The 22-yr old Dubliner is one of Europe’s most talented young windsurfers and has gained respect from fellow PWA competitors for his aggressive, progressive wave riding style. Based in the Irish Capital – probably the only leading metropolis in Europe with windsurfing beaches a stone’s throw from the city centre – Clancy has enjoyed a unique ocean-side upbringing in an urban environment, and regularly strikes-out to the west coast for a taste of raw Atlantic power.
In a small country it’s even harder to cultivate the Young Guns of the future but fortunately Ireland has some up-and-coming talents, and more on the way hopefully, thanks to the lead set by this press-savvy student.
An Elite Athlete Scholarship to Dublin Institute of Technology for a Degree in Marketing means Clancy has added the value his sponsors crave extra to sailing and feedback skills – the ability to clearly communicate their brand messaging to consumers faced with a minefield of choices – as well promoting the sport heavily in the Irish national press.This coverage is the result of committment of steel.
Thankfully, a drive for Social Media and networking are a source of extra motivation too. Like when Mikey suffered a horrendous cartilage-destroying injury to his ankle that required painful fusion surgery and nearly a year’s rehab off the scene and away from his newfound PWA peers. By pushing his supporters’ profiles and watching webcasts he kept focus and recovered to fighting fitness.
Clancy’s now back in-the-mix after testing the water and regaining his confidence at the 2011 PWA Pozo World Cup, and ready to pick up from where he left off in his Rookie Year. His spirited comeback on the 2012 PWA tour as a wild card entrant in the KIA Cold Hawaii World Cup saw him finish 13th and awarded sailor of the day during the contest.
Mikey clancy
Age: 22
Weight: 76kg / 168lbs
Fav Board and Sail Combo: 75 Fanatic Quad and 4.2 North HERO
Fav Move: Taka
Best Results: 25th Overall PWA World Tour, Irish Junior Champion, Irish U19 Champion
Top 3 Spots: Magheroarty, Belmullet and Etang Sale
Regular or Goofy: Regular
Ugg Boots are…the bomb after cold winters sesh
Kitesurfers...are never out when it’s windy!
When I put on a wet wetsuit in winter… I’m glad because it means it’s going off
My Mum and Dad… are the BEST parents you could ask for
If I wasn’t windsurfing I’d be...missing out on all this wind and swell!