Phil Horrocks never really went near the water until 14 and like most Welsh boys was interested in rugby. It was only an occasional dip in the ocean with some water sports during family holidays that the seed was planted.

At 18, Phil took a 12 month work placement at the Welsh national water sports centre (WNWSC), which eventually developed into a full time career. At the WNWSC, Phil learned and taught all manner of sports on the water including sailing, powerboat driving, kayaking and of course, windsurfing. During his five years at the centre, he excelled in his coaching and proficiency of all the sports but windsurfing was the one to really grab him.

It was not until 2004, at the age of 26 that Phil decided to take the plunge and through a meeting with George Bevan, the Managing Director of the Mailing Room, was offered sponsorship which allowed him to follow his dream and Phil started to believe that he was capable of succeeding in the sport he loved so much.

The Mailing Room's sponsorship support and George's mentoring gave Phil the opportunity to pursue a dream that has managed to surpass Phil’s wildest expectations, and allowed him to have experiences and achievements he never believe he could have.

Since that initial meeting in 2004, Phil has won several British competitions and had top 10 results in World Cup events.

Phil commented; ‘I still think it's crazy that I managed to make it up there competing against the best in the world, the Brazilians, the Hawaiian's and me, from north wales!!!’

‘I've learnt an awful lot more in my career as a windsurfer than just how to windsurf well, travelling the world as a windsurfer, the places you go to, the people you meet and the experience's along the way change your life.....’

Below is a summary of Phil’s profile and his calendar for 2012.

The Mailing Room will be following Phil’s adventures during 2012, and updates & pictures can be found on The Mailing Room website (www.themailingroom.com) and The Mailing Room’s Facebook/Linked/Twitter pages. (www.facebook.com/pages/The-Mailing-Room/218009951582115 )

Profile

Name: Phil Horrocks

Birth date: 13-01-1978

Birth place: Manchester, UK

Resides: Bangor, North Wales

Height: 180 cm

Weight: 83 kg

Sponsors: The Mailing Room, Tabou Boards, Gaastra Sails, 

Favourite move:Huge Jumps!!

Words to live by: life is for living, get out there, live it!!

2012 Calendar

Jan - Prep new equipment, off to Cape Town for testing

Feb - PW wave event 1 - Cabo Verde

Mar - UK Trip 1

April – Maui and UK Trip 2,

May - UK event 1 – Ireland and UK event 2 - Rhosneigr

May - UK Trip 2

June - UK trip 3 and Gran Canaria for training

July - PWA wave event 2 - Gran Canaria and PWA wave event 3 - Tenerife

Aug - UK Trip 4

Sept - PWA wave event 4 – Denmark and PWA wave event 5 - Germany

Oct - UK wave event 3 – Tiree and UK wave event 4 - Cornwall

Nov / Dec – Chile training