October: The West Sussex Stud
Jamie Hawkins is without a doubt one of the best windsurfers the UK has produced, after some impressive years on the PWA tour Jamie is now found at his local break in West Sussex, out in Tenerife or still searching for that perfect wave. FLOW finds out more from the homegrown hunk:
Name: Jamie Hawkins
Date of Birth:
08.02.73
Years windsurfing:
28
Windsurfing level:
Pro
Home town:
Rustington, west sussex
Current Location:
Witterings, west sussex
credit: John CarterSo a bit of background information, when and where did you start windsurfing?
Started at home in Rustington when I was ten. My dad had learnt this new sport abroad, he was a pilot, and I wanted to learn. I was dead keen to get a wetsuit, must have been a bit of a poser. And I loved it. And the wetsuit.
You competed for many years on the tour, how was it for you and why
did you decide to stop competing?
It was amazing. To get to travel the world, get paid pretty good, and wake up everyday so stoked was very cool. And I was good at it too yippeee.
Do you prefer competing or just heading out on the water for fun?
I love both. Sailing with just a few people or on my own. I also still love competing. It still gives me a buzz to win.
What are you most memorable moments in windsurfing?
Winning my second world championships and beating the legend of Robby Naish in the waves!
Why do you love windsurfing?
it's such a feeling of freedom and play all in one thing.
And why do you think more women should get into the sport?
If you like both those things then why not.
What valuable lessons have you learnt from the women in your life (windsurfing related or otherwise)?
3 things perhaps: what will be will be: very true.
Just be yourself and be happy ; also very true .
And learn from the past and embrace the present:
You must be surrounded by some very talented windsurfers, what women have you seen out there recently that were really ripping?
Tash Wakefield and Jess Napper locally. Amy, you were ripping in Tenerife last time I was out.. I would say my favourite windsurf female talent would be the Moreno twins from GC.
Do you still windsurf as much or have some other sports found there way into you life too?
I love windsurfing still and get out all the time. I also kite and sup a lot but most of my suppin is when I am fishing for mackerel! I love to surf too.
Guys might be stronger than girls, but girls are......
sexier and smell better
One thing you will never understand about women…
how they choose the colour of their wetsuit or bikini over choosing the right board or sail
When you realise the person who almost out gybed you at the last mark was a woman you think......
They must be in another race or I did some extra laps. Lol sorry girls, its not gonna happen.
Would you rather have endless wealth but nobody to share it with, or be head over heels in love and totally broke?
I would hate to never have anyone to share things, that is truly one of lifes amazing things. Love is very important to me.
Which of the following would you give up if you had to sex or windsurfing?
Windsurfing obviously, there’s no comparison
If a girl asked you for some help rigging up her kit would you....
a)jump at the chance and have the kit tuned up and ready to go before she can get her wetsuit on
b)give her a helping hand, while chatting to her about windsurfing
c)be talked into it with the promise of copius amounts of beer
d)ask her to stop winding you up as you know she is more than capable of rigging up herself
Defo A. I would have a good old chat too. I love having girls in the sport, they are cool.
credit: John CarterThe last month has been windless, flat and raining, Saturday is fast approaching and the forecast is looking awesome, windy, perfect swell, and sunshine, but then your computer calendar pops up reminding you there is a very important family gathering on the same day. What do you do?
a)give windsurfing a miss, family are the most important thing
b)get up ridiculously early, go for a sunrise windsurf and make it just in time
c)get a decent windsurf session in, but cut it a bit short, turn up fashionably late, your family know you well enough to understand.
d)call up on Saturday morning, put on your best ‘I’m really sick’ voice, while hoping they haven’t checked the weather forecast
family is cool but it would have to be c)id be late. I am always late:-(
Windsurfing girls rock because....
They rock because, you can spend all your leisure time with one, if you’re lucky enough to have one as a girlfriend. Instead of country walks you can go on the water and rip it together...
Jamie is sponsored by
Photo credits:
Windsurfing - John Carter
Lifestyle and surfing - Julia Toms http://juliatoms.com/
