Mark Brooks is the head coach of the Hotshots and as such was responsible for their magnificent win at the T15 Champions Cup, which took place for the first time last October. Mark has also recently received the T15 Award for 2006, just one of the awards of recognition for the top instrcutors and coaches in the UK (full article in news). With a name like 'Coach Tash' we think Mark is truly deserving of the title Cool Coach.               photo by Brenton West

How many years have you been windsurfing? 
26 years.

Where do you windsurf yourself?
Mostly on the sea at Hythe, but also the occasional UKWA events and at the Youth and Masters.

What kit do you sail?
Mostly antiques, F2 or Megacat raceboard with a 10.9m sail propels my weight nicely, but also enjoy IMCO one design. I still short board on a Mistral challenge flex…sad!

Best windsurfing moment?
Watching the ‘Hythe Hotshots’ winning the T15 Champions Cup in 2005. A fantastic team achievement, with every sailor’s results having to count, they had everything to race for.

Favourite place you have ever windsurfed - UK & abroad?
Sun drenched beaches near Saint Tropez, France especially when the Mistral blows through.

Who or what has inspired you the most?
The Team 15 initiative has been “The best thing since sliced bread” introducing hundreds of youngsters to windsurfing has revived the sport and is now producing some fantastic talent for the future.

How long have you been an RYA instructor?
I first qualified as an IWA instructor in 1979. I retrained in 2001 with the RYA.

What motivated you to become and instructor?
Wanting to share my own enthusiasm for the sport and give the kids at Hythe a chance to raise their own expectations.

What's the biggest buzz about instructing?
Seeing kids improve from mere beginners to competent sailors and for some to achieve their ambition to be national champions.

Have you had any other careers?
I trained as a PE teacher and I’ve been a headteacher of a lovely rural Primary School for 10 years.

Any hidden talents outside of windsurfing?
I’m getting pretty good at land boarding with a kit and speedsailing during the winter months, but still got a lot to learn!

Any other hobbies?
Watching my 3 sons play rugby takes up most of my time in the winter months. I’ve also started skiing which is very exhilarating.

Alive or dead, who would you most like to meet?
Robby Naish, world champion at 13years old, thirty years ago and he still is a pioneer in windsurfing – like to watch him sail Jaws on Maui.

Any top tips for T15 clubbers?
a. Try to get on the water as often as you can and practice the skills you are least good at.
b. We find that the sea based training gives our team a real advantage. 
c. Taking part is more important than winning, everybody has to start somewhere! 
d. Try to learn from the kids that are at the front of the fleet, watch what they do carefully.
e. The most important skills to focus on are: getting a good line-start , good board speed, upwind sailing and rounding the buoys.
f. Having fun on a short board when its windy is also very good for developing board handling skills and confidence.

Finally, what’s the best thing for you about team15?
A healthy way to have fun, make life-long friendships, but most of all to raise kids’ self-esteem and aspirations in life.