Interview with Alan Vessey

You did a fair amount of slalom before switching to full time to polo, what made you make the switch?

Basically the polo and slalom started to clash, it wasn’t uncommon for us to drive to Wales on the Friday night, do a practice run on Saturday morning, then drive to Coventry for a league tournament in the evening and the back to Wales for the individual run on Sunday. I really enjoyed the slalom, the individual competition was different and it really is the best way to improve boat skills. When I got promoted to Premier, Polo had become a bigger demand the World and European Championships had started and even though I did a couple of races I knew I would have to switch to one discipline and I probably wasn’t good enough to make the top in slalom no matter how much I trained.

What one off teams have you played in over the years. Do you treat that sort of thing more as therapy polo?

I have played in a few, Westbeach, the Guv’nors, The Black Rats and with different people under the St. Albans name. Over the years an opportunity has come up to enter a tournament with friends from Britain and different countries. It is nice to have a weekend away and relax (no team discussions, arguments, few drinks etc) but still play a good level of polo and I have been lucky to have played with some of the best players in the World. It does get frowned upon by some though, but lots of teams do this, it’s just the friends I know in polo are mostly from top clubs or national teams so have a higher profile. But we are there to have fun first and foremost and if we win, we win.  

Does being a self employed electrician allow you all the flexibility you need to travel as much as you need?

Yes, but it also means I don’t earn as much money!

No employer sponsorship possibilities then and also the loss of earning potential when travelling must be tough on paying for things…

Yes, no holiday pay. With Italy/Germany and GB it takes a good couple of weeks off work, then you have the temptation of staying an extra couple of days to look around, especially in Italy. But I don’t have to pay for anything apart from a bit of food, they pay the travel and accommodation otherwise I couldn’t afford it.

You must have been pleased with your 2^nd Gold for the Worlds?

I think a little bit shocked, than the first time. We had had a difficult season, things just didn’t seem to go right, we didn’t make a final all year. Lots of people had written us off. But we knew we still had a very good team with lots of experience and belief, so we still knew it was possible to win and more importantly we know how to win. I think the team spirit and attitude really came through that week.

One of the best things was my family watching in Essen as they didn’t make it to Brazil, it was like a big ‘thank you’ to them.

Your Mum, Valerie and Dad, Ron have also been heavily involved in the sport over the years, your brother too. They all seem to be taking a back seat now…

Yes they have done their stint. Dad was on a lot of committees within canoeing and was Chairman of the polo but resigned in disgust at the politics. They both used to run the club dad coaching and mum organising the money etc but when the pool closed a few years back they called it a day. As for Michael my brother he played for a number of years in GB and the successful St. Albans youth and senior teams as well as coached at the club. But just decided to move on in the end. He did make a brief come back last year to help the team out but I think that will be the last time in a boat for him.

Over the years you have been quite heavily associated with P&H. What’s your relationship there and do you have any input into the development of new kit?

I am very grateful to P&H as they have sponsored me for over 12 years now. Perran Shreeve  who makes and designs the polo boats is a very good friend and we are always ‘bouncing’ idea’s off each other and he comes up with a design. I then test it and give my input. I think it’s been a very good relationship with the Revenge and Revenge Nitro being very successful.

Is anything likely to change for you or polo with the real possibility Pyranha taking over the books at P&H ?

I don’t really know at the moment to be honest, maybe they want to put more into polo with their contacts around the World which could be interesting.

You have played in Germany and in Italy, So how do each of these National Leagues compare with the British system and quality?

The structure in Germany is probably the best in the World, they have 4/5 men’s classes, 2 Women’s and U18, U16 and U14 all of which are full with teams. They basically have big clubs with many members and club houses for the families to stay associated with after they finish playing.

With regard to playing standard Britain is dropping behind, the top teams are good still but across the 1^st class in the men, both Germany and Italy are stronger. On the Ladies side Italy is still a little way behind Britain but are improving. We have a problem here with only a few actual ‘clubs’ rather than just teams, and over the next few years we are going to fall behind, especially Internationally if we are not careful.

What do you say to the critics who claim a conflict of interests? Have you played at a competition where two of your teams were playing each other? How would you chose which one to play for?

Has anyone criticised me? Probably, but not to my face! My club will always be St. Albans due to the fact I’ve been a member since I was 7 and my family have run the club. My association with Rothe Muhle and Lerici will always be strong as I enjoyed my time there and made some good friends, who I still go and see.

No, I have never had say St. Albans playing at a tournament where Lerici or Rothe Muhle where playing, partly due to the fact that I organise most of St. Albans tournaments. The hardest thing has been not to play for them in the league, due to the fact that you can’t play in German/Italian Championship and in the British. But this has nothing to do with me not wanting to play for St. Albans, it has to do with the me finding new challenges. After 18 years of  Div.1 league polo I have to look elsewhere to keep me going.

What do you think about the discussion on the Forum about the Worlds best players?

I was flattered to be mentioned a few times and it’s nice to have that sort of respect. Yes I know I can have a big influence in the team and know my job, But I also know I can’t have achieved what I have without all the other good players, coaches and support, especially from my parents. I mentioned this on the forum that some of the players in the GB teams haven’t had the respect they are due, this also goes for some in the club team as well.

I have always tried to be the best I can and have put a lot of hard work to get to this point. When I retire (I will someday!) I know I can be happy and grateful with what I have achieved.

Retire – your just a youngster ! Do you think you would just disappear – hiding in the shadows to make the odd public appearance or play at the highest level you can manage until you die ?

I don’t think I’ll disappear off the polo scene totally, as I would like to put something back into the sport. I am already involved a bit with administration with the polo committee and the GB squads and I would like to help more at St. Albans canoe club. Maybe coaching at National and club level in the future. But I can’t see myself playing in 4/5 years time. 

You paddle left handed and throw right handed. The historic reason has been given as allowing you the control left hand to allow a quick paddle stroke right after throwing. Is this the real reason, or was it that you just happened to be lent a left handed paddle when you first started?

I wish I could say I was clever enough to thought of that at a young age, but it’s just down to the fact my father paddled left handed and I used his.

Very honest. That clears that up. But as well as paddling cak handed, you also have a very odd shaped body. We (you and Clyde) are about the same size, weight (you thankfully put on a lot of weight), Yet I can’t get anywhere near to trying your boat on account of your very short legs. Do you sell many boats/paddles second hand ?

The weight is hopefully a temporary thing due to my recent car crash. But if it doesn’t go I’ll just have to get used to pulling it around the pitch! Old Paddles just break or get left in the garage at home and all the boats get sold on or given back to P&H to repair and sell. After all they normally are only 6-8 months old.

Can you give us an idea of exactly what kind of things you do in an average training session in the winter and in the summer, how long it lasts and roughly how many times you would train a week ?

This winter has been a bit difficult but is mainly aerobic sessions in a boat or in the gym. Normally a 45minute paddle at 70-75% on a heart rate monitor 3 times a week, with 2-3 x 30-40 minutes running/rowing machine/bike sessions in the gym. Once a week we do a time trial and sprints/intervals. Also 1-2 pool sessions. I did weights a little before but have had problems with my shoulders so everything is more specific now.

Summer is governed by tournaments and everything is set to try and peak at the Worlds or Europeans Championships. If it’s a non competition weekend then I’ll paddle 6 times on the river and twice in the pool. River sessions are a lot more intense with 3 lactic sessions (say 4 sets of 5 x 20-60 seconds sprints, with half rest between each sprint, 4 minutes between each set or short courses on slalom gates, all at 100%), 1 ‘mixed’ session (1x approx 8 min time trial, trains – 10 x 20-30 stroke sprints and 5 x 40 second sprints) and a couple of aerobic sessions.

Not much ball work in training then – other than what might happen in a pool. Are you mostly training on your own?

Yes, when going to the river it’s easier to go straight from work and get it over and done with, rather than wait around for others. I can train and be home by 7.00pm so it gives me a little time to myself in the evenings, unless we have the pool. I have always been motivated to train alone but it is getting harder, every so often I look to train with someone to push me that little bit more and for variety.    

Well, if you’re up to battling the elements and the River Thames, and me on top of it all, then give me a shout !

Clyde

31st March 2003