You can't control the wind, but you can adjust your sails!
- Team OTC
- May 9
- 3 min read
The Official Test Centre Pro-Rider Scotty Stallman is fresh from the first round of the PWA World Tour. The tour is known for its prestigious events held at some of the world's top windsurfing locations and the first stop on the world tour did not disappoint with the breathtakingly beautiful Guadeloupe as the backdrop for the world's top windsurfers, the saying 'you can't control the wind', some things in life are beyond our control, 'but you can adjust your sails seems very apt for this event, in this week's blog Scotty gives us an insight into his island adventure competing on the world stage.
By Emma Maguire.
What an amazing place Guadeloupe was!
Scotty said: "Absolutely! It’s amazing the type of places we get to experience on tour and Guadeloupe has got to be up there with one of my favourites. The locals are all really nice and the stunning scenery is something to never get bored of!"
Was it frustrating to have no wind at the start of the week?
Scotty said: "It was a little, but it always is regardless of where we are in the world. The benefit of no wind at this event is that we got to wait on a pretty idilic beach. The event crew made sure there was stuff going on in-between racing too which made things nice for us. One of the no wind days they organised a boat trip to a near by island - that’s not something that happens everyday on tour!"
The wildlife looked sensational was it funny to see iguanas running around?
Scotty said: "It was definitely a little strange to have what looks like dinosaurs running around!! But that in itself made the event even more special and a small realisation of where we actually are to kick off the first event of the season!"
What was the racing like?
Scotty said: "The racing was really fun albeit it mainly light wind stuff. But I do feel I am working on my light wind technique and feeling much more confident up against the big boys."
How was your kit?
Scotty said: "My kit this year, apart from looking amazing, was going really well. The sails feel really quick on the course which is always a good feeling and with the addition of a new foil my speed feels really competitive. Just need to fine tune some racing technique and I hope to be able to climb further up the rankings!"
You only got to compete in 3 eliminations was that frustrating?
Scotty said: "It’s always frustrating when you travel so far to then only complete three eliminations, but as everyone in the water sports industry will know, that’s all part of the game and you can never have your hand in with what the wind is doing. In an ideal world we would have completed the fourth elimination giving us a discard and would of hopefully worked in my favour after a not so good first elimination."
Now you are home what will you take from Guadeloupe?
Scotty said: "There was a lot of things to take from Guadeloupe, but all things have been noted including some tuning of my kit and race start practice which I can do from HQ before the next event!"
What are your new goals?
Scotty said: "Break into that top 10! This was a main goal when I went to Guadeloupe but after not doing it this time I’m motivated more than ever to do it for the next!"
How will this affect your training and tuning of your kit?
Scotty said: "In all honesty there is just a few small things I need to dial in which makes things a lot easier when you turn up to an event to compete. If you can take away a factor such as kit tuning it’s one less thing to worry about when you arrive at the event site!"
Where is the next race?
Scotty said: "The next race is at the end of May, and I’m sure most of you will know it as I hope to see you there - Defi Wind! I’m undecided as to whether I will do it on the fin or foil at the moment though… We shall see!"
If Scotty's globe trotting adventures have inspired you, why not book a windsurfing taster with us at The Official Test Centre, call 07817 717904 and who knows where your adventure will take you!
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