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Interview: Paul Lindseth

Paul Lindseth

Interview with DragoRossi's Paul Lindseth from Norway.

kayak surfThis interview was originally produced for the Portuguese web site 'kayaksurf.net' and is published exclusively on Playak in english to make it available to a wider audience. The portuguese version of the interview, with larger versions of some of the photos, is available here.

Paul LindsethName: Paul Lindseth - DragoRossi man in Scandinavia
Age: 24
Occupation: Manager at a hostel.
Location: Voss - Norway

Some recent results: 1st ,2nd and 3rd, Norwegian freestyle championships 2001,2002 ,2003. Competed at two World Championships and two European Championships.

When did you start kayaking?
I have been kayaking for almost 9 years.

And when did you start kayak surfing?
As soon as I managed to roll.

Paul Lindseth, Waterfall

Do you think that river experience is essential for a kayak surfer? 
Not necessarily. I think this varies from person to person. The most important thing is to spend a lot of time in the boat.

Paul Lindseth, Waterfall

Your favorite boat?
By far the Squashtail.

DragoRossi Squashtail

What do you think about the evolution of our sport (kayak surfing)?
There are still very few people doing it. So I think it will take a long time before people will open their eyes for it here in Norway. Also surfers do not like new things like surf kayaks that can catch all the waves they can't catch. So it's hard to blend in if you are in a surf kayak. On a world basis I think surf kayakers are starting to get more respected and the evolution will keep going on.

Do you compete a lot?
I used to compete a lot in rodeos. But after a while I got sick of really bad playspots. The last few years I have been doing some extreme races, but it looks like that scene is getting a bit to serious.

Paul Lindseth, Waterfall

When did you start working with DragoRossi?
In May last year - as soon as I heard Corran was doing the design. I knew that something crazy would come up. He is a super fun and genuine, nice person. And you learn a lot about design hanging out with him.

The best spot you have ever surfed?
Stadt is a place five hours north of Bergen (Norway) that is really good. But the best surf I probably had in New Zealand a few years ago.

Paul Lindseth, Stadt

Your scariest moment at sea?
Sitting in my little Disco, all by myself, watching a dark shadow swimming under my boat in NZ.

Where do you usually surf?
I normally go surfing on the river, so my favorite place in Norway would be Milky wave and Lachines in Canada.

Have you already surfed in Portugal?
Not yet. I was thinking about going last year but I never got the time or money.

Any other sports you do?
I normally going skiing all winter, kayaking spring and summer and downhill biking in the autumn.

What would your prefect wave look like?
A big glassy wave that stands for a long  long  time before it breaks. And hard for surfers to catch. So that you have it all by your self.

Your favorite paddling personalities?
There a so many. But I would say that Arnd Schäftlein and Mikey Abbot are really nice guys that always have time for a beer.

And your favorite move?
A fast carving blunt like we did back in the glide days.

Paul Lindseth, Wave

Do you see yourself doing something else besides being a pro kayaker in the future?
I'm planning to start studying, so maybe a pro student...

Any hints for beginning kayak surfers?
If you want to start kayak surfing the most important thing is to respect everything else on the water, from other surfers to plants and animals. Secondly go surfing 24 hours a day and think and dream surfing 28 hours a day.

Some concluding words for our readers?
Remember that kayaking is something you do to have fun, and to impress the girls. So if you are having a hard time on the water, try another move and keep smiling.

Paul Lindseth photos
Paul Lindseth photos

Interview - Luis Pedro Abreu
Photos - Øystein Bjørke, P. Lindseth, Christiane Mothiron, Pbase.com

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