The Global Paddling Community

Interview with kayak surfer Tamsin Green.

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: Tamsin Green
Age: 32
Nationality: British
Occupation: Teacher
Competition records: 1st Brits 2006, 2nd world cup 2006, 2nd Santa Cruz 2006, 1st both categories Mundaka 2007
Website: www.tamsingreen.net
Sponsors: - Flowgroup Mega surf kayaks, Powerhouse Marine and Buff headgear.

Hi Tamsin, last year, 1st in England, 2nd in Portugal (World Cup) and this year, 2nd in Santa Cruz and 1st (both categories) in Mundaka. Great results! What's the secret?
I think it has to be determination and focus to put yourself into the situations which mean that you are going to push yourself and try to learn something from each paddling session. Also I want to be able to reduce the divide between the skill of men and women…

Santa Cruz

What is your favourite spot?
In the last year I've surfed many great breaks and would be hard pushed to choose the best. I really enjoyed Lagide prior to the world cup when it was big and clean, for location Shipwrecks, indo was amazing. From the top of a ten foot face you could see the reef as the water was so clear and shallow. One of my favourite spots though is magheroarty Ireland and of course my home breaks in Northumberland.

Magehroarty (Ireland) and Northumberland (England)

Portugal was a great experience too. To be involved with the home internationals and the world cup was very good and an experience that I'm proud of. Surfed great waves with great people...

Peniche, October 2006

You're a now a member of the Mega Flying Squad. Do you feel you have more "work" on your shoulders because of that?
Being part of the flying squad is cool, but I don't feel under pressure to perform as a result of this. I want to be the best and as such will then be seen to be a worthy member of the flying squad...

Mega Flying Squad

How do you combine your job with all the surf kayak trips and contests?
At the moment I'm fortunate to have a supply teaching job which is close to my home in the north east of England. This enables me to be quite flexible with regards to competing and traveling. So it's a case of work, save some money, then travel.

Santa Cruz

You started kayaking when you were 19. Which other kayaking experience did you get that help you in surf kayaking?
I guess most paddling experience helps a bit. I started out river running and marathon paddling. I then started surfing and playboating whilst still pushing the grade on the river. No sense of fear helps too.

Do you still paddle whitewater?
I really enjoy paddling whitewater and enjoy getting up to Scotland for some great creeking as well as trips to the Alps for rivers too.

How do you see the future of kayak surfing?
I think that kayak surfing is one of the most exciting disciplines of kayaking at the moment with athletes pushing the boundaries hard. I think that our sport will continue to appeal to new people each day and hopefully more women and juniors will take up our sport. Also I know that some are keen to push the boundaries with wave size. More aggressive moves are being done by surf kayakers and more and more surf boarders are realising that goat boaters are more than able to surf. Also with boats the way they are now we are going to see more paddlers travelling to new destinations and I want to be part of this.

What are your favorite surf kayaks?
I love my 2007 reflex, it's enabling me to really push my surfing and after Mundaka I'm going to try ic class a bit more.

Mega Reflex

What is the current state of surf kayak design? Are things innovating?
I like the way that boats are being produced so that we can paddle more in short board style. I love the fact my boat is fast on take off and can carry speed up the face and is both light and reactive.

This year, in Mundaka (like always), the judges were surf boarders. What do you think of this idea – also defended by Darren Bason – of appealing to surfers to judge kayaksurfing manoeuvres?
I think that this is a great way to go as you can have consistency throughout the contest. Essential to push our sport to the next level. I'd love to see a contest on a scale similar to the big board surf contests. I also think it's important that judging evolves as our sport does so that the more aggressive style of surfing is judged correctly with more points being awarded for more critical rides rather than safe surfing to the beach.

Santa Cruz

What was your scariest moment at sea?
Being slammed on my head, narrowly avoiding a rock shelf from 6ft shore dump at dreamlands, Bali. If I had been 2 metres left or right then I'd have almost certainly been killed by the impact. Scary!!!

Is there a particular surf kayaker you really admire for his/her skills and technique?
Everyone who has helped me and shared waves and laughs. You all know who you are and it wouldn't be fair to any of you to single out one person. Thanks to all who have given advice and laughed at my kickings.

Indonesia

Where do you usually surf?
My local breaks in Northumberland are always fun with friends and I'm particularly fond of France and Spain .

Favorite move?
Big lip turns and I want to get air!

Bali, Indonesia

Favorite paddling web sites?
www.surfkayaks.com (obviously) www.tamsingreen.net and of course www.magicseaweed.com

Why do you think we have so few girls in surf kayaking?
Initially kayak surfing is hard to get into. Also it can be cold and wet. By changing the image of surf kayaking I think we are going to see more and more taking part.

Santa Cruz

Any suggestions to those who want to start kayak surfing?
Have a go and try to do it somewhere quiet. Check out your local surf kayak centre and get some good advice……… above all enjoy it……

Thanks for all Tamsin and good luck for Mundaka!

Tamsin's sponsors:

Text - Luis Pedro Abreu
Photos - Dan Green + Tim Harvey + FOTOREPORTAGEM.COM + Malcolm Pearcey MEGA KAYAKS
Video - NISURFKAYAK.COM