• Windsurfing ID: F08
• Name: Romain Pinocheau
• Date of Birth: 19/09/1990
• Nationality: France
• Status: Semi-pro 
• Where are you currently: Ré Island 
• Sponsors: Mauisails / F2 / Nuke / MauiUltra Fins
• Favorite discipline: Freestyle
• Favorite spots: Le Goisil, Gruissan, Almanarre, São Miguel do Gostoso

Windsurfing Interviews: "Tell us about your start, your first steps into this sport: (Difficulties, motivation, family, windsurf idols, etc)" 

Romain: "I started windsurfing with 12 years old at the CNCG club sailing ( Ré Island ). I began competing very young, and I have competed in three world championship ( 293/RS:X ) where I have seen some good results. In 2009, I stoped the RS:X and windsurfing to dedicate myself to studies. 

After one year without windsurfing, I quit my study to go into windsurfing full time. I bought a freestyle board and I started freestyle three years ago ( summer 2010 ). Why the shift ? I was always fascinated by the exploits of Ricardo Campello at the beginning of the modern freestyle, but when I saw the new moves invented by Gollito Estredo ( like Skono, Burner, Culo ) I was amazed ! 

I have set myself the objective of reaching the international level, and I went to São Miguel do Gostoso for the first time in 2010, with my new sponsor Mauisails!"

Romain: "Today, I can say that windsurf is my life ! I only live for windsurf. All my money is invested in windsurf, I haven't another activity. When I'm sailing, anything can happen, I really don't care ! I can stay 7h on the water when it's windy !

I have nothing to add, Windsurf is my life and I hope it will not change !"

 W.I.: "What about Windsurfing events, have you done some competitions in the last few years?"

Romain: "I competed for the first time in october 2012, at the EFPT Six-Fours, France. I finished 26th and 3rd in tow-in. 

I would be happy with a session on my homespot with a perfect thermical wind, a small tidal coefficient and all my friends !"

When I surf at Gruissan, I like see the local riders who are trying new moves like shaka. I have a thought to you, be brave !

Romain: "It was Hugo Guias who introduced me São Miguel do Gostoso. He was travelling here for training in 2008. I was welcome by Remi Denis, the french director of the "Escola Gostoso" (kiteschool ).

There are two spots in São Miguel, the beach of Santo Cristo, where I train and where all the water sports began and the beach of Kauli Seadi. The wind is stable and strong (25+ knots), the water is pretty hot (30°), and there are little waves for trying the goyter ! You can sail everyday 5 hours and finish your day with a small SUP session. I learned all my moves in São Miguel do Gostoso really easily because the little chop help you for try new tricks.

If you want to discover new spots, you can rent a buggy for 50€/day ( 3-4 people per buggy ) and after 45 minutes of driving there is different spots like Lagoa Grande, Maracajaù, Lagoa do Sal (surfspot ), Galinhos, and my favorite : Praia do Marco.

Parties are good.. Really good ! Brazilians are welcoming and really friendly. When I arrive in São Miguel do Gostoso for the first time, I was a bit shy but they helped me to learn the portuguese. They have nothing but they share more than us..."

W.I.: "How was the Bonifacio Freestyle Project for you ? How was the feeling of competing with big names in the windsurfing freestyle tour?"

Romain: "The Bonifacio Freestyle Project is the perfect event for a young/new rider. The atmosphere is joyful and relaxed, all in a heavenly place : Piantarella Beach. I met and sailed with the best riders like Steven Van Broeckven or Anthony Ruenes and I was able to do many parutions via the pictures, the movies and the website reports, and it is mainly thanks to the BFP that I did so.

 

The edition n°4 was amazing, we were hosted in a big villa with pretty sea views! We only had one windy day, but the no wind days were very well organised with a lot of activities ( tow-in, freestyle light wind, photoshoot in a mountain river... ).

It's an event not to be missed for a rider and I hope to be invited the next year!"

W.I.: "And what can you tell us about your life, when you are not windsurfing? 

What is your job? How do you manage to conciliate it with windsurf?"

 

 

Romain:"When I'm at home, I work 3-4 hours every morning with my father to finance my travels. He's a butcher for more than 40 years and it's a pleasure to be able to help him. In the remaining time, I work on my communication and I do some prayers and dances to increase the wind! :D"

 

 

 

 

 

W.I.: "What would you say to someone that is thinking about to start this sport?"

Romain: "Try! And I'm pretty sure that you'll have fun doing it! Windsurf is really difficult to learn, but when you put your foot in the footstraps for the first time and you take pleasure, you deserve it! Windsurf is a sport like another, a passion like another, but don't forget that you don't kill your earth when you're practising! I would say this to them. :) "

W.I.: "What are your goals in windsurfing and in your live?"

Romain: "For the 2013 year, I decided to follow the PWA tour. There is still 3 events : Fuerteventura, Brouwersdam and Sylt. I want to compete in France too ( Windmeet and EFPT Six-Fours ). I'm waiting for the wildcard of Fuerteventura actually!

In my future, I don't know... Einstein says: " I never think of the future, it comes soon enough". It will be probably in an other country, with new friends, new life, but always with my windsurf board!"

Fast Questions:

Windsurfing Feelings: Passion

 

Favorite Food: All my father can do

 

About Parties: Not for me ! :D

 

Favorite Book: The Angel's Game

 

Favorite Movie: Inglorious Bastards

 

Hobbies: Windsurf...

 

Best Travels : Brazil

 

To be conquered or to conquer? To be... :D 

 

Love is: Love

 

Life quotation: " By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail. "

Can you say something to the windsurfingnews team ?

Thank you so much for your attention, and I hope to see you on the spot to share a freestyle session !

Windsurf deserves to live, and you are trying to help it with many reports and interviews and this is good ! Really good ! :)