Blast From The Past

Cyril Moussilmani (Starboard / GUNSAILS) is one of the most experienced racers on the PWA Slalom World Tour. The fiery Frenchman started competing in 1998 and and quickly established himself as one of the top racers over the last two decades - recording multiple podiums and overall top 10 finishes during that time, whilst also battling for the world title in 2014. The 40-year-old recently resigned for Starboard and moved to GUNSAILS for the coming year and Cyril is our next sailor to feature in ‘Blast From The Past’.

Hi Cyril, take us back to the memory of your very first windsurf experience - Where were you? 

Marseille, France at Pointe Rouge.

When was it? 

When I was 9 years old.

With who were you? 

With a friend of my mother. Denis.

What do you remember from that very first ‘session’? 

What I remember is the fact I managed to go and come back to my starting point with a no nose board.

Who was your local hero? And why? 

No local hero, just all the people who were sailing when it was windy.

What gear were you using?  

I really don't know.

Describe your feeling when you were planing for the first time?

I don't remember my first planing, but I remember my first waterstart and first planing gybe (it was a  duck gybe) it was an incredible satisfaction. 

How did you realise you were becoming a professional windsurfer?

I realised I was a pro windsurfer when I turned 30 and I saw my life and the money I earned was coming from windsurfing.

Give a tip for the next generation…

Don't do windsurfing to become a pro. Just do it for fun. And if you manage to live from it. It's great. 

Thanks, Cyril.