Emma Wilson is headed to the Olympics in Tokyo as an RSX windsurfing contender; in her spare time though, she loves to get creative on the wing, Jack Galloway talks to her about training and finding the time for fun...

Emma Wilson is headed to the 2021 Tokyo Olympics in the RSX windsurf division to represent Britain. It just so happens that rather than chilling out on her 'rest days, she heads out to shred on her wingfoil!

Firstly, being told you're going to the Olympics and then having it cancelled because of Covid must've been very tough. What was it like getting that news & how did you stay motivated?

Yeah, when I got the news that it was being postponed, initially, I wasn't sure what to think. Parts of me were so glad it wasn't cancelled outright, but obviously, part of me was a bit sad. After a few days, though, we had managed to put a good plan together and use it as a way to keep improving. I trained in Weymouth and Portland all summer in 2020 with lots of different people and even got some young upcoming windsurfers on the RSX to push me, that was really nice for me to see people who wanted to help. And then just knowing the Olympics will happen kept me getting out of bed each morning.

Could you tell us a little bit about where you're from and how you got into watersports in the first place?

I was born in Nottingham, but when I was about 7 or 8, we moved down to Christchurch in Dorset and grew up basically in Mudeford harbour. My mum was a windsurfer and went to two Olympics, and my dad was a rower, so I guess that's where the whole water sports thing came from. We would spend all summer sailing, windsurfing, skimboarding, crabbing, anything!!

It must have been pretty cool having an Olympian for a Mum? Did you know early on that you wanted to follow in her footsteps?

I don't think I quite realised how good she was until I was a bit older and I started competing, but she taught my brother and I to windsurf when I was about eight, and as soon as I saw Dan planing and going fast, I wanted to do that too. So then I was on a mission always to try and be as good as my brother.

We've seen people from all sorts of watersports transfer across to winging. What about it first caught your attention? Do you think your windsurf skills made for a fairly easy transition?

I liked the fact it looked different and simple. I think it helped I could windsurf because I knew about the wind and how to place the wing, and also I could foil already, but the first 40 minutes or so, I felt like I was learning to windsurf all over again. Then it kinda all clicked, and it was such a cool feeling.

What's an average week look like for you when you're training for the Olympics? How much water time vs gym time? Where did you find the time to squeeze winging in too?

Normally I train on the RSX 5-6 days a week and then the same with gym 5-6 days a week with a mixture of cardio and gym stuff. It's pretty full-on, but I enjoy it, which I think keeps me going. I don't think I would have gone this far if I didn't enjoy it. Last summer, I really started the winging full on. After lockdown, I was desperate to go on the water every single day; I would go at 6 pm after training and all weekends! I would get so tired, though!! So now I'm not doing so much, but after the Olympics, I can't wait to enjoy some fun winging. I find it a great way to have fun and switch off because it's not competitive like RSX or IQfoil.

What equipment are you enjoying at the moment and what size?

At the moment, I am using the Fanatic Sky wing 4'8 55L board and normally a 4m or 5m Duotone Echo wing. I really like the smaller boards, so I can try tricks!

On that note, I saw a post a while back that you very nearly landed the wing 360. Had any luck? What other tricks are you working on at the moment?

Haha yeah! I've landed 2!!! The landing is the hardest bit!! I like doing the downwind 360's and the duck gybe; I was trying a few switch stance tricks, but now I'm fully focused on the RSX, so they're a bit on hold until after the games!

You train here on the South Coast at Portland Harbour, where there is a whole host of incredibly talented female athletes. Most of which are also training for the Olympics or to get their spot. That must be really motivating to be around? However, across the rest of the country, female numbers in foiling sports are often much less than male. What do you think can be done to increase female participation?

I think the winging is great for getting more females involved. It's lightweight and easy to carry. Not scary, you can just let go of the wing, and you will stop, and now there are much easier foils to learn on, which is really cool. The feeling of going along and just doing a gybe or tack is so cool, and you don't have to go out in massive waves or scary conditions to enjoy it.

Well, we've mentioned Portland; what are your other go-to spots for a wing session?

Well, I have actually been away all winter, so I had a few really good fun sessions in Cadiz, Spain and a few in Vilamoura. I really enjoyed Cadiz, so that definitely on the list. I also want to go to Avon beach, where I grew up because I think that is a really cool spot; I just haven't been there because I am always training in Weymouth!!

Finally, best of luck this summer! We'll be glued to our screens cheering you on. Can you tell us anything about how the Olympics will run with Covid restrictions in place? Will you be able to go out early, or is that just not an option?

Thanks!! I will give it my best. I think there will be no spectators - or maybe just Japanese - but that's ok, we are used to that as not many people tend to watch us anyway!!! I think by the sounds of it, it will be flying in late and leaving as soon as we finish. Whatever it will be, I think it will be an Olympics like no other!!

Thanks for taking the time, Emma!

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