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Turning Windsurfing Passion into Personal Growth Project For Kids with Learning Disabilities

Tell me how did windsurfing start for you?

When I was a young girl, my parents always took me to a lake for recreation. My brother started windsurfing and that is why we were there on weekends and holidays. When my brother was on shore I quickly grabbed the sail and ‘surfed’ on the shore. When I was about 8 years old I started windsurfing myself.

Are you a pro rider? Tell me more about that.

Unfortunately, I am not a pro rider. As a teenage girl, I was certainly interested in the life of a windsurfer and I certainly fantasized about it … but I didn’t get any further than a passionate amateur. When I was 23, after college, I dropped out because of work and moving further away from a lake or sea. When I returned to the Grevelingenmeer after 20 years to reminisce with my mother, the weather was lovely and the wind was pretty good. I asked my mother to sit on the terrace with a cup of coffee and rented a windsurfing set. I was stoked again. In a very short time, I bought some stuff and found a nice spot near my hometown. From that moment on I can be found regularly on the water!

Do you have a “regular” job?

Yes, I have a regular job as a lecturer at a university of applied sciences. In addition, I have my own company supporting children with learning disabilities.

Do you have a family?

I have a family with a partner and two teenagers; a 16-year-old girl and a 14-year-old boy. I allow them to come along to learn windsurfing, but they are not showing much interest yet. So until then, I enjoy the time I have at the beach and on the water to myself and my surf friends.

I see you are windsurfing “all the time” - how does that work with the rest of your land life?

What you see of me on social media is often about my windsurfing sessions, but unfortunately, I can’t go often. At least, for my taste, not often enough. On the weekends, when the wind blows, it’s possible and now and then I have an afternoon or evening session.

I hope to reduce my working hours soon so that I can be a little more flexible. Because the wind cannot be planned ;-).

Do you have a coach?

I don’t have a coach, but I do have a few surf friends who advise me and help me further. With one of them I often discuss my windsurf sessions and any issues. They also help me with the purchase of equipment and the rigging. Soon, I hope to be able to sail with someone a little more often to increase my speed.

Do you also train on land,.. specifically for windsurfing - running, gymnastics, etc.?

I only do some floor exercises to train my muscles in the legs and arms and abs. Due to a long-term injury to my knee, I can no longer run, which was great to keep my condition up for windsurfing.

Any other “wild” Hobbies and Interests?

Wild interests? Hahaha. No, not specifically. Well … before the lockdown due to Covid ’19 I did Top rope climbing in a climbing hall. If that is possible again, I will gladly pick it up again. During the summer holidays, I like to go via Ferrata in the mountains. For those who don’t know, via Ferrata means “a protected climbing route”.

What are your windsurfing plans for the future?

As an amateur surfer, these are not big plans. But I still hope to make a surfing holiday at a “paradise-like” spot with blue warm water and white beaches with surf friends. I also think it would be great fun to participate in Defi Wind in Gruissan in the south of France. But to keep it closer; my goal for this year is to get my speed up significantly. Last year I upgraded my sails and boards to racing gear so nothing should stand in the way of getting the speeds higher…except myself. So I work on my technique and go for that 32+ knots average!

Do you have other activities related to windsurfing?

Last year I started a Facebook group for windsurfing ladies who surf (with some consistency) on my homespot ‘Strand Horst’. At the time it started with 12 women and now this group has grown to 109 women. How nice is it to chat with each other about our passion for windsurfing, help each other and meet at the beach. This year we also started organizing various activities. It is nice to be involved in some way with windsurfing during windless days.
Here’s the link to the group if you wanna join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/946702515764944/

Do you also teach windsurfing?

No, I don’t.

But I do work with children with learning disabilities and I have discovered that windsurfing can take you “further in your personal growth”. It helps you to exercise physically, but relax mentally and forget everything. It appeals to your persistence and courage. And it feels so good when you step off the water with a sense of satisfaction that you’ve outdone yourself. I would like to help children, who are sometimes so damaged by their learning difficulties, to grow personally and to be able to give them the “windsurfing experience”. So who knows what will come out of that… work and hobby combined.

Any last thoughts, words?

I wish you wonderful sessions in which you constantly challenge yourself to the next step, but in the meantime enjoy the moment itself to the maximum. There is always something to be happy about. If it is not your surfing result, then it is nature or it is your surf friends around you. I hope to see you on the water!

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How to be in the top 10 Windsurfers in Spain in all disciplines for 20 years

You know how most of us amateur windsurfers usually don’t have more than about 1 or 2 weeks of windsurfing per year. Well for my buddy Marius Solà that’s not the case. From his Facebook profile he seems to be riding all the time.

So I wanted to know what his story is and he was more than happy to share. 

Tell me how did windsurfing start for you?

Well, when I was 14 years old, my parents sent me to a campsite, the typical place of entertainment for children. One of the activities was windsurfing, and for me, it was love at first sight. 

A year later my parents bought me an old, second hand, quiver. The sail was a triangular kind with an aluminium mast and a boom that needed a knot to fix it.

During the first five years, I practiced only in summer because I needed my parents to get to the beach. In winter I was focused on my university degree in industrial engineering. But when I started working and I was able to buy a car, I began to practice windsurfing all year round and my skill level began to grow fast. At the same time, I started to travel (only during my vacations) to the best windsurfing spots in the world.

I see on your pics and Videos on Facebook you are an awesome windsurfer. Those tricks are very impressive. Are you a pro rider? Tell me more about that.

I’m not a pro rider. It would be fun, but I was studying to be an industrial engineer and never had the level needed or time to practice and think about it. My level grew late in years, but never stopped growing, so that’s why nowadays, at 48 years old I have a good windsurfing level.

During the years I take part in National competitions in freestyle, slalom and wave disciplines with a good performance in all of them. Also, I write many travel reports for the Spanish magazine “Surf a Vela”. As a result of this dedication some windsurfing brands became interested in me as an opinion leader. That’s why I’m not a professional but I still have some brand partners (sponsors) with whom we have a win-win relationship. 

Your partners/sponsors are only from the windsurfing industry?

I represent JP-Australia and NeilPryde in Spain thanks to the surf shop MagicWave.es

I also have an interesting partnership with “CamperCover.es” – insurance brokerage specialized in camper vans.

Recently I collaborated with a manufacturer of camper vans called “Julia Camper”. And they have done an amazing job in my windsurf van.

https://www.instagram.com/juliacampervans/
https://www.facebook.com/juliacampervans
http://julia-tech.com/

Finally I want to thank my local windsurfing club “CN Betulo” for years of help.

I love to share on social media the enjoyment of windsurfing and van life. You are all very welcome to my Instagram or FB:
https://www.facebook.com/MariusSolaE79
https://www.instagram.com/marius.sola/

Do you have a “regular” job?

Yes. I own a small company where we design and manufacture electronic boards for different industrial applications. You can check it at http://www.sapse.com/

How come you are so good at windsurfing?

Well, my level of windsurfing is the result of many years giving it an absolute priority at holidays and weekends.

Do you have a family?

My wife Esperanza, is a passionate windsurfer so we share the same passion. She is the author of many photos you can see on social media. We travel with a lovely cat in the van. We don’t have children. We have chosen this option because both want all the freedom for ourselves.

I see you are windsurfing “all the time”. How does that work with the rest of your land life?

During the week I work in my company with office hours. However, sometimes, when the forecast is good, I can spare a few hours to windsurf. It’s not always easy, but sometimes it is possible. A lot of energy is needed to do that.

On the other hand, during the weekend or free time, it is much easier to enjoy windsurfing because, as I have explained before, my wife and I are focused and agree to spend all of our free time travelling and windsurfing. For this, I have a Volkswagen Crafter fully custom for windsurfing and equipped to sleep, cook, enjoy and relax.

On holidays I love to travel with my wife and friends to “magic” spots of the world. Brazil, Cabo Verde, Canaries Island, Australia, Portugal, Greece, Sri Lanka, Hawaii, Cape town and especially our preferred place last years, Mauritius Island.

Do you have a coach?

No, I never had a coach.

Do you also train on land... specifically, for windsurfing - running, gymnastics, etc.?

Definitely yes, I practice mountain biking and fitness at the gym to stay in shape. The key to improving your level is to keep in good shape even when you get older.

Any other “wild” Hobbies and Interests?

I love sports like snowboarding, skiing, mountain biking and hobbies like radio control electric cars races. Perfect when there’s no wind.

What are your windsurfing plans for the future?

Currently, I compete in the championship of Spain and Catalonia in slalom, freestyle and wave in master division. I hope to continue in the championships in the future. But what I really like to do in the future is to share the joy of windsurfing. 

Describe your major highlights and achievements in the sport in the past.

I have been in the top three of Catalonia and the top ten of Spain for the last twenty years in a row in all disciplines.
Also for quite a few years now I am a travel reporter man for the Spanish surfing magazine “Surf a Vela”

What does your daily windsurfing routine look like?

It’s a routine, but not daily.
Usually, the first thing I do is check the forecast days before, in order to plan the possible place where I need to go. Before choosing the spot, I try to get “real” information and feedback from other windsurfers. My decision to practice slalom, waves or freestyle is made on the conditions available that day.  

Do you have some favourite pro windsurfers that you look up to? Why?

Lots of them. Can’t say any specific names. It’s just amazing the quality level happening in the professional scene.

Do you also teach windsurfing?

I never did teach. Nevertheless I do like to help friends when they ask for tips.

Do you also windsurf on a foil? If yes,... how do you like that and how does that compare to windsurfing on a regular windsurfing board?

Yes, I do, especially in the summer breeze, but I’m not too crazy about foiling.

What about kitesurfing or wings with a foil sup are super popular these days?

It’s important for the industry, they are looking for new ways for the sport development that allows more people to enjoy the sea. The wing has been a big success, this sport is attractive for windsurfers, kitesurfers and new incomers. What I like the most about the Wind Wing is that it’s safer than a kite. I want to try it.

You are all very welcome to Marius Instagram or Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/MariusSolaE79
https://www.instagram.com/marius.sola/

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How to get sponsored by Naish at the age of 42

My journey started about 30 years ago, when I first heard that the windsurf equipment in our family was going to be given away…

Right after my grandad took it off his roof storage, to my surprise it was still in good shape, so I asked if I could have it.

It was “that” 300 liter board and alumminium, one piece mast, 3 meter wide boom and 5.5 sail with no battens. It was a huge sailboat for my tiny body.

Soon it became my favorite sport and entertainment. And it was also the only thing left in our family that no-one really cared about. My younger uncle was the last one who was into it, but in his years of sailing it was merely summer holidays.

To me however it was great fun. No one could tell me how to do it, as not many knew anyway, not to mention no police on water ….

The gear was so huge and heavy, I was just leaving it on the beach and no one would steal it, at least not from our camp.

When the winds got strong my windsurfing developed, riding away and swimming back… Yea sure, do you think I was born with the skills I have today?

It was till I was about 16 that I learned the “water start” and a year later got my first fun board that was still big but only 112l and actually had straps and a single fin.

But this is what you all know… the experiences that were gained in the first years of windsurfing were worth much more and they have set the course of my life.

Far from bragging about my “great skills” and getting myself into trouble for sailing far out of my parents’ site,… and sleeping on other islands and beaches through the night and finding my way back home the next day.

I remember one time the winds were so strong and I had no harness, no straps, no neoprene, no idea of conditions and so in my bicycle gloves and t-shirt, I was blown off far “behind” Brioni islands (Adriatic sea). The only way to come back as the storm was getting worse at night was swimming. Unfortunately I was not able to come home. It was already very late at night. I ended up a few kilometers away from our camp. My parents were worried sick and had already notified the police for rescue and search. And while all that was going on I was sleeping rolled up in a sail on hot stones that I could find in the darkness of the night to keep me warm. I also wanted to guard my gear. I had no intention to leave it behind.

So much about summer days.
Winter on the other hand was a different adventure. I was on Ice with skates and just the sail – something very similar to today’s WING surfing.

In time my windsurfing skills got better.
So for several years I was even teaching windsurfing in Croatia. 

Then “new horizons” showed up on water, land and ice – kitesurfing was born.

And here comes the skateboard with bigger wheels. Today we call this mountain board or dirt board. It was wider, longer, with off road tires and straps.

Mountain board riding was fun for many years to come even here in Canaries. It quickly became a daily routine on any given day, either with sail or kite. For the last year or so even with the wing.

Riding the mountain board was so much fun that we even got towed by cars at night. We had “too much energy” and a huge desire to be riding all the time. 

One Sunday morning I will never forget, was one of these show off days. Sail rigged from yesterday,… I saw some girls coming my way, so I quickly took the sail and the mountainboard, no shoes, just shorts and off to the dirt track. While making 360 one wheel broke off and you can imagine. Going fast with no protection, I went totally  horizontal and made some nice new “tattoos” on my body. For one week even sleeping was no fun, just aaaaaa I can say….

I had so many accidents and crashes that I stopped counting. It’s just part of the game, like in most sports.

What I can say is this:
Windsurfing has certainly changed my way of life since an early age. I struggled in many sports and outdoor activities. But it was windsurfing that totally changed my way of thinking and living. It has taken me to places that I would never go unless mother nature wanted so.
I left my home and lived away from my parents and my relatives in different countries just to live the life of my dreams. And I can tell you it’s not always what you’d imagine a dream life looks like. Leaving all “the good” behind, facing the unknown and trying to show some “great” results of my decisions later. And of course that also brings on some hard criticism and judgment for my mistakes or undesired results. It’s quite a challenge.

So I ended up on the Canaries. 

It took me 15 years to find ways to live the life of my dreams and establish it all as reality.

I was never interested in competitions. I have been invited many times. However the only one I wanted to compete with was “me”.

Two times I managed to put myself “on hold” for a year of physiotherapy.

The first time I was 27. I broke my tibia and pirena. And I broke my hill at age 30 – just 6 months after my son was born. And I was a  single dad. Everything you can imagine was against me.

Getting back to walking normally was a big challenge.

I refused to have anything to do with hospitals, conventional treatments or conventional medicine. Rather I started my own research on how to get my health back.

I was 30 and my “amateur” sports career seemed to be over. I wanted to shoot myself – not really but it was pretty depressing.

Took me 5 years to get out of pain and started to walk normally and to run.
Today 15 years after my first accident, I am in perfect health and people have no idea I was ever down this road.

You see, my day today is what people call a “dream life”.

I’ve been out of the “health system” for over a decade and never wish to go that way ever again. This means absolutely no health issues or doctors needed in my life.

I have studied and worked with shamanic rituals for years for my health issues and still do for other people’s health issues. I have learned to make home remedies. But lately that’s not even needed as I have learned how it’s all just a mental state.

I share all this knowledge with people coming into my life or visit my “park project” on the Canary islands. You can check some of that on my website: http://www.gregor.love/

Everything’s coming together for me and just to give you an idea:
Last year, 2020 was the best year ever. I have doubled my earnings here in the Canaries and finally got myself a new van for all of my activities that I wanted so badly.

And on top of that at the age of 42 I got sponsored by NAISH for SUP FOIL WING. So, I can’t complain.

I think it’s important to say I did have what you might refer to as “a spiritual awakening”. Now I have “no debts” and more and more things in my life are running smoother and smoother.

Nevertheless, still today I feel safest riding with windsurfers here on the canaries, although sometimes some get scared of my quiet presence on foils.

Yes, for about 3 years I am mostly riding on foils and I love to make space for other windsurfers on top of the waves. I do know how much physical effort is needed to catch a wave on the “old” windsurf technology. And I often get asked to leave some waves for them,… and I always do. If I see a windsurfer that can make it, catching the wave I always make room as that was always my style. And since foiling came into my life, waves are under my feet all the time. 

I also teach but not beginners, only advanced students.

Something you don’t hear very often is the “self rescue” since rescues are my thing – I also teach self rescue.

As my rides are often solo and long or out of normal rules and mainly on peaks of waves, I have a mix of people I ride with, from surf, windsurf, kite, sup, etc.

As to what my typical day looks like…

I wake up at 4am and study/channel/read till 7am.

At about 8am I take my son to school.
After that I do some work in the gardens till about 12am.
At 1pm I have a meeting at a sponsor shop and have “beach time” till about 5pm.
After that maybe a bike ride, flying or creating in the park till it gets dark.
Evenings and night time I spend time with my boy or with my loving partner and practice love till 4am.

On nice days I have 3 sessions and on cloudy, non windy days it’s my other toys that come “out to play”.

My “real” work is showing people the way of better living. It’s what I love to do. If I get bored in life, I take on some little projects in gardens and sort that out for clients.

Mainly my work is helping people get out of debt, get off pharmaceutical drugs and have less or no stress with money. I help people live more “with nature” and from the inside out – more from the heart.

I have an apartment but prefer to live in my little park in a house made from mud.
I don’t have a wife rather a girlfriend, no job, just plenty of work that I choose to do and most important time to have fun any time as “there is no time”.

Time is for those who like to worry about it and exchange time for money. I see that as conditioning of the system and of the ruling elite.

So people either have time or money. If they have money to do windsurfing, they have no time to do it. If they have enough time to do it, they don’t have the money to be able to do it. 

And it was exactly like that for me too 20 years ago.

But I wanted to live on the beach and windsurf every day. And for the past 20 years I’ve been able to do just that. I work till 1pm and then stay on the beach and windsurf, kite, sup, wingsurf,… and  from this kind of lifestyle there are a lot more benefits I haven’t even mentioned.

I used to employ people, well mainly friends who wanted to live like I do, now I show them how they can do it if they really wish so. This is the very reason I started my little “park” project 7 years ago. To show people the way into a better day.

It’s easy to find me, but usually I am the last one anyone comes to see on this island.
However when things don’t work out the way people think they will, I am happy to show them how it can work out. Sometimes I can show them an even better way. How things can work out much better than what they wished for.

Now, looking at my old mountain boards right now, it has been 20 years and I need a new one. So I need to mention this to my sponsors.

And again as a reminder to all the people willing to venture out in the wild storms:

Do not be afraid, just go for it, as the fear is only inside of you. Outside is how you make it. 

So Matjaz, I hope this gives you a good idea of the life I have chosen, chasing my dreams of the sea, the beaches, windsurfing, the freedom and love.

And I certainly hope to inspire others to go after their dreams.

Thank you and big hugs to sLOVEnia.

GreGor 

Feel free to connect with GreGor via his website: http://www.gregor.love/

or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gregorfuerteventura

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Street windsurfing is coming back to the scene

Street windsurfing is coming back to the scene and UrbanBreez is playing a part. I can not tell you how much that makes me proud.

Now let me tell you the story behind the UrbanBreez Street Windsurfing board:

I loved windsurfing when I was a kid, but my parents were not into it and there wasn’t any good opportunity to learn. So it had to wait till I could do it on my own. When I was about 19 some of my high school and university buddies got excited about it and started to windsurf. I was happy to “come along”.

So I bought my first Windsurfing board and a 5.7 m2 rigg. That was back in 1995. Didn’t have much money to spend on my first windsurfing gear so you can imagine it was an old board that was really just for beginners. As soon as I could snap my feet into the straps and hook on that harness the board was all over the place. Spinning out all the time because the fin was “shaky”.

Had to buy me some new windsurfing gear that would fit with my level I was at. 

But I was also facing another problem. We did not live by the sea. So the only time I could windsurf was in summer for about 2 weeks. Maybe 3. And it had to be a proper windsurfing spot. Since I live in Slovenia and we usually spend summer holidays in the beautiful Croatia, it was either Bol on the Brač island or Pelješac.
Both fantastic spots. Even the PWA (Professional Windsurfers Association) Tour visits Bol.

I was having the time of my life with windsurfing.

But it was over too soon.

Sure we went for a one day windsurf every now and then, to a local lake or something. If the wind was good of course. But that was simply not enough.

Now I didn’t have plans to become a pro rider or anything like that. I just wanted to do more windsurfing, because it was so much fun. The joy that I felt when “nature was pushing” into my sail,… It was amazing, unique, exciting, overwhelming. I was in love.

Then it happened.
One day on a platform near the city center I saw someone windsurfing on a skateboard. It was a fantastic solution to,.. well do more windsurfing.
But I didn’t like that the guy just had an ordinary skateboard. Not really much room to enjoy the windsurfing.
So I decided that I’ll make a “proper” street windsurfing board for me. And I did. There was no YouTube or any DIY stuff on the internet back then,… so I had no idea what was even out there. I just had to come up with my version of what I thought would be a “proper” Street Windsurfing board all by myself.

That was about 25 years ago. The first version, my own version of what I branded now as UrbanBreez Street Windsurfing Board was born.

It was a lot of fun.

Then I started to work, started a family and ran out of time to do any windsurfing in the coming years.

Last year I was talking with my friend Tomaz who also loves to windsurf. Told him what I made 25 years ago and how I still have that same Streetsailing board in my parents basement somewhere. He wanted to see it, try it. And he wouldn’t let it go. So after about 3 months I said “what the heck,… let’s bring this out of the basement and let’s try it”.

After 1 minute, Tomaz was super excited.

I gave it some thought,… and decided to bring this back to life in a bigger way. Maybe it was time to share my design with the world. 

I always felt street windsurfing should have a place in windsurfing. It was quite “alive” back in the 1970s and 1980s. 

Even land windsurfing marathons have been undertaken across the Sahara in 1979 by Arnaud de Rosnay and Nullarbor Plain in 1985 by Gavin Le Sueur.

But then it all kinda went to sleep.

So I redesigned the street windsurfing board that I originally created all those years ago and the UrbanBreez was born.

I decided to bring my design to Kickstarter to see if there was any interest.

The interest and the excitement people showed was amazing. We had a very successful crowdfunding campaign and a lot of new friends.

I am very proud to say that right now we are about to finish our first manufacturing batch of UrbanBreez boards and start shipping.

I feel that street windsurfing is being reborn. It’s something that every windsurfing store in the world should offer and I’d like to make that possible.

I feel that this part of windsurfing offers so much.
For example, to go windsurfing it usually takes a whole day. Well going to a local parking lot for an hour of street windsurfing will probably take no more than 2 hours. It’s like going to a gym. One hour workout will be great for you. And you can squeeze that into your daily routine just about any day. Right? 

You will not be super tired like after a whole day of windsurfing. And you will still be practising those jibes and tacks. 

You will be training windsurfing and you will have fun.
I think it’s something every windsurfer should have in his windsurfing gear arsenal.

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Windsurfing life of Alexander Pepelasis

I have a lot of windsurfing friends. Some of them are super active on Social media with phenomenal photos and videos and a ton of action. One of them is my windsurfing friend Alexander Pepelasis.

I love his posts! The feeling I get is almost as if I was there doing the “lay down jibes”. Watching him windsurf brings a smile on my face every time. Very inspiring.

I told Alexander that I’d love to do an interview to share his windsurfing life story with our audience and he said “I would love to do it”.

Tell me how did the windsurfing start for you?

Well I was very lucky that both my parents and my older brother windsurfed quite a bit, so when I turned 6 years old I got my first rig and since then became addicted to the sport. 

How old are you now?

I’m afraid to say that I’m 37 and all the grey hair has started to appear.

Are you a pro rider? I see a GBR 642 on your sails. Tell me more about that.

No, I wouldn’t consider myself a pro rider.  I am a Point-7 team rider but not because I win races but because I promote the sport and the gear I use. I got the GBR 642 a couple of years back when I started competing in formula racing in the UK but unfortunately we didn’t really get to race that often. In the meantime, I started doing some fun windsurfing videos and used GBR 642 as my identity.

Do you have a “regular” job?

I work as a Point-7 and AV-Boards agent. 

Do you have a family?

I have a wonderful son (Adrian) who is going to be 9 years old in May.

I see you are windsurfing “all the time” - how does that work with the rest of your land life?

Indeed, I do windsurf all the time and when I am not, I am dreaming of windsurfing.  I decided to have a job that might not bring a great income but a job that will allow me to be on the water as much as possible. I suffer from hyperactivity, so an office job or being in the city would just not work for me!

Do you have a coach?

I used to have a coach when I competed in the Olympic category (IMCO, Mistral one design) back in the late 90s.

Do you also train on land,.. specifically for windsurfing - running, gymnastics, etc.?

Yes, I find it vital to do other forms of exercise. So everyday I do a work out besides windsurfing, alternating the days either with weights or 5k runs.

Not that long ago you had a dreadlocks hairstyle. Why did you cut them? To go faster haha?

Yes, indeed I used to have dreadlocks. Now with work I thought I should have a clean cut .. and also in Greece it’s too hot to have long hair. If it actually makes me any faster…. NO but I would like to believe so 😂

I saw some of your non-windsurfing videos that you share,... and noticed you are a percussionist. Can you tell me more about that?

Yes, my studies were in classical music. The reason I went to the UK was to obtain my masters degree in percussion. I don’t play professionally anymore but I do enjoy playing every now and then. 

“…just love

being around the sea.

Any other Hobbies and Interests?

To be honest I don’t have any other hobbies… just love being around the sea.

What are your windsurfing plans for the future?

To windsurf as much as possible and to compete in the Defi Wind race again.

What are your major highlights and achievements in the sport in the past.

I had a couple of windsurfing achievements when I was young, racing in the Greek nationals with One Design but that ended back in 2000. The best experience though that I have ever had, was competing in the Defi Wind event in France. Such an amazing and exhilarating experience racing with 1300 windsurfers for a long distance. It feels like a party or festival. And if I am not mistaken, I ended up being 256 out of the 1300.. so not bad at all!

But to be honest, I don’t really enjoy competing. I love being on the water with others and going as fast as possible but having a smile on our faces, not trying to prove that we are better than one another – it kills the windsurfing spirit for me. 

What does your daily windsurfing routine look like?

Hahah… well, as soon as I wake up I look out of the window to check the sea and what the wind is like. I will do my morning workout, check all my work emails and then straight to the beach… if its light wind I might go foiling, otherwise slalom or wave sailing. Every hour, I will take a break and check my phone for any emails that need responding to and then back in the water again.  That usually takes up the day!   As soon as I return home I will make dinner and then make a video call to my son Adrian. 

If the day went well and I have some good footage, I will then have a beer while editing a video for FB and Youtube, to share the passion of the sport!

Do you have some favorite pro windsurfers that you look up to? Why?

Oh yes… First my boss Andrea Cucchi, Bjorn Dunkerbeck,  Robby Nash, and from the young guns Machiek Rutkowski ! 

Do you also teach windsurfing?

I used to teach back in the days for fun. And now I’m really looking forward to opening a windsurfing school centre, for all levels. 

Just need to find the right spot and place that will be great for beginners, intermediate and advanced but also a place that will be great for windsurfers to come from abroad and enjoy their vacation to the fullest.

Any last words?

Would like to mention that what I enjoy the most is promoting the sport and trying to get as many people into windsurfing as possible. . .

Check out Alexander’s FB profile here:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008998713455

And his YouTube Channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpYA4inymuI6R2MBaSIVXOg