THE NEXT GENERATION: IZZY ADCOCK

 

THE NEXT GENERATION: 

IZZY ADCOCK

We’re stoked to launch a brand-new series spotlighting some of the rising stars on the UK windsurfing scene…The Next Generation! First up is Izzy Adcock: wave-chaser, racer, van-dwelling oceanographer and all-round legend in the making.

Photos: John Carter and courtesy Izzy Adcock.

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IZZY ADCOCK

Home Spot: Overcome, Weymouth

DOB: 04/04/2002

Height/Weight: 167cm / 51kg

Studies: Oceanography @ University of Southampton

How did you get into windsurfing? Where did you first learn, and what was your first board?

IA: “I learned to windsurf at the age of three. I think my dad wanted an excuse to spend his weekends at the beach again, so he got me and my sister windsurfing as soon as he could. At that point in my life, I was a downwind specialist—I remember heading straight downwind on my 0.8m sail and an old Fanatic Snake (my Nana’s old windsurfing board), with my dad running through the waist-high water behind me in Poole Harbour. Then I was dragged back upwind, ready to go again.”

Where is your home spot and which spots do you normally sail?

IA: “That’s a difficult one, as I seem to be all over the place at the minute with university, but I’d say Overcombe in Weymouth is my home spot. It’s not the best location, but it definitely has its days (albeit few and far between).

I windsurf at Kimmeridge and Ringstead quite a bit at the moment, as they almost always seem to be worth the extra time spent driving (I’m probably biased as I think these are my favourite spots).

Would you call yourself a racer or a wave sailor at heart, and why?

IA: “I’d definitely say wave sailor. My roots are in racing (and it’s in my blood, with my grandad and dad having competed), but when I think about now or the future, I’m always looking to spend more time in the waves.”

When did you start racing, and what events have you been to?

“I first started racing when I was about eight, competing at my local ‘Team 15’ events, and it just snowballed from there. I did the Techno 293 events nationally, then internationally, taking me all over Europe—from Sicily to Greece to Latvia.

After my time on Techno, I got the foiling bug and spent my time kite-foiling and windsurf-foiling. I put racing on the back burner at the end of 2020 after making the difficult decision that I couldn’t put on the weight for foiling (being 20kg too light) and that it was too expensive for me to continue with.”

Do you prefer fin or foil racing?

IA: “For me, foil racing came with a bit more adrenaline, which was fun, but it had lost the more technical ‘playing a game of chess on the water’ element that came with course racing on the fin.”

What are your best results to date?

IA: “My best result on paper is probably the 2019 IFCA Foil World Championship, where I finished 3rd woman. This then took me to the World Sailing sea trials (ironically named, as we were at Lake Garda) in 2019 as one of 20 sailors helping to select the equipment for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

That followed by plenty of national course racing event/series wins back in the day. But, as with sport, there are definitely results that don’t sound as good on paper but that I’m more proud of.”

What sailors do you look up to?

IA: “There are so many great windsurfers, where do I start?! Other than the obvious big names, for me it’s usually whoever is down the beach, wringing out loads of joy out of the south coast mush. ”

What are you studying?

IA: “I’m studying Oceanography at the University of Southampton, so my whole life is pretty centred around the ocean, whether it’s work or play. That’s normally followed up with, “So, what’s your favourite sea creature?” But it’s actually a more physics- and maths-based degree.”

During term time, I’m in full chaos mode at the moment, living in my van to keep costs down so I can put myself through my degree.”

What are your ambitions in windsurfing?

IA: “My ambitions probably don’t sound super exciting, but I hope I’m still having this much fun out on the water for as long as I can. I want to be able to build a life where I can keep dropping everything when the forecast is on.”

What countries have you travelled to on windsurfing trips?

IA: “I spent last summer in Perth, Western Australia, on a semester abroad as part of my degree. While I was there, I managed to windsurf in some cool spots despite it being the off-season. A particular favourite was Coronation Beach, about five hours out from Perth, but definitely worth the trip.

Another recent windsurfing trip took me to Fuerteventura. My sister was spending some time out there, and I managed to fly out on a forecast and crash on her sofa. It was an epic trip—walking my kit down to Rocky Point every day. I really fell in love with the place and hope to go back one day (and have Rocky Point toast again!).”

Have you enjoyed the past UK winter for wave sailing?

IA: “It’s been pretty great! I think I was out in every named storm that hit anywhere near the South Coast this year. We’ve had a fair few crazy days—I think I’ve used my Duotone Super Hero 3.0 way more than I had anticipated!

I’m a little bit gutted we haven’t had more named storms this year, as the name for the ‘I’ storm was going to be Izzy, and I don’t think we’ll make it that far through the alphabet.”

Where have been your most epic sessions?

IA: “At the 2023 Tiree Wave Classic, a session that really sticks in my mind is the last day at Balephuil. I remember it as a turning point in my wave sailing—none of us wanted to go out, but they were sending us either way. I went out, got munched, but still had some fun. For a while, it was my “If you can do that, you can do this” session.

A super memorable windsurfing session from this winter was my first Broadbench session at Kimmeridge, despite the fact it was close to freezing with the wind chill. It’s such a magical spot—but with pretty high consequences due to the slab of rock the waves break onto.”

Who are your sponsors, and is there anyone you’d like to thank?

IA: “A huge thank you to my sponsors: SUP Company, Duotone UK, Ion UK, and K66. It’s been game-changing to be on such good kit.

Windsurfing comes with an amazing sense of community so the list of people to thank is never ending. I’ve been helped by countless people throughout my time on the water—people lending me gear to compete on, giving me their old kit, trips to events, somewhere to stay in WA, a drive to park on in Southampton and loads of beach chat/advice. I hope the sport stays that way, and I’ll always try to pay that kindness forward.

Last but not least, thank you to my parents for getting me into windsurfing and taking me across Europe as a kid to compete, and to my sister, Mia, for being my biggest fan.”

Izzy self portrait!

 

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