A month ago I returned from a weekend British Wavesailing Competition in Rhosneigr (which I won!) and a week training in Pozo, Gran Canaria and I am back to my day job as a mechanical engineer working on Warships. Before I left I was in the life of full time work, fully focused on my job and enjoying it, whilst still trying to fit in Crossfit training, surfing or windsurfing after work (forecast dependent). The Rhosneigr competition and a week training in Pozo with Markus Rydberg from Sweden, took me right back to the emotional state I was in during my Sabbatical when I competed on the World Tour and it re-kindled my passion again to train, compete, and spend time with all the guys on the World Tour, a super driven, fun set of friends. I find it weird how different my split life has become. In Pozo I sail for 2 sessions a day and train on the non windy days, watching windsurfing videos and talking constantly about how to improve and watching others train. Then I come home and wake up at 6am everyday to work as an engineer and find this a completely fulfilling career in which I enjoy going to work and don't even have time at work to think of windsurfing! (Until the end of a windy working day at least!) I am however a water baby and get frustrated when there is a period of no wind or swell in the UK, so have bought fins and taken up sea swimming until the visibility is better for free diving. I also have a new long board for the Summer swells!
Some pictures from Rhosneigr thanks to Si Crowther. A flukey forecast paid off for a windy sail on 4.2 Saturday morning, but the wind quickly dropped to 5.0 and 75l weather, wobbling for the heats and trying to pick off small waves. Still a great fun competition and we managed to visit Snowdon on the Sunday!
I have entered PWA Gran Canaria and am really looking forward to going out again for some training and the competition on Monday. My week's training in May didn't have classic Pozo conditions until the last day, so with no wind in Chile either I had banked on a little more practise! That last day in Pozo did remind me again how windy it gets and the need for a 3m sail, the place is incredible! I have my 63l Simmer custom which was working a treat...I would love to spend a season in Pozo improving my sailing, but unfortunately I will have to live with the training I have had, and will go out to enjoy the sailing, the conditions and seeing all the competitors again!
Here is a picture of my longboard made by Badger Surfboards, Newquay. I have only managed to use it once so far before the swell completely disappeared but hope to get out again on it shortly. Just look at that tail!!
Lastly, a few training pics from Crossfit Plymouth-keeping me fit and strong whilst there is no wind in the UK!
