Windsurfing: 5 Mins With Chocolate Cake-Loving 'Sparky'

E365 -- Heard of the Official Test Centre? It's a pretty cool idea to allow loads of common folk like you and me to try out the sickest sport since rollerskating: windsurfing!

The brainchild of Tris Best, the OTC allows people who normally gaze through sports shop windows in wonder to try out all the latest windsurfing equipment in favourable conditions.

So, Extreme365 caught up with one of the dudes who made the whole thing possible, Mark 'Sparky' Hosegood:

1. chocolate cake or carrot?

Chocolate every time!
 
2. how long have you been windsurfing?
 
Since I was 10 years old. That makes it 18 years! Loved every moment of it and still learn something every time I'm on the water!

3. what would you like to see in terms of UK windsurfing?

I'd like to see windsurfing continue to go the way its been going for the last few years. The manufacturers are really making an effort to make windsurfing more accessible to new comers as well as concentrating on the existing windsurfers and making the kit easier to use while having more and more performance.

In terms of UK windsurfing, the Youth scheme's started by myself, the Andy Funnell Foundation and the RYA are coming to fruition. At the Last UK Wave Championship event there were more juniors and youths, competing and sailing at a higher level then I could have dreamed of 3 or 4 years ago! When these young guys AND girls grow up, the UK will have produced some world class sailors.

4. your press release mentioned working aboard...uh, abroad. any more on this?

I became a windsurfing instructor when I was 17, which allowed me to travel to some fantastic places around the world, windsurf loads AND get paid for it! I now live full time in Tenerife, managing the ground breaking OTC (Official Test Centre, www.otc-windsurf.com) and lead a very fulfilled life. We work very hard but also play very hard going windsurfing, surfing or mountain biking every day. To get a peek at what its like, look at the video on our website
 
5. where are the best spots in the Isles to windsurf?

In the UK there are windsurfing spots in every area that on their day can produce world-class conditions. If you want to know the best areas near you, check out these websites:

www.boards.co.uk
www.boardseeker.com
 
6. can you pull a duck gybe (ok, honestly, that's the only windsurf move i know!)
 
Yes, my favourite moves are big back-loops and top to bottom wave-riding. Wave-sailing (jumping and surfing the wave) and freestyle (skateboardy and technical) are the most fast moving and dynamic aspects of the sport and definitely the most exciting to do and watch!

7. boardshorts or speedo?

Boardshorts! Speedos should be banned!

FURTHER SURFIN'

www.boards.co.uk www.boardseeker.com

EXTREME INSPIRATION

"Practice is the best of all instructors."

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