The Global Paddling Community

Interview with Chris Hobson, Junior Winner of Surfkayak World Cup 2006.

This interview was originally produced for the Portuguese web site 'kayaksurf.net' and is published exclusively on Playak in english to make it available to a wider audience. The portuguese version of the interview is available here.

Name:Christopher Hobson
Age:17
Nationality:Irish
Occupation:Student
Recent competition results:
Northern Ireland Championships – 2005 and 2006: Portrush: 1st Senior I.C Class and 1st Junior Classes
World Championships Surfkayak Ireland 2003 - 11th H.P Junior
Costa Rica 2005 - 2nd I.C .Junior + 3rd H.P.Junior
European Championships: Mundaka 2005 (no Junior Class): - 9th Men's Open Class - Mundaka 2006: 2nd in junior class and 3rd in Men's international class
Home Internationals Thurso Scotland 2002- N. I. Team Member
Quiberon France 2004 - N.I. Team Member, team finished 2nd place
Peniche Portugal 2006 N.I Team Member, team finished 2nd place World Cup Series
British Open - September 2006 - 1st in the junior Open Class and 1st in the junior IC and 4th Mens IC
1st place in 2006 World Cup held in Peniche, Portugal in the junior category.
Sponsors:
Mega performance kayaks
Grateful heads helmets
Ainsworth Paddles

HI Chris! First of all, congratulations with your victory in Portugal . You said that you 've been kayaking for 12 years and that it all started on your dad's wave ski. Do you still waveski?
Not any more. The wave ski was great when I was younger, because if I fell off it, I could just jump back on. But it is definitely something I would like to get into, especially as surf kayaks are getting more ski like in design and performance.

Did the wave ski (and whitewater) experience help you in surf kayaking?
Definitely, I think whitewater and freestyle complements your surfing, especially with end manoeuvres such as the cartwheel and your paddling style.

You said you feel most comfortable in IC but you've got HP as your main class?
I feel more comfortable in the IC class because they are so much fun just to throw about. I'm not as concerned about the result of it, I am just in it for the fun!

You have been dominating the junior surf competitions in Ireland and the UK since 2003, and competed successfully in local long distance river races and slaloms in local club competitions, but you also consider surf kayaking your main competitive goal. Do you see yourself, in the future, as a professional surfkayaker?
That is something I have only dreamt about, but it is something I definitely aspire too! Maybe that will be possible one day, but it will take a lot of work, and a lot of money & sponsors to make it happen!

About the contest in Portugal, what an incredible heat with David! Did you realize you were the winner after the heat?
I wasn't sure, I didn't feel I had surfed my best, and David is a great paddler, and competitor, it was definitely a nerve wrecking time.

How did you like Portugal?
Peniche beach was great, with different peaks, and the waves varying in size along the beach, it was a great site for the contest. I was impressed with Portugal, the food was great, people were friendly, and there was a great atmosphere around Peniche!

And how did you like Costa Rica last year?
The competition in Costa Rica was awesome. I have never been anywhere like it before, the wildlife, the weather, and the people, it was amazing! I was disappointed with my result, as I was very ill the day of the finals, and spent my last week after the competition in bed. Was a sad end to a great trip.

Next year, your wish is to win the Junior World Championships in Mundaka. How will you prepare yourself?
Preparation has already begun, with training every week, and getting more time on the water. But I still have a lot of work to do, and a lot of mental preparation to do also.

Do you do a lot of whitewater kayaking?
Whitewater kayaking is what I do most, as I have one of the best rivers in Northern Ireland just 10 minutes away. I also take frequent trips around Europe: to the French alps, The Pyrenees and many other places to get the snow melt for high water levels!

In your opinion, what is the current state of surf kayak design?
Surf Kayaking has peaked to a new high, kayaks are getting faster, and more surf board like in style and design, enabling new moves such as aerials, deep barrels and I feel that is what is driving the sport forward.

Your favorite surf kayak?
To me, the best kayak is the Mega Ufo Prowler, its not the best by todays designs, but it was definitly my favourite! Right now I am really enjoying the Mega Neutron, its speed, grip and ability to get air is awesome.

Which surf kayaker do you admire most for skills and technique?
The kayaker I admire the most would be Dessie Mc Glinchey. His style is his own, he's a great sportsman, always there with advice and no one surfs an IC boat like he does!

Dessie Mc Glinchey

Home spot? Favorite spot?
Usually I surf at home, around the north coast somewhere. My favourite spots would be the Famous Easkey Left, Spot L The backyard, or East strand in Portrush. The best spot I have surfed would have to be the backyard, it's a spot we have in Ireland. Perfect waves, huge deep barrels, big walls, and super long, everything you want in a wave!

Your favorite move?
My favorite move would definitely be the Floater! Great to get you out of sticky situations!

Favorite paddling sites?
Favorite site would have to the Northern Ireland Surf Kayak Site. It's Really good for keeping you up to date with what's going on, and a bit of banter on there too! And of course Kayaksurf.net, always up to date, great blog, interviews, and latest news.

What are your favorite bands?
There are so many, but a few of them would be Coldplay, Greenday, James Morrisson, Chilli Peppers, U2, Yoshi Biomehanika and Benny Benassi.

Can we expect you again in Portugal?
For sure, I really enjoyed it, and it holds some great memories for me.

Text - Luis Pedro Abreu
Photos - Malcolm Pearcey + Richard Hobson + kayaksurf.net