Shawna Cropas: The Big Wave Queen

Name: SHAWNA CROPAS

Date of Birth:

Feb 25th STEVIE WONDER, ALLMAN BROTHERS, PINK FLOYD AND DAVID BOWIE WHERE IN THE CHARTS WHEN I WAS BORN. ( Still some of my favorite music today)

Years windsurfing:

12 YEARS

Windsurfing discipline:

BIG WAVES

Home town:

VANCOUVER, CANADA

Current Location:

MAUI

Hi Shawna, how are you?

AWESOME!

Lets start with a bit of background info, what inspired you to get into windsurfing and can you remember the experience of learning?

I WAS INSPIRED TO WINDSURF THE FIRST TIME I WENT TO A RACING EVENT IN ENGLAND WHEN I WAS 23. THE PART THAT ACTUALLY INSPIRED ME WERE ALL THE COLORFUL BUTTERFLY LIKE SAILS FLYING EVERYWHERE ACROSS THE WATER. IT LOOKED MAGICAL AND FREE. MY FIRST GO AT WINDSURFING WAS IN GREECE, VASSILIKI AND I WAS SURROUNDED BY SUCH A FUN GROUP OF PEOPLE AND INSTRUCTORS WHO ALL POINTED ME IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION. I SPENT HOURS ON THE WATER IN A GORGEOUS SETTING HAVING A BLAST. HATS OFF TO ALL THE INSTRUCTORS IN GREECE BECAUSE THEY WERE THE KINGS AND QUEENS OF MAKING THE SPORT ATTRACTIVE, FUN AND EASY TO DO IN A SAFE ENVIRONMENT.

You have been involved in windsurfing for a while, from learning, to competing, coaching and promoting, can you give us a run down of you achievements and progressions through the sport?

Shawna Cropas

TRAVEL AND PHOTOGRAPHY WERE MY BACKGROUND BEFORE I'D EVEN HEARD OF WINDSURFING..... I TOOK PHOTOS OF WINDSURFING BEFORE I KNEW HOW TO WINDSURF AND LEARNT LOADS BY WATCHING THE SPORT FIRST THROUGH A LENS. AFTER GREECE I SPENT MOST MY TIME WINDSURFING IN IRELAND MID WINTER. I WAS GETTING OUT THROUGH LOGO TO MAST HIGH WAVES WELL BEFORE I'D EVEN LEARNT HOW TO GET INTO THE FOOTSTRAPS! AS A CHILD I TRAINED OUTDOORS, SWIMMING IN CANADA'S FRIGID OCEAN CURRENTS SO I WAS NEVER AFRAID OF THE SEA OR LOSING MY EQUIPMENT. I FELT COMFORTABLE SWIMMING IN SURF BEFORE I COULD WINDSURF. ACTUALLY I THINK OCEAN SWIMMING AND AWARENESS SHOULD BE THE FIRST LESSONS PEOPLE TAKE IF THEY'RE SERIOUS ABOUT WATER SPORTS.

SOON I STARTED COMPETING AND WON SOME BRITISH WAVE TITLES BEFORE I LEFT THE UK BUT I REALIZED PRETTY QUICKLY THAT COMPETITION JUST DIDN'T FULLFILL ME. I LIKED DOING IT FOR FUN. COMPETING FOR ME WAS A WAY TO BE INVOLVED AND GET OTHER GIRLS TO BE INVOLVED IN WINDSURFING BUT THE ACTUAL END RESULT OF THE COMPETITION WERE NEVER OF GREAT IMPORTANCE TO ME. I LOVED THE LIFESTYLE MORE. THE STORY TELLING, THE PHOTOGRAPHY, DOING TONES OF WINDSURFING TRAVEL ARTICLES AROUND THE WORLD, THE ADVENTURE OF SAILING IN FOREIGN LANDS, TEACHING AND GETTING PEOPLE STOKED ON THE SPORT. THAT'S WHAT DRIVES ME. I'M JUST AN OCEAN FAIRING CREATURE.

NOW I'M RUNNING AND INSTRUCTING "ALOHA WINDSURFING CLINICS" HERE ON MAUI WITH MATT PRITCHARD. WE BOTH LOVE WINDSURFING AND ENJOY GETTING PEOPLE OUT ON THE WATER AND SHARING OUR STOKE FOR THE SPORT WITH OTHERS WHILE WE GET THEM TO THE LEVEL OF SAILING THEY WANT TO BE. WE ALSO WANTED TO OFFER A MALE/FEMALE SOCIAL PLATFORM OPEN TO ALL LEVELS OF SAILORS IN ONE GIVEN CLINIC WEEK. IF YOU'RE CURIOUS YOU CAN READ MORE ABOUT IT ON MY WEBSITE: www.shawnacropas.com

AS FOR MY PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENTS.... I ENJOY PUSHING MY OWN LIMITS, LIKE THE FIRST TIME I GOT TOWED INTO A 25+ FOOT WAVE OR GOING OUT WINDSURFING ON BIG DAYS AT HOOKIPA AND KEEPING CALM AS MY HEART POUNDS AS HARD AS THE SURF CRASHING DOWN AROUND ME. LEARNING TO SURF BIGGER AND BIGGER WAVES EVEN WHEN THE ADRENALINE IS SHAKING MY KNEES TOGETHER AND I'M WATCHING THE NEXT SET THINKING... "I SURE HOPE I CAN DUCK DIVE DEEP ENOUGH BECAUSE I'M ABOUT TO GET POUNDED". I SUPPOSE I'M A THRILL SEEKER. IT FEELS LIKE ELECTRICITY WHEN YOU'RE CHARGED AND GOING FOR IT. I LOVE THE TRANSPARANT BEAUTY OF WAVES BREAKING AND RIDING THEM. THAT'S WHAT MAKES ME TICK. LOVING WHAT I DO IS MY GREATEST ACHIEVEMENT IN THE SPORT. I LOVE WINDSURFING AND I'LL PROBABLY BE SAILING WELL INTO OLD AGE.

There aren’t too many women who focus so much of their lives on windsurfing, what else do you value in your life? How have you managed to turn your passion into something more? Do you do other work now that fits around your windsurfing and home life?

I VALUE THE SOUND OF MY SON'S LAUGHTER AND THE HAPPINESS OF PEOPLE IN GENERAL, I VALUE THE HEALTH OF MY OWN BODY(THOUGH I WAS RECKLESS WITH THAT FOR A FAIR FEW YEARS THERE) AND THE ENVIRONMENT AROUND ME. I VALUE GREAT FRIENDS. GOOD FAMILY, QUALITY FOOD AND INTEGRITY IN PEOPLE. I LIKE REAL TANGIBLE THNGS LIKE WIND IN MY HAIR, WATER ON MY SKIN AND CUDDLES FROM MY SON.

I CHOOSE TO LIVE AND WORK AROUND WHAT I LOVE TO DO RATHER THAN VICE VERSA.

AS FOR TURNING PASSION INTO SOMETHING MORE...... TRUE PASSION TURNS ITSELF INTO SOMETHING MORE.

PHOTOGRAPHY WILL ALWAYS BE MY OTHER WORK IF IT'S NOT WINDSURFING AS I'VE A GREAT PASSION FOR THAT AS WELL.

Shawna CropasNow you are living in Maui, but have spent some time in the UK and many other places around the world, where exactly have you lived and what is your heritage?

I WAS BORN IN QUEBEC BUT NEITHER OF MY PARENTS WERE FRENCH LET ALONE BORN IN CANADA. MY MOM WAS BORN IN HOLLAND AND MY DAD IS AMERICAN BORN IN COLORADO. I GREW UP IN VANCOUVER CANADA BUT LEFT ON AN ADVENTURE I'M STILL ON WHEN I WAS 18. I JUMPED IN A TRUCK AND TOURED ALL OVER THE U.S.A. FOR MONTHS BEFORE I BACKPACKED AROUND ASIA FOR THREE YEARS WITH THAILAND BEING CENTRAL BASE, AFTER I LIVED IN EUROPE FOR 9 YEARS WITH IRELAND BEING HOME BASE IN BETWEEN WORLD ADVENTURES DOING WINDSURFING TRAVEL STORIES, COMPETING AND DOING WINDSURFING HOLIDAY COACHING WEEKS ABROAD . I NOW RESIDE IN MAUI AND LOVE IT HERE. TRUE TROPICAL PARADISE!

What has made you settle in Maui?

MAUI IS A PLACE FOR THOSE WHO ARE AMPHIBIAN LIKE CREATURES WHO LIVE TO GET IN THE WATER EVERYDAY. IT'S ALWAYS WARM AND THE TURQUOISE WATER IS ALWAYS INVITING. IT'S WINDY MOST DAYS WITH A DIFFERENT CHOICE OF SEA STATES TO SAIL, ON ANY GIVEN DAY. FOR EXAMPLE IF IT'S MAST HIGH AT HOOKIPA IT'S STILL ALWAYS FLAT AT KANAHA AS THE REEFS ARE A MILE OR MORE OUTSIDE. SPRECKS USUALLY HAS WAVES BUT MUCH SMALLER THEN HOOKIPA AND MORE THE BUMP AND JUMP VARITY. WHEN THERE'S NO WIND THERE'S USUALLY SURF TO RIDE, CLEAR WATERS TO SNORKEL OR STAND UP PADDLING TO BE ENJOYED IN FLAT WATER OR IN WAVES, SMALL OR LARGE! THE VARIETY OF OCEAN GOING SPORTS HERE IS INSANE, NOT TO MENTION WHEN YOU GET OFF THE WATER THERE'S STILL A ZILLION OTHER THINGS TO DO FROM HIKING WATERFALLS, WATCHING SUNRISES ON THE TOP OF MOUNT HALEAKALA, ZIP LINES, WHALE WATCHING, SWIMMING WITH DOLPHINS, POTTERY CLASSES, JEWELRY CLASSES, AMERICAN SHOPPING ETC.... THE LIST REALLY DOES GO ON.

FOR ME PERSONALLY MAUI OFFERS A LIFESTYLE I COULD NOT FIND ANYWHERE ELSE ON EARTH. IT'S A CREATIVE PLACE WITH A HUGE ARTIST SCENE, LOADS OF DYNAMIC PEOPLE FROM ALL AROUND THE WORLD SO I GET MY GLOBAL FIX DOWN TO THE TASTIEST OF THAI FOOD. THE MACC OFFERS AWESOME CONCERTS, STAND UP COMEDY, DANCE AND FOREIGN FILMS. YOU'RE SURROUNDED BY HAWAIIAN CULTURE AND PEOPLE SMILE WHILE SAYING HELLO. THE ISLAND IS LITTERED WITH YOGA STUDIOS AND ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLES..... AND OF COURSE AS THE WIND BLOWS MOST DAYS YOU DON'T NEED TO DROP EVERYTHING FOR THE WIND.... YOU CAN JUST GET ON WITH WORK AND FAMILY LIFE AND GO FOR A SAIL WHEN YOU CAN FIT IT IN AND THE SURF PUMPS! FOR SUCH A SMALL ISLAND IT OFFERS A WORLD OF THINGS TO DO.

How has your life changed since starting a family? Is windsurfing still as bigger part of your life?

Shawna and Reef SINCE STARTING A FAMILY LIFE HAS BECOME BETTER AND MORE FULL, BUT IT HASN'T STOPPED ME FROM WINDSURFING AT ALL. I WAS BACK ON THE WATER 5 WEEKS AFTER GIVING BIRTH.... ACTUALLY BY HAVING A COUPLE HOURS TO MYSELF A DAY TO WINDSURF OR SURF NOT ONLY GOT MY BODY BACK IN SHAPE PRETTY QUICKLY, IT GAVE ME THAT 'ME TIME' EVERYONE NEEDS TO MAINTAIN BALANCE IN THEIR LIVES. IT ALSO MEANT WHEN I WAS WITH REEF HE GOT MY UNDIVIDED ATTENTION. I'M LUCKY BECAUSE I HAVE A HUSBAND WHO IS THE BEST TAG TEAM PARTNER ON THE PLANET. WE BOTH MAKE SURE WE BOTH GET ALL THE TIME WE NEED TO BE ON THE WATER, TO WORK AND TO BE WITH OUR SON. DUE TO MY HUSBAND I AM ABLE TO STILL WORK AND WINDSURF ALMOST AS MUCH AS I EVER DID. OF COURSE THERE'S MORE JUGGLINNG OF TIME BUT REEF LOVES THE BEACH SO WE CAN'T REALLY GO WRONG.

What else have you gained from being involved in windsurfing? (ie friendships, fitness, travel, focus etc)

WINDSURFING GAVE ME A QUALITY OF LIFE THAT CAN'T BE FORECLOSED. ONCE IT'S PART OF YOUR LIFE IT'S YOURS FOREVER IF YOU WANT IT. NOT TO MENTION THE HUGE FUN FACTOR AND GREAT FRIENDS! DOING SOMETHING FOR YOURSELF IS EMPOWERING AND FULLFILLING. LIFE IS GOOD. I LOVE WHAT I DO. THE PEOPLE I DO IT WITH AND THE PLACE I LIVE.

Any other hidden talents or passions you have?

I'VE GOT LOADS OF OTHER PASSIONS BUT THEY ARE NOT HIDDEN. PHOTOGRAPHY, WRITING AND FINE ARTS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A BIG PART OF MY LIFE. I ATTENDED ART SCHOOL AT EMILY CARR COLLEGE OF ART AND DESIGN BUT FELT I NEEDED TO SEE MORE AND DO MORE BEFORE I COULD BE AN ARTIST, SO I PACKED MY BAGS AND WENT TO LIVE A LIFE. I SPEND HOURS PAINTING AND I LOVE SCULPTING, CASTING SILVER FROM WAX DESIGNS AND MAKING JEWELRY. I'M A KEEN GARDENER AND LOVE EATING FOOD I'VE GROWN (MAUI IS THE PERFECT PLACE FOR THAT) I ENJOY MELLOW TIME WITH A BOOK IF I'M NOT SURFING OR STAND UP PADDLING OR CRUISING WITH MY SON. I LOVE SNORKELING AS WELL. MY DAYS ARE ALWAYS LOADED WITH ACTIVITY AND RARELY GO BY UNNOTICED.

What type of windsurfing do you tend to do the most? And how are you trying to progress with you windsurfing at the moment?

WAVES, WAVES, WAVES..... THE MORE YOU SAIL THEM THE BETTER YOU GET. MORE STYLE AND BIGGER WAVES.

What is your favorite equipment set up and why?

MY FAVORITE SET UP IS A NEIL PRYDE 4.5 FLY SAIL... I LIKE MY SAILS TO BE LIGHT IN MY HANDS BUT AT THE SAME TIME I LIKE TO BE POWERED UP. I RARELY SAIL SMALL SAILS. THOUGH WITH THE NEW TWINSER QUADS I'M LEARNING TO CHANGE MY STYLE... MORE SURFY. THE BOARDS, DEPENDING ON CONDITIONS; I USE EITHER MY POLAKOW TWINSER 74 LITRE QUAD OR MY 82 LITRE TWINSER QUAD.

What length harness lines do you use and why?

26. PERSONALLY I AM COMFORTABLE AND I CAN GET IN AND OUT OF THEM EASILY FOR WAVE SAILING

Any top tips for ladies on setting up their equipment? And any other general windsurfing tips?

Shawna surfing TOP TIPS. MAKE SURE YOUR SAIL IS RIGGED CORRECTLY. ENOUGH DOWNHAUL AND THE CORRECT OUTHAUL TENSION. IT'S DIFFICULT TO LEARN ANYTHING LET ALONE ENJOY A SAIL IF YOU'RE ALWAYS FIGHTING THE SAIL AND IT'S OFF BALANCE. IF YOU'RE NOT SURE HOW TO ACHIEVE A CORRECTLY RIGGED SAIL GET SOMEONE TO PHYSICALLY SHOW YOU HOW. PURPOSELY DO A RUN WITH YOUR SAIL RIGGED POORLY... THEN GO OUT AGAIN WITH IT RIGGED CORRECTLY AND FEEL THE DIFFERENCE. MAKE SURE YOU HARNESS LINES ARE IN THE CORRECT PLACE AS WELL. TAKE ADVANTAGE OF TAKING LESSON WITH TOP INSTRUCTORS WHO CAN WORK WITH YOU UNTIL YOU REALLY UNDERSTAND AND FEEL THE DIFFERENCE.

MY OTHER TIP IS THE TWIST WHICH YOU CAN CHECK OUT ON MY WEBSITE www.shawnacropas.com AS IT'S THE ONE THING THAT I THINK CAN GREATLY IMPROVE EVERYONE'S SAILING IF THEY ARE NOT DOING IT ALREADY NO MATTER WHAT LEVEL OF SAILOR THEY ARE. FROM ABSOLUTE BEGINNER TO WAVE HOGS!

What is the one item, aside from your windsurf kit, that you wouldn’t leave home without when going windsurfing?

WHEN LIVING IN MAUI.... SUNSCREEN AND WATER

Hours on the water is great for your fitness, but it must take a toll on your body too, what do you do to help your body recover after a weekend on the water? What beauty/body care products do you use?

SURFING LOOSENS UP MY BODY AS WELL AS YOGA... BEAUTY PRODUCTS? I'M A FAN OF MOISTURISERS.. USUALLY BIOTHERM.

What other sports do you enjoy doing and why? Do you think they help improve your windsurfing too?

SURFING AND SUP, RUNNING, BIKING, SWIMMING, HIKING, YOGA..... THEY ALL HELP TO IMPROVE WINDSURFING AS THE FITTER YOU ARE THE BETTER YOU'RE GOING TO BE AT YOUR SPORT. SURFING HELPS WITH WAVE AWARENESS, SUP WITH BOARD BALANCE AND WAVES AS WELL. THEY ARE BOTH REALLY GOOD SPORTS TO GET INTO IF YOU'RE KEEN TO GO DOWN THE WAVESAILING PATH.

Shawna CropasTRYING SOMETHING NEW IS GOOD PRACTICE. YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE IT'S GOING TO TAKE YOU. WINDSURFING DEFINITELY CHANGED MY LIFE FOREVER FOR THE GOOD. I'M NOT ONE TO WANT TO MISS OUT ON ALL THE FUN! I KNOW IT CAN BE COLD AT TIME IN THE UK SO IT CAN BE A LITTLE BIT MORE OF A PROCESS GETTING PSYCHED TO GET IN THE WATER BUT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH GETTING INTO THE SPORT DURING THE WARMER MONTHS OF SUMMER... OR GOING ON HOLIDAY TO GET BETTER IN TROPICAL PLACES WHERE YOU CAN SWAP YOUR WETSUITS FOR BIKINIS AND GET FIT WHILE YOU'RE ON VACATION! YOU DON'T NEED TO BE HARDCORE TO LOVE THIS SPORT. SOME OF MY MOST FUN WINDSURFING DAYS WERE WHEN I WAS LEARNING, CRUISING AROUND IN A BREEZE WHILE GETTING SOME SUN ON MY ARSE!

Why do you love windsurfing?

I LOVE WINDSURFING BECAUSE IT'S EXCITING AND CALMING ALL AT ONCE. IT BRINGS FOCUS INTO MY LIFE BECAUSE IT CONCENTRATES ME SO CLEARLY INTO THE MOMENT. THE ZEN OF IT. THE BEAUTY OF IT. THE FREEDOM OF IT. THE STRENGTH OF IT. THE CHALLENGE OF IT. THERE'S ALWAYS MORE TO LEARN SO IT NEVER GETS BORING. YOU'RE OUT IN THE ELEMENTS OF THE OCEAN WITH WEATHER THAT IS EVER CHANGING FROM RAINBOWS TO SUNSETS YOU'RE IN IT, SEEING IT AND FEELING IT. IT'S AS FREE AS I'VE EVER FELT.

Quickfire questions

icecream or chocolate?

CHOCOLATE

flat water or waves?

WAVES

short shorts or big boardies?

SHORT SHORTS

waist or seat harness?

WAIST

tea or coffee?

TEA

sunshine and light winds or rain and strong winds?