| Dan Sweeney Interview |
 |
 |
| Συντάχθηκε απο τον/την JohnLucio |
| Τρίτη, 21 Σεπτέμβριος 2010 12:13 |
|
Διαβάστε, σε μια ακόμα εξαιρετικά ενδιαφέρουσα συνέντευξη, πως τα κατάφερε ο Dan Sweeney τον οποίο είχαμε την ευκαιρία και τύχη να γνωρίσουμε απο κοντά στο Surf Club Keros...
Name Dan Sweeney Age: Just turned 17 Home spot: Worthing, South Coast UK Sponsors / partners: Cabrinha, Animal, Monster energy. Things you like (in general): I love cereal, give me a box of cereal and ill destroy it in 20minutes. I like happy people, you only live once so make the most of it.
Things you hate: Routine, I hated school but now I’m at college I’ve had loads more free time and no real routine. Cheese…. Don’t get me start on cheese… I couldn’t eat the stuff if I was given £1million When did you start kitesurfing and what inspired you to do such a “different" sport? I started flying kites towards the end of 2005 on the land, always down the beach messing around. I then progressed onto landboarding, got kinda good then saw kitesurfing. Everything kind of fell into place and I knew I wanted to be on the water. From that day I’ve been hooked and have set my goals, ambitions, dreams and put all my energy into for filling these things. God knows how I got into this sport but it’s the only way I find I can put my energy into and express myself. What is kiteboard for you? Work , amusement , or a way of life? My life kind of evolves around what I want to do and I think it’s a peace of each of those things. I use my kitesurfing in my college work and it is part of my social life. You defiantly have to be disciplined into doing certain things, wither it be training, just freeriding and have fun but each session or evening you have to apply yourself to either going out having fun, training or whatever. I ‘ve been so lucky over the past year and seen some amazing places and I think you can sometimes expect too much from yourself but you have to keep fun as your number 1 priority or why do it?
How many days a week do you enjoy kitesurfing and for how many hours each time? If its windy I’m out. Unless I’m at college and can’t do a runner or working to save up for trips ill be out until my body can’t take any more. Some sessions last for 8hours some I can only do 2, if I’m out learning new things it takes up a load more energy so it really depends. But when we have wind here at home, I’ll be out forsure! Do you do any other sports that help you be physically fit for Kiteboard? Not really if I’m honest. I’m well into my biking and I cycle 24miles a day to work and back so that keeps me very physically fit. But I don’t train at the gym as such, mainly because I don’t have time but if I can I will. I recently got myself a scooter so I think I will be driving to work from now on but I’ll make sure I run to college so I don’t get porky! haha Have you ever stayed out of competition due to an injury ? If so, tell us a few things about that and especially how you were able to get over it and return to winning again….how difficult it was . I’ve been super lucky in terms of injury and to date I haven’t done anything serious…. Touch wood. I had an event a few months back here in the UK and I busted my foot and I almost missed a heat, couldn’t ride well at all and this was really hard to deal with, but shit happens you just need to get over it and come back strong! Look at Mr Lenten, the guy is consistently breaking himself you just need to know how to deal with it and get some rest.
Give us your predictions for the PKRA upcoming season and the next champion. Kevin was pretty far ahead in terms of points but after busting his knee he Is totally out for the season. I could put money on several riders but here is who I think we will see in the top 3.Alby Rondina, Alex Pastor, Andy Yates. This all depends on judging and loads of other factors. But between these three riders you will see podium places I think. You have been in the best places in the world for kiteboarding! Which of them is your favorite and why? Brazil in unreal. Such an amazing place in terms of consistent wind, weather and conditions but it can get very crowed during the day. If you want 100% hours on the water then there is your place. In terms of amazing locations, sight seeing and crazy conditions Maui is amazing. Huge waves, loads to do, strong winds and if there is a bad spell of wind you can always surf, go spear fishing, SUP… loads of things to do. Greece…. Fist time Id been to Limnos and I still rate it as the most underrated location I’ve ever been too. Enough said there!! Defiantly ranked in the top 2 for conditions, location and lifestyle. If I could go and spend a year somewhere though It would be Brazil. Loads of happy people, amazing conditions, bath hot water, cheap good food and overall a sick location. What does it mean for you to be the BKSA Junior Freestyle champion in a highly competitive national kiteboarding championship? It’s not a massive deal, but it was hard to get there. The level in the UK is going through the roof and there are 11 year old kids busting out moves Pro riders on the PKRA are pulling. I guess it’s a good one to have under my belt anyway. But this year I’ve been competing on and off in the UK pros and haven’t done too bad but I need to focus more next year on what I want to achieve then see how I do. Right now I’m getting set of my winter away training, new plans, new support and new goals
Since kiteboarding in Greece is still picking up, could you tell us a few things about what it takes for a junior to break away from the , almost, non existing Greek junior competition scene and start competing abroad, in any given European country… It’s super though to get proper support from sponsors and you need to give it 110% if you want anything in return. like I said i was super lucky over 2010 with my travelling. But for youngsters around Greece I’d say just get out there rip it up, get your name out there with your riding. Get a good portfolio together for possible sponsors and don’t corner yourself into one brand. Comps are the best way to get recognised, but throw together videos, photos and get them online and get people talking. It’s not until then will you get some sort of financial support from “sponsors”. The word Sponsor has been miss used I think in the kiting industry and there are big clams to being PRO. I don’t claim myself as a pro, I just try to be as professional as possible in what I put myself into. Just as a youngster I’d say keep your head down until your happy with you riding and throw yourself out there if that’s what you want to do. I was thrown in the deep end a bit with Cabrinha being signed onto the UK team in 2008, then I was riding ok but I wouldn’t put myself at a sponsor able level but I guess there they saw the potential. It’s only until now I’m happy flying out to events like the Surf club keros event and going and riding as a representative for your sponsors. Are you going to visit us again any time soon? I really hope so!! Greece was epic and I’d love to come back out there. I have some new things in the pipeline for 2011 in terms of support and plans but I will be over for the Surf Club Keors event forsure. I’d also like to go and see Paros… heard some great things about that place. While I’m on the case of Surf Club Keors….. massive thanks to them for having me over for the event. It was a great one and hope to see you all next year!!! Finally, give a word of advice for the rest of us (the Kiteclub.gr community)! Rock on… get out there…. Have fun…. Peace n harmony…. Enjoy our amazing free (ish) sports and push yourself... All the best, hope to see you all sometime soon in Greece!!
Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites           |
| Τελευταία Ενημέρωση στις Τρίτη, 21 Σεπτέμβριος 2010 16:19 |
Πως ένα παιδί 12 ετών καταφέρνει σε 4 χρόνια να γίνει Πρωταθλητής Junior Freestyle και μάλιστα σ'ένα τόσο απαιτητικό πρωτάθλημα όπως αυτό της Αγγλίας ?
