Kevin Pritchard (US-3) is getting older, but his windsurfing gets better and better. Recently the 2014 American Windsurfing Tour Champion in 2014 took part in the two AWT events at Santa Cruz and Pistol River. Santa Cruz saw no result in the pro men category, but Kevin got 4th at Pistol River and was close to finish on the podium. We caught up with Kevin for a quick interview.

 

Kevin with a Backloop at Pozo back in 2009 (Pic- Carter:PWAworldtour)

Kevin with a Backloop at Pozo back in 2009 (Pic- Carter:PWAworldtour)

 

Kevin Pritchard in an interview in 2015

Continentseven: We heard rumors you will do the trials at Pozo this year? True?
Kevin Pritchard: Ha ha.. No I don’t think so. I would like to go to Gran Canaria but I don’t have a need to compete there. I know I am not as good as those top kids are and there is no reason for me to go there and come top 10 if I was lucky.

 

Continentseven: How would you see your chances to make it through the trials in 2015?  
Kevin Pritchard: Like I said above I would be happy with a top 10 but then what is the point? I have won in Pozo, maybe one of the top accomplishments for a Maui resident to win in Pozo, so lets just leave it at that. I might go for something in Sylt or Denmark where there is some chance of starboard tack conditions. 

 

Kevin at Santa Cruz with a big one footed Backloop

Kevin at Santa Cruz with a big one footed Backloop

 

Continentseven: We seldom saw you flying higher at Pistol as this year and still it was not enough for the podium?
Kevin Pritchard: Well I hate to say it but I just blew it in the last two heats. I was sailing so good and then I broke a mast against Bouj and then I sailed pretty good against Morgan but still lost. So it just goes to show that the kids are really starting to take hold of the wave sailing scene.

 

Continentseven: What’s so special about the spot at Oregon’s coast and did you get the best possible conditions that time?
Kevin Pritchard: Man this place is awesome. I don’t want to pump it up too much but for me it is one of the most beautiful spots on and off the water. The trees, the rocks, the wind and waves just make for an awesome place to sail and compete. If I could I think I would spend my entire summers there. The sailing is just that fun. 

 

Continentseven: How much gear did you bring to Pistol River?
Kevin Pritchard: I had my Ezzy Takas from 5.7m to 4.1m. I ended up only using the 4.1m the entire time except maybe two heats on the 4.5m. I had two boards and three booms.

 

Kevin with a big Backloop at Pistol River 2015

Kevin with a big Backloop at Pistol River 2015

 

Continentseven: You aren’t young anymore but you improve constantly and you still take a lot of risk. What’s your secret in learning new moves and staying fit physically. Landing from 10 meters isn’t an easy thing for a 39 year old windsurfer.
Kevin Pritchard: Ha ha.. I take calculated risks. Sure I was going quite high, but still very calculated. I am still in good shape and I love sailing in these conditions so it was just fun to let it go. The conditions were simply amazing. Big winds and big jumps. I love it when it is super radical Pozo like conditions. 

 

Continentseven: What will come next? Double loops or one handed Goiters?
Kevin Pritchard: Next year I am going to be doing doubles. I want to be 40 and throwing doubles consistently. I am hoping for the next video you see of me to have a bunch of doubles being thrown. I really wanted one in Pistol but by the time I got to it, I was too overpowered and too tired. Next time. I want to go for it, and I know I can, I would love to get them down and then come and break some young kids dreams in France or Denmark, but we will see. I know that Brawz and Philip and those guys are really strong at what they do. At this time in my career you just have to be honest with yourself. 

 

Continentseven: Actually you are ranked 3rd on the AWT. 3 events are done, 4 more to come. Still in the title race?
Kevin Pritchard: Well we will see who shows up at the next few events. I know Camille and Bouj and those guys get kinda busy and the next events are even more expensive to get to so we will see. Maybe I can win by default with those guys not showing up.. Haha. I hope they do come down to Baja and Peru because those events are awesome fun and good times. 

 

©continentseven.com 2015

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