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How does it feel to be the 2005 Jeep Hawaii Pro Champion?

It’s kind of like a bragging rights thing. There is no PWA points and the prize money isn’t a real big issue but I guess the prestige (for a lack of a better word) is the main thing. Hawaii is one of the pinnacle spots in the world to windsurf and winning in Hawaii is awesome! And Hookipa is the mecca for windsurfing so to speak so I am very happy especially after coming second last year and this year backing it up with a first.

Who did you NOT want to come against during the event at Hookipa?

Did you get nervous?

THE BOARDS

Do you use the new style ‘pocket wave’ boards?

Yes, in fact two years ago we were the first company along with Starboard to launch a board like that. We have a 7.0, 7.4, 7.8 in our line. I have been using them for 2 to 3 years. When I won the title in 2003 I was riding only those boards. I was riding a short, wide board at all the European events. I’m constantly trying different stuff, but for me it’s so much easier to ride a wider, shorter board in mediocre conditions.

How does your size affect what equipment you use and is this mainly custom or production?

At the top levels of competition, you need your equipment tailored to your personal taste, size and ability. I ride, most of the time, off the shelf production boards and sails. I pretty much always ride production sails, masts and booms etc.

How is your kit tailored to suit your weight?

Everyone has somewhat tailored equipment to their needs. I simple have bigger boards. I ride 90 litres, 95, almost 100 litre wave boards if its in Germany or somewhere. I also ride bigger sails. I think it’s just relative to your size.

In last week’s final (against Kauli) I was on a 5.2m and an 82 litre board, my medium board.

What is you role within Angulo Boards?

We have a very good team of my Dad, myself, our friends in Holland as well as all of our respective distributors, dealers and team riders’ world wide. Every single person is an intricate part of the business.

My role(s) are designer together with my Dad, team rider and tester. I also try and put people together, I am always networking. With my job I meet a lot of people though the industry so we are able to put different people in touch from shops to dealers.

And I just try and be there for the customer. I am always open to feedback and if somebody says, ‘Heh, maybe you should try this’, I always take it into consideration and try to make a good product for our clients and the end customer.

Will Angulo Boards one day be as big as say, Fanatic or JP?

We’ve not tried to categorize areselves as niche or big. At one point, my parents had one of the biggest custom board business in the world some years back. That was just where it went because of my Dad’s shapes and my brother (Mark Angulo) riding the boards. We will see where it goes. We’re just trying to do are job well and work with good people and whether it grows or stays as a smaller business, we will be happy as long as it’s going in the right direction.

SUPER X, JAWS AND WIPEOUTS

What moves are you concentrating on at the moment?

(Listen to this answer to see the Editor get taken apart by Josh over the infamous duck gybe!)

I’m 100% focused on Super X. I am so far behind everybody else. I am pushing myself to catch up and get to the level I want to be at which is World Title contention. So I am still learning the spock, the flat water forward…it’s like starting windsurfing again but it’s exciting, its fun! It makes me want to go sailing when it is flat and light. I got two weeks to get my act together before the first event in Leucate.

Everything needs improvement, even the duck gybe.

The duck gybe?!

You try doing them overpowered, with eight of the best racers in the world breathing down your neck, in choppy conditions after jumping over the jumps, breathing super hard….your coming to the last mark, it’s bumpy, all the guys are yelling, you got to make that duck gybe…

(Editor: point taken, she’s now off to practise her duck gybes!)

When was the last time you sailed Jaws?

What is your favourite move?

What’s the worst wipeout you have ever had?

Wipeouts are relative. The scariest one I had was toe surfing at Jaws; skipping out on the wave and the next wave hit me. But sometimes just flat water wipeouts can hurt. I had broken bones when I was little(er) and they really hurt.

THE BELIEVER

In your speech at the Jeep Hawaii Pro Prize giving, you thanked Jesus Christ first and foremost? Can you explain that a bit more?

I believe that Jesus gives me, and those who believe in him, pretty much everything that we have and he allows the good things to happen in my life. Through the forgiveness that I receive in my life, like being washed anew daily, I am able to grow as a person and concentrate as a Professional, as an athlete, as a Dad and as a husband and to be able to succeed in my daily life, in my business and day to day stuff.

Finally, what would you like to be doing in 10 years time?

Something similar to what I’m doing right now with maybe a little more money in the bank! Sitting at my own house rather than my parent’s house would be nice!

I would definitely see myself competing longer in venues such as Maui and maybe in Cape Verde , (good wave sailing venues) and stop in Pozo before I stop here. As here is like going down to your backyard.

THE FINAL WORD