Recently in Bali for the 1st Bali Ocean Swim // Fri, 16 Jul 10
Bob with legendary swim coach Don Talbot before the 1964 Tokyo Olympics
BSM INTERVIEW with BOB WINDLE
Bali Sports Mag : Where were you born?
Bob Windle :...Sydney, Australia
BSMWhere did you grow up?
BW Basically in Sydney until about 19 years of age whence I moved to the United States to go to university.
BSM What is the most vivid memory from your childhood?..
BWVery difficult to say as I have had so many experiences that I have most likley forgotten more than I can remember.
BSM Did you play a lot of sports as a child?...
BWYes!
BSM What’s your professional/educational background?
BW :I graduated from Indiana University with a BSc and currently SEA Regional Manager for Donaldson Gas Turbine Air Filtration Systems.
BSM:What are your hobbies?
BW….sailing and scuba diving.
BSM:What person has had the most profound influence in your life?.
BW:..after my father, most likely my swim coaches…Don Talbot in Australia, Doc James Counsilman and Jack Pettinger at Indiana.
BSM:What kinds of jobs/work have you done? What did the work actually entail?..
BW:.I have had many experiences ranging from market research, sales, consulting thru to Managing Director before retiring…and now my current psoiton as I am not ready for retirement.
BSMHave you traveled to many interesting places around the world?...
BW yes, both through swimming and work.
BSM Why and how did you first become interested in Indonesia and Bali?
BW…I have been interested in Indonesia since my first trip in the early 70’s for an Australian Trade Commission Trade show and subsequent business trips related to Business since 1997. Unfortunately, I have never had the opportunity to visit Bali until recently, ..on business.
BSM Have you traveled extensively in Indonesia?
BW Yes!
BSM What is your favorite locale or destination in the country?.
BW..I have always enjoyed Jakarta but as one may appreciate all my trips have been business related and I hope to change this in the future.
BSM The Ocean Swim is to help Bali improve its water safety record,just the other day 3 high school students from Java drown.How do you think Bali can improve its water safety record?
BW…I am not in a position to anwer this difficult question as I am not familiar or aware of any issues. Hopefully, following this coming wekeend, I may have a better understanding an appreciation to comment.
BSM :Do you believe sports can teach other life or educational skills besides playing sports well?
BW…Yes! Sports, I believe provides a mechansim to instill discipline which can relate to education where disciplineis necessary for studies due to the limited time available. It also enhances line disciplines and commitments which are necessary in todays technological society.
BSM:What would you say to anyone wanting to become one day a professional athlete?
BW…I think it would be great, no fantastic, that if someone with the skills, opportunites etc., should take advantage of them.
BSM Can you give concrete real-life examples of how sport has changed lives for the better in your experience?
BW ... I think it has helped me to get an education, experience life through my travels, and provide me with the knowledge and skills necessary for today’s world which requires dedication to family, duties, responsibilities to society etc.
BSM What has been your proudest moment?.
BW ..One would expect me to say that it was my gold medal and in some ways it was. More importantly however, is having two (2) son’s whom make me fell produce as to how they have turned out re work ethics, responsibilities as well as their achivements overseas in sports which Australia is no know to be strong…viz ice hockey. I am often asked how my son’s became involved in a sport played on frozen water…maybe I was frustrated hockey player…or as a swimmer the water froze in my bloodstream.