Rob Jacob’s Interviews 2017/18 Masters Champion Dean Hendrie
Dean, firstly congratulations on winning all the Rounds of the NSWWavesailing series Masters Division this season. You are a worthy winner after consistent and super sailing all year – well done.
Deano at Gerroa – Feb 2018 Pic Bob McMillan
Firstly is there anyone you’d like to thank?
My gear suppliers Sailworks and Windsurf Systems Melbourne, Aeron bases and booms, NoLimitz masts and Fanatic boards. And of course, I also have great support from my wife Leeann and my 2 boys in getting to the events.
Can you tell us a bit about your approach to competitions (training/diet/etc) ?
I don’t do much training as I am busy between work and family commitments and don’t get to sail as much as I’d like. So most of my sailing is done on Comp weekends. That’s why I enjoy the Comps so much. I come to the events to enjoy the sailing and get together with people with common interests.
What was your favourite Comp this year?
I really enjoyed the last one at Gerroa. Good waves and wind on the Saturday, and great get together Sat night and then Sunday wind and waves were even better. Lots of great sailors on the water pushing each others performance in great conditions. It was a really great weekend all round.
Pic Jason Hale
What was your favourite heat this year?
Well interestingly it was one I lost – Wazza beat me and it made me even more determined and really kept me honest. I went through the repercharge heats and beat him in the final. It reminded me how fiercely contested and close the Masters division is. There are no easy heats.
I try to concentrate on my own performance in a heat and not look at what others are doing. I find watching other competitors can put too much pressure on and distract me from my own performance. So I try not to watch others in my heat.
I remember you telling me years ago about a day so stormy in Newcastle that the SES closed Nobbys beach and wouldn’t let anyone access the beach. You showed them a business card you had got printed that said “Dean Hendrie KA270 – Professional Windsurfer” and that these were exactly the conditions you needed to practice in – AND they let you in !! Do you still have the card? Have you used it lately?
Ha Ha Ha no I don’t have it anymore. But they closed Nobby’s Beach for the V8 Supercars recently and it was windy leading up to the race. So I had to tell the security guy the same thing. He said “if I let you in your car will be locked in for the night” – I managed to find a way out round the corner after my sail !!
How does having 2 young sons affect your windsurfing (Dean and Leeann have 2 sons aged 9 and 11)?
Well it certainly means less time on the water and other responsibilities. But I have been starting to teach them SUP and windsurfing which is really fantastic as they are getting a bit older. So it’s a win-win really
Pic: Jason Hale
Well congratulations again and thanks for your time Dean – sounds like we might see the Hendrie clan dominating the Juniors Division soon too !!
And the “Last time” interview:
Last TV series you watched?………. Leeann made me watch Married at First Sight
Last movie you saw?……………………………………………………… American Sniper
Last music you bought?…………………………………………………….. Coldplay
Last band you saw?……………………… Midnight Oil in the Hunter Valley – awesome
Last book you read?………………………………………………………. I don’t read much
Last time you lost your temper?………………………………… probably at work yesterday
Last time you were really scared?………….. my father was recently diagnosed with cancer!
Last time you got ripped off?…… planned to sail but had to mind the kids at the last minute
Last time you felt really stoked with the world?…… the Sunday of the last Gerroa comp
Last time you said sorry?………………… I’m always saying “sorry – I’m going sailing !”
Last time you prayed?………………………………………… at our wedding – July 2002
Last time you had a big night out?…………………………… I don’t do that much anymore
Last time you were in trouble with the Law?……….. 30yrs driving and never been booked!
Last time you got injured?………………… Gerroa a few weeks back jammed my finger.
Last time you said never again?………………………………. working overtime at work
Last time you laughed out loud?………………….. answering these questions
Last windsurfing trip?……………………………. only to the wavesailing comps lately
Last job you would ever want?……………………………………………. cleaning toilets
Last piece of clothing you bought?……………………………………… Quiksilver shirt
Last social media post ?……………………………. Facebook of the last comp
Last embarrassing moment………. I rarely get embarrassed because I don’t care what people think
Last words of advice?…… Live life to the fullest – you don’t know what will happen tomorrow
Pic: Jason Hale
