01
Feb
2007
Temira Wagonfeld
Interview
|
| :: Temira ripping at the Gorge :: photo (C) by Jon Malmberg |
Please tell us a little bit about yourself, where are you from and how come you started windsurfing?
I grew up in the Seattle area, and learned to
windsurf on a lake near Whistler Mountain. I saw windsurfing on
TV when I was a little kid, and decided from that moment on that
I wanted to be a pro sailor. My parents finally got tired of me
begging for lessons and sent me to summer camp where I could
learn. I bought my first gear when I was 13 or 14, and my parents
sent it straight back to the place I'd ordered it from and kept
the money. Needless to say, that didn't make me a happy kid! I
finally got my own gear (and my own car) when I was 16, and spent
every day after school on local lakes. I moved to the Gorge in
the summer of 1997, and fell completely in love with the town and
the sailing conditions.
About your passion for sailing at the Columbia
River Gorge and the local scene.
The Gorge is beautiful; I feel so grateful that I
live here. Besides the natural beauty, the people are fantastic -
kind, helpful, friendly... Windsurfers here are always willing to
help each other learn new moves. Advice is given freely, and
people take time out of their sailing to shout hints to people on
the water. We have an awesome and supportive community here, and
that's a good part of why we have so many rippers. The best thing
about sailing in the Gorge is that I can try aerial moves over
and over, and never have to worry about getting crushed by the
next wave in a set!
Your attitude towards freestyle
windsurfing?
Freestyle windsurfing is great! Learning new moves
keeps windsurfing from ever getting boring.
What freestyle move are you currently working
on?
I'm working on the Flaka and on the shuv-it Vulcan
(I don't know the name of that move)
What is your favorite sail and board of choice
for a typical day at the Gorge?
Fanatic New Wave 75 and a Hot Sails Superfreak 3.7
for a perfect day. I can land on that sail all day and never
break a panel. Awesome!
|
| :: Temira ripping at the Gorge :: photo (C) by Rick Strahl |
Your latest magic moment on the
water?
A couple of weeks ago I sailed at the Hatchery on
a rare winter west wind day. It was 12 degrees (celsius), blowing
over 50mph, with 30 meter wind devils and 15 meter walls of
spray. I was on a 3.2, completely overpowered, alone on the
river.
Either/or ?!
| Morning or afternoon session? | Morning. | |
| X-Ply or monofilm? |
|
Neither. Dacron is the best! |
| HipHop or Rock? |
|
Neither. Techno. Paul Oakenfold or Tiesto live. |
| Ocean sailing or river ripping? |
|
Mast-high waves or 3.2 on the river. Can't choose! |
| Port. Wavesailing? |
|
Starboard. |
| Simple AirJibe or Spock? |
|
Spock. |
| Maried or single? |
|
Single (and looking) |
| Forward or backward loop? |
|
Back or Push. |
| Session or competition? |
|
Session. |
| Wave or freestyle? |
|
Waves! |
| Tattoos or not? |
|
Love 'em, but still looking for the right one for me. |
About your life and future.
I'm currently running my own small business and
doing a fair bit of freelance writing. I'd like to go back to
school soon, so I can work in renewable resources: windfarms,
biodiesel plants... any sort of sustainable work that will reduce
the impact we have on the planet.
For more info please visit Temira's website www.temirawagonfeld.com!
|
| :: Temira ripping at the Gorge :: photo (C) by Jon Malmberg |
For more info please visit Temira's website www.temirawagonfeld.com!
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