THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: THE FULL MONTY!THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: THE FULL MONTY!If you have a few minutes to spare and you are a windsurfing fan you simply must read this! Some classic gold from eight wave world champions from way back in 2009! We have gone the extra mile and dug out a bunch of old photos too. Its the Full Monty!Together they form a small band of elite athletes who have claimed windsurfings ultimate crownthe world wave sailing title. The fact they all reside in distant corners of the windsurfing world and that several have retired from international competition means most of these sailors rarely cross paths. However, April in Maui is photo shoot time and even champions have bills to pay, I knew tickets would be booked and that eight past winners would be on the island at the same time so I set in motion a plan to capture this rare convergence on camera.After numerous e mails and phone calls, this complex human jigsaw was nearing completion and the shoot was scheduled for 8am on Easter Monday. The preceding evening, I double checked every item of my camera equipment wondering how many, if any, of these windsurfing titans would show. There was a high surf advisory in effect and the lure of a dawn patrol would be hard to compete with. The location was just off the rocks at the pavilion end of Hookipa Beach Park and when I nervously turned up at 7.30am, dark clouds were looming upwindthe omens seemed against me!The weather forecast was dismal Totally over cast with the chance of some heavy showers according to Glen James the local guru just my luck, I could cope with clouds but would my champs stand out in the pouring rain for a measly photoUnlikelyNot unless I splashed out on a champagne buffet, hula dancers and a VIP marquee.Aside from the weather, there were other issues to deal with. My cast of characters included some of the greatest names in the history of windsurfing and there were certain to be some massive egos floating around. Would there be tantrums or would there be tears? Would the likes of Robby Naish or Bjorn Dunkerbeck spit the dummy if they were not in the centre of the shot or would they end up scrapping anyway about some past feud? What else? What if Jason Polakows PA shows up demanding a thousand bucks for him to pose in the shot and even then you wouldnt get his best side! Would Robby refuse to get out of the truck until a red carpet was laid all the way down to the shoot area and even then How long would it take him to get down to the ground from the cockpit of his monster wagon and would he need some kind of special ladder and possibly delay the shoot in the process. Would Scottie Gramps McKercher require a wheelchair ramp to make it down to the rocks from the upper car park or would he be too drugged from his morning Cappuccinos to remember the shoot was on at allWould Cisco Goya turn up with him family complete with screaming kids, a picnic and buckets and spades? Would Kevin Pritchard and Bjorn refuse to stand in the same picture unless Starboard cough up a huge photo incentive bonus? What about Josh Angulo, would he decide not to shoot on Easter Monday for religious reasons or would he bring a stack of bibles and start preaching to the masses? As for myselfwould I forget to bring batteries, accidentally erase memory cards or would Kauli Seadis bright white teeth cause metering problems for my camera. The possibilities of this shoot being a disaster were endless and thats if the guys even showed up at all!At 7.45 the first truck spluttered into the car park. Brazilian, triple world champion, Kauli Seadi was first to show in battered rental pick up loaded to the brim with JP twin and quad prototypes. Next through the gates was Robby Naish entering in style with his ridiculous monster truck, complete with chrome wheels, jacked up suspension and fury dice hanging from the front mirror! Gradually one by one the other players rolled in Josh Angulo, Bjorn, Kevin Pritchard, Scottie McKercher and Francisco Goya, all showing unexpected punctuality. Seven out of eight so farnot too bad but where was Jason Polakow? I desperately needed all eight legends for this shot to really work and if the most influential sailor in the history of wave sailing failed to show the whole project would be ruined. With Pritchard jangling his keys, McKercher running low on coffee and Angulo waxing his longboard, Polakows black Toyota finally screeched into the parking lot, just in time to save the day, its owner completely oblivious to the stress he had created.The pressure was now on for me to take the shot without making any big time blunders. The next few minutes flew past in a whir as the champions posed for the camera while I did my best to capture a worthy shot of this once in a life time gathering. With such a prestigious line up it was a tough call deciding who should stand where in the photograph, so I just let the sailors make the call and decide between themselves their own pecking order. Naish and Pritchard managed to snake their way into centre frame with Josh Angulo and Scottie McKercher propping up the end of line places. It seemed to me the shoot was over within the blink of an eyelid and with no tantrums, camera breakdowns or broken egos the sailors returned to their trucks after the shot was in the can. Moments after the last wagon rolled out of the Hookipa parking lot, the heavens opened and it rained for the rest of the day. If we had scheduled for fifteen minutes later the whole thing would have been a washout and this rare opportunity would have been wastedphew! So with the picture safely captured on the memory card of my trusty Canon 40d all that was left was to grill the champs with a whole host of questions about the past present and futureWhen did you win and how much did it mean to you to win the overall wave title?JOSH ANGULO: Although my list of years will be drastically smaller than that of Bjorn or Robby, my win in 2003 to this day is something extremely satisfying and is a personal achievement that I will hold forever close. Although through the years Ive learned that trophies, titles and such worldly glories will fade and disappear, I am extremely blessed to get the one title under my belt and get that monkey off my back. The fact of never winning one would have haunted me a lot longer than the joy of winning.FRANCISCO: GOYA: I won in the year 2000; it meant a lot as it was an accomplishment to a long time goal. It meant a reward for all the focus and work I had put in but really the reward was nothing compared to the road travelled along those years. We all know the clich make your dreams true and the road is whats about but truthfully, that is how it is. It proved me on that occasion that somehow I could understand how to make things work for myself and others. That knowledge has the most value and I do my best everyday on growing that understanding.KAULI SEADI: I won in 2005, 2007 and 2008. I think all of those victories mean a lot to me, as they all took a lot of time and dedication. But my special year was 2007 because there was so many events on tour and finally I had the chance do compete at home for the first time! For me the Brazil event was like a magic moment where finally my parents and friends could be a part of my life. They have always watched on internet or videos but finally I could have them screaming at the beach for me .and been part of my job!KEVIN PRITCHARD: I think I won in 2002 and 2006. To win a world title there is nothing like it! The feeling is sick; I love itI want to do it again especially the racing one!ROBBY NAISH: My first wave title was the year the pro tour was formed. 1983. It was cool for sure. I had been winning events and World Titles since 1976, but having the Tour was different.BJORN DUNKERBECK: 1990 was the first timeit was a great feeling!Then 92 93 -94 -95 in a row wasevenbetter!!!! Then I won again in 1999 and 2001 was the last time I won! I think I did it 7 times in total!JASON POLAKOW: I won the world title 1997 and the second time in 1998. It was great because that first year I won the world title I also won the Aloha Classic and it was just after coming back after a huge motorcycle accident where the doctors said I might never be able to windsurf again. I can remember the first years I won the Maui events I would say to myself that if I did thoseverticaloff the lips that I had been doing I could win the event. Back then there were two big Maui events every year. The Aloha Classic and the ONeill. I had developed those small pin tail boards at the time and most of the other guys were on the old schoolasymmetricalboards. When I had a tough heat I would catch the set waves and just go for the lip and nine times out of ten I would make it. That really helped me win a lot of events in Maui I think. The second year I won was a real bonus.SCOTT MCKERCHER: I won in 2004. Of course I was really stoked to win obviously, but I never actually set out to achieve it, it just kind of happened. It was a bit of a shock actually. I was simultaneously going through some tough emotional times, so maybe didnt get to enjoy it for all it was worth.Do you remember a particular heat or moment that clinched the deal any of the years you won? JOSH ANGULO: 2003 was a very pivotal year; I remember clearly telling myself that was the year to win. I had to win that year. I was at the time living at my wifes house in the town of Pretoria ( a very small village on Sal) , it was near to the windward coast which was only visited by a few fisherman, I had an illegal jeep that barely ran, but was good enough to make the dirt trek down the empty coast. Day after day I trained alone, jumping off the sharp rocks and dug up an old Juergen Honscheid fin (it was big with lots of lift) and it ended up coupling well with my really short and wide boards that we were the first to be doing at the time. It was right about same time Scotty McKercher was playing with the Evo prototypes. I was 4th at the time and that training propelled me do well in Sylt where I got a 2nd and broke a tiebreak with Bjorn. I had to beat him on a Saturday afternoon with a full beach in SyltPretty good memories.FRANCISCO: GOYA: One moment for sure that I always remember is at the Pozo world cup when I had seconds to go in the final and was getting to the deeper blue water so I knew the ramps wouldnt get steep enough to let me launch a double. So that was it, I was basically done, missing one good jump, but with 3 seconds to go. Bjorn who I was competing against passed me from upwind and his wake build up this chop just enough to allow me to rotate twice and that was it, I couldnt believe it, was like a storybook. The other moment, that I always remember was during the Aloha Classic, when they told me that I won, I really couldnt believe it, I had to ask three times, it really took me a while to land that one.KAULI SEADI: There are always those heats that are crucial for you, but every heat is basically just as important until you win. I had one heat in Pozo in a final with Victor. We had an amazing high scoring heat and my lowest jump score was a 9.5 out of my three jumps. I landed for the fist time ever in a PWA event the push forward and I still lost! That was a heat that almost cost me the title but luckily I won the event in Brasil after that! I always try to rely on the tactics of competition that I have learned over the years on tour and of course one think that helps me do my best performance is to know that I am 100% happy with my gear!KEVIN PRITCHARD: For the title in 2006 I remember Ricardo beating Kauli at Hookipa and I was like YESSS thats it, I have won; I was stoked and relieved!!ROBBY NAISH: Fortunately, no. There were many, many cool events, heats, close calls, big losses and big wins and not any one stands out from a lot of others. I guess that is why I did it for so long the great moments, changes in equipment and new event locations just kept coming.BJORN DUNKERBECK: You are pretty funnythe must have been hundreds maybe thousands of those moments!!!!!!!JASON POLAKOW: I remember one year that I was up against Robby in the final at the Aloha classic and who ever won the final, won the event and the world title. Robby won and that sticks more in my mind than the times I won because it really hurt to be so close and lose.SCOTT MCKERCHER: It was a mindset in Gran Canaria I can remember. I just didnt care. Non attachment to the outcome. It was also the time that I was the first to go short and wide with the Evos and reckon I had a bit of an advantage with boards at the time.First person you called after winning your title the first time? JOSH ANGULO: I called my parents. I think I left a message, it was middle of the night in Hawaii, but my mom said she heard the machine and they got up and listened and then celebrated. My wife was with me so it was all good!FRANCISCO: GOYA: All my family and friends were with me so I just celebrated with them.KAULI SEADI: I called my parents and family, they are a big part of my motivation to active such a challenging goal!KEVIN PRITCHARD: My brother Matthe has won a few world titles too so he knows how it feels!ROBBY NAISH: For my first World title in Bahamas in 1976, my parents. First wave title in 83, I dont remember, but guess my daughter Nani.BJORN DUNKERBECK: Mother Ulla and Father Eugen called me from the Canaries in 92 after I won the last event, the Aloha classic on Maui. I remember I was very happy and so where they!JASON POLAKOW: I did not call anyone as my girlfriend and my parents were there. I was living with Nik Baker at the time so we just celebrated in Maui that night. The Aloha Classic ended most years right on my birthday so those years that any of us won we all celebrated both occasions together.SCOTT MCKERCHER: Mum and dad obviously.Would it bother you if you had never won a wave title and were not in the champions league?JOSH ANGULO: Id be even crustier than I already am!FRANCISCO: GOYA: I dont know, it is windsurfing we are talking about; it is a passion and lifestyle. I am sure if it didnt happen my mind would try to challenge me here and there. Still I wouldnt let the competition side of the sport overshadow the great opportunity I have just to ride, travel and follow my dream for so many years. At the end of the day we all have 24 hours; you get what you focus them on, so if I did not win, I would have probably been exposed to other great things. So, no, I dont think any less from other riders that didnt, so I wouldnt let thoughts cloud me to long about it.KAULI SEADI: I think so, but I never thought about that, because I love windsurfing so much it that I would be doing it anywayI am addicted to windsurf.KEVIN PRITCHARD: Let us just say I am glad I am there.ROBBY NAISH: Yes!BJORN DUNKERBECK: That is a goodquestion, but it is not thecase!!! I guess it is easy for me to say now, but yes I woulddefinitelynot have been content never have reach my goal off wining! Lets not forget that I also won the Slalom, Course Race and overall in six off the seven times. In 2001, I onlycompetedin waves!JASON POLAKOW: It was for sure a dream of mine to win a world title. I always had trouble getting a good result in the port tack events but would always be in the final on the starboard tack events. In the 90`s there were two big Maui events which were veryprestigiousto win. Winning those events felt as good as winning a world title and made it easier for me to win a world title. Some years there were more port tack events and I would always end up second or third overall and the years it was about even I would win or come really close to winning.SCOTT MCKERCHER: Nah. Not at all. But Im very honoured to be a part of it. Its a pretty elite bunch of fellas Im standing next to in that group.Did you think all eight wave world champions would show up for the shoot? JOSH ANGULO: Were all a bunch of hams, were all fully active in what we do so no reason not to show up and be a part of history!FRANCISCO: GOYA: A few of the guys are based in other places now, still I saw your general email and everybody was there on the mailing list so I was happy for that.KAULI SEADI: I hoped so! It is hard to find all of these guys on Maui at one time. If you are there I think you want to be therefor me it was a big honour! Of course it felt cool to be in this line upIt took a lot of work and time to be able to achieve results like that.KEVIN PRITCHARD: I was pretty surprised they all showed up. It was super cool to be part of the elite group. I was just stoked to be up there standing in that line up and part of the whole deal. It isdefinitelya dream come true to be a champion!ROBBY NAISH: Nosurely at least one would forget or have something come up.BJORN DUNKERBECK: Yes I did, I think it a cool shoot and not easy to get done!JASON POLAKOW: Its hard to get everyone together and it was cool to see that everyone showed up. The only champion that was missing was Patrice Belbeoch.SCOTT MCKERCHER: Yeah. But we were missing one. Patrice Belbeoch.Was there one guy in particular you thought might not show? JOSH ANGULO: I was a little worried about Carter remembering his batteries or running home to grab another camera. Also I felt sure he would boggle the shot!FRANCISCO: GOYA: I havent seen Patrice for a long time in Maui, so probably just him, maybe Bjorn.KAULI SEADI: Jason was the last to arrive but from what I know him he is very professional.KEVIN PRITCHARD: Ha haThere was a chance any one of them may not have turned up but for sure Polakow was the favourite not to show. Jason is the sketchiest one of the bunch. He is just all over the show and sometimes he will just come up with some off the wall excuse as to why he wasnt there. Sometimes he is just so focused on something else that he just totally forgets as to what he was supposed to be doing. JP is one of a kind!ROBBY NAISH: No.I figured Jason would forget we were all waiting and suddenly there he was!BJORN DUNKERBECK: No not really!JASON POLAKOW: I thought that maybe Robby might not show because he has such busy schedule and travels toOahuon a regularbasis.SCOTT MCKERCHER: Nope. Maybe Pozza?What did you have for breakfast that morning? JOSH ANGULO: Pretty sure coffee, not sure if I had anything else in me by then!FRANCISCO: GOYA: Water, fruits and cereal. I went swimming in the ocean that morning and wanted to ride my bike there but then I remember I had to bring my board so I drove.KAULI SEADI: Oats with milk and bread with cottage cheese, then orange juice to drink!KEVIN PRITCHARD: I was too nervousJust two pieces of toast!ROBBY NAISH: Red Bull and orange juice.BJORN DUNKERBECK: Cereal,coffeeand toast with Nuttela with my wife Maria and our children Alba, Liam and Martina.JASON POLAKOW: I had eggs on toast. That pretty much what I have every morning. I like to cook in the kitchen.SCOTT MCKERCHER: Cant remember. When I am on Maui I usually breakfast at Anthonys a lot, so theres a chance it was a bagel with hummus and veggies on it. Definitely coffee.Who was driving the pimpest truck that morning? JOSH ANGULO: Does anybody have a pimper truck than Robby Naish? Is anyone really more bad-ass than that guy? No!FRANCISCO: GOYA: Well I love my Van, I car pool with a few families to drive our kids to school, so twice a week I drive up to seven kids to school. I can still have all the gear (dry) in the backit doesnt get much better than that. Oh, yes, and the bike in there too and all for under a tank of fuel a week!KAULI SEADI: Maybe Robby, Jason or Kevin Pritchard but definitely not me! AhahahaI had a Rental car from Kimos an old Tacoma pickup.KEVIN PRITCHARD: Who knowsprobably Polakow or NaishNaish is a bad ass. He has all the toys and for the most part he is pretty undercover. He has so many different pimp rides most of us dont even know about. One day I will see him driving his beach truck, then it is the family car or some sick Cadillac SUV all pimped out, then it is another one and another one, I cant keep track. I wish I had that problem.ROBBY NAISH: Me.Sorry,Jasons is nice too, for a little toy truck!BJORN DUNKERBECK: Robby, he alwayslikedBIG Trucks,JASON POLAKOW: Robbys truck is pretty sick. Its like a mini monster truck. I can always hear hisexhaustwhen he is passingmy house on his way to Baby Beach for a stand up session.SCOTT MCKERCHER: The boys that live on Maui all seem to rather pimp trucks. Pozzas is pretty darn slick I reckons. Robs is bit over the top.Describe the perfect bottom turn? JOSH ANGULO: Perfect bottom turn ???? Theyre all perfect. Of course I could go on and on about a perfect glassy eight foot wave at Ponta Preta etc etc. But, basically if youre blessed enough to be out on the water sailing and on a wave bottom turning its pretty perfect. I actually get a real big rush nowadays of helping corral my clients onto waves in Sal and coaching them down the line and watching the thrill they get. I guess watching the weekend warrior get the jacked up sensation at any one of our spots in Sal is to me the perfect bottom turn!FRANCISCO: GOYA: Eyes close, just feeling the wave with all the other senses, I only done it a couple of times, but that is where it is at. Close your eyes and ride.KAULI SEADI: It is when the board is completely using the front rail and you sail and body are laying forward! That is the most important step to be done correct before you approach the lip, it gives you a confidence to hit faster sections of the wave.KEVIN PRITCHARD: Going so fast, driving off the rail pushing as hard as you can fully committedDoing that in Cabo Verde you cant get better than that!ROBBY NAISH: Full speed, laid out with rail buriedits an amazing feeling!BJORN DUNKERBECK: FAST with most off the rail in the water and a lot off power with lots off spray coming off the rail!JASON POLAKOW: Someone who can carry a lot of speed into the turn using all the available power from the board, sail and wave.SCOTT MCKERCHER: Somewhere its pretty darn smooth where you can just throw it down without having to worry about any chop. Over mast where theres a big fat bowl in front of you and youre doing mach speed. One I had in Cocos island is coming to mind.Describe your dream windsurfing session? JOSH ANGULO: Honestly, the last couple victories in Cabo Verde have seemed like dream sessions and the last eleven years of sailing that place has been a dream. I have had too many too remember, but the real empty ones in perfect waves with no one around or maybe one or two friends as well as the ones with only the crowd on the beach and the victory in front of the home crowd. Those are two examples of my perfect sessions!FRANCISCO: GOYA: Cape Verde last month had to be up there, with all the new generation of riders, then the photo shoot sessions this last month here in Maui or my trip to Baja last fall, just riding by myself until dark, camping with a few friends for a week. The best sessions just keeps onhappening, about a week ago I sailed for the third time this year Hookipa by myself, riding every wave I wanted, sometimes two from one set!KAULI SEADI: A couple friends in the water, four to five feet, side offshore winds, play full waves, with nice bowls to heat and a sandy bottomjust like Ibiraquera is my dream come true!KEVIN PRITCHARD: Me and my brother ripping Punta Preta, he has never been there and it would be sick to go sailing there with him. No contest just ripping up a big swell!ROBBY NAISH: A few friends, mast high and side shore 5.0 wind.BJORN DUNKERBECK: Threefriendsin the watertogether,point break, three to six meter waves with ten turnspossibleand waves with good power!JASON POLAKOW: A place where the wind is cross off shore and the surf is ten foot plus and reeling down the line. Pretty much like Cape Verde but a bit more hollow. Only a few of your close friends are out and the beach is littered with naked girls all wanting to have sex with you.SCOTT MCKERCHER: Up North West Oz. Long reeling mid to high tide, four to six ft, 5.0m. All my good mates around. Beers in the car park after the session and then campfire cooking afterwards. But Ive had so many such sessions around the world and Ive been very fortunate to live the dream.Whats your favourite place to wave sail? JOSH ANGULO: Ponta Preta, Little Hookipa, Ali Baba, and Curral Jaoulbasically any of the spots on Cape Verde.FRANCISCO: GOYA: New spots usually do it because there is so much to learn, every move comes out different and the locals got it dialled, so I get pushed to learn much more.KAULI SEADI: Home no doubt.I like travelling , especially now that I just do the wave tourso that means most of the places we get waves to play so I am stokedbut home will be always my option to recharge my batteries.KEVIN PRITCHARD: For on the water, Cape Verde; Tahiti is not bad either. Cape Verde is just plain amazing. The wind direction, the glassy-ness of the waves, the length of the wave, the power of it, it is just so perfect. You can go up and hit that thing so late and you are not going to totally die. Its a light and fluffy barrelling wave, if that makes any sense. Tahiti is also unreal so beautiful so pristine.. But a bit too gnarly for me though I have sailedTeahupoo once and it was pretty dang scary. It breaks right on to the reef just the kind of wave that freaks you out, but keeps you coming back for more.ROBBY NAISH: Hookipa. It is just good so often, that although it is not the best wave or spot in the world, you get decent sessions there a lot.BJORN DUNKERBECK: Punta Preta for down the line fun wave sailing, Jaws for big waveraiding, Pozo for jumping!!JASON POLAKOW: Cape Verde and Back yards on Oahu!SCOTT MCKERCHER: Sheesh. Thats a hard one. There are so many sick waves in the world on their day. Sumbawa, Cocos Mauritius, Fiji, Cabo Verde. But; there is a place far away down in never, never land in the North West of Oz. You gotta click you red shoes to get there. Not where youd think. Had one session there that was pretty much a best ever. On multiple levels!Who is your favourite surfer and why? JOSH ANGULO: Favourite surfer pretty much all the top ASP guys kill it. I love following the ASP tours, watching it live is one of my best hobbies/ leisure activities. I fully back all the Hawaiian guys, the Iron brothers, Fred Pattachia, the Hobgood brothers and Kellys obviously a worldwide legend that we all respect and appreciate.FRANCISCO: GOYA: Surfer, this kid Clay Marzo, he is just surfing as spontaneous as it can be, I have never seen anything like it, it is really as if there is nothing lost from his feeling to his riding. Windsurfer, all those guys you know got their moves and days, lately the guys that been inspiring me the most are Levis (speed, progressive surf style), Kauli(non stop turning on the wave), Keith(riding waves like they havent been riding before) Brawzinho (potential, mixing all the freestyle into waves) Victor (port tack jumping flow and control) Ricardos wild (triple attempt and back loop of the lip), Kai Lennys riding everything great (Surf/Kite/SUP, etc) Graham Ezzy stumps lately (he been consistently landing sick moves), Boujmaa for flare and style, Thomas Traversa relax and committed approach, Jonas and Philip sky high jumps at Pozo, Josh natural approach, Robbys consistency and knowledge on big surf, Mark Angulo (just come to Hookipa today and see it for your self) Polakow making the wave riding revolution, Gollito making the freestyle revolution, Swift focus and work, (wave/race/videomaking,etc) and so many more and Yes, Camille Jouban quietly working the grounds for a whole new generation.KAULI SEADI: There are a couple, Pancho Soulivan, Dane Rainolds, Ray Crake and Kelly Slater.KEVIN PRITCHARD: Kelly Slater; he is the man love his style and his ability to compete. It is pretty impressive to see someone stay with it that long and keep coming back for more. He has nothing to prove, and yet still does it, now that is pretty cool.ROBBY NAISH: Kelly Slater and Andy Irons. Good guys, amazing consistency and styles that progress with the times.BJORN DUNKERBECK: I dont have one. I enjoy watching all the ones that rip on different days!JASON POLAKOW: Kelly Slater. I love how he produces so much speed in the bottom turn and snaps off lip. He is also been through an entire generation of surfers.SCOTT MCKERCHER: Occy! The best cutback in the business. Full tilt rail power turns. And hes funny!What does windsurfing mean to you? JOSH ANGULO: Windsurfing is my livelihood and it is a really fun thing to do. Its one of the motivating factors to stay healthy and it helps support my travelling habit that I developed at an early age. Its also a great platform to share about the blessings of Jesus Christ!FRANCISCO: GOYA: Its been a big part of my life, I basically got to see the world through the eyes of the opportunities the sport had given me, friends, travelling, competition, business and it keeps on evolving.KAULI SEADI: To me itmeans freedom, relaxation and fun. Sometimes a windsurfing calms my spirit and after a good session it is like a medicineit makes me stay happy like a baby. If I dont sail for a while I get frustratedits part of my daily routine. Its like not having your tooth brush and you wish you could have it to feel clean!KEVIN PRITCHARD: For me it is an addiction, it is a way of life. Without windsurfing who knows where I would be? Id probably would not be where I am today that is for sure. I have visited 23 countries around the world and it is safe to say I have experienced a great life through windsurfing. If it all ended tomorrow I would be stoked that I lived my life to the fullest.ROBBY NAISH: Everything! It has been the core around which my life has revolved since I was a kid. I am who I am and how I am because of it.BJORN DUNKERBECK:Windsurfing is my live! Since I was a teenager I have beentravellingaround the globecompeting,filming, meeting people and seeing amazing places all through my association with windsurfing! It means everything to me!!!JASON POLAKOW: It is just something I love to do especially when the waves are good. It is my life and its been like this ever since I was a boy. I could not imagine doing anything else.SCOTT MCKERCHER: Freedom on many levels. To travel, explore and give my mind the room to drift and absorb. From the age of twelve until now my life has revolved around windsurfing. It means happiness basically!Where do you keep your trophy? JOSH ANGULO: Its in the office that our business manager uses in Santa Maria, Cape Verde.FRANCISCO: GOYA: Mine is at the Goya loft and factory in Haiku, Maui.KAULI SEADI: Most of my trophies are at my house and they all fit on top of my first ever custom made windsurf board!KEVIN PRITCHARD: I keep mine on the kitchen shelf. I am not much of a trophy person. I usually loose my trophies before I even get home. I try to hang on to the special ones, but even then I have lost a few. I dont really need the trophies; I got what I want deep inside my soul.ROBBY NAISH: Mine is in the trophy room, next to the otherssomewhere. I have no clue where though there is not really any order to them, although that sounds like a good project for some day in the future. I do have a specific trophy room now though, so they are all in one place!BJORN DUNKERBECK: They are in different places!JASON POLAKOW: At my parents house in Torquay South Australia.SCOTT MCKERCHER: It sits proudly on top of the booze cabinet in my living/kitchen room.Did you get a title bonus and what did you spend it on? JOSH ANGULO: I think so, I dont remember. It was a while back, but I do think Ezzy may have given me a bonus. Probably paid bills.FRANCISCO: GOYA: Yes, we bought our house in Haiku.KAULI SEADI: I did get a bonus and I decided to invest it on my windsurf centre in Ibiraquera at home in Brasil. I always had the dream to receive people at my home beach and show how good the conditions are for sailing. I started the centre in September 2008 and we offer packages for all levels with over sixty complete Neil Pryde /JP rigs available for rental.KEVIN PRITCHARD: I spent mine on my house. Building a property in Maui is expensive. It is pretty simple, nothing too fancy, but an amazing place to hang out at. It is close to Hookipa but not too close. I have a big security gate so all my fans dont keep coming bye and asking for autographs all the time. I try to keep it pretty simple!ROBBY NAISH: No. I never did my contracts to include victory schedules / winning incentives. I figured thatwinning or getting damn close was what I was being paid for in the first place. I also like, (even if it means potentially making less) to know at the beginning of the year what I am going to make at the end of the year.BJORN DUNKERBECK: Yes I have had a few, but dont remember what I spend the money on!JASON POLAKOW: I did get a title bonus and I think I spent it all on a nice dinner that night. Ha haSCOTT MCKERCHER: Yep. I bought my Ute. (An aussie truck).Who out of the other champions would you fear the most in a heat? JOSH ANGULO: I honestly feel that I have nothing to lose whenever I hit the water. The only place that I really really care about wining is Cabo Verde. When I say care about winning dont misunderstand me, because I will always give it one hundred per cent and I always care about my outcome as my career is something I seriously invest into. But caring about winning in Cabo Verde is different because it is such a small and tight-knit country. Everybody is following the competition and being the adopted son of the country, I carry a lot of responsibility in giving that little piece of pride that each and every Cape Verdian holds close and holds as a victor of their own. Im not sure who else has ever felt that, but its one of the most amazing gifts Ive been given. To share something with the people. In saying that, its been real clear that the one guy that can riffle my feathers in Ponta Preta is Kauli, on top of being one of he most amazing sailors in the world, he has also become one of the deadliest and most calculated competitors out there. So, although, I personally wouldnt choose the word fear, if theres anybody to fear at Ponta Preta, for me it would be Kauli.FRANCISCO: GOYA: They are all great; I will always have to ride my best in a heat against any of them.KAULI SEADI: I would say Josh Angulo and Kevin Pritchard; those are still very much in the game.KEVIN PRITCHARD: Kauli is pretty much ripping! Josh I hate loosing to. Its not really a grudge but I just dont like loosing to him although we have had our ups and downs over the years. Dunks is a fierce competitor and even though he has not been competing in waves he would still take some guys down. Dunks and I have had our fair share of rivalry in the past. We are over that now, we just go out and do the job we came to do, and these days we both have a mutual respect for each other.ROBBY NAISH: Any one of them in the right conditions at the right time.different guys in different locations and conditions. Everyone has their favourite conditions where they really shine. I prized myself on not having any conditions that I was uncomfortable in.BJORN DUNKERBECK: All off them, indifferentconditions!JASON POLAKOW: It depends on where it was but Kauli and Josh are always hard to beat.SCOTT MCKERCHER: It would depend on where we were. Any of them at their home spots. Actually, any of them anywhere!What is the most radical thing you ever saw in windsurfing? JOSH ANGULO: What is the most radical thing you ever saw in windsurfing? Ricardos triple loop. Ricardos backloop off the lip, some stuff Mark does. Hes been doing the mutant which youd have to ask him to explain, also Ive had some jumping sessions that where mind -boggling. Although, he at times looks out of control, hes actually very calculated and knows where he is at and what hes trying to accomplish.FRANCISCO: GOYA: Xavier Huart doing stalled forward loops that last over three seconds!KAULI SEADI: I think the black shot from Boujman!!I always thought about that move and I did try before but never really rotated the same way. Boujmaa is crazy; after I saw his black shotI dont consider mine a real try!!!! He sent the video to me by email I was tripping when I saw it. Its the most radical, high and full speed move I have seen. I think you can really hurt your self there if it all goes wrong!KEVIN PRITCHARD: The way Polakow hits some big lips is pretty impressive. The one I was most impressed with is when it was Kona winds on Maui when it was massive. I was scared to death while Pozza tries to hit the lip on a wave so big, so late, it is not even funny. He usually just ends up crashing but at least that gets him in the Magazines. Even so I wouldnt want to attempt some of the crazy things he goes for. Victor Fernandez and Ricardo Campellos jumping too. They are both sick! I am pretty sure it wont be too long before one of them joins this group of champions!ROBBY NAISH: A photo of the Defi wind starting line!BJORN DUNKERBECK: Hard to say, there have been so many. Friendsgoing down in Jaws I guess and the expression session last year in Pozo was great! Every one in the heat was going for itsome crazy stuff especially from Ricardo!JASON POLAKOW: I remember seeing Mark Angulo make his first air 360 during an event on Maui against Dave Kalama. Now that was radical and so far ahead of its timeI think that was about fifteen years ago!SCOTT MCKERCHER: This is a tough one. Ricardo Campellos planning double at Pozo last year Scott Carvills air at Jaws A photo sequence of Dave Sheen doing an impossibly massive air at Margaret River in the late 80sLevis taka in the windsurfing movie. More recently a wave Jaeger stone scored up at Gnarloo on our last trip up there. A Power gouge with release, into a flat air taka and then straight into a Goiter. It was a nuts wave!Are you sticking with the single fin or are you a multi fin convert? JOSH ANGULO: I ride singles, they work great.FRANCISCO: GOYA: That is the big change that is happening now in the sport, where in the past we had to create disciplines to offer a new concept, now it is just about enjoying the different styles each design can bring you to, it is more like just about the day, some days I love my single fin and some days when is on or side-on shore, a fast twin fin really comes in place. Im still to try a windsurf thruster that works better in any conditions and the Quad concept is being develop as I write, will see where that lead us. Still when we are able to ride our designs finless is when we would have finally brought our designs to the next level.KAULI SEADI: I play with all kinds of set ups now! Single to twin to quad fins. All of them work good depending the conditions! Quads and twins are much better wave riding and I think they throwmore spray. To me I only use the single fin if it is dead onshore and above 40 knots!KEVIN PRITCHARD: Old School man. Old school! Single fin for me. Actually I dont like them better, I actually ride twin fins at Hookipa I just figured I would say something different than everyone else besides Robby, Josh and Francisco!ROBBY NAISH: Its all good. Everything works but I like the works anywhere, any time, any condition versatility of the single though.BJORN DUNKERBECK: I stick tosinglefin, for fastpowerfulwave sailing, twin fins work ok for someconditions but they are not for me.JASON POLAKOW: I use twin fins now for nearly all of my sailing but still have a special single fin board I use for Jaws.SCOTT MCKERCHER: Definitely a multi fin convert. Weve played around heaps with all different kind fin set ups. We have tried single, quad, tri and twin set ups and the quad combo we figured is pretty is a huge step forward in terms of traction, drive and performance for the advanced and then the ability for the intermediate to be able to go wherever they want at any time.What job do you think you would have done if you had never become a professional windsurfer? JOSH ANGULO: Nowadays, I believe I could get into a variety of different careers, but Im sure whatever it would be would have to do with selling and networking, but if you asked me this when I was a kid, I would say pro-surfer which was my first aspirationFRANCISCO: GOYA: Something that includes challenging action and outdoors too, water better, with a changing schedule and that includes travelling, so really if it includes all those things we are getting pretty close to professional windsurfing. I enjoy meeting with architects and builders, business managers, etc, meeting with professionals is always interesting.KAULI SEADI: Maybe I would be a boat engineer or an architect; I like designing things! I never started university in one specific area because I was travelling so much. Maybe when I quit my career I will study something for fun!!KEVIN PRITCHARD: I am kind of into computersWho knows! I would probably be working construction with my dad. As for school; man! I barely made it out of school cant you tell from the way I spell??ROBBY NAISH: You never know. as I started along this path a long time ago. I think that I would have become anartist.BJORN DUNKERBECK: Something elsewhereI would have a lot off fun!!!JASON POLAKOW: I have no idea but maybe I would have tried to become a pro motocross rider. I raced a lot when I was a kid and became National champ before I switched to windsurfing.SCOTT MCKERCHER: Well, I was doing a teacher training course when I bolted to do the tour, but I dont think I would have followed through with that one. I was just at uni because I thought I had to do it. I reckon something outdoors that didnt take me too far away from the ocean.What inspires you?JOSH ANGULO: Creating things inspires me. Jesus Christ, the father of creation keeps me going and my family are a continued inspiration.FRANCISCO: GOYA: Everything, yoga, people, places, books and music.KAULI SEADI: Surf, turns, speed!KEVIN PRITCHARD: Winners! I love watching people win. I know what it takes to win and what goes into a championship, to see someone put so much time into something, enough to win, is inspiring.ROBBY NAISH: It seems the older I get, the more things in life I find inspiring.I am blown away just about every day by something.BJORN DUNKERBECK: Live, Senses, windsurfing,family,friendsand music.JASON POLAKOW: People who do great things. Like Robbie Maddison jumping of the tower in Las Vegas or the swimmer Micheal Phelps winning 8 gold medals.SCOTT MCKERCHER: Food! Generally waves inspire me to get off my butt and the thrill of discovering them. Sipping Jet streams inspired me, and perhaps a few books have. Perhaps Love. A mixture of all of that I reckon.Where do you see yourself in five years time? JOSH ANGULO: Five years, thats like tomorrow, cranking hard.FRANCISCO: GOYA: Doing better in all the things, like the relationship with all the people around, making better products.KAULI SEADI: I hope to still be on tour with the same motivation I have right now!KEVIN PRITCHARD: Old, fat, washed up, saying how good I once was!!ROBBY NAISH: I have never been one to look too far into the future. I have always lived every day to the fullest, tried to do the best I could at what was generally in front of me, and hope for the best in whatever the future had in store. Iwould like tocontinue to do what I love to do. windsurf, kite, surf, and stay healthy. I would love to think that in five years I will be in much the same place, doing much the same thing as I am doing today. With a little luck, that is where I will be, and I will see you on the water.BJORN DUNKERBECK: On a boardsomewhere having fun and stillenjoyingliving!JASON POLAKOW: Doing exactly what I am doing now. Having fun and trying not to hurt myself!SCOTT MCKERCHER: God knows. Im not much of a planner. This may be short sighted, but Im pretty happy with where Im at right now. I thought I had it good before competing for a living, but a job to design wave boards, sails and SUPs, Basically all my favourite toys and doing something keeps me travelling is pretty darn special. I cant be a gypsy forever; or can I?The post THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: THE FULL MONTY! appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.