- Used Equipment
- Surf
- Stand Up Paddle
- Windsurf
- Kayak
- Kitesurf
- Bodyboard
- Skim
- Wetsuits
- GoPro Cameras
- Gadgets
- Land Based
- Roof Racks
- Gifts
- Ride with bigsurf!
- Surf Clothing
- Special Offers
- Shop By Brand
Gareth Nihill
INTERVIEW NO. 1 – Gareth Nihill - President of the Irish Windsurfing Association
To kick off our series of interviews, we decided to start at the top, with none other than the President of the Irish Windsurfing Association, Mr. Gareth Nihill. Gareth is probably one of the most grounded people you’ll meet on the Irish Windsurfing Scene. Originating from the West of Ireland, he’s not afraid to fight for his race positions on the race course, and in turn his devotion to the cause of the IWA is second to none! You’ll spot him on the road with his red van, with his quiver of GTX’s on the beach, or the guy with the long brown hair at the IWA meetings! Over to you Gareth...
Who are you?
Gareth Nihill (pictured below 2nd from left)
Where you from?
Ogonnelloe Co. Clare
Ogonnelloe Co. Clare
Where are you based?
Dublin
Dublin
Years Windsurfing?
20 years
20 years
Favourite Windsurfing Discipline?
Wave sailing for sure. I’m not a very good wave sailor but I enjoy being frightened..!
Wave sailing for sure. I’m not a very good wave sailor but I enjoy being frightened..!
Favourite Windsurfing Move?
A very simple but well executed Forward Loop. It’s always been the bench mark for the next level. Kind of like the 40 Knot club.
A very simple but well executed Forward Loop. It’s always been the bench mark for the next level. Kind of like the 40 Knot club.
Favourite Windsurfing Location?
Belmullet Co. Mayo. I lived there for 3 months in Colaiste UISCE when I was 20 which were the best windsurfing days of my life.
Belmullet Co. Mayo. I lived there for 3 months in Colaiste UISCE when I was 20 which were the best windsurfing days of my life.
What Windsurfing move do you want to learn next?
I want to loop with confidence instead of feeling my life is about to end every time I try one.
I want to loop with confidence instead of feeling my life is about to end every time I try one.
Other Water Sports Interests?
Anything that involves a wetsuit really. I just did my PADI licence in January so I suppose that’s the flavour of the month right now.
Anything that involves a wetsuit really. I just did my PADI licence in January so I suppose that’s the flavour of the month right now.
Favourite Watersports Video?
“The Windsurfing Movie” the ultimate motivator and an amazing soundtrack. Makes you feel like you could loop the armchair.
“The Windsurfing Movie” the ultimate motivator and an amazing soundtrack. Makes you feel like you could loop the armchair.
Most Memorable Watersports Moment?
I finished 3rd overall in the Gold Fleet in an Achill Slalom event when I was 16. I even finished 1st in 2 races with Oisin in 2nd. Simple but hard to top when you’re that young.
I finished 3rd overall in the Gold Fleet in an Achill Slalom event when I was 16. I even finished 1st in 2 races with Oisin in 2nd. Simple but hard to top when you’re that young.
Most WORST Memorable Watersports Moment?
I was windsurfing on Lough Derg in January about 12 years ago. I had to bail out of a jump with cramps in both calf muscles. I lost my gear and had to swim after it for about 20 mins. It was blowing about 30 Knots so the kit just kept cart wheeling away from me as I’d just almost grab it. When I caught up to it I couldn’t get rid of the cramps and was too cold to sail. The guys I had been sailing with thought I’d gone home so continued to sail until almost dark. When they got back and saw my stuff still on the shore they raised the alarm. I had been lying on the board for about an hour trying to paddle to shore. I eventually ended up on a lee shore well into dusk. We had launched from Shannonside Activity Centre where we all worked at the time so the guys started searching the shore in rescue boats. I pulled myself ashore, detached my sail and stood my board up on end. One of the guys spotted it in the distance and came and got me. I got a terrible slagging for it afterwards but got a nasty shock all the same. Hypothermia was knocking on the door and it’s no fun.
I was windsurfing on Lough Derg in January about 12 years ago. I had to bail out of a jump with cramps in both calf muscles. I lost my gear and had to swim after it for about 20 mins. It was blowing about 30 Knots so the kit just kept cart wheeling away from me as I’d just almost grab it. When I caught up to it I couldn’t get rid of the cramps and was too cold to sail. The guys I had been sailing with thought I’d gone home so continued to sail until almost dark. When they got back and saw my stuff still on the shore they raised the alarm. I had been lying on the board for about an hour trying to paddle to shore. I eventually ended up on a lee shore well into dusk. We had launched from Shannonside Activity Centre where we all worked at the time so the guys started searching the shore in rescue boats. I pulled myself ashore, detached my sail and stood my board up on end. One of the guys spotted it in the distance and came and got me. I got a terrible slagging for it afterwards but got a nasty shock all the same. Hypothermia was knocking on the door and it’s no fun.
Thoughts on Irish Windsurfing?
With an event calendar like we have this year it all looks like it’s going in the right direction. There is definitely a lot of history in Irish Windsurfing. Guys who were heavily involved 10-15 years ago are still there sailing and helping out today. This is invaluable when it comes to avoiding the problems of the past. Windsurfing in Ireland has become a real family affair the full length of the country. The amount of young sailors is fantastic for the future of the sport and the parents have to be applauded for their efforts here. Competition is healthy and the standard of the average sailor nowadays is way higher in comparison to sailors of 10 years ago.
With an event calendar like we have this year it all looks like it’s going in the right direction. There is definitely a lot of history in Irish Windsurfing. Guys who were heavily involved 10-15 years ago are still there sailing and helping out today. This is invaluable when it comes to avoiding the problems of the past. Windsurfing in Ireland has become a real family affair the full length of the country. The amount of young sailors is fantastic for the future of the sport and the parents have to be applauded for their efforts here. Competition is healthy and the standard of the average sailor nowadays is way higher in comparison to sailors of 10 years ago.
Thoughts on World Windsurfing?
There is definitely a major comeback on the world scene. We have definitely seen numbers increasing in this country. As far as disciplines go, well it’s always going to be steered by the production companies and where they want to go with kit. As a result that’s what the rest of us will be led by. It’s no surprise that we have a thriving racing/slalom interest here again with the Pro Slalom scene so big again.
There is definitely a major comeback on the world scene. We have definitely seen numbers increasing in this country. As far as disciplines go, well it’s always going to be steered by the production companies and where they want to go with kit. As a result that’s what the rest of us will be led by. It’s no surprise that we have a thriving racing/slalom interest here again with the Pro Slalom scene so big again.
Where do you think Irish Windsurfing will be in 10 years time?
As I said before it will primarily be dictated by the Pro scene. The younger sailors will be influenced more by what is new and promoted in the magazines and DVD’s. We’ll be old and grey by then talking of how it was in “My day” and not wanting to let go. The difficult thing is to keep the motivation across the disciplines. The most important thing is that the sailors get involved in promoting the discipline that they want to see more of. It’s too easy to rely on a few guys to organise everything and expect the events and calendars to keep appearing each year. Once that happens then it will undoubtedly revert to a one sided calendar. People can’t commit continuously to committee and organisational roles so as they drop off so too does the drive behind the scenes. I hope it will be thriving and I hope to be still involved somehow.
As I said before it will primarily be dictated by the Pro scene. The younger sailors will be influenced more by what is new and promoted in the magazines and DVD’s. We’ll be old and grey by then talking of how it was in “My day” and not wanting to let go. The difficult thing is to keep the motivation across the disciplines. The most important thing is that the sailors get involved in promoting the discipline that they want to see more of. It’s too easy to rely on a few guys to organise everything and expect the events and calendars to keep appearing each year. Once that happens then it will undoubtedly revert to a one sided calendar. People can’t commit continuously to committee and organisational roles so as they drop off so too does the drive behind the scenes. I hope it will be thriving and I hope to be still involved somehow.
What’s it like being the IWA President?
I enjoy being President. If you asked me a few years ago if I’d be interested in the position I would probably have said no, sure what would I know about..blah blah blah. The usual dive for cover response of the Irish?. Anyone who was at the AGM when I was appointed will know the full story. It wasn’t exactly a race for the White House by any means.. ? The great thing is I think I know about 75% more windsurfers now than ever before. It’s also an eye opening insight into committee work (which I had zero experience of). I’m definitely not the best candidate from an administrative point of view but I hope I’m doing some good in other areas.
I enjoy being President. If you asked me a few years ago if I’d be interested in the position I would probably have said no, sure what would I know about..blah blah blah. The usual dive for cover response of the Irish?. Anyone who was at the AGM when I was appointed will know the full story. It wasn’t exactly a race for the White House by any means.. ? The great thing is I think I know about 75% more windsurfers now than ever before. It’s also an eye opening insight into committee work (which I had zero experience of). I’m definitely not the best candidate from an administrative point of view but I hope I’m doing some good in other areas.
Do you get any grief in that position?
I like straight up people and hate beating around the bush. For that reason I can say I don’t get any grief. Others might categorise grief differently.
I like straight up people and hate beating around the bush. For that reason I can say I don’t get any grief. Others might categorise grief differently.
What are your goals in 2009 as IWA President?
Our main focus as an Association has to be sponsorship. We need money really badly..! Our focus as a committee this year is to assist the areas where the sailors are putting back into the sport and to develop the other areas and get them to the same level of participation. We need to make the IWA more appealing to members and something to be proud of. We are launching our new Website soon which will have a more user friendly means of update, navigation and membership renewal…Watch this space.
Our main focus as an Association has to be sponsorship. We need money really badly..! Our focus as a committee this year is to assist the areas where the sailors are putting back into the sport and to develop the other areas and get them to the same level of participation. We need to make the IWA more appealing to members and something to be proud of. We are launching our new Website soon which will have a more user friendly means of update, navigation and membership renewal…Watch this space.
If there was one thing you wanted changed tomorrow about Irish Windsurfing, what would it be?
This is an impossible ideal but I’d love to remove the cheque book aspect of competition. I was a handy sailor when I was younger but never had the wedge to buy good gear or at least enough bad gear to be competitive. It’s Pie in the sky but you did ask.. ?
This is an impossible ideal but I’d love to remove the cheque book aspect of competition. I was a handy sailor when I was younger but never had the wedge to buy good gear or at least enough bad gear to be competitive. It’s Pie in the sky but you did ask.. ?
How many people have your taught to windsurf last year?
For the past 10 years I have been doing a week of Aikido training in Galway every July. In the evenings I’d drag some friends out to Rusheen bay for free windsurfing lessons. Usually somewhere between 2 and 5 at a time. Cathal & Carly have been doing us a great deal on gear for all these years (Thanks guys). Over the 10 years it’s been about 30 with about 3 newbies on the water last year.
For the past 10 years I have been doing a week of Aikido training in Galway every July. In the evenings I’d drag some friends out to Rusheen bay for free windsurfing lessons. Usually somewhere between 2 and 5 at a time. Cathal & Carly have been doing us a great deal on gear for all these years (Thanks guys). Over the 10 years it’s been about 30 with about 3 newbies on the water last year.
Thanks Gareth!
