You can spot Brian 'Irie Man' Talma on a crowded beach from yards away. He's the one with the sun-bleached tousled locks and the broad, welcoming smile. And if he isn't chatting with someone or posing for a camera, he's giving somebody a big thumbs up, accompanied by his trademark beam, "Yeah, man, action!" World class windsurfer and international sports personality Brian 'Irie Man' Talma is a true veteran on the Professional Windsurfing Association (PWA) world tour. In 1989, after representing his homeland, Barbados, at the Seoul, Korea Olympics, Brian turned pro and soon became one of the most flamboyant personalities on the circuit.

CARIBBEAN MAN

Born and raised in Barbados, West Indies, Brian represents all that is Caribbean. His distinctive West Indian appearance and warmth garnered him instant popularity among his peers and the fans. And practically from the start of his professional career, Brian's sincerity and positive outlook gained him international sports celebrity status a mere handful of windsurfers enjoys today.

PIONEERING WINDSURFING IN BARBADOS

Brian surfed, skateboarded and golfed while growing up on the island's scenic south coast. His radical approach to surfing and skateboarding progressed to an even more extreme activity when in 1983 he tackled the relatively new sport of windsurfing. Practically unknown in Barbados, he was among the leaders in putting Barbados in the PWA queue. Though he joined the circuit in 1989, it was not until 1991 Brian impressed on the waves with top ten competition results in Barbados, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Gran Canaria and Germany. That year the Irie Man finished 17th, overall in Wave Performance on the world tour. In 1992 he finished 12th and in 1993 he clinched 17th , a position he held for several consecutive years.

IRIE INNOVATOR

Brian always maintains a high level of competitiveness on the PWA tour and prolifically develops projects that tap windsurfing markets. Because of his innovative approach, he consistently generates coverage for windsurfing and his homeland in both print and television media. One of his primary objectives, and as a means of "re-energizing" the sport as he says it, is to further windsurfing by using imaginative ideas that target mainstream avenues.

FREESTYLE WINDSURFING COMES OF AGE

Brian realized that goal in part in 1998 When the PWA made freestyle a competitive discipline. In fact, one of Brian's greatest achievements that year was his outstanding performance in this new discipline, coming 13th in the world and the following year Brian outdid himself with a 10th place world ranking. This is a discipline he has advocated for many years. Freestyle embraces spectacular aerial maneuvers and flat water tricks in an action-packed wave performance format. The Irie Man says because it takes place on flat water and close to the shore, freestyle carries windsurfing to new locations and gives spectators greater access to viewing the competitions. This, he says, gives a more festive atmosphere to the events while attracting added media.

IRIE MAN PROMOTOR

Silver Rock Adventure Resort

Amid his double-touring (wave and freestyle) Brian tackles a fleet ofprojects, including travel to new destinations to write of his experiences for windsurfing and related publications. He frequently serves as presenter or host for a parade of video and television crews passing through Barbados. The Irie Man also promotes his sponsors with a vigor and zeal rarely seen in the sports sponsorship arena. He currently has several very active sponsors; F2 Boards, Arrow Sails and Silver Rock Resort in Barbados, along with the International German clothingfirm, Chiemsee.And Brian's newest sponsor, Virgin Atlantic Airways, well matches his own vanguard spirit.

HONORED IN HIS HOMELAND

In late 1994 Brian was awarded the Barbados Service Star, a national honor bestowed on a chosen few whose contribution to Barbados is of special significance. Brian, one of the nation's youngest recipients of this prestigious award, was honored for his promotion and development of windsurfing and for his extensive promotion of Barbados throughout the world.

IRIE MAN IN THE EXTREME JAWS

From flying off the roof of his garage on a skateboard at age 9, Brian has always pushed the envelop of any sport he pursues. With windsurfing his predominant sport now, it is no surprise he pushes himself beyond its limits. Among his career highlights is his 1997 attack on Hawaii's 'Jaws', the largest, most radical tube in the world. He went after the 50 foot killer wave with same gusto he puts into all of his projects. Jaws is a legendary big wave break on the North Shore of Maui. It was first attempted by board surfers in the 1970's, but remained virtually unconquered until the windsurfing world's best began riding it in the 1980's. Brian's notable ride on this menacing 50 foot wave was recorded on film from a helicopter.

MONSTER WAVELOCH-NESS

In between the PWA wave performance and freestyle tours, Brian took time out to accept an invitation to participate in the second annual Swatch Wave Tour. This indoor event brings together the best board riding athletes in the world. This is an invitational tour that travels worldwide. In this, his second year with the tour, the Irie Man, says, "I was one of three windsurfers invited this year and at the Los Angeles, California event I took 7th overall," a rank Brian is very pleased with, especially in light of the tough competition. Hit Brian's Xtreme page for more details on this and other cutting edge activities.

YEAR 2000 ACTION

Brian started the year on a high, copping first place in the Barbados Windsurfing Association-hosted Barbados Water Man Festival in January. He triumphed over a field of some 60 competitors from around the world. The ocean triathlon event involved windsurfing, surfing and boogie (body) boarding, along with exhibition water sports. What's next for the Irie Man? "The future is more mainstream, with appearances on such networks as MTV, MTV Germany and Italy, the BBS and DSF German Network. I'm diversifying," he beams, "cooking flying fish for television audiences." Brian will also be working hard, promoting his newest windsurfing tune, the "Irie Man Action" song, which he did in collaboration with one of the hottest reggae acts now coming out of the Caribbean, David Kirton.

Says the Irie Man, "I developed a song concept, David wrote the lyrics and we recorded the tune in the reggae capital, Kingston, Jamaica. My song projects a feel for the beach culture, and the world of waves." So far, wherever Brian goes, this reggae and chant tune is getting serious airplay and is rapidly becoming a song to watch. Download the "Ire Man Action" song. Watch 'De latest' to see how the Irie Man is doing in his travels.

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