Mike Norman 4th in Europe!
So, youāve taken your flowboarding to the next level by entering the European Champsā after missing this years Nationals due to injury. How does it feel to come home 4th in Europe?
Yeah, Iām really happy with my results considering it was my first attempt at the Europeans. I was hoping for 3rd but my nerves got the better of me in the final and I crumbled quite a bit. Still well happy with 3rd though and itās been a great learning curve.
Bet it was nice out there in Ibiza just as temperatures are dropping here in the UK. Is there any difference in riding different Flowriders around the globe?
Yes definitely. I've ridden two others now and they all seem different to the next. Itās kinda like surfing a new break. The one in Ibiza is slightly narrower and higher than Cardiff and also more powerful. I didn't feel like I could ride it to the best of my ability but it's like riding a new break, it takes time to get used to it. Obviously longer for me, ha, because people were smashing it on there!
It obviously takes a lot of practice to get to the standard to compete in such a competition. What have you done to bring your riding to where it is?
Iāve just been riding as much as I can prior to the event and working on runs. It's good as other riders are quite supportive of each other so I send videos to a friend who critiques my riding, which gives me pointers to help me improve.
Can you compare riding the Flowrider to what you endure whilst out in the ocean and seas?
No not really. One pushes you and the other the water comes towards you, although I feel it definitely helps with your ocean riding and vice versa. Especially DK riding, it's really good for generating that muscle memory and for DK spins you can just do them over and over again. Not really something you can do in 2ft choppy waves.
Taking onboard the experience of competing in such a high level competition, do you have any plans to progress your riding and move to the next level, possibly competing in a World Championships?
Probably not. I love to ride the Flowrider, but my real passion is for surfing in the sea. The cost of a plane ticket, entry, accommodation etc etc would probably get me a sick trip to Indoā, and besides I'd get slaughtered in the worlds.
So itās plain to see you love the sport and really want to see it get bigger and more people participating in competition. Is there any advice for people looking to get started and improving their riding?
Yes! Give me a shout and come down to Cardiff to ride. It's a really physical sport and you'll feel like you've been hit by a bus after you first ride. It's very good for the core!