20 Questions

20 Questions with Robby Swift

Over the next few weeks we’ll be running a 20 Questions feature with several of the world’s best sailors — first to take the hot seat is Britain’s Robby Swift (JP / NeilPryde / Mystic / SWOX), who has competed across all three disciplines during his career, but now focuses on the waves where he has established himself as a formidable member of the overall top 10. Over to Robby.

Why are you so passionate about windsurfing? 

Windsurfing has been my whole life since as long as I can remember. It was an obsession when I was at school and I wasn’t able to go as often as I wanted, then it became my job as soon as I left school and turned into even more of a passion. In recent years, since I have been on tour for so long and able to enjoy calling such an amazing sport my job for so long, I have become possibly even more obsessed with the technical aspects of all the tricks and the intricate details of how all the gear works. There is just so much to learn in this sport that the more you delve into it, the more obsessed you get. I go to bed thinking about moves, gear, technique etc. and wake up excited to try what I thought about during the night.

What quality do you like most in other people?

I like people who are trustworthy, honest and hard working.

What annoys or frustrates you the most?

Laziness and dishonesty/ not following through with things you said you will do!

What do you most like in yourself?

I like that I’m normally happy and enjoy whatever it is that I am doing at the time.

What do you dislike in yourself?

People close tome say I work too much and can’t just leave things till later to spend time with my family. I would like to change that ☺

What has been your best moment on tour?

Winning the 2003 PWA Freestyle event in Fuerte and the heat in Tenerife where I sailed one of my best heats ever and just lost to Philip Koster and my perfect 10 in the Aloha Classic this year. I enjoy the times when I try everything I know how to do and manage to pull it off!

What has been your worst moment on tour?

Breaking my foot right before Gran Canaria started (twice).

Knowing what you know now, what advice would you have given yourself when your career started?

Doing a little every day is better than destroying yourself one day sailing for 6 hours then feeling tired. Constant, continual progress is best.

What is the best advice you have ever been given?

Talent can only take you so far. Hard work will take you the rest of the way.

What would be your perfect day?

Wake up, eat a banana, surf epic barreling waves, come home for breakfast with my wife and baby, quick nap, back to the beach to windsurf those same waves but with wind. BBQ with good friends and a couple of beers after.

Do you have any superstitions?

Several but I’m trying to get rid of them… I have a problem with black cats crossing my path haha.

Which living person do you most admire?

There are too many to name.

What is your greatest fear? 

A close family member becoming very ill or dying. 

What is your most treasured possession?

My baby boy Rocco and my wife Heidy ☺ haha. Not sure if they count as possessions. If not then my house in Chile and my house in Maui haha.

If you weren’t a professional windsurfer, what would you like to be?

Marine biologist.

Where is the best place you’ve been?

I think I’d have to say Chile for the constant great conditions and the beauty of the place and the kindness of the people. Best waves I’ve ever sailed are in Cabo Verde though.

Where would you most like to go to that you haven’t been to yet?

Fiji.

Who would you most like to have as a dinner guest, dead or alive?

Heidy and Rocco haha.

How would you like to be remembered?

Kind, motivated, progressive.

Most visited website?

WindGuru/surfline weather forecasts haha.

A phrase you live by?

I’d rather regret doing something than forever wonder “what if”.