Mark Grinnell, aka Rocket Man, defends his title as #1 in Africa for speed windsurfing

Those who take part in windsurfing world speed record attempts have to be more than a little crazy, almost fearless and driven by some impulse that most people will simply never understand.”

This comment was made recently by Mark Grinnell who is one of South Africa’s old hands at the speed windsurfing game and, one of only two South African entrants in the forthcoming world speed record attempt championship.

This is scheduled to take place at a unique site in Luderitz, Namibia on 28th November over a 500 m course with an acutely angled 100 m approach (enabling the surfers to hit the start at full speed). The venue, especially selected because at this time of year Luderitz experiences trade winds gusting at up to 130 km per hour, has been specially bulldozed out of the desert sands for this event. It is, however, only 30 cm deep and 5 m wide.

Last year Mark Grinnell, aptly nick-named, The Rocket, came out top with the South African and African speed record with a speed of 49,66 knots. This equates to over 90 km per hour. The World Speed record is 52.06 and is held by Antoine Albeau, known as the Michael Schumaker of windsurfing. Mark is currently ranked 8th in the World.

“If you come off your board at that speed or if you hit the bank or overshoot the small 50 m pen at the finish, all of which are very easy to do,” said Grinnell, “an injury is almost guaranteed and believe me it will not be minor one.”

Grinnell was speaking from experience. He has been knocked out at least four times while windsurfing in his speed sailing career, and last year, in the first week of the event, broke three ribs. He was then patched up and ‘tied together’ with duct tape and in the second week (bolstered by anti-inflammatory pills) he managed to achieve his top speed, which secured for him the seventh place in international rankings and top place in South Africa and Africa. Not the best at stopping, at the end of his last run, Mark hit the sand and flew up into the air directly towards two other sailors waiting in the shallow water. He saw stars when he was awakened by the British Speed Sailing champion, Farrel.

Grinnell said that the competitors come from all over the world, 80% being from Europe, the UK and even the USA. Most of these, he added, are full-time sponsored professionals who do little else other than windsurf and who are therefore superbly fit. He himself, by contrast, is the CEO of a Cape Town security company, can seldom train more than 5 days a month and then only for limited periods. He weighs 105 kg’s and carries 8 kg to 10 kg lead weight to improve his ability to handle the sail. What he lacks in experience or technique, he says, he makes up for, with pure determination and fearlessness.

He was gratified and pleased to have achieved so high a ranking, in the process beating at least a dozen top international windsurfers who, to say the least, were surprised at his success, because until then he had been an unknown on the international scene. Impressed by his dramatic wipe out on that last run, they gave him the nickname “Rocket Man”, which has stuck.

The competition runs for five weeks because no windsurfing is done unless a strong wind is blowing. Grinnell said that at the most, he will be able to take off only 3 weeks to try and achieve his goal. However, he hopes (no doubt along with others) this year, to break the 50 knot barrier and retain his SA and African titles, and to rise further in the international rankings.

“Last year the speeds got progressively better as the competition progressed and the competitors got to know the course. I expect much the same will happen this year. Despite the fact that I haven’t had time for really adequate training, I am more than confident that I will put up a good showing.”

For further information contact Mark Grinnell on 0825587857.

Ends

Mark Grinnell
CEO Grinnell Security/Husband/Father/Sportsman

Mark was born in Kidderminster, Birmingham, UK. He immigrated at the age of 8 with his family to Cape Town, South Africa. He grew up in Muizenberg matriculated from Muizenberg High School in 1984. He has always loved the ocean and has spent his entire life surfing and sailing. He loves speed sports – including racing cars on (and off the track)!

Prepared for Mark Grinnell, by:
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Vanessa Northing
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Amelia Hayes
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Author: Vanessa Northing from Adverb Marketing, Communications and Events. Originally distributed by MyPR.co.za.

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Mark Grinnell picking up some speed in preparation for the upcoming challenge Photographer: Adverb