Izzy Hamilton has been windsurfing since the age of ten and today is one of the sport’s brightest prospects.

IZZY HAMILTON started windsurfing at the age of ten and today is one of the sport’s brightest prospects. In her youth some of her biggest achievements included two Youth World Championship Gold medals and this year she finished fifth in the Senior Europeans.

Izzy was enlisted as the training partner for the windsurfer who went to the Olympics at Rio and this saw her travel to Brazil 11 times in preparation for the Games. She’d determined to compete at Tokyo 2020 and win Gold for Great Britain and in this interview talks about how she’ll do it and the work and effort it will take.  

When did you start windsurfing and who encouraged you to give the sport a go?

I started going to Tamar Lakes Saturday club when I was about ten years old. We got the opportunity to learn sailing, windsurfing, raft building, kayaking or swimming around in the lake and pushing each other off the pontoon (my favorite).

A couple of the instructors were keen windsurfers and encouraged me to join the T15 club, which involved lots of different fun races. I remember collecting milk bottles with sweets in them from around the lake and the lure of sweets spurred me into getting into racing.

I was encouraged to travel to different events around the South West and was talent spotted for the zone team.

Today Izzy is a professional windsurfer but still finds time to mountain bike and stand up paddle.

Had you always been a sporty person and if so what have been some of your other sporting successes and interests in the past?

I went to a small school in North Cornwall and anyone with athletic enthusiasm was encouraged to play all the sports. I played netball and hockey for the school and in my free time I swam three times a week and did lots of rock climbing.

Now I am a full time windsurfer I try to make as much of my training as fun as possible and regularly mountain bike, stand up paddle, surf, kite and road bike.

Izzy has travelled around the world to compete in the sport and this year was the training partner for the windsurfer selected for the Olympic Games.

What have been your biggest achievements in windsurfing to date and where in the world has the sport taken you?

The sport has taken me all over the world training and competing. My highlights have been going to Australia and many trips to Brazil to train before the Olympics.

My biggest achievements are my two Youth World Championship Gold medals. This year I finished fifth in the Senior Europeans which I am very proud of.

Tell us about how hard you trained for Rio and how you will ensure you get a place at Tokyo?

I was lucky that once the selection for the windsurfer who got to go to Rio was over I was enlisted to be the training partner. This involved 11 trips to Rio training and competing. I trained really hard and learnt so much about how to approach an Olympic campaign.

Tokyo will be a completely different campaign and I will have to work super hard over the next four years to ensure I am ready to win the Gold Medal.

While heavily focussed on her windsurfing career Izzy also studies at the Open University.

How do you fit training and competitions around other commitments in life?

The World Tour for sailing is extensive and does not have an off season. I am studying part time at the Open University so I am able to get a degree and travel. I attended Exeter University for my first year but found it tricky to get the right balance of training and study.

How hard are you currently training and what does the average session consist of?

My current training plan is six days a week. I try to sail on Monday to Friday and hit the water for about two to three hours a day. When I am not sailing I fit in three strength sessions and five fitness sessions alongside daily yoga and rehab or physio treatment. If I have any spare time I search for new sponsors and plan and book my trips to new venues!

What challenges or competitions do you have lined up for the rest of the year and 2017 and do you have any other exciting projects in the pipeline?

After the Olympics the circuit quietens for a couple of months and I am taking this opportunity to improve my strength and fitness. The British Team is heading out to Tokyo for a few weeks to check out the 2020 Olympic Venue and get some sailing on the Japanese waters. 

To find out more about Izzy, go to her website www.ihamilton.co.uk