30: So how did the deal come about for you to leave Fanatic / North?
Fanatic /North were both great to me and I’m thankful they gave me the chance to work with them for those years. Goya just offered me a different opportunity to go after what I was looking for. I love the Goya gear, the brand is near where I live, so it was a lot of things coming together. I really feel at home on the brand, so I’m stoked on it and thankful for all their support.
31: What is it like to be sailing for Francisco Goya?
It’s amazing. He’s a really nice guy, super-positive, easy-going and great to be around. I look up to him a lot and it’s inspiring that he can share his vast knowledge with me on the gear and on the sport with me now. I’m really looking forward for the years to come working together.
32: How much do you get involved with the R&D for the boards and sails?
I’m working closely with [sail designer] Jason Diffin right now on improving the Banzai line. I also work a lot on the boards. We made loads of prototypes this year and keep on learning more and more as the time goes by with the shapes and different fin set-ups. Making the very best boards is an endless project but it’s fun to keep on trying things and slowly understanding a bit more.
33: Are Goya happy for you to spend most of your time sailing at Ho’okipa or do you feel they want you to become World Champion?
I think they are very open with that and they just want to support whatever I choose to do. I just want to improve overall as a sailor in different conditions, try new moves and push the sport as far as possible. But, as I said, more than anything they just encourage me to have a good time on the water – that’s pretty much it.