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Windsurfjournal.com : Do you have a special memory when you think about your career, something you could say was the best moment in your windsurfing life ?
Robby Naish : No really… Fortunately. I have so many good memories, and keep making them all the time. I am sure that is why I have been so motivated to windsurf for so long… If my best memories were ten or twenty years ago, I think that would be sad. I live for today, and still loving every minute of it, even with a lot of very great memories behind me.
WJ : Windsurfing was a big sport 15 or 20 years ago and it’s now more “confined”… In your opinion, what does windsurfing need to be more popular with the public and media ?
RN : I wish I knew the answer to that one. But there is nothing wrong with being exclusive!! We are special people, with a special appreciation for sport and nature and how to combine the two in an amazing way… Making it fashionable does not make it better. Just more crowded.
WJ : We publish lots of pictures and videos of you on Windsurfjournal.com during those great sessions down at Hookipa. You’re always smiling and having fun… Is the passion there just like your first ever day ?
RN : Absolutely. Last week at Hookipa has been insane. Naish, JP, Mistral, Starboard and Fanatic are all doing photo shoots at the same time for 2009. Everyone is here. But we got sick conditions with strong winds and big waves, and it has been so much fun riding with all the guys… Everyone is ripping, and it’s great to still be a part of it all.
WJ : In your opinion, who is (or are) the best waverider(s) around at the moment and why ?
RN : It depends on the day and the spot. There are a lot of guys that are really good on one tack, but not the other, or are great in sideshore but suck in onshore. All in all there are a lot of good guys at the moment. Jason Polakow, Keith Teboul, Kauli Seadi, etc… I hate to name names, as it leaves guys out that should be on the list. For sure if you watch Hookipa today there is no one standout rider though… Nobody that is a lot better than the others. There are a lot of guys ripping at a similar level.
WJ : What do you think about Antoine Albeau’s latest speed record from March 5th ?
RN : Super cool. I talked with Antoine last week about it, and it sounded scary… That is damn fast. I have only done 43… and to go for 500 meters at 49… So damn close to 50 knots… that is rad. Drive that fast in your car and stick your head out the window. Then imagine jumping out into the water… I am stoked for Antoine. He is really dialed in these days… Working hard, having fun, and bringing it all together. I like seeing a nice guy like him do well. He deserves it. And so does windsurfing. The kites are coming though… Watch out !
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WJ : A few years ago, you were very interested in speed attempts… Any chance we might see you one more time racing for the record ?
RN : I would love to, but I just do not have the time to dedicate anything serious to it. I would love to do an event again like I did in Arinaga with Björn Dunkerbeck, Anders Bringdal and Antoine Albeau. We accomplished our goal, which was to bring speed back into the spotlight and I had a really good time. Hopefully I will get to run on the speed canal (at Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer) once…
WJ : In your opinion, between windsurfing, kitesurfing and a boat like the Hydroptere, which will be the first to beat the 50 knot barrier ?
RN : I hope that it is a windsurfer. Hydroptere is amazing but it’s like David and Goliath here…. The kiters are going over 50 already, just not for 500 meters yet. We’ll see who gets there first, but I have a feeling it may be a kite.
WJ : Your brand Naish and you personally are more and more invested in stand up paddle surfing… What’s your opinion about this growing sport… ?
RN : I’m having a lot of fun doing it. There is a time and a place for everything and this is a sport that has a time and place that’s a perfect complement for a windsurfer / kiter… When there’s no wind, you go standup. Big waves, small waves, no waves… It’s fun and healthy. It sucks when there is wind though !!! |
