FORMER world champion windsurfer Timo Mullen has swapped Hawaii for Lewis in the search for the perfect wave as he trains ahead of this summer's international tournaments.
The 40-year-old Northern Irishman had planned to hone his skills in Hawaii after travelling there for a photoshoot last week.
However, when the weather turned tropical, the conditions for windsurfing disappeared.
He said: "I was in Hawaii until Friday last week.
"I had gone out initially for a photoshoot and just planned on staying there to train, but then the weather forecast changed to sunshine and blue skies. While that might be most people's idea of paradise, it's the opposite of what you want for windsurfing – it's too calm.
"Normally Hawaii is perfect in April because you tend to get strong winds and waves because it's the end of winter.
"So I had a look at what the weather was like in the UK and it was all windy and high waves, and when I found out it would only cost my $75 to change my return flight I decided to head back early."
Mr Mullen, who is originally from Lurgan in Northern Ireland but now lives with his wife and children in Poole, arrived home on Sunday. He then headed north to Lewis with friends Ross Williams, the current world windsurfing champion, and Jamie Hancock, the reigning British champion of the sport.
The trio have been making the most of their change in location – taking advantage of long light evenings and even enjoying a barbecue on the beach.
"The waves are awesome," said Mr Mullen, who has been visiting Lewis for the past 10 years to practice his windsurfing. "In some ways it's actually better than Hawaii when the winds are really strong."
The European Windsurfing Championships are being held from July 1-7 this year in Brest, north-west France.
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