As we reported a few weeks ago Robby Swift was unfortunate enough to break his right foot landing a double forward loop attempt just before the beginning of the PWA at Pozo.
He recently gave an interview to Brian McDowell of the PWA and here as some of his comments:-
I have what’s known as a Lisfranc Fracture dislocation. It’s a common windsurfing injury and that’s also common to parachutists, gymnasts and horse riders. It’s basically caused by too much pressure being put through the arch of your foot, and the ligaments holding that the arch gives way. A couple of my metatarsals also broke and rotated out of position, so it was quite a nasty injury!
I manage to keep really busy. I train in the gym 5 days a week (after the operation I had to spend two weeks in bed though and that was boring!) I also go to a hyper baric chamber three times a week, which actually takes up about 6 hours of the day! There, you breathe pure oxygen while inside a pressurised container that simulates being 33 feet underwater. It is what all the English footballers do to heal injuries and Nik Baker and my Dad both did it when they had their foot injuries, and they’ve both made very fast, full recoveries.
Robby keeping up his training whilst off the water
When I’m not training or having treatment, I’m doing the best I can to promote my sponsors without actually sailing. I’ve completely revamped my website (www.robbyswift.com) and I’m working on a new DVD. I’ve spent up to 14 hours a day some days over the last 3 weeks on my computer, learning how to use programs like Flash, Final Cut Pro and Motion, and I think I’ve made some pretty cool stuff!
Having come 5th in Guincho, I was hoping to be able to get a good overall wave result this year on the PWA. I was sailing well in Gran Canaria and felt well prepared for the competition until I went out for one last practice the night before the competition was due to start and broke my foot again doing a double forward. I have had an operation though and the inside of my foot is all held together properly now so, God willing, I should be back on the water in time for the best part of the winter.
The Swift machine maxxed out earlier this year!
For the start of 2007 I will be really fit, because one thing that having an injury does for you is gives you nothing else to do but train! I should have about 6 months of actual sailing time before the season starts, so I’m sure that I’ll be firing on all cylinders by the time the action gets underway!
It will be a little strange to start out with a low seeding next year. In recent years it’s been nice to sit back and watch the first rounds of most of the events, but it really doesn't make a difference in the end though. Everyone sails well and when you go out for a heat, you just have to make the most you can of the conditions, and hope you come out on top, no matter where you are in the elimination ladder. I’m confident that I’ll have the time to prepare for next year, and start right back up again where I left off!
So, I get my cast off on the 4th September and should be able to start sailing slowly a month after that! Almost in time for Sylt but not quite, so I'm going to take it slowly this time, and make sure I am 100% ready for the 2007 season!’
You can catch up with Robby this week if you are in the UK as he embarks on a promo tour around the UK JP and Pryde retailers showing off the latest 2007 kit.
More info: www.robbyswift.com, www.pwa-worldtour.com
