English Version follows
Farrel O’Shea (FAZ for friends – Simmer, O'Shea) is a Speed Knight, in the heart, in the mind and in the water. You can read in his eyes the spirit of seeker, Adventure.
Honor, courage, than are its flag ... and he never gives up ... even when it is seriously injured.
It's not a lunatic ... is only a Knight and fearless!
He was already a famous Windsurfer in the years ' 80 (years in which he also wrote an interesting book on Dominican Republic). Has invested what he earned competing in windsurfing to create its own brand: O’Shea. Surf, SUP, Mute, Accesories, and naturally the latest clothing!
Principle: Hi Farrel, How are you? Finally you made it (to overcome the barrier of 50) … I had shiny eyes when I read, from Rome, on the Bulletin Board of Luderitz Speed Challenge: new English Records, Farrel O'Shea 51.20 kts!!!
FAZ: … even my eyes were shiny.
P: What did you crossed my mind just prior to run?
F: The wind was pretty cool, Maybe over 60 kts, My only goal was to be able to start (easier to say than done) and then attack the corner (where the channel is a corner letting us pass from Askew downwind full and then you enter run) .
P: Describe your run ... How did you feel in the run and after learning your result.
F: The run was strangely ok ... I could feel that he was very much slack, the fin almost did not feel, I had a good volley, I felt that the wind was pushing really hard ... At that time one must resist ... the Angel is with you …
At first I didn't see the result, It is quite difficult to exit the channel and put the stuff on the trailer in that wind ... I looked at the GPS and marked 51,3 ... I thought it was the maximum speed … In the previous run had done 52 rough and 49,99 about 500mt.
Suddenly the door of the Van open timing and several people were jumping squealing ... Waggy (Paul Wagstaff of Bay Sports Table View, Cape Town) and Paul (Railton) Super Sport TV were elated and Fabrice (times keeper) striilava!!!
I looked again the GPS and the maximum speed was 53kts ... the rest is history.
P: You were already strong in the years ' 80 for example in Sotavento ... but if I'm not mistaken you had to wait for the winter 2008 ( Master of Speed in St. Marie de la Mer) to store the 40kts?
F: That edition of the Master of Speed was hard core. I went there several times with John Smalley (now Bluesmith), a great sailor.
That great day of March 2008 (5) We both broke the record of English Tightey (Dave White) ... a day that probably neither of us ever forget ... HARDCORE!!!
P: It is said that once you skatato the sidewalk of West Kirby that separates the Lake from the sea with a forward is true?… Hard Rock my friend!!!
F: This of course is a legend and folklore ... that day I made some forward with the gun by speed in the pond and then I jumped from there’ to the sea with a chop hop!
P: Years and measures
F: Now? 99kg x 191cm, 52 years ... life is cruel 
P: Why do Speed?
F: It is a passion and a little something extra, Whatever your speed the next day will never be enough.
P: What is for you the Speed?
F: A prison break … When I'm on that Board I forget my date of birth on the passport and are one with you.
P: What do you think we could improve to go fast with greater ease?
F: Several … all, as we have always done ... now maybe fin technology will be the next tangible step.
P: How's your Brand O'Shea? Seems fine! It is said that your inflatable SUP are super! What is your philosophy in working and what are your plans for the future?
F: Our goal is to make high quality, I hope that people can believe in our brand and that we are working as best as possible. We are in this field, long dvvero: 35 years ... I try to use the little knowledge that I have gained in recent years in order to get a good final result.
P: I remember, about 10 years ago, getting back together from a stage of World Cup in Namibia, you you wrote on the Customs sheet (requiring your occupation) Student ... At first I had a laugh because you weren't just a Bozo di primo pelo ... but then you said "we're always learning" ...
F: If we are not prepared to listen and learn, then we will not have anything. In sport there are too many people that self-acclaims Professor. I like to listen and then take my reviews and my conclusions.
P: What do you look for when you go on the Run?
F: Simple, a departure facie. Who knows how much is difficult to pass the line Luderitz to 50kts.
P: That table, Vela, fin and weights you used nor your Magic Run?
F: Vela 5.6, Mistral 41, and about 12 kg of weight, fin Gasoil 19.5 .
P: What do you remember with pleasure in your life in speed? Wait, an emotion, or something funny … one day ...
F: I remember when my goal were the 40kts I did 39,99 in 2007 …
And the same has happened now I was chasing the 50 ... just before I did 51,22 I had a nice 49,99 and I thought there is no God!!!
P: What is the atmosphere with other Speed Knights?
F: It is a mirror of society, are not all the same, everyone has his personal goal …
In any rider can feel deeply rooted spirit of Speed – This is powerful stuff!
P: When and how did you come up with a fever of Speed?
F: I made Weimouth in 1984, then Sotavento in 1986 and so on ... a wasted view huh?!
P: What would you say to the guy who is starting to make Speed?
F: Be patient, the big day will come. When the terms "make", "make" for everyone ... so everyone has a chance to do a run with an Angel on your shoulders – This is the Holy Grail!!!
P: Super Boy!!! It was great to have you on Riwmag! See you soon in some channel!
F: It was great to eat some pasta with you 
P: I forgot something, a few years ago during a "time Guinness without brakes" (the famous Irish beer) you said "one day I'll tell you a story!"... so now ... slowly ... but I'm still waiting
Forever Speed!!!
F: Moi (from French: I) Guinness – ever!!!
English Version
Farrel O’Shea, (FAZ for the friends) is a real Knight ... in the Heart, in the mind and in the water. You can read in his eyes the Spirit of the search … of the adventure …
Honor, courage, respect are his flag … and he never gives up … even when he is broken …
He is not a crazy guy … he is just a Knight in Shining Armor!
He was already an hot Windsurfer in the ‘80’s and with what he got from windsurfing he create a beautiful Company: O’Shea: Surf, Sup, wetsuit, bags … and for sure super cool clothing.
PAB: Hi Farrel, how are you mate!!! Finally you did it!!! (50 barrier) I had the eyes a bit lucid when I was reading from Rome your Speed on the Luderitz Facebook page.
Congratulations and welcome on Riwmag
FAZ: My eyes were a bit lucid too!
P: What have you had in the mind just before to start the Run of the 51,20kts?
F: It was very windy, perhaps over 60 knots, my sole aim was to try and start (easier said than done) and then attack the entry corner.
P: Describe your run … and your feeling during and after you saw the score.
FAZ: The run felt weiredly ok … I could feel it was very broad, the fin felt pretty light, I got a good gust and could feel the wind pushing real hard, at that monent its time to hang on in, the angel is with you …
I didn’t see the score initally, it’s quite tricky to get out and back onto the trailer to get back to the start. I looked at the gps it said 51.3 , I thought it was the top speed, the run before id done 52 top speed on the GPS and got a 49.99 500m time. Suddenly the door burst open on the timing wagon and a lot of people were jumping up and down, I recall seeing Waggy and Paul from Super Sport Tv going nuts and Fabrice the timer shouting. I looked back at the gps it then said 53.0 . v max . the rest is history …
P: You did some resonable speed already in the ‘80s at Sotavento … but you had to wait long time before to cross the first barrier (the 40kts … happened when we were at Stes Maries de La Mer during the Winter 2008, isn’t it?)
F: That rendition of “Masters of speed“ at st Marie was a hard core winter!!!
I travelled a lot with John Smalley (now of Bluesmiths) a great sailor himself. That big day in March we both broke Whiteys British record, probably a day in both mine and Johns lifes we will never forget – HARDCORE !!!
P: Rumors tell that once upon a time … you crossed the West Kirby wall with a foward loop landing on the sea? Hard Rock mate!!!
F: That’s of course just legend and folk law, the same day I did some forwards on the lake on the speed needle, and later jumped the wall chop hop style!
P: Your size and age?
F: Now? 52 … 191cm x 99kg – life is cruel hey
P: Why do you do Speed?
F: Its a passion and addiction, whatever the speed is, next day its never enough.
P: What is the Speedsailing for you?
F: Escapism … when I’m on that board, I forget the DOB on the passport and just get on with it …
P: What do you think we could improve to get easier faster?
F: A lot … in fact everything, as we have always done … right now fin technology may be the next tangable step.
P: How is going O’shea brand … looks like great! Look like your inflatable SUP are super!!! Which is your business philosophy and your plan for the future?
F: We aim to make high quality – I hope people can trust in our brand that we are doing the best job possible. We have been involved in our sport for a very long time 35 years, I’m trying to use the little knowledge that I have gained on the way to good effect …
P: I remember 10 years ago coming back from the world Cup in Namibia on the custom paper you wrote (about your occupation) : Student…. I was a bit laughing cause you was already not a pure “beardless boy” … but you said … in the life we are always learning …
F: If we are not prepared to listen and learn we have nothing. We are in a sport of too many self aclaimed professors. Me, I like to listen and make my own judgements and conclusions.
P: What are you looking for when you go in the run?
F: Although it sounds simple … a smooth quick start. Any one who has been to Luderitz will apprecaite how difficult it is to cross the start line at 50 knots!
P: Which sail size, Board and how many weight you had in your fastest RUN?
F: 5.6 sail, Mistral 41 and about 12 kg in weight vest … Gasoil fin 19.5 .
P: What do you like to remember from all your speed life … one moment, one emotion, one funny stuff … one day …
F: I remember chasing 40 knots and getting 39.99 in 2007.
And equally doing 50 in Luderitz and after official checking getting 49.99
There is no GOD !!!
P: What about the atmosphere with the others Speed Knights?
F: Its just a mirror on society, not everyone is the same, but everone has the same goal. I see the Spirit of speed really strong in some riders – thats heavy stuff!
P: When and how did you get the speed fever?
F: I did Weymouth in 1984, and then Sotavento in 1986 and so on … lifetime wasted hey?!
P: What would you like to tell to the guy who is going to start Speedsailing?
F: Be patient, the good days will come. When the conditions yield, they yield for everyone … then everyone has at least a chance for a run with the angel on your back – thats the holy grail.
P: Super Boy!!! Great to have you here on Riwmag! See you soon in some Canal!
F: Great to chew the spaghetti with you
P: I forgot one thing … Some years ago during a “proper Guinness moment” you told me: one day I will tell you a story … Then … not now … with calm … but still waiting
Forever Speed!!!
F: Moi Guiness – never!!!
interview: Andrea Baldini 4 www.RIWmag.com
photo courtesy: Farrel O’Shea, Eric Bellande, Patterson, Alex Williams
