Oisin Van Gelderen
| Name: | Oisin Van Gelderen |
| Sail Number: | IR777 |
| DOB: | 1.1.1977 |
| Country: | Ireland |
| Sponsors: | NeilPryde / JP Australia / Red Bull / Surfdock.ie / Mercedes Benz / Annesley Williams.ie / Stena Line Ferries |
| Discipline: | Wave / Freestyle / Speed / Slalom |
| Website: | www.surfdock.ie/oisin |
What age did you start Windsurfing?:
16
On NeilPryde Team since?:
1995
How did you get into windsurfing: I took some lessons while on holiday with friends. I was into skateboarding, BMX and Moto-X, and at the time I was also doing competitive cycling. Once I got on a board, I never got on the road-bike again, and I have never looked back !
What is it about windsurfing that’s got you hooked?
At first it was the freedom and the speed ! Once you have been planing, there is no turning back :-) To me it felt like driving a rally car where-ever you wanted to go, with no limitations of roads or tracks.
Add that into waves, and start jumping and riding, and anything is possible. It's totally addictive. I'm still totally hooked, and glad to say I get just as excited now for a good session on the water as I ever did.
Biggest achievement to date:
I have plenty to be happy about, I've done a lot of competitions and achieved many of my goals. But to be honest probably the biggest achievement is that I have managed to spend most of my life windsurfing, have such a good time, and that I'm still at it going as hard as ever.
Favourite Windsurfing Spot:
It's hard to best the West coast of Ireland when the wind is howling, a big swell pumping and the sun is shining (don't blink though- you might miss it).
Favourite windsurfing discipline:
Without doubt wave-sailing because it is the most fun part of the sport. No two waves are the same and I love jumping too. Also the most impressive if the conditions are right.
Favourite manoeuver:
I love doing goiters and ponches, but the one I really want to nail is the push-forward. Bring on the pain!
Favourite Windsurfing Moment:
Well.. the moment I always love is feathering at the top of a mast high wave while it jacks up, then dropping down the face into a fast bottom turn. You can't beat that moment!
How do you keep fit and healthy:
Keep sailing every day.
Plans for 2009:
Keep going and have as much fun as possible. Theres so many good events happening this year, it will be a busy one for sure. Got the Wave and Freestyle Champs, Speed Champs, and I'm going to try out a couple of slalom events to see if thats any fun. Oh and also now that Antoine is with JP, I can't wait to get a proper speed board and go and break the world record (I wish).
