Geoff Pook was recently awarded a prestigious RYA Community Award for his services to windsurfing within the South West. Olympic sailor and medallist, Shirley Robertson presented Geoff with the RYA Community Award 2003 at the Commonwealth Institute on 23 November. Following this fantastic achievement we felt it only right that Geoff qualified as a Cool Coach and should be featured on the T15 website

How many years have you been windsurfing?
My first taste of windsurfing was on a family holiday at Poole in 1980. I hired kit for that summer and bought my first board in 1981

Where do you windsurf yourself?
I belong to the Bristol Corinthians Yacht Club (the Axbridge Animals) but I like to get down to the south coast when I can, Calshot, Poole, Weymouth etc with my other club, the Bristol Nomads Windsurfing Club.

What kit do you sail?
My Lightning World Cup Raceboard is my favourite. I use that most of the time with a 7.5 camber induced sail. I use my Fanatic Bee 317 with a 6.5 m sail or a Mistral Shredder for playing in really windy conditions

Best windsurfing moment?
Too many to mention; I'd bore you to tears. Any time I win a race; that really gives me a buzz, especially when I have beaten a close rival. Picking up a prize at a National event gives you a boost and inspires you to train hard so you can do it again. I haven't raced in National events for some years now but I still remember the feeling

Favourite place you have ever windsurfed - UK & abroad?
There are lots of places abroad that I'd like to go back to. Lake Garda in Italy has reliable thermal winds and the mountains are great for walking or biking. Bitez has a nice windsurfing centre with friendly, laid-back staff. In England, my very favourite place is Poole Harbour. I love to cruise around the islands on my raceboard, sailing in the quiet areas away from the crowds. Several times I have had seals swimming along with me

Who or what has inspired you the most?
Don Sutherland, one time chairman of the RYA Windsurfing Committee. He encouraged me to start racing at a time when I thought I was not good enough. I learned more by racing because everyone was friendly and willing to pass on hints and tips. And Cherry Turner-Legg who told me I was not good enough to be an instructor; I went away and practiced until I was good enough. Later we became good friends.

How long have you been an RYA instructor?
Almost twenty years

What motivated you to become and instructor?
Cherry Turner-Legg (see above). It was a challenge and a challenge has to be met.

What's the biggest buzz about instructing?
Many of the boys and girls I've coached have gone into the National Squads and Olympic Development Squad, which is great. But just seeing a cheesy grin on the face of someone when they pull off a move I've just shown them is awesome.

Have you had any other careers?
Instructing and coaching has always been a spare time thing. A cool way to unwind after the stress of the drawing office. I was a contract draughtsman with a large construction company until I decided work was getting in the way of windsurfing

Any hidden talents outside of windsurfing?
Never give up! I remember one race weekend when the first three races were held in very strong wind and the sea was choppy. After two races I was pretty tired and, though I started the third race, I decided not to finish, thinking I' have a better chance the following day when the forecast was for lighter winds. Well, the following day there was no wind at all. We waited about all day but no wind came so the event was decided on three races. If I had finished race three I would have finished in the top third of the fleet but as it was I was near the bottom.

Finally, what's the best thing for you about team15?
It's about giving something back to the sport. Giving clubbers the chance to have as much fun as I have had. And I'm still having fun.

Well done Geoff on your award and thanks for all your hard work in the South West.