish or be punished”
Name: Sam Neal
Sail No: K31
Fleet: Pro men
2012 results: 10th
Where have you been training? I’ve been training in Cape Town this winter.
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? I wanted to improve on all aspects of my sailing. Jumping mostly and getting my turns sorted.
Do you think you’ve achieved this? Mostly haha. We have had a lot of days with big waves and light winds which has been perfect for wave riding. Also, there has been some howling days but with little stunt ramps which has been good for jumping.
What competitions will you take part in this year? I will try to do all four of the BWA events.
What are you aims for this year? I want to be in the top 6 or better.
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? I haven’t changed my Goya stuff at all. Still using the Eclipses and the Goya Quads. I’ve mostly been playing around with fin set ups and finally found the sweet spot with the K4 fins.
Fighting talk…Biggest rival this year has to be Bubble. We have been sailing a lot with each other over the winter, so will be cool to see who comes out on top. Hopefully I will kick some Bubble butt ;).
Name: Aleksy Gayda
Sail No: K412
Fleet: Pro men
2012 Results: 15th
Where have you been training? I have been at home working for the winter
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? A bit of everything, wave riding and jumping and a board sponsor would be nice haha!
Do you think you’ve achieved this? Not yet, have to wait for it to warm up a bit with some good wind and waves.
What competitions will you take part in this year? BWA Rhosneigr and Ireland, then I will have to wait and see how the money is going.
What are you aims for this year? Have fun, sail and surf a lot, plus do as much travelling as possible too.
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? No, same as last year.
Name: Jan Sleigh
Sail No: K172
Fleet: Masters
2012 results: 2nd Ireland
Where have you been training? I have not been training – The only training I have done is in the gym and pool for triathlons, I have been doing at lot of SUP too, on the windsurfing side I have been at home in Cornwall at the usual spots and had a trip to Cape Verde.
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Everything! I always want to improve – that’s what I love about windsurfing
Do you think you’ve achieved this? I guess somethings – others no.
What competitions will you take part in this year? Not sure right now – I would like to do the all but I am so busy these days working, I can’t book that far ahead. Cornwall is the most likely candidate as I won’t have to drive too far!
What are you aims for this year? To have fun, be on the water as much as possible and try and get the best waves the UK throws at us
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? This year I am riding Naish Forces – I am getting on with them super well – loving the power they give me. And I am riding the new Naish Wave Classic 95. It’s an awesome board for me down here in Cornwall. Plenty of float for the gusty rippy conditions in Cornwall but narrow in the tail for carving turns
Fighting talk… Ah I don’t do fighting talk, I am too old for that. But I’d say just have fun and get on the water!
Name: Justin Dennington
Fleet: Masters
2012 results: 1st Cornwall Wave Classic
Where have you been training? In the pub with Chucky, as well as Marazion / Gwithian / Bluff
What did you want to improve after 2012 season? Overall wave riding, refine my forwards and maybe learn another jump for 2013.
Do you think you’ve achieved this? Nearly!!
What competitions will you take part in this year? I am hoping to compete in 3 of the 4 rounds this year.
What are you aims for this year? Firstly to mainly enjoy the events, only being my second year I’m still learning how the comps work, I feel I need to improve my competition sailing mentality………..sail it like you stole it!!!!
Have you changed/improved your equipment or equipment choices for this year? Thanks to Puravida I have moved across to Fanatic / North / Ion.
Fighting talk…Hmmm difficult, I thought Andy Heath looked strong in Cornwall last year, and both Dave White and Big Davey Edmiston will be there at the top I’m sure, lets see if we can throw a spanner in the works this year eh!
