Ten Questions: Tim Christopherson

TIM CHRISTOPHERSON, 28, is a surf instructor with the Coast to Coast Surf School at Dunbar. He lives in Dalry.

1 What is your earliest memory of Edinburgh? I remember being mesmerised by the snow in the city centre at a really young age.

2 What are your memories of school? I went to Flora Stevenson Primary School at Comely Bank Road in Edinburgh and I remember I tried to jump what seemed like a huge wall in the playground and fell on my head.

3 Where is your favourite place in Edinburgh and why? I like it all – the Old Town, the New Town, the parks, Arthur's Seat, Leith, Dalry – each place has a unique character and is worth visiting.

4 What are the best things about Edinburgh? I really enjoy the Edinburgh Festival. They say you either love it or hate it but I've always loved it. All the diverse nationalities and personalities are fascinating. It's an inspiring event.

5 What would you change about the city? I would change some of the attitudes you see on the street. It's pretty obvious that some people can't see past their last pint, never mind actually appreciating where we live.

6 Describe a perfect Edinburgh day/night out. To be honest my perfect day is getting out to the surrounding hills or going down the coast for a surf. In the evening, some chilled pints, then to a club for a boogie. In the summer, after the clubs close, one of my favourite things is clambering up Arthur's Seat to take in a sunrise.

7 Which sports interest you? I like most sports but I spend too much time in the water, surfing and bodyboarding, to give any other sport a proper chance.

8 What was your most embarrassing moment? The first time I met my girlfriend's parents. They had travelled from Madrid to see us and when they arrived at our flat I was caught unprepared and pretended to be my girlfriend's flatmate. I said hello, let them in and ran out the front door – a stupid move, considering they already knew who I was.

9 What is your greatest achievement? In sport it would be competing in the British Age Group Biathlon. Academically, it was getting a C in Higher English when I was at school – I am dyslexic – or getting a BA Hons Degree in Graphic Design.

10 Sum up Edinburgh in three words. Jekyll and Hyde