Sean O'Brien (windsurfer)

Sean O'Brien (born 6 January 1984 in Brisbane) is an Australian professional windsurfer competing on the PWA World Tour[1] and the International Formula Windsurfing Class Tour.[2] He was ranked 7th in the World in Formula Windsurfing in 2012.[3]

Early life

Sean grew up in Brisbane, Australia, finishing high school at Marist College Ashgrove. After listing as a notable alumni at Marist,[4] Sean graduated a Bachelor of Psychological Science / Biomedical Science degree at the University of Queensland in 2004.

Career

In 2014, Sean won his 7th Oceanic & Australian Title in Formula Windsurfing at the Downunder Pro on Botany Bay, Sydney, NSW.[5]

Coaching

Sean worked for 3 years as the windsurfing coach for the QLD State High Performance Sailing unit at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron club in Brisbane. During this term he successfully qualified Australian youth sailors Luke Baillie and Joanna Sterling to represent Australia at the Volvo Youth Sailing ISAF World Championships in 2009[6] and Joanna again in 2010.[7]

Later he coached 5-time Olympian and 2-time PBA World Champion Jessica Crisp to her first ISAF World Cup gold medal in 2009 at the SailMelbourne regatta and a clean sweep of the Australian Sail-Downunder Series by also taking gold in the SailSydney regatta at Woollahra Sailing Club in the RS:X Olympic class.[8]

Olympic Campaign

Sean campaigned for the 2008 Beijing Olympics on the RS:X Olympic board for 2 years during 2006-2007 before a back injury ended his campaign in late 2007, despite winning the 2007 Australian Olympic Windsurfing Championships and being in the box seat for a successful Beijing Olympics berth.[9]

Personal life

Sean currently works in digital media design as owner of the international agency, Brisbane Digital Agency[10]. He divides his time between summer in Australia and winter in Europe to compete on the Pro Windsurfing Tours and contribute to the tours as a committee member of the International Formula Windsurfing Class.[11].

He is currently based in Poland with his son, John O'Brien and partner Agata, the grand-daughter of prominent Polish Military General, .

In 2012 Sean launched the first ever windsurfing fitness training program GetWindsurfFit[12] in conjunction with his trainer Nic Pillonel from Switzerland.[13] The book was widely received and is currently being translated into another 3 languages for future release.

Professional status

  • Member of IFWC International Committee
  • Vice-President Australian Windsurfing Association 2010-2011
  • Australian Sailing Team Windsurfing Coach 2009
  • QLD State High Performance Sailing Coach 2008-2010
  • Part of the international racing and development teams for Severne, Starboard.

Sporting achievemenets

  • 3rd Place - 2018 European Formula Windsurfing Championships[14]
  • Ranked number 7 in the World in Formula Windsurfing 2012[15]
  • 7x Australian & Oceanic Formula Windsurfing Champion[16]
  • 2x Australian Slalom Champion[17]
  • 2012 Asian Windsurfing Champion[18]
  • 2007 Australian Olympic Windsurfing Champion

References

  1. ↑ PWA World Tour Profile
  2. ↑ IFWC Profile
  3. ↑ IFWC World Rankings 2012
  4. ↑ Marist College Ashgrove Notable Alumni
  5. ↑ Australian Championships Results
  6. ↑ VOLVO Youth Team Announcement 2009
  7. ↑ VOLVO Youth Team Announcement 2010
  8. ↑ SailSydney Event News
  9. ↑ Sean O'Brien results
  10. ↑ Brisbane Digital Agency
  11. ↑ IFWC Committee
  12. ↑ Surfer Today Announcement
  13. ↑ Nic Pillonel
  14. ↑ 2017 European Championship Results
  15. ↑ IFWC World Rankings 2012
  16. ↑ Australian Champions List
  17. ↑ Australian Slalom Champions
  18. ↑ 2012 Asian Championships, Surfer Today
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