Interview of John Hibbard
Using a profile method, can you describe yourself on a physical and a psychological point of view?
- NAME: John Hibbard
- DOB.:March 11th 1977
- HEIGHT: 170 cm.
- WEIGHT: 70 kg.
- HOME: Great Britain.
- SPONSORS: Neilson, Mystic Boarding, Action Van, Nissan GB.
What makes you better than the average?
I don't think i am better than the average, I just think I wanted a life on the beach more than your average windsurfer, so that is why I practised hard and found a way to live the life of a pro windsurfer.
What does windsurf brought you?
Windsurfing has bought me the chance to travel to lots of different locations all over the world. It has allowed me to fulfil my dream of windsurfing for a job.
Do you think owing something to this sport ?
I owe a lot to the sport. It has taught me skills that non windsurfers don't have and it has tauhght me to respect nature ant understand more about the forces of nature and how we can work with rather than against nature.
Do you consider creating your own brand?
As a pro windsurfer you have to promote yourself to the media to keep your sponsors happy. Doing this means that you become a "brand". Wether or not it is possible to continue with the brand when you stop being a pro sailor is another thing. I certainly think it is possible. Like all successfully brands it is all about the marketing. If you can market your brand well then you will succeed.
For you, when did windsurf stopped being a simple leisure to become a real passion?
From the first moment I stepped on a board. It was like an instant addiction. I could not concentrate on any other sports for a long time, except maybe surfing, which, I saw as an extension of my windsurfing.
Do you think it's hard to become a professional windsurfer? And why?
It takes time, a lot of practice and few compromises. if you can combine all that together and keep going through the hard times then it isn't that hard. Sticking with it and keeping the motivation is the hardest, some people can't do that despite being awesome sailors.
Competitions' organization isn't very good, what's your opinion regarding this?
Yes and no. Some competitions are not run very well but others are organised really well.
In soccer, seasons are overloaded, is it the case in windsurf?
No not really, but then you have to follow the wind. I would prefer to have a few really good events in great locations rather than lots of events in crap locations.
Will windsurf came back to his golden age or will it stay a summer sport?
It depends on so many factors e.g: What happens with other sports, what happens in the economics of countries, what is fashionable and most importantly, how the sport is marketed and then perceveid by the public.
What wish would you have to improve windsurf?
To make a lot more people do it and to make it more accessible and not so dependent on equipment sales to drive the sport. Equipment is almost irrelevant in surfing, it is just a cool thing to do and nobody really cares what board you ride. In windsurfing the sport has to be re-invented every 10 months so the equipment manufactures can sell more equipment to keep making money.
What would be the best innovation in windsurf equipment?
Biodegradable equipment, cheaper equipment.
Freestyle session, write whatever you want.
I love windsurfing and iI want to see it get bigger and I would like to see more money in the sport. If that doesn't happen then I hope I will still be riding nice waves for a long time to come.
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