October 1st 2009: THE DAVE WINCHESTER INTERVIEW
So Winny, what was the main reason you wanted to do a whole podcast series on yourself? Is it the fact that every other top Aussie bodyboarder has released a profile DVD or two in the past? And what made you choose to podcast it instead of a DVD style?
Winny – I just thought it was my time, I feel that my surfing was up there to the best it’s been, so instead of having sections in all different dvd’s just put it all in one. I wanted to do something different, DVD’s are the norm, so I thought podcasts will reach a larger audience, people can see it for free, and they can take it with them on there ipods/iphones.
How was gathering content for the podcasts? Did you score amazing waves in some foreign locations?
Winny – Yeah, to be honest we have scored. We did a trip down to SA and found some new reefs and it was amazing. We have been traveling up and down the east coast in coast searching for new breaks. We have been on the pulse wit the swells.
Will every wave on the podcasts be of you or are there a few of the fellas you travel with?
Winny – Everything me mate. Lucky enough my sponsors Reeflex Wetsuits, NMD, BSC, Stealth and GF supported it, so it’s just all me.
What was it like to work with Phill Gallagher on the very first issue of his new magazine “le Boogie” and have a photo profile section?
Winny – Yeah I was stoked to work with Toinzy on this one. We had been shooting hard for a couple of months so I knew he would have had alot of shots, I was just stoked he wanted to do the profile. For the portrait he set up about 6 flashs in the room, getting all tech with it, he’s mental when it comes to that stuff.
Bodyboarders and consumers alike must be stoked to have a magazine that is dedicated to what we want to see…lots of photos that tell a story?
Winny – Yeah it’s just something different I guess. There were so many shots that were never going to get run as there just wasn’t room in other magazines, so Toinzy came up with such an amazing mag with incredible shots. It’s so good to see.
You’re currently in second position on the IBA World Tour ratings and also third in the Dropknee we might add! After having a year off from the tour in 2007 you had to start from scratch in 2008 and managed to finish 12th overall and also claim the IBA Australian Tour Title, what has led to your current position? Is it starting from the final 32 at each event, your consistent form or your organic diet? You seem to be getting better as time goes by.
Winny –It’s all been a plan. It was just going to take a couple of years. In 2005 I finished 4th and then 5th in 2006 on the world tour. 2007 I planned to do the tour around the birth of coco but 2 main comps got cancelled so I ended up only doing 2 comps and finishing 40th. so I new I could get up there in the ratings again, it was just going to have to be a 2 year plan, 1st year to make the top 16 and the 2nd have a go at it, and its has gone to plan pretty well so far. Diet and the way I have looked at everything has been the sucsess, motivation within my family has helped. My wife has amazing support in my career and really makes sure im getting the job done.
Out of the four events in Europe you entered, you managed a 1st and a 2nd in the final two. Did having you wife and daughter over for the European leg of the tour make you more relaxed and feel like you where not away from home and contribute to your success? What was the thinking behind the whole family heading over?
Winny – I think it was definatly a good thing, 5 weeks away from the family would be to long. It was a totally different preparation to what I would usually have. I free surfed a bit, but not as much as I would usually have. I didn’t have time to think about doing well in the contests, we were busy everyday, sight seeing and entertaining coco at the beach or however. I guess that helped, it took my mind of it. I nearly missed so many heats do to the fact that I wasnt really thinking about it at all. One drop knee heat I didnt get out to the back till 8 mintues left, and a prone heat I was on the sand still when the buzzer went off. That wasnt planned but it gave me no time to get nervous. I just had to do it.
Did you think that before the first event at Pipeline that you would and could be in the position you are now, with the possibility of being a World Champion? Has it been part of your goals or will it be, to become a World Champion one day?
Winny – Yeah it’s been a part of my goals. I knew I could get in a position after my good result at Pipe. I just knew it wasn’t going to be easy, and I was right.
For those aspiring pros out there, can you tell us what would be 3 things that someone should know in order to become a successful bodyboarder like yourself?
Winny –You have to be the complete package – surf good, be likeable, and put 100% in.
It can be a long hard road to make it to the top in this sport and an even harder one to stay on top. What sort of things does it take to be at the top of your game and maintain consistency?
Winny – Surfing a lot in all conditions, eating healthy, having the right head space. There’s no point surfing heaps if you don’t wan’t to be out there.
Doing the World and Aussie Tours and travelling here there and everywhere, you get to see a lot of up and coming bodyboarders around the place. Who are some of the guys and gromms that have made you take notice in the past year or so?
Winny –Yeah I see a few guys, mostly on the Aussie tour, there aren’t too many young guys that can afford to do the world tour. Guys like Jake Stone and Alex Halsey have impressed me with their surfing. I surfed Curly for the first time the other day in months and there was some young kid out there ripping, I was shocked.
Thanks for your time Winny and good luck in the coming months with your Miniseries, World and Aussie Title tilts and becoming a father for the second time around, looks like you are going to be a busy boy!
Winny – Yes, keeping me busy is what seems to work.
