SHAUN COOK – THE FIRST TIME

Shaun Cook has made quite a splash in his first season of racing in the BSA. The co-owner of F-Hot fins was pushed into his first ever slalom event at Harwich this year by Dave White and currently leads the amateur rankings using RRD freerace equipment. Amped and hungry for more competition we caught up with Shaun to learn more about his new found passion and talent for racing and experiences as a first timer on the BSA slalom circuit.

Words & Photos Dave White

WS – How long have you been windsurfing and where did you learn?
SC – I have been windsurfing since I was 12 years old and was taught by my dad Steve Cook and of course Whitey. They taught themselves to windsurf back in the day so sent me to Alton Water to learn the basics; that’s all it took to get hooked. The next day I beach-started and was water-starting by the end of the week. After that I was one of the crew; good job as at a tender age of twelve I needed a lift to the beach. Those days seem like an eternity ago now, though it’s been a fantastic twenty two years on the water!

WS – What sort of gear have you mostly been riding?
SC – That’s changed over the years, firstly it was F2 / Arrows, then Gaastra / Tabou and now it’s all RRD. Guess you can see a pattern emerging, Whitey’s always had a van full of kit and he was never using what I needed due to our difference in size, pretty handy really! Up until a few weeks ago the biggest board I’d been on was a 100l and that was just to pose in front of the camera, which is exactly how I ended up on a Firemove 112 and X-Tra 6.5!

WS – What made you switch over to slalom?
SC – Not too sure really, I’d taken up kitesurfing for the light wind days just to be on the water, at least that’s how it started out. The last few years I’ve only windsurfed when it was too windy for kitesurfing. Big kit felt clumsy and slow to me, so I was surprised when I tried the 6.5, it was like being bitten by the windsurfing bug all over again. Guess it was just good timing as the BSA were coming to Harwich and Whitey gave me a push into entering. I didn’t think it was for me but with my arm well and truly twisted I went and couldn’t believe how much fun it was.

WS – How easy is it to rock up and join a BSA racing event?
SC – Making the decision to go racing was harder than the realities of signing up. Simply turn up and ask for Brian; he’s easy to spot, he’s the one with the wig on. Strangely that helps as you suddenly realize it is not that serious.You enter your details onto the form, pay a little cash and hay presto, you’re not only in but you’ve got windsurf insurance.

There’s three options, well two actually, the Pro fleet naturally took itself out of the equation, Master Blaster or Am’s Slalom. I was opting for the former but that twist in my arm was still there making the decisions (blooming Whitey!), so off I went to the riders briefing. There we had a quick introduction for the day’s event and newcomers were offered an explanation to the starting procedure and it was reassuring that I wasn’t alone; there were a few other first timers also going through the ropes.

“ Having a start and finish line just heightens the enjoyment of windsurfing, racing is a great laugh both on and off the water ”

WS – What sails, boards and masts did you need?
SC – I guess not everyone entering their first ever event will have a personal caddy and a trailer full to the brim with everything from wave to race kit. Yes, it was a role reversal, Whitey was my caddy for the weekend and like every good caddy he was pointing out the best options for the day; right where’s my X-Fire. Apparently not, he pulled out a Firemove and said, ‘sail what you know, not what you can’. That didn’t make sense at first but getting round the course in comfort gained me more places than speed would have done. Outside of your normal windsurfing kit, you’ll need a start watch; nothing complicated but anything that’ll do a three-minute countdown.

WS – How much did it cost?
SC – I entered the Amateur fleet, and it cost about £55 to enter. As I was a new member I think I will earn a 20% discount off my next event. I also joined the UKWA which gives you insurance for the year; this set me back about £45 but I think it is well worth it to be covered.

WS – What is the atmosphere like between the racers in your fleet?
SC – The atmosphere amongst the amateurs was awesome, even though I was a newbie everyone seemed to be friendly and were willing to help each other out (well until they get on the water
that is anyway!).

WS – What did you learn from your first two events on and off the race course?
SC – Listen to the flag briefing, I was so fixed on the starting sequence I didn’t recognize the abandoned flag as the boat raced past me. The wind had dropped to below racing conditions but I was so amped I continued to cross the line in first place but then to find everyone was waiting at the start for the wind and myself to arrive. To date my most frustrating mistake was at Worthing; this time I really was out in front but mixed up the finishing marks. Simply put, it doesn’t matter how far ahead you are, if you don’t cross the finishing line you just haven’t finished. So learn about flags, race sequences and the rules, there aren’t too many and everything you need to know is online; it’ll take a little heat out of your first competition. Once you’ve signed up, check the heat order and which heats you’ll be in, if you can identify a seasoned regular in your heat, keep an eye on what he’s up to.Though the most important tip of all is, go and
enjoy yourself!

WS – Do the pros help out with any advice or race tips for you?
SC  – It’s probably a question I can’t answer fairly, I’ve not only got Whitey but most of the Pro’s use F-Hot fins which I run with my father Steve. And yes, I know it might seem odd that we make some of the best fins in the world and I haven’t used them, but as Dad says, you don’t see the designers driving the Formula1 cars. That said, I’d still say yes, the beach is just a mix of Pro’s, Am’s and Masterblasters, everyone mixes in and the spirit and atmosphere is pretty relaxed.

WS – Are you hoping to move up to the pro fleet?
SC  – I will see how I fair in the Amateur fleet this season, but Whitey’s already saying we’re doing the Pro’s next year, and yes, I think that means the both of us! Actually it’s more than that, but I better not give his plans away, let’s just say I think there will be quite a few of us going for it next year.

WS – Would you recommend any other wannabe racers to come join in some of the other races?
SC – I would highly recommend any windsurfers that fancy a race to join in, actually, even if you just like blasting with your mates you’re already half way there. Having a start and finish line just heightens the enjoyment of windsurfing, racing is a great laugh both on and off the water and it really helps brush
up your skills as a sailor.

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