As James Bond fever sweeps around around the world we thought we would add our own contribution and spotlight windsurfings very own 007.
John Hibbard is the epitomy of the professional windsurfer. Born in March 1977 and standing at 6ft the dark-haired pro-sailor could easily stand in for the real James Bond.
With a string of results and sponsors John Hibbard K007 shows he is the real action hero.
In 2005 John took first place in Britain's Most Extreme Champion showing off his real action man characteristics. Staged over 4 days on the Isle of Wight, the BME event saw competition in 9 separate extreme sports events:
Wavesailing, Wakeboarding, kayaking (sprint race), Street Luge, Thundercat Powerboat Racing, Downhill Mountain Biking, Downhill Mountain Boarding, Kite Surfing and a special Short Course Triathlon (bike, Kayak, cross country run).
John fought off challenges from the U.K's very best including 6 x Indoor Windsurfing World Champion Nik Baker, World Kite Board Champion Mark Shinn, Windsurf and Kitesurf Champion Danny Seales and U.K Mountain Board National Champion Pete Thatham.
John gained entry to the event as a wildcard and won the windsurfing and mountain biking outright and placed inside the top 3 in all other disciplines. In taking the win John showed consistency and an unrivalled all round ability throughout the five days of competition.
Results:
1st Britain's Most Extreme Champion
1st White Air Champion 2005
2nd UK Indoor Jump Championships 2004
2nd UK Sailor PWA Indoor Jump Championships 2006
4th Tiree Wave Classic 2004
6th Red Bull Soul Wave
9th European Wave Championships
Sponsors:
Tushingham Sails, Starboard, Fat Face, Neilson Active Holidays, Mystic Boarding, Nissan GB.
In the last month John has been chasing storms in the Red Bull Storm Chaser contest having been voted to participate alongside Stephen Moore, Dario Ojeda and James Cox.
K007 back looping in extreme conditions
John takes up the story:
"We had it really good. The initial plan was to just film for one day, at the same time as the rest of the storm chasers all over northern Europe and then turn the footage in to a DVD. We were put on alert a number of times but the Storms never actually happened so we never had to travel anywhere. That was until October 23rd. Scotland was sponsored by Quatro Boards from Hawaii and when everybody else was told to stand down when a forecast storm changed direction we were given clearance to Chase as Quatro had put a team rider on a plan and there was no turning back. Four days later another storm hit and this time it was looking good for the rest of the countries so I got asked to do it all over again. In the end we filmed for 3 days.
Day 1 - Storm 1
Machrihanish was the spot. On the Kintyre Peninsular on the west coast of Scotland. We had 40 - 50mph winds and some nice waves. A classic session in some mean conditions. Met my fellow Storm Chaser from Scotland, Stephen Moore, a bloody nice bloke and good company along with Dario from Gran Canaria (the Quatro rider)
John Hibbard trying to make it back up the beach in storm force winds
Day 2 - Storm 2
Thorton Loch on the east coast below Dunbar. Mentally windy at the start, fully powered on a 3.3m. Warm water from the cooling water from the Nuclear power station made for a surreal session (so far no ill effects). This time Stephen and Dario couldn't make it so James Cox (a UK based Quatro rider was scrambled). We had a great time and although I missed the best time for pictures because I had snapped my mast it was a great day.
John Hibbard bailing out at 40 knots
Day 3 - Storm 2
The swell was peaking this day. Most beaches were un sailable with huge shore break, rip currents and no way of making it out the back. Oh and it was freezing cold too. We eventually found a spot, which in true Storm Chase fashion I want to try and keep secret. That won't work for long and if anybody asks I'll tell them where it is (gotta share the wealth) but for now let me bath in the knowledge that not many people know where this spot is.
We had some great down the line conditions here. A little on shore so hard to smack the sections with any speed or power but we still scored some sweet waves. While sharing a wave with James he got totally drilled by one section, which I have to say was one of the funniest things I have seen. Full respect to James though as it was such a ballsy move. The wave was sucking hard off the reef and the section just walled up and threw out as he went to hit it. It squashed him flat and destroyed his new sail. After checking that he was alright and still breathing I couldn't help but laugh, in fact I think we both shared a joke about that one. As James would say "Savage Garden"!
The whole Storm Chase concept worked really well and has been a massive success.
John off to the his van after a hard session
Look out for John at the local events around the country. Despite being extremely competitive we know he is extremely approachable. He can normally be spotted in his new "tricked out" van - which probably has just as many gadgets as James Bond has in the new Aston Martin. Look out for his training sessions throughout the year.
More info: www.k007.co.uk, www.redbullstormchase.com
