Maeli and Sarah: Students with Style

Sarah Bibby and Maeli Cherel have made a huge impact on the Student Windsurf Association over the past few years. They are both competitive but incredibly friendly, with enthusiasm for the sport and encouraging more girls into competition, FLOW finds out everything about the talented windsurf buddies:

Name: Sarah Bibby

Date of Birth: 27th March 1987

Years windsurfing: About 6

Windsurfing level: Advanced

Home town: Bookham, Surrey

Current Location: Southampton University

Name: Maeli Cherel

Date of Birth: 08/09/87

Years windsurfing: 8

Windsurfing level: Advanced

Home town: Rome

Current Location: Southampton

Sarah ripping up WitteringsHi Sarah and Maeli how are you both?

S:Very good thanks!

M: Very bored of revision and envying all my friends on windsurf seasons!

How do you two know each other? And how long have you been windsurfing together?

M:We know each other from Uni and through the windsurf club. We’ve been windsurfing together since we started studying, so almost 4 years.

S:We also went training together in Margarita for a month.

What is the best thing about sailing together?

S:I guess because we are a similar level and we progress at about the same rate it’s great to have someone to train with and also push you, if Maeli tries do a new move I have to try it too!

M: Yeah, we definitely push each other. It’s also good to have another girl to sail with as usually it’s just us two and the boys!

Maeli the Freestyle QueenSo you have just finished a year competing on the SWA (student windsurfing association) tour, how was it this year and what was your highlight?

S:We have both been involved in the SWA since starting uni and it has been a great way to progress through competition, meet new people obsessed with windsurfing and have some amazing parties. This year has been no exception, we have had some gnarly windsurfing at the Exeter Wave event in 100 mph gusts and an epic water themed boat party at the Nationals! I guess my highlight would be sailing Exeter wave at Lyme Regis and Exmouth and also winning this year’s series.

M: The SWA competitions went pretty well this year since we actually got some decent wind at most of them. It was a shame conditions didn’t deliver for the Portsmouth wave though. My highlight I’d say was getting to windsurf for a full on 4 hours at the Cardiff wave. The waves weren’t great but it was still really good fun!

Can you tell us a bit more about the SWA, are there many girls that come to the events? what sort of level are the girls?

S:The SWA is growing in numbers every year.

M:It is pretty huge now!

S:there seem to be loads of beginner girls, slightly less intermediates and then the numbers really dwindle for advanced - maybe about 10 of us? There are some good racing girls out there but a lot less in freestyle and waves. I’m not sure why - I guess it requires a lot of training and commitment, hopefully the numbers of girls at this level will just keep increasing though.

M: Many more girls should compete in the advanced freestyle and wave because the level really isn’t that high and also the chances of getting prizes are pretty much guaranteed! There’s always a good party too (and a lot of banter!) so it’s a great way to catch up with everyone from other unis. The turn up is massive- with a lot of girls turning up to the big events.

I hear that the SWA has quite a big fancy dress tradition, what’s been your best outfit to date and do you have any pictures?

S:Yes, there have been some horrendous, funny and rude outfits over the years! Morris dancers (until we got our sticks confiscated) and 50+ Southampton windsurf club members as Super Teds was pretty funny! (See attached photo of some of us!)

M: Southampton ruled with Super Ted! My best outfit was probably at Aussie kiss two years ago where me and Will Wickens dressed up as Saloon doors with cardboard cut outs. Spent most of the night getting pretend cowboys to walk between us…was especially funny cause we really aren’t the same height…

Maeli and Sarah Thumbs Up!What have you both been studying at uni and how did you fit windsurfing around your studies? Where have you spent your long holidays?

M:We’re both doing engineering which is hard work but living on the South Coast, I’ve always found time to windsurf when the wind is good- which is surprisingly quite often (except this winter which was rubbish).

S:Despite being busy I always took a little time off when it was windy. Maybe my studies suffered a tiny bit but I preferred a better work/life balance than getting a great degree with no sports or social life. Uni holidays are great: I did a season in Greece over my first Summer, have surfed in Morocco, trained in Margarita for a month, been to Dahab a couple of times and trained in Fuerte for 6 weeks. As the holidays are so long, you have time to work first and windsurf holidays can be done pretty cheaply if you have your own kit and eat pasta the whole time!

M:I’ve spent long holidays windsurfing in Dahab, El Yaque and did a season in Naxos, Greece last summer. I’ve also spent a long time in Fuerteventura surfing and kitesurfing and a total of over two weeks this year in the Alps snowboarding and skiing.

You’ve both been at southampton uni, what’s the windsurf club like for females?

M:There’s a lot of girls who join which is wicked. In fact on most of our beginner trips there’s a majority of girls- which means the club must be pretty female friendly and everyone is super sociable...

S: You’re right Maeli the social scene is great which attracts loads of members and the club also runs beginner trips to Poole harbour every week. Southampton has one of the biggest clubs out of the Universities, but it does fluctuate from year to year.

Sarah Backloop at NewtonWhere do you usually go windsurfing?

S:If there’s any swell, then Kbay, Highcliffe, West Witterings, Ringstead or further down to Cornwall. But being the UK, freestyle is also common so Calshot or Hayling Island, depending on tides and wind directions.

M:It depends on the tides and wind directions. For me usually Hayling Island, West Wittering (in the winter) or recently Weymouth, we try and go windsurfing together as often as possible.

What are your plans now, are you continuing your studies, finding a job or taking a well earned break to explore the world?

S:I am definitely finishing uni after 4 years, I don’t think I could take any more lectures! Me and my boyfriend Stef compete on the UK wave tour so we are taking a year to train hard in Brazil (Ibiraquera), Maui and the Canaries so we can come back strong and fit for the 2011 Four Nations Wave competitions. Then I have a job in Plymouth so I can continue sailing after work and weekends on Cornwall’s best breaks.

M:I finish the Masters in September. Then I’m going to Jeri and Margarita for 10 weeks (wooohooo). Then the grand plan is to get an engineering job in Western Aus January time if my Visa comes through! I’ve always dreamt of living in a place where I could windsurf after work without covering myself in neoprene!!

Any other hidden talents or passions you have?

S:I enjoy surfing, cycling, swimming, squash and skiing... any sports really!

M:I used to be really into painting and drawing but need to get back into it. I also make a kick ass guacamole and can cook up a mean chocolate cake! (never tried the guacamole on the cake though…)

What type of windsurfing do you tend to do the most? And what are you working on at the moment?

S:I prefer wave but still enjoy freestyle too as Southampton doesn’t have the best breaks! I am working on forward and backloops, wave riding, flakas and consistency of vulcans.

M:I’m mostly into Freestyle although good waves are great fun. I’m working on Grubbies, consistency in Spocks, and Punetas…

What is your favorite equipment set up and why?

S:I like my 4.7 or 4.2 Simmer Icon and 68l Quatro Rhythm. A bigger sail feels harder to handle in waves. It’s a nice medium so I feel more comfortable trying more moves.

M:My 4.2m Vandal and my brand spanking new 90L skate with a small fin I cut down. They’re both really light and easy to handle.

Maeli KitingWhat length harness lines do you use and why?

S:I use 28” as that is what I am used to. Any longer and my arms end up taking the power rather than my harness.

M:Hah! Harness line chat…Euh… I think they’re 26 inches. It doesn’t make a huge difference though. All I’d say is don’t get adjustable ones cause they can be harder to hook in and out of. And you don’t want that went you’re going for those gnarly double front loops!

Any top tips for ladies on setting up their equipment? And any other tips on anything windsurfing related? S:Downhauling can sometimes be tricky, so make sure you use a smooth, long rope and pulley system, and use a harness to make it easier. I also reckon fear, warmth and endurance fitness are the main things that hold women back in windsurfing, so try more moves, don’t be scared, get a good warm wetsuit and work on your fitness!

M:Top tips? Different things work for different people. I’d say keep your boom low (for waves and freestyle)- it makes moves a lot easier to learn and don’t be scared to play around with harness line positions. If you’ve never done it before maybe have a practice rigging before cause there’s nothing more frustrating then not managing to rig up when the conditions are good. Also if you find you can’t get enough downhaul on don’t be embarrassed to ask- you’re not the only one.

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

S:Lots of warm clothes, especially a warm pair of socks!

M:A nice warm hoodie.

Southampton SuperTedsHours 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?

S:I normally forget to warm up and warm down, so sometimes I do come back with stiff muscles. A hot shower, cup of tea and a sleep normally sorts it out!

M:I’d love to say that I go in the Sauna and have a Jacuzzi but I’m not that fortunate! When I get back from events I find a nice boiling hot shower, a hot chocolate and a cosy bed are the best things to recover with. Although a couple of pints can sometimes work pretty well! The only body care product I use tends to be moisturiser.

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

S:I enjoy surfing, which definitely helps with wave riding and learning how to read waves. I also do gym work, strength work and running, swimming and cycling to keep me fit. I enjoy skiing when I can, and squash. The fitter you are, the more confident you are on the water and it definitely means you can increase the length of your sessions without being so tired.

M: I love snowboarding, skiing, surfing and kitesurfing for the adrenaline. They’re all quite similar to windsurfing so I should think it all helps to improve my windsurfing. I also play tennis, volleyball and football.

What would be your advice to any woman thinking of trying windsurfing? And why do you think they should?

S:Determination! It took a lot of that learning, and it still does! But it is so worthwhile when you have a good session, the sport is truly addictive. I think more women should try and continue windsurfing as there are not enough of us and we are definitely missing out!

M: Go for it! Don’t be embarrassed to look stupid- everyone does at the beginning. Become good friends with a windsurfer who’s got a car or even better a van- lifts to the beach are very much needed in the UK! Windsurfing is a pretty small world so you get to meet loads of cool people. There are so many disciplines too and things to learn that you’ll never get bored (although you might get frustrated and cold). Also, there’s not many girls who do it so getting sponsorship or winning at competitions is much easier than for boys. Mainly though, it’s just really good fun!

Why do you love windsurfing?

S:It’s fun, extreme, rewarding, challenging, gives me an adrenaline kick and you can never stop learning new moves! Watching videos of other people windsurfing just makes me want to get out there!

M:Because a good session on the water is the best feeling ever. (lets not talk about the bad sessions…:-)

Quickfire Questions

Sarah

icecream or chocolate? Icecream

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? 10-15 knots, sunshine, logo-high!

favorite movie: Forgetting Sarah Marshall?? Or some comedy!

favorite song: way too many!

favorite drink: Pimms or a cocktail

favorite place: So far-Fuerteventura