FROM PRO WINDSURFER TO FIRE FIGHTER
Maybe somewhat unusual from the outside looking in, but I had always really enjoyed having something other than windsurfing. I love learning and being challenged in different ways, and for a while physiotherapy fulfilled that desire alongside windsurfing, but I couldn't see myself continuing to work as a physiotherapist long term. 2020 gave me the opportunity to think about what I wanted to work towards going forward, what I enjoyed the most and what my values were. Professional competitive windsurfing is an amazing lifestyle, but my interest in competing itself began to change, and I thought about my transition away from full-time competition months before I decided to commit to it. I realised that being completely focused on competition was no longer what I wanted to do and that I wanted to go after some new opportunities.
Making that decision and committing to it was hard. Transitioning from being a full-time competitor who gets paid to windsurf, to someone that works a full-time job is a significant change. That transition is going to be difficult no matter when it happens, but I like knowing that it was my decision and that I have options.
I decided that I wanted to work towards finding a job that offered me challenges, opportunity, flexibility, financial security and a lifestyle similar to that which I had when I was competing full-time, so I applied to become a fire fighter. Perhaps there's a little more certainty with contracts and events now, but during 2020/2021 there wasn't, so it seemed like the right time to commit to making that transition. I've kept my options open, even to compete occasionally if that's what I wanted to do, but throughout this whole process I've realised that just because I'm not competing anymore, it doesn't mean that my windsurfing goes backwards as a result.
WORK/LIFE BALANCE
This story is from the Issue 434 - June 2024 edition of Windsurf.
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This story is from the Issue 434 - June 2024 edition of Windsurf.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
New School
Slingshot’s windsurfing brand manager, Wyatt Miller, has noticed that kids are drawn to playing with wings and puts forward an interesting case as to why he thinks this could help entice them and others into windsurfing.
Changes
Wave sailor Flo Jung reflects on our changed world during his lockdown in Germany.
THE LAST WAVE
Lockdown stirred the creative juices of reader Björn Alfthan, who peers into the future to present a fictional story set in the wild waves of Norway, five years from now.
STILL IN THE GAME
After a horrific fracture in his leg from a crashed aerial in 2018, Alessio Stillrich is back! John Carter talks to the highflyer from Gran Canaria about his move to the Simmer team, recovering from injury and how he learned to windsurf in Gran Canaria!
MOVE ON UP - GET ON THE FRONT FOOT
This month we look at how our front foot weighting can affect and improve different aspects of our main windsurfing moves.
SOUTH' KIPA
Nik tweaking it over home waters.
A NEW NORMAL
On a trip to La Tranche-sur-Mer in France last year, Tris Best estimated over 80% of the windsurfers were foiling. This summer in Portland Harbour, foiling activity has increased dramatically too he reports. With the market offering plenty of choice to recreational windfoilers, our test team check out some of the latest foil offerings.
TACKING – THE SEQUEL
Having given you time to practice, Harty concludes his tacking series by critiquing various tacking options, including the carve tack, as well as offering solutions to common slip-ups.
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Realising we may be about to enter an extraordinary period in our lives, Harty decided to keep a windsurf-centric lockdown diary. Here are some of his choice excerpts.
REDEMPTION DAY!
Renowned for its windsurfing and variety of spots to sail at, Kimmerdige Bay is a wave sailing jewel on the south coast of England. Timo Mullen gives a guide to its shores while reflecting on why a recent session there was a reminder that there is no place like home!
