pritchard

ProFiles

KevinPritchard

An American Sportsman

An interview by Robert Masters

I first met Kevin Pritchard in May of 1992. We were behind the eight ball on our filming of “Heart & Soul”. The wind was not cooperating - and the Gaastra World Cup Team members were leaving Maui for competitions overseas.

We had heard of the Pritchard brothers - and were keen to get them over to Maui for filming, to the point that a letter was written to Kevin’s teacher, requesting that he be excused from school while we filmed him attempting double loops!

From the bright eyed sixteen year old kid of then, to the smart, motivated thirty one year old man of today, Kevin is a special breed in the world of professional sports. He sails hard, yet respects those who compete against him. He plays hard, never letting a moment go by to live life to its fullest.

Nominated earlier this year for a prestigious Laureus Award, the current PWA World Wavesailing Champion took time out to answer my questions about his past, the present, competing, life on Maui - and his love of things other than windsurfing... photography.

How did you get started in windsurfing?

KP - My dad started windsurfing... and he was going every weekend. So he would take me along - and I would get bored sitting around waiting for him to come in! So I decided that it was time for me to take it up.

What was the story behind you getting to be on the "Heart & Soul" shoot? What was it like when you got to Stable Road for the shoot?

KP - Oh man, I was so excited to get to go to Maui. My brother and I were sponsored by Gaastra. He got them to pay for the trip. I was, like, ‘I am into it’ - and off we went!

I got to get out of school - and so I was super stoked. When I got to the shoot I was pretty intimidated. But once I got out on the water, I knew that this is what was right for me. I was stoked!

So there you were with Robby Naish, Anders Bringdal, Jason Polokow! How was it?

KP - It was really fun. To be honest, I can’t really remember hanging out with them too much. I just remember hanging with Matt and sailing all the time!

And then you got into competing. How did you develop a mindset that allowed you to compete with - and beat your heros?

KP - I don't really know. I think I just had it in me. I loved to compete and more importantly - win. I really like winning and for some reason it just comes naturally.

You've worked with Barry Spanier for several years, during which time, he's helped power you to your fair share of wins on the PWA Tour. How do you explain the success?

KP - We have worked together for over 12 years now. I have always liked his designs and they just work for me. He is a great designer because he can take the feedback that we give and put it into the design. He is great with imagining what it feels like - and what we really want in a sail.

Are you enjoying being a co-owner of MauiSails?

KP - Oh you know, I am just focused on my part of the company... and that is winning on the sails. It is stressful, a bit, but it just makes you want to go out there and win - and be a good face for the company.

How are you able to compete against the likes of the Neil Pryde Racing squad, who operate with a huge budget and a large team? Is the "David vs. Goliath" aspect of this battle appealing to you?

KP - This year the Maui Sails TR 3's are so good, it makes my job a lot easier. I like being the only sailor in the top using the Maui Sails designs, because it means that everyone doesn’t have these great designs!

I feel like I have a great advantage because I am the only one with the sails - and with them working so well, it gives me an advantage over my competitors.

After all the traveling, you return to Maui. Why Maui?

KP - Maui is really nice. I am all set up here with a house and car - and it is just easy. Maui is always windy, it is the best place to test out all the windsurfing products, good training partners... and to top it all off, it is beautiful.

Apart from windsurfing, what are your passions?

KP - I am really into photography these days! I have been having a lot of fun with it and I’ve been learning a lot. For windsurfing shots, I have been on the other side of the lens for so long, that I know when and where to sit, so it comes pretty easily.

What photographic gear are you using - and why?

KP - I am using Canon stuff because that is what all the other pro-photographers are using.

What are you doing to learn new techniques and ideas? Is it all trial and error, or are you getting stuck into the manuals - and learning about photographic theory?

KP - Oh, I am pretty immersed in learning all the techniques and manuals. I am a web guy who looks at all the photos out there - and learning from forums and things like that.

For logging and image correction, do you have a preferred method?

KP - I think that is my worst thing is logging my photos! I am pretty much all over the show with this. I am learning as I go.

Images by Robert Masters, Kevin Pritchard, Lyndsey Hogan and Maui Sails

Your various websites - you seem to be having fun with 'blogs' and publishing pages with iWeb. Why did you choose a Mac and iWeb to do your work?

KP - I got a Mac ‘cause all my friends always told me how great they are. So I got a Mac with a 30" screen and it is really sweet for photo editing. I haven't really been too impressed with the Mac but I really like Final Cut Pro for editing videos.

So that is one of the main reasons I chose a Mac. I still haven't changed over my laptop yet, so I am still a PC kind of guy.

Back to windsurfing... what in your opinion is the "state of the sport"?

KP - I think windsurfing right now is pretty strong. It is growing a little bit, but more than anything, people are coming back to windsurfing.

I see a lot of old faces that went away from windsurfing coming back with their families - and having a great time.

When you sail - is the enjoyment still the same as when you were sixteen?

KP - I would like to say that I do but I don't. I have a lot of fun windsurfing, but when I was sixteen... boy was I crazy about it!!! I now windsurf nearly everyday so it is quite a bit different.

That being said, I would say that riding a wave in Cabo Verde or Baja still has the same enjoyment as when I was sixteen!

In closing, why should someone learn to windsurf?

KP - They will get into an amazing sport that is super fun. It has taken me around the world and I couldn't ask for too much more!