Gavin Colby - a madforsailing profile

Hobie 16 World Champion and general catamaran guru

What is your date of birth? 1st September 1977

Where were you born?
Perth, Australia

At what age did you start sailing?
Age 13

What inspired you to take up sailing?
Friends

Where was your first sailing club?
Nedlands Yacht Club, Perth

Which class did you first race in?
Winsbrush 14 Catamaran

How did you buy your first boat?
Aus Study which is money given to students by the government

What was your first regatta win?
State Championships

What’s your biggest event or championship win?
5th Hobie 16 Worlds
Five times winner of Australian National Championships

Any other notable regattas that you have taken part in you would like to mention?
F18 Worlds, Round Texal and Tiger Worlds

Which event will you be taking part in next?
Eurocat in Carnac,France

Do you do any sailing-specific off the water training?
Yes I work out at home with weights and run quite a bit

Which coaches do you use if any?
I take advice from anyone, I did some coaching myself for F16s and 18s at Parkstone, Poole

Do you have any professional links to the sport?
I work for Hobie Cat Europe

Which other sports do you take part in?
Golf and Australian rules football

Do you have other hobbies or interests outside of sailing?
Flying aeroplanes

How do you relax?
Watch TV

Do you have favourite bar, pub or restaurant?
Jack's House and don't laugh as it is a karaoke bar and my favourite drink is Bundaburg rum with coke

Tell us about your most memorable sail?
Jurien Bay, Mid North Coast Western Australia.There was no-one around, heaps of wind, hot water, weather 35 degrees plus. There was no racing it was just fun

Who are your role models?
Joe Egon, he's the nicest bloke

What’s your biggest remaining goal in sailing?
I want to own my own boat and do my own sailing

How much time do you spend on the water each week?
At least four days a week

Who are your sponsors?
Hobie Europe

What is the best excuse you have ever given for a poor performance in a race?
Hangover

What is the funniest thing you have either witnessed or experienced whilst sailing?
I fell off at the F18 Worlds and had to be rescued

Do you have a favourite sailing venue and what makes it a great place to sail?
At home, there's always heaps of wind, it's warm and no stress

What’s the single thing that could most improve the running of regattas?
Training clinics for race officers

What is your greatest strength in sailing?
I never give up

What is your greatest weakness in sailing?
The night before

What’s the single most important piece of advice you could give to younger sailors?
Get a good start and go the right way

Who are your sailing heroes and why?
Only the next boat that we want to beat

If you could sail for a day with anyone of your choice who would it be and why?
Simion,great mate and crew

Who do you think are the best sailors in Britain?
Rob Wilson and Will Howden

Who do you rate as the best sailor in the world?
Chris Sproat aka Spoaty, because he is a legend

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