The next big thing?
Last weekend’s UKWA National Freestyle Championships at Poole WindFest was testament to the depth of new talent emerging onto the UK trick scene right now. And finishing at the front of the Youth fleet was a name we’ve heard a lot about recently: Alex Mitchell. A few months before the Dorset event, he’d been seriously impressing his peers out at Sotavento on Fuerteventura where a band of new-school Brits spent July in training. One of his greatest advocates – and a tidy freestyler himself on the nomadic UK ‘Xpression’ circuit – Steve Thorne sent us this interview and movie…
Alex Mitchell
Born: 12.10.1993
Home: Weybridge, Surrey
Occupation: Student and windsurfer
Sponsors: PuraVida Boardsports with Fanatic / North kit and ION wetsuits
Steve: So dude, how’s it? Did you enjoy Fuerteventura this summer?
Alex: Pretty sick thanks – had loads of wind and I learnt lots, it was very productive.
Cool. So what’s your favourite move right now?
Switch chachoo at the moment – I learnt them this summer.
And your favourite sailor?
Marcilio Browne because he’s sick at everything – waves and freestyle. He rips.
So what are your plans for the future, bro?
I’m hoping to be British Champ and I’d like to compete on the PWA by the time I’m 19.
Sick! I’m sure you’ll get there dude. The way you’re going it may be sooner... Anyway, if you could choose to freesail anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Sotavento! It’s a great place to learn new moves and it’s always windy – especially in July…
Where’s your local spot then?
Queen Mary Sailsports Club – big-up the Staines massive!!!
Staines?!? How did you get into windsurfing there?
Well, my sister did a watersports course and I thought it looked cool so I gave it a go and loved it. Since then I haven’t looked back.
Sweet. What moves are you trying to learn right now?
Switch kono and bob.
How’s that going?
I’m finding the technique a little weird, but once that’s sorted I’m sure I’ll get them. They’re not as hard as people think, just like other switch moves like puñetas and stuff…
What tips have you got for people who want to learn freestyle?
If you want to learn a move you have to focus solely on it. If it’s too frustrating you leave it for a while and try something else, then go back to it later once you’re a bit more relaxed.
And now, here’s Alex in action earlier this year at Sotavento…
