Harty joins in the foiling love-fest.    

I flirted with dinghy sailing as a lad but didn’t get on too well at the local sailing club which seemed to hate children. I found it a bit dull. The most exciting boat at our club was an Enterprise, which must have done very nearly 5 knots if you lifted the centreboard. But then a couple of summers ago I was invited to the Moth world championships at Hayling Island. The Moth, I’m sure you know, is a ridiculously high performance full carbon, single man foiling dinghy.

Moth races were usually held in sheltered waters because they’re so lively. But here they set the courses on the open sea. And as anyone who knows the area will testify, the waters beyond the Winner bank are especially confused – and made even more so by 20 knots + of south westerly wind.
Amidst the carnage there was skill on another level as the leaders, mainly Kiwis and Aussies, tacked and gybed on the foils. My friend Matt explained a bit about the technique. The skipper not only had to constantly adjust the Wang, the Cunningham and the main sheet to control power all while being out on the wing, he also had a twist grip on the rudder to adjust the pitch of the foil to try and keep nose and stern level.
That’s what I LOVE about windsurfing, I said – it’s SO much more simple – so much less rope and tweaking and general hardware. And then when a competitor came in with a foil shattered on the sandbank (replacement cost 4k), I also mentioned it is SO much cheaper.
So if you’d told me that in two years time I’d be scouring EBay desperate for a wide Formula type platform into which to stick my new foil, I would have politely told you where to stick your fuselage. But that’s what I’m currently doing.

Initiation
The Tipping Point is an interesting concept. What is that suddenly makes things ‘tip over’ into epidemics? Foiling windsurfing has been rumbling away in the background for years. One of the earliest and most iconic books, ‘The Wind is Free’ by Ken Winner from 1980, carries a picture of the author on a crude foil attached to the bow.
Rush Randall and Antoine Albeau are just 2 of the elite who have been playing with foils since 2000.
In October last year I put a 30 second clip up on YouTube of me flying the Ifoil – it’s a bespoke, totally out there, one metre wide foiling board with a central surface running foil and fore and aft stabilisers built by design guru Linton. By the evening it had 30,000 hits and a host of enquiries.
The damn had apparently burst and it was clear that the interest in foiling in general was supersonic. Perhaps it’s a perfect storm – rabid interest in Ben Ainslie and the America’s Cup, free-ride windsurfing stagnating slightly and windsurfers in general keen to steal the hype limelight away from kiting. I was asked a hundred times whether it was a genuine option? Was it worth an investment? Would interest turn into genuine sales and mass participation?
I didn’t know – I hadn’t done it properly yet.

Speed Trials
I met up with foiling expert Sam Ross down at the Weymouth Speed trials in October. I wasn’t under any illusions. It was going to be hard. A month before at the NWF at Hayling, we’d watched freestyle world champion Dieter van Eyken, no slouch on a board, have his first foiling attempt and get blown out of the water in no more than 15 knots of wind. But as Sam pointed out, it was swelly, which makes it a lot harder.
Weymouth that day was cursed by an easterly blowing out of the harbour. The place was Chop Central and it was 20 knots plus.
The details were varied and gory but three incidents have since  informed my opin-ion about this latest branch of our sport.

Sail Size. On the speed course that day the favoured size was 7.8s and more. For foiling I was on a 6.0 cam-less sail and it was too much. Ever since I gave up racing (or it gave up me) I’ve raised a middle finger to monster sails, which threatened to erode what was left of my cartilage.
These days I love the light, flicky rigs that place so little strain on the joints.
The prospect of being able to fly in 10 knots or less using a wave sail is supremely attractive.

Technical. OK – so you’re flying along and all is quiet, serene and vaguely spiritual – now what? At Portland recently I was about to launch when Tom Squires, top RSX racer, flies in using a 5.2 in about 11 knots and gybes fully on the foil all the way round. That was good. But on the next run, he tacks. Now that was insane! A metre off the water, he cracks it over to windward, sails into wind and just keeps going and going still on the foil, then whips around the mast and only touches down for a second before lifting off again having made about 60 metres. That’s really technical, athletic and spectacular and I want to do it.

Catapult. Back to reality. Within 10 minutes of getting on Sam’s foil I had catapulted and been blasted out of the water more times that I care to count. My instincts were wrong. As I rose, I backed off the power and leaned on the back foot – wrong! That loads up the foil and boom … over you go. However counter-intuitive it feels, you have to bully yourself into controlling lift by standing tall on the front foot.
Being a beginner again was (is) SO exciting. If you’re prepared to leave your ego in the bin, you can have a lot of fun with this thing.
And what say the naysayers?
Well they’re bloody sharp. Gruesome pics are already appearing on FaceTube of lacerated feet. So wear boots and remember not to kick it.
But the major restriction is water depth. You need a good 5-6 feet. My favoured spot, Chichester Harbour, is littered with shallow banks. I suppose one solution is to get that good that I never drop off the foil.
The gauntlet is laid …

PH 26th June 2017

Harty and Sam Ross before the inaugural launch. PHOTO Hart Photography

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Matteo Iachino joins the Severne International team.

Severne announce – “We are excited to announce the arrival of Matteo Iachino as a key member of our International Race Team. He will be our top racer on the new Severne Mach 1.
Being in the title race for the last 3 years, and with a win in 2016, Matteo has proven to be at the leading edge of the slalom fleet.
Matteo will be working closely with the Severne R&D team on the race sails and using these tools to win races in the upcoming season.

Matteo Iachino:

“I’m really happy to be joining the Severne team. It’s never easy to leave the old way for the new. But after I had the chance to try the new sails I felt convinced with their performance and see them being the next winning step forward. Having talked with Ben Severne for the first time I could feel he really wants to build the fastest sails and he really wants to work hard towards this goal. Having a whole team fully focused on developing something different to win is probably the best feeling you could have when you’re racing at a World Cup level. I’ve already been working with Gonzalo Costa Hoevel a lot during the board testing for starboard and I’m happy to start working with him on the sails as well. All of these factors together pushed me toward the decision of joining this team for the upcoming races.  I’m confident we will have a special season ahead! “

Ben Severne:

“It’s a privilege to have Matteo riding our sails. There’s lots of inspiration to build faster engines to power his future results.  Really excited to have him involved.”

We are looking forward to see Matteo racing on the brand-new Mach 1 and wish him the best of luck for the 2018 season.”

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Fanatic have a new all-in-one wave board for 2018, the Grip TE, we asked Fanatic Wave R&D Manager and PWA Pro Klaas Voget for the low-down!

With Klaas Voget // 

Photos John Carter.

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WS: You’ve replaced the Quad and TriWave Models out of the range for 2018 with one line called the Grip. What’s the idea behind this reduction in the range? 

KV: After our TriWave was re-launched two years ago with an incredibly early planing shape, Victor (Fernandez) and I started experimenting with different boards based on the ease of use and planing performance of the TriWave, with the extra turning abilities which we liked in our Quads. With some adjustments to the TriWave’s rocker line and bottom shape we’ve found a combination which loosened the board up – especially when used with a Quad setup – to allow even quicker reactions than with the Quad, but still keeping the incredibly fast and early planing level of our TriWave. It turned out to be that one shape we pulled out of our bags wherever we went – from the Canaries, to the North Sea, Cape Town and even Ho’okipa – even though we had all the options of more specific custom boards for a certain type of conditions. Anyone who tried one of these boards wanted to buy them straight away and called them the best and most complete wave board they’ve ever tried. After using these boards all around the world for about two years we’re confident that it will be loved by both our previous TriWave and Quad customers – plus everyone else who likes to keep it simple and wants the ultimate all-round wave board.

WS: Where do the differences lie between the Stubby and the Grip?

KV: The Stubby is a favourite amongst sailors who want to get the most out of average conditions, but still score that sick day every now and then. Its planing character and turning is unique and the upwind ability is outstanding! The Stubby will blow your mind when you least expect, but still keeps up when the conditions get really good.

The Grip is on the other end of the spectrum. It’s a modern version of a classic wave outline with a more nervous feel to it, while the Stubby has this super stable planing through its parallel rails. The Grip wants to turn, it excels in good sideshore conditions, but still delivers all that’s needed when the power of the wave fades away and the wind swings onshore.

Both boards are very user-friendly and both shapes have collected trophies in PWA competitions. You can use both boards everywhere, it’s a question of the style and conditions you sail more often in.

WS: Why the name Grip?

KV: The name defines the actual amount of grip and drive you want per board size. You can set up the 3 medium sizes (76/82/89) of the Grip with pretty much all fin combinations out there, but we recommend the Quad and Thruster setup depending on the conditions you’re sailing in and the amount of grip these conditions require. Our smallest Grip – the 68 – comes with 4 Slot Boxes only, as the Quad setup adds the amount of grip needed for windier and choppier conditions, as well as the turning potential for the lighter rider. The large Grip 99 comes with 3 fin boxes and a thruster fin set for improved planing for lighter winds and lift under the back foot for the heavier and more powerful rider. The Grip 76, 82 and 89 are equipped with 5 slot boxes to ride them as either Quad or Thruster, depending on the riders size, level and conditions. They are supplied with our favourite Quad set and we offer a Thruster set as an accessory.

To put it simply:
Quad = more grip, more control, tight carving turns.
Thruster = less grip, good planing, slashy and more slidy turns.

Key Features:

• Early planing and fast, adapts easily to the conditions. Snappy and carving surf style for progressive wave action.
• Five fin boxes for adaptable multi-fin use according to personal preference (Grip 68 comes with 4 Quad boxes, Grip 99 comes with 3 Thruster boxes).
• Innovative rocker line with flat spot concept for maximum planing power, and curved sections for tight snappy turns.
• Double concave / V bottom shape for a controlled fast ride over any chop.
• Fast rocker line with higher entry for front footed carves and opening V off the tail for responsive snaps.
• Backwards oriented trim for direct turning reactions.
• Compact outline with a wide swallow tail for snappy turns, tonnes of spray, lots of lift and stability.
• Side fins with slight tow for smooth water flow, reduced drag and maximum speeds.
• Flat deck for a stable stance and secure feeling even when the wind drops.
• High Performance TE construction in Biax Innegra Carbon (BXIC).
• Fast and super smooth turning RTM Quad fin setup perfectly matched to board’s characteristics (Grip 99 comes with MFC Thruster set).
• Lightweight and easy to adjust Slotbox system (Grip 99 comes with US Centre Box).

“It turned out to be that one shape we pulled out of our bags wherever we went.”

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“Once you have tasted flight, you will forever walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward, for there you have been, and there you will always long to return.” – Leonardo da Vinci.’

Words  Finn Mullen  //  Photo  Billy Mullen

From the August 2017 Windsurf Magazine Issue

The obsession with flight has been long held in windsurfing. Ever since the first board left the water it marked us out as the aerial pilots of the sailing world and the ensuing acrobatics and evolution of ‘hang time’ increased the distance between our sailing roots and natural progression to an action sport.

It’s a fairly basic observation that just as every rebellious teenager ends up like their parents, similarly every sport at some point ends up coming back to its roots. Sailing has been transformed by foils, no question. From exciting ‘Moth’ dinghies to the cutting edge America’s Cup behemoths, the sport no longer conjures up images of blazers and G&T’s at the clubhouse – it’s exciting made for TV courses run at speed by sailors sponsored by Red Bull. Foils were the catalyst for change, suddenly boats were faster in lighter winds, and the sight of craft ‘flying’ on this relatively small wing through the water was a spectacle. Sailing was cool. Windsurfing has been a bit slower to the party, until recently advances in the sport have been more incremental. Foils are changing all of that. Starboard’s head of brand and design, Tiesda You, advocates further, “There are three major moments in windsurfing history: first, the day Jim Drake windsurfed on his original windsurfing design, the Skate. The second moment was when windsurfers started planing on water. The third is when windsurfers started flying over water. Foiling is a new dimension of windsurfing that will be a positive force for the sport. The PWA, unsure a few months ago if foiling would help or hurt, are now excited at the idea of how windsurfing races can be completed in conditions when even Formula racing couldn’t work!

We are all passionate windsurfers. And here we are, witnessing this third major moment in windsurfing. It is happening, in our lifetime, during our windsurfing careers and to realize that this time we are not just witnessing it but actively participating in the shift, feels just great.” Read more of Tiesda’s thoughts on the process of foil development and the musings of the stars of the PWA on the rise of foiling in this issue. If you’re thinking of taking the plunge, then check out our foil buyer’s guide and UK foil guru Sam Ross’s answers to foiling FAQs. Sam was the recent winner of the UK’s first official foil race and perhaps best summed up the attraction of foils at this year’s NWF with quote of the event and possibly the year! – “If planing is your cocaine…. then this (foiling) is smack!”

Foiling is part of windsurfing’s ‘New Wave’ but it’s not the only part. Equipment refinement and innovation is opening doors to performance in lesser conditions and with less effort. Foiling is at the fore of the movement and whilst changes in other sections of the sport are subtler, they are still of significance. Check out this month’s slalom test where the team state “The biggest finding of the test: the modern slalom board is surprisingly controllable… fundamentally, it has been realised that you’re going to win races if you get round the course in one piece!” That’s a massive change from the uncompromising slalom boards of previous years. My own summer sailing has been transformed by the addition of a 109 litre freewave thruster board to my quiver. Light and onshore is the frequent forecast for my local beaches but the synthesis of speed and manoeuvrability in modern freewave design means I don’t curse these days, I positively and absolutely look forward to them! The tiny thruster fins let me creep upwind in the shallows so close to shore I could lick a dodgy ice cream from the even dodgier looking ice cream van!

Always at the vanguard of developments in our sport is Roberto Ricci, eponymous founder, owner and head of RRD. Read how he sees his job, ‘Mestiere’ as the Italians say, as more than just work, “RRD is not just a business. It is my passion and love…. I think in the end my ultimate goal is to attract as many people as possible to our outdoor life. We don’t spend enough time outdoors, people these days spend too much time in front of the screen or stuck in the city! You can make a lot of free time if you use the screen and Internet as your tool. At the end of the day, there is a time to stop and say I am going to go out there and play! People need to separate the idea of work and the idea of play in a good way. We are all humans and we need to keep playing.”

The importance of play and windsurfing intersect further in this month’s issue as we look at perhaps windsurfing’s most important ‘New Wave’ – kids! Profiling advances in kid’s kit and teaching techniques we learn from John Skye and Kuba Gasiewsk, the pioneering Polish windsurf instructor who tells us the inspiration for his tandem sailing method is “Rather than base teaching on an idea that it’s going to be fun once you learn it, let’s have fun while learning. It’s a way to make real windsurfing as instantly accessible as an iPad.” More planing with foils, better performance from our equipment and bright ideas to inspire kids to take up our sport and ensure its future – windsurfing’s ‘New Wave’ is rolling along like a perfect swell, get on it!

PHOTO Windsurfing’s ‘New Wave’ doesn’t lie in exotic, distant waters, it’s modern equipment’s ability to transform performance in ordinary conditions. Finn Mullen takes advantage of his thruster to boost in Rossnowlagh, County Donegal.

The post FINN MULLEN – NEW WAVE appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

This winter I spent six amazing weeks in Brazil. I had such an amazing time meeting new faces and soaking in all that Brazil had to offer.

Big thanks to Arrianne Aukes, Felix Volkhardt, Maaike Huvermann, Max Brinnich, Theresa Kellner, Max Rowe, Oda Johanne Stokstad Brødholt, Hakon Skorge,and many others for filming me.

Via Alex Mertens

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Designing foils is

throwing up fresh challenges to the windsurf industry. Starboard’s head of brand and design, Tiesda You, gives us an insight into the innovation and process of foil R&D.

Words  Tiesda You   //  Photos  John Carter

“Foiling really appealed to me when I saw the America’s Cup guys flying around up in the air at 40 knots. With foils, I knew there would be a lot of room to innovate in terms of design. With regular boards, you are mostly refining details and it’s only once in a while that you find a significant breakthrough: lighter technologies, thinner boards, inflatable planing boards, cut-away designs. After a while, everybody has something similar and we’re refining in terms of millimetres. This is when I get a bit bored. We need to put in a lot of energy and resources to get smaller returns. This is Remi Vila’s strength. He loves that kind of challenge, to find those advancements that give us the edge. I enjoy hashing out new things like foils so naturally, I jumped on the opportunity.

STARTING POINT
When foils came along there were so many new ideas out there to work with. The main challenge with foils is how to deal with the fact that the faster they go, the more they lift. When we first started foils at Starboard with Rush Randle fourteen years ago, I believed that the future was in self-regulating foils. This type of foil is shaped and positioned in such a way that their wetted surface area would reduce with speed. The faster you go, the higher the foil lifts. The higher the foil lifts, the less wing area is under water. With less area under water, less lift is generated. This circular formula creates a self-regulating foil that finds its own equilibrium state at any speed so you don’t have to make manual adjustments. You can also create self-regulation using flaps that are mechanically adjusted against the height of the hull above water. Foil Moths use this method, for example. Today, the popular foils for windsurfing are not self-regulating: with wind foiling, the first thing you’ll learn is to trim the lift by leaning forwards to reduce the wing’s angle of attack as you accelerate and go faster. Even though our very first foils were the classic T-foil, I insisted on building self-regulating prototypes. Eventually, I figured out that I should also design a conventional T foil so I started afresh and pushed the self-regulating foil towards a different direction.

For the Starboard foil as it is available today, ideas started from the last time I was in the UK visiting windsurfing shops and centres. The funny thing was that aside from the weather, all the guys were talking about foils and all the new ideas that were floating around. There is no denying windsurfing is a tough market right now but the excitement with foils was really a breath of fresh air. There was that old glitter in everyone’s eyes talking about foils. Like those days when people started planing, adding footstraps to their boards, chopping up long boards to turn them into funboards. That glitter in the eye, it inspired me to put our foil projects into hyperdrive. I bought a kite foil, took it back to Thailand and that was my starting point. Of course, it was horrible.
From there at least I had a starting point.

PROTOTYPES
In the beginning, what I wanted to do was to create a foil platform. The idea was to make the boards, the structure of the foil, organize the production and then work with partners to make the actual foil shape itself. I thought there was no way I could catch up with the best already on the market. I talked to the guys at F4 and other companies who all liked the platform concept but F4 ended up signing exclusively with NeilPryde. I also talked to Mike’s Lab who was making arguably the best kite foils. I went to visit them in San Francisco but the deal on the table was way too expensive and we could not afford it. With those and other options out, I decided to design my own foils as well as the boards. I made some moulds and started developing the way we do at Starboard: lots of prototypes, lots of testing, over and over again.

THE FEELING
When you plane for the first time on a windsurfer, you will always remember the feeling. That moment when your draggy board releases itself from the water and skims along the water surface, there is that magical moment that you won’t forget. With foiling, the first time that foil lifts you out of the water, it is that same magical feeling again. It is even a little bit more surreal because all the skimming noise just disappears. It is gone and everything goes almost silent. There is less friction, no sound and suddenly you are dealing with another dimension, rising up and down. You feel like you are a bird flying through the air. Right away, this new feeling made me go back to those days when I wanted to just go as fast as possible all over again, and learn to jibe all over again, this time without touching down.

LEARNING TO FOIL
Once you are up in the air, there is a learning and crashing stage but once you go past that stage, foiling is really easy on the body. I was quite surprised about this aspect. Normally after a day’s windsurfing you feel quite beaten up but with foiling, you don’t feel anything because you are not dealing with chop or impact on your knees or body. All you are doing is flying. Foiling becomes less physical, once you’ve learnt to control the foil in flight.

BOARDS
The types of boards I have found that are most suitable for foiling are the wider light-wind style boards like the Formula boards or wider slalom boards. We recommend no smaller than let’s say an iSonic 127 for racing type foils. That is pretty much the limit; even then that is a little bit narrow. If you go for a short foil designed for freeriding and cruising, then you can go for narrower boards. The problem is the fin boxes though. A normal fin box will eventually break with all the extra load. That is why you must go and buy a new foil board from us at Starboard! If you want to use your existing board I guess you could pre-emptively reinforce your fin box. The other option is to buy a second-hand Formula, UltraSonic or iSonic that are affordable used. The board needs to be at least 60-65cm wide in the tail to control our GT, Slalom or Race foil at its full potential. The shorter the foil, the narrower the board you can use.

FUTURE
I think foiling is here to stay, that is for sure. I think foiling will be at least as big as Formula windsurfing at its peak. All the technical guys will love it, especially for light-wind racing, it is very much in line with that Formula and course racing philosophy. Foiling could grow much bigger than that depending on how fast you can go and how easy it will become. With our latest prototypes, we are already starting to go a bit faster than the best slalom guys in some conditions. If foils become consistently faster than slalom then all of racing will have to go that way because when it comes to racing, it is not interesting to watch something that is not the fastest. The other day we were working with some Formula guys testing our new Formula boards while Gonzalo Costa Hoevel was also over testing the new foil. The Formula R&D team were super proud of their latest board and Gonzalo went out on the foil and beat them at Formula racing. He just followed them and flew past them. Just like that, in a matter of minutes Formula on planing hulls became obsolete. What is the point? They all came back to the beach and wanted to buy foils! When it comes to slalom that is a bit trickier but I think it is possible that soon, foilers will be overtaking slalom guys regularly. At first in light winds, then medium winds and who knows, maybe even high winds. Considering how early the foil development is, there is still plenty of room for it to evolve. And that’s really exciting.”

“ If foils become consistently faster than slalom then all of racing will have to go that way. ”

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Best destinations for your summer windsurfing holiday

2018 is here, the festive season has come and gone and you are now back slogging away at the office. Already dreaming of white sandy beaches, flat crystal clear water, majestic waves and just getting away from it all? Well there is no better time than the present to start planning your summer windsurfing holiday. With great special offers currently running where you can enjoy 55% off the best luxury hotels and availability filling up fast for those sunny summer months, there is no better time than the present to book your next windsurfing adventure. Thankfully the trusted team at Planet Windsurf Holidays is here to give us some advice on the very best windsurfing destinations for that getaway:

West Portugal

Discover an authentic side of Portugal at FeelViana – a brand new sports hotel right on the beach. Located on a safe windsurfing bay offering both flat water and waves, this destination is perfect for all skill levels. With mountain biking and hiking trails, cultural tours and wine regions to explore, there is also so much to see and do in the area. Easily reached from the UK, West Portugal offers an affordable, easy escape for the entire family! In fact this spot is so good that one of the PWA windsurf world tour events will be held here in June 2018. Experience the incredible windsurfing action for yourself with Planet’s exclusive rates when you book your stay at FeelViana Hotel, Portugal between 14 and 24 June 2018.

Limnos

Island

Stay in amazing luxury accommodation that’s not even 2 years old as you discover an amazing island destination off the beaten track! Keros Bay on the Greek Limnos Island offers three windsurfing conditions all from the same beach, including flat water, chop and gentle waves, and is the perfect place to learn and progress. Located away from the mass tourism destinations of other Greek Islands, the Keros Blue hotel offers modern sophisticated bungalows within walking distance of the spot. With its beautiful beaches, traditional villages and quaint taverns, summer is a great time to discover all that Limnos has to offer.

Le Morne

For sand, sea, sun and windsurfing it doesn’t get better than Le Morne in Mauritius. What is even better is that you can book amazing luxury accommodation at more than half the price when the wind is best! The summer months in the Northern Hemisphere mean windy winter down south and Mauritius offers unbeatable value for money with luxury hotels like nowhere else on earth featuring free kids clubs, inclusive activities and amazing accommodation – you won’t believe your luck! The main windsurfing area is at the lagoon where a south easterly wind blows side shore or side onshore consistently from July to October. The flat water here makes it the perfect place for beginners to learn to windsurf or for improvers to practice. Further out you’ll find some unreal wave spots, including the world famous One Eye which is strictly for advanced waveriders. The best hotel in Le Morne, and perhaps all of Mauritius, is the St Regis and if you book before the end of Feb you can get 55% your 2018 holiday!

Fuerteventura

The ultimate summer windsurfing holiday destination, Fuerteventura offers amazing windsurfing conditions all the way from Sotavento to Corralejo and Costa Calma. Located only a hop, skip and a jump away from the UK, and with great hotels with fantastic kids clubs and amazing beaches, Fueteventura is perfect for summer holidays with the family! Offering reliable wind and great conditions to suit a variety of skill levels, Feurteventura is one of those destinations that fills up fast so you better act quickly if you want to secure your spot for the summer.

So what are you waiting for? Get in touch with Planet Windsurf Holidays today and start planning your summer getaway before it’s too late.

The post PLANET SUMMER WINDSURFING HOLIDAYS appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

A spot featuring the Tramuntana wind from the Pyrenees and steady sea breezes in the summer months. The long sandy Bay of Roses, on the Mediterranean coast, only 30 km south of the French border, has been a favourite spot for windsurfers for decades. The ION CLUB centre is located in the 4-star campsite and bungalow park La Ballena Alegre Costa Brava.

Sea breezes (thermal winds) blow side-onshore from the right, gradually picking up during the day. As a general rule you can expect the thermal to get up to between 3.5 – 4.5 Bft, with good days blowing a steady 5 Bft (in knots 12/13 – 18-20 knots). Your best chances of catching the thermal winds are between May and September.

Known worldwide for its perfect windsurfing conditions, the Golf of Roses Bay is ideal for windsurfers from beginner to expert levels. That is also why the PWA has held events there for more than 15 years.

The center is situated directly on the beach, less than 30 meters from the water and open daily between 10:00 -18:00, depending if low or high season. We offer windsurfing and windfoiling rental and as well as semi private and private lessons.

Camping at la Ballena Alegre, distance to the ION CLUB center 10-150 meters. The Mediteraneo and Empuries Bungalows are situated right behind the centre and the beach. Ideal for Families, couples, groups of friends and right on the beachfront.

CONTACT
ION Club
www.ion-club.net
travel@ion-club.de
+49 (0)881 9096 010

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Sigri Surf are looking for Windsurf Instructors for the summer season 2018!

If you are seeking a new adventure in life you might be the right person to join their team in Greece.

Free accommodation and a fixed salary per month plus commission on lessons and free time for windsurfing.

Working period: 1st June – mid/end September

If you are interested please send your CV to: info@sigrisurf.com 

More info about Sigri here: www.sigrisurf.com

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Windsurfing paradise in Portugal!

Discover the windsurfing paradise of West Portugal and stay at the Hotel Feelviana on Cabedelo Beach. This eclectic hotel offers modern and comfortable accommodation and has an incredible in-house sports centre.

Price based on one week flight inclusive package per person (UK flights & airport transfers or car hire where needed). Other European and worldwide flights available.

Tel: 01273 921 001

https://www.planetwindsurfholidays.com/hotels/portugal/west-portugal/hotel-feelviana-2038

Explore Limnos in Greece!

Explore the stunning Keros Bay on the island of Limnos in Greece. This bay offers spectacular windsurfing conditions and incredible accommodation at Keros Blue. Enjoy butter-flat conditions with consistent winds and a stunning landscape you will never forget!

Price based on one week flight inclusive package per person (UK flights & airport transfers or car hire where needed). Other European and worldwide flights available.

Tel: 01273 921 001

https://www.planetwindsurfholidays.com/hotels/greece/limnos/keros-blue-2065

Great value for money in Mauritius for your next family holiday!

The stunning St. Regis Mauritius is situated on an idyllic beach, surrounded by a tranquil lagoon of turquoise waters and some of the best windsurf spots in the world. This luxury hotel also has one of the best kids clubs, so bring the whole family along!

Price based on one week flight inclusive package per person (UK flights & airport transfers or car hire where needed). Other European and worldwide flights available.

Tel: 01273 921 001

http://www.planetwindsurfholidays.com/hotels/mauritius/le-morne/the-st-regis-mauritius-resort-1127

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STARBOARD A.I.R. FREEWAVE 83L 2018 TEST REVIEW

REFLEX CARBON

THE LOW-DOWN
The A.I.R. is a new range for the Starboard line-up in 2018, made up of three sizes of which this 83 is the smallest. The name A.I.R. comes from the Parley concept of Avoiding, Intercepting and Redesigning (or recycling) products to ensure less use of plastics in industry. And because Starboard are spearheading the principles of responsible, sustainable manufacturing within the windsurfing industry, Brand Manager Tiesda You chose the name to highlight this in the brand’s first board range using their new Low Carbon Footprint (L.C.F.) construction. The Freewave aspect of the name gives an indictor of the board’s intended use – fast and compact for making the most of less than ideal conditions, its most noticeable feature is its ‘Bat Tail’. It’s the result of months of R&D to find the best compromise between fin cavitation and extra fin drag whilst hunting for the ideal combination of grip and reactivity. Supplied with a central G10 fin designed by Stone Surf Design of Australia to emphasise the board’s wave-riding capacity, the Drake Deluxe footstraps continue the responsible manufacturing theme with the top cover of the straps made from recycled plastic bottles. The 10mm deckpads remain similar to those seen on last year’s boards, with a diamond grooved pattern, said to be resistant to wear and tear.

BRAND CLAIM
“The A.I.R. FreeWave is all about … making it turn off a hyper-compact outline and its forward vee instead of its rocker. With such a short tail, the bat-shape tail outline allows us to maximize fin grip, avoid cavitation while keeping the area behind the fins floaty yet as short as possible, all in the goal to maximize reactivity and manoeuvrability. Ideal for smaller to medium sized waves where you need extra versatility from the board.”

PERFORMANCE
With its wide outline and relatively flat, thin profile, the A.I.R feels larger than its quoted volume might suggest whilst off the plane, capable of carrying a 5.7m sail easily. Being that as it is, and the fact that it is easily the lightest board on test here (in the brand’s ultimate Reflex Carbon construction), we did expect a little more immediacy to its early planing potential. Instead of being passive and just waiting for things to happen, you need to adopt a more pro-active technique, moving your stance rearwards early and weighting the tail of the board. Do this and the board soon gets the idea, releasing and accelerating smoothly. And that’s the best word to describe the A.I.R.’s character – smooth. It is just so silky and fluid in everything it does, masking over impacts as it glides over chop and responding effortlessly to changes in foot pressure. The deckpads and straps are as you’d expect from a quality brand, providing a real sense of connection to the board. The footstrap screws have a wider diameter than on any other board, so be aware they take some considerable pressure to screw into the plugs. The rider is encouraged into a more upright stance over the board, due to the wide flat deck – it feels a little vulnerable to start with, especially in strong conditions, but you soon learn to trust the board, as it remains low and planted at all times. You can plough power into it and the A.I.R. responds as you desire. It’s such a well-mannered platform, with the width providing a ‘get out of jail free’ card during clumsy transitions, without any of the downside in turbulent seas. On the wave, the velvety response continues, the A.I.R. retaining its speed so easily throughout the turn, cutting a clean precise path back up the face. The rounded dome under the back-foot stores a far bit of volume and helps to stop the board stalling on the tail, whilst the tapered rails can keep the board committed and driving through the turn. More carving than slashing, it’s got an addictive style that would have the wave-riding focussed rider coming back time
and again.

THE VERDICT
Such is its smooth, flowing nature it’s as if the A.I.R. has the alchemist’s ability to turn water into milk. With range and impeccable manners, if you can afford its price tag, you wont be disappointed.

www.star-board-windsurfing.com

Other sails in this test:

• FANATIC GRIP TE 82

• GOYA CUSTOM THRUSTER PRO 86

• JP SLATE PRO 87

• QUATRO CUBE 86

• RRD WAVE CULT V7 LTD 82

• SEVERNE NANO 83

• STARBOARD A.I.R. 83 REFLEX CARBON

• TABOU POCKET 87

Back to test intro page

TEST OVERVIEW PAGE

The post STARBOARD A.I.R. FREEWAVE 83L 2018 TEST REVIEW appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

IF SWISS ARMY MADE WAVE BOARDS
85L WAVE BOARD TEST 2018

Test Editor Tris Best // Second Testers Maurin Rottenwalter, Joe North, Dan Hallam, Dan Linton & Tom Squires

Photos

Test location Kimmeridge, Rhosneigr, Overcombe & Daymer Bay

Testing wave boards is never a real hardship, particularly when it is the sector of the sport for which all the testers,

without exception, have a true passion for. The difficulty in testing them around the UK shores is chasing down consistent

conditions to reach meaningful conclusions. That said, there is significant value in testing these products in ‘real world’ conditions – conditions that the vast majority of the magazine’s readership experience at their favoured break.

This test was originally published in the November/December 2017 issue.

FINDINGS
There are a few trends emerging from the test that are worthy of note. Firstly, several of the brands have looked to consolidate and simplify their board range, making the choice clearer for the consumer – no bad thing in our opinion. To keep the multi-fin options open and mitigate the risk of disaffecting anyone, many boards now have five fin boxes, so that they can be set up in a number of ways, from single fin to twinzer, thruster and quad. The permutations are potentially endless, especially when you add fin styles and stiffness into the mix. Whether we have them on review here or were in our test line up last year, most of the brands here have a five-boxed-board in their range (save for Goya and Quatro who have stuck to offering dedicated single, thruster or quad designs). Onto the question of whether to choose thruster or quad. It is, as with every kit consideration in the sport, such a subjective question that the answer HAS to largely be down to personal preference. We were lucky enough to test in a pristinely clean cross-off day, when the grip and connection to the face bestowed by quad fins was hard to beat. The transition back down the face also had an extra dynamic, enabling you to really gouge and throw spray or use the speed you’ve harvested and project off the section. But for all other occasions, sailing in real world chop (especially the days with strong currents making the sea like a bubbling cauldron out the back), the thruster fin setup was the choice for most.

The second design movement for a few brands seems to be a subtle refinement of the compact wave board concept, to bring it more in line with convention. Starboard’s A.I.R. is comparatively long at 220cm, whilst the Slate from JP is not far behind at 219cm. Parallel rails, rearward stances, low noses and fast rockers – the core principles are still there, but in a more enigmatic fashion.

It’s the same with every radical design concept, whatever the industry. You initially come to market with the new idea, aiming to make a bold, eye-catching statement and define a new approach. You aim to grab the headlines and display the potential of the mesmeric theory behind the concept in all its glory. What happens thereafter, once the dust has settled and the market place has recoiled from their wonderment, is that (if the concept has legs) it is wholeheartedly adopted by the industry. With more time spent developing the concept it slowly begins to merge with convention (after all a ‘conventional’ design is just that … current and accepted … and for good reason), until the void between the two is almost negligible. And so this second (even third) generation of compact wave-board design from some brands has come of age, possessing qualities from both camps.

But let’s approach this from the other tack for a minute and look at the sort of person that might be in the market for a new 2018 85L wave board. The fact is that they are undoubtedly going to be an accomplished, experienced sailor. They have their favoured tack, their own style of riding … and very likely their own favoured brand that they trust and remain loyal to. So for a different brand to come in and break this loyalty, it has got to be pretty stand out. The trick is for you, as the reader, to be honest with yourself and choose the board to match your style. Sailing on a production board approved by Marcilio Browne or Victor Fernandez is not going to make you instantly sail like a champ. So what are you looking for? Early planing, upwind ability and control are a given, but do you prefer boards with a loose, electric and attention-demanding ride, or would you prefer a more sedate, planted approach? How do you ride waves – through full rail engagement and weight on your front-foot, or driving hard through the back-foot and pivoting on the tail? Do you crave grip through the bottom turn and cutback or prefer the tail to release at the apex? Now throw into the mix the various wave conditions you want to sail in, from lumpy coastal muck to clean glistening cross-off utopia … and everything else in between, and you begin to understand the complexity of the task in hand.

But let’s not get too carried away. The simple fact is that a board is a board … and the instant you stand on it, the feedback it provides will say a lot regarding whether you will get on with it or not.

Does its nature, its style of riding, resonate with you, or will it take longer to understand its worth? This instant impression is important and we’re pleased to say there are many real gems in this group that inspired us every time we got on them. Take time reading the reports and see if their description matches the character you’re after.

There’s one last point worth making. With brands introducing new technologies every year (and the addition of Severne boards from a new fabricator in China), we felt it worth investing in some accurate weighing scales to measure the naked weight of each board. Retail prices continue to increase and whilst some brands (namely Fanatic and Starboard) are rightly focussing on responsible, sustainable manufacturing, does the end product represent quality and value for money? Well, the result from measuring weights may well prove so, with many of the boards’ naked weights actually coming in LESS than those quoted by their respective brands.

SUMMARY
So onto the boards, and let’s start with the newcomer – the Nano made in Severne’s exclusive factory in China. It’s the most compact design in the group and the more we used it, the more we became drawn to it. It’s incredibly versatile and will really flatter those with a back-foot biased style. The Tabou comes from the other end of the scale – the most niche design in the group, coming into its own in clean, powered conditions. The Quatro is the only dedicated quad design in the group and provided the most dependable platform, giving the rider the confidence to tackle anything that they were confronted with. The A.I.R. from Starboard is easily the widest in the group and carries weight well, but doesn’t release from the water as we expected, given its incredible light weight. Instead it takes top trumps for its smoothness of ride, its rails seeming to bite and glide through anything. The new Slate from JP is best described as a super fun play tool, planing early with a fast and connected ride that can’t help but inspire. It is a great all-rounder, only matched in potential by the Grip from Fanatic. An incredibly adaptable machine, it shows that compact designs don’t have it all their own way when it comes to versatility to make the most of any environment. The Wave Cult from RRD is also a very versatile contender, with a high riding style on top of the water’s surface, giving it a very lively and energetic nature. That leaves the Goya – a true wave board in every sense of the word, whose rails seem to speak to you and provide an unbelievable amount of useable feedback, allowing you to really feel and exploit every wave you ride. We had a lot of fun testing these boards this year, with some truly class defining designs in the group.

uk.otc-windsurf.com

THE LINE UP

• FANATIC GRIP TE 82

• GOYA CUSTOM THRUSTER PRO 86

• JP SLATE PRO 87

• QUATRO CUBE 86

• RRD WAVE CULT V7 LTD 82

• SEVERNE NANO 83

• STARBOARD A.I.R. 83 REFLEX CARBON

• TABOU POCKET 87

TEST OVERVIEW PAGE

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Fancy getting into windsurf foiling check out some top tips from Tristan from the OTC at Weymouth and Portland.

via Royal Yachting Association – RYA

for more info www.rya.org.uk

The post GETTING INTO WINDSURF FOILING appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

JP is excited to announce the signing of a two year agreement with Pascal Toselli.

Pascal who finished 5th in the 2017 PWA Slalom ranking had the following to say:

“I am very proud to join the JP team! Like many other PWA riders, I have noticed a very nice evolution of the JP slalom boards in recent years. JP did a great job which shows me that the brand is very motivated about Slalom and takes the product development very serious. I was able to test the boards which helped me a lot in my decisions. I also have a very good feeling with Martin Brandner and Werner Gnigler the JP shaper.

We already started working on the development of future slalom boards which rises my big motivation even more and I see very nice things to come. Just super happy to be part of this great team!!”

 Martin Brandner the JP brand manager had this to say:

“We have been in close contact with Pascal already 3 years ago as we saw that he is very talented and has big potential. We think it is a perfect time for him to join us now as we have big plans with our Slalom and Foilboard development. Pascal brings great testing and development experience which makes him a perfect fit with the rest of our team. We have seen that he stays very calm even when competition gets hectic, he is strong in all kind of conditions and we think he has everything it takes to become a Champion.”

PHOTO CREDIT – Mathias Asencio

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Best of Windsurfing 2017,HD,Windsurfing, tutorial Windsurfing 2017, top Windsurfing 2017. Windsurfing is a surface water sport that combines elements of surfing and sailing. It consists of a board usually 2.5 to 3 meters long, with displacements typically between 60 to 250 litres, powered by wind on a sail. The rig is connected to the board by a free-rotating universal joint and consists of a mast, 2-sided boom and sail. The sail area generally ranges from 2.5 m2 to 12 m2 depending on the conditions, the skill of the sailor, the type of windsurfing being undertaken and the weight of the person wind surfing. For everyone who loves windsurfing..

Sarah Hauser moved from New Caledonia to Maui at the age of 23 to pursue windsurfing. In her time on the island, she’s become the 2016 American Windsurfing Tour champion, 2016 Female Windsurfer of the Year and 2016 Aloha Classic Vice-Champion. She made her PWA debut in 2014 at the Aloha Classic, won the 2015 American Windsurfing Tour title and on top conquered the massive waves of Pe’ahi. In the beginning of February she had her third session at Jaws and she is one of a few windsurfing women, who has the courage to take on this challenge. She talk: “I was born and raised in New Caledonia, a French island located in the South Pacific surrounded by a coral reef barrier which allows big waves to break during the winters. Yet I didn’t feel like I was predestined to become a wave sailer. My father, who is a sailor, an adventurer and a doctor, taught me how to spearfish, to windsurf on flat-water, and to maintain boats. I fell in love with the ocean and yet at 15 years old still had never seen a breaking wave. When the day finally came I was almost 16 and I knew without a doubt that my whole life would be about surfing. I went to school in Grenoble (France) and got a masters degree in Computer Science in 2012. At the age of 23 I was autonomous and determined to become an athlete. I moved to Maui, Hawaii where I met my husband Casey Hauser.

For the last 3 years, I’ve competed internationally as a windsurfer and a Stand Up Paddler in the surfing and racing disciplines. I forged my reputation as a big wave challenger by windsurfing Jaws in 2013. While my focus has been on training for wave sailing, I’ve continued to expand my expertise, also getting coverage in surfing, long-boarding, SUP and windsurf racing. I believe versatility is a strength, and it helps me improve faster. A lot of my tenacity comes from being a musician. 12 years of classical piano at the New Caledonia Conservatory of Music made me a dedicated hard worker. Writing and performing my own songs and playing acoustic and electric guitar in bands introduced me to the joy of sharing a message with an audience. These are skills that I still use everyday to train as well as to perform and communicate through my wave sailing. “

Via LanAnh Phan

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The UKWA are very pleased to announce the winner of the prestigious Windsurfer of the year Trophy for 2017/18 is Emma Wilson. Emma an RSX sailor nominated in the racing category and won the award after a public vote. At just 18 she is one of the youngest recipients of this award and unbelievably this is not the first time she had been nominated for it. As she was one of the nominees in 2014 when she won the Youth world Championships at just 15.

Growing up as the daughter of two-time Olympian and three-time World champion, Penny Wilson (nee Way), it looked inevitable that Emma was destined for greatness on a windsurfer. Emma has done her dues though and worked hard through RYA Zone squad and on to RSX where she has excelled. Winning Youth Championships in 2014, 2016 and now 2017.

Bob Ingram The UKWA Chairman had this to say about Emma “ I have know Emma and her family for many years and so pleased for her following in her mums footsteps and she is a very worthy winner of this award. To win anything once is a great achievement but to defend a title with all the other sailors gunning for your title is both difficult and an extremely challenging physical and mental effort.

Only a true champion can raise their game when the chips are down. Emma is without doubt a real windsurfing star of the future” 

We would also like to congratulate all the other worthy nominees. Adam Lewis (Wave) Jim Crossley (Speed) Ross Williams (Slalom) and Nik Hibdige (Freestyle). They do a fantastic job flying the UK flag around the world.

 Emma takes over the title of UKWA Windsurfer of the Year from last year’s winner, Freestyler Max Rowe and joins a long line of very worthy winners.

The post UKWA WINDSURFER OF THE YEAR 2017 appeared first on Windsurf Magazine.

“ PETER HART – FILLING IN THE GAPS ”

Words Peter Hart  //  Photos  Hart Photography, Andy Stallman

Originally published within the July ’17 edition.

Some claim to have a preference for watching drying paint over messing around in light winds – and by so doing miss out on a guaranteed road to improvement. Peter Hart shows how to use a WindSUP to plug the gaping holes in your technique game – and have a bit of fun at the same time.

In the Green Room pub in Kerry, the conversation turned to WindSUPs. We were glowing from a gloriously fruitful day on them in light winds and small waves where all the group had light bulb moments with regards to the tactics and techniques of wave-riding. I chanted from my favourite hymn sheet about what a peerless teaching aid they are. In the past, I droned on, our ‘light wind alternatives,’ were going biking to the pub or staring miserably at the docile ocean – now, we just go windsurfing. Every day is good for something – and a 5 day course is so much better for the variety of experiences. Everyone nodded in polite agreement – until the second pint, when as usually happens, they lose all respect for me and start having their own opinions. The first to pipe up was Irish Ned who in his singing SE brogue told of his friend John whose demanding partner only grants him the very occasional 2 hour pass. So he’s never going to waste one of them twiddling around in a zephyr, when what he craves to preserve his sanity is a proper gale-driven, nostril-flaring, fully powered speed fix.

Better to be better
Coaches tend to see the world myopically believing that everyone who takes up windsurfing wants to improve all the time – when many surely are happy just going for a lovely sail, drinking in the environment and revelling in the ‘not-being-at-work-or-mending-the-fence’ release.
But actually I don’t buy that. Even if you took up golf just to get out of the house, you’d be happier hitting a clean, straight shot than shanking the ball through the clubhouse window. Speedy John would enjoy his escape session even more if his reaction to gusts and lulls was more calmly instinctive and less crisis management; if he went even faster and if for once he didn’t mess up his rig change and didn’t punctuate the end of every reach with an energy-sapping waterstart. All those improvements are tricky to master in strong winds – too much is happening too quickly.
Whichever level I’m coaching at, I note that the reason for most problems stems back to the shortage of a basic skill. And being short of an essential skill is NOT the sole preserve of the struggling intermediate. For example Miranda with her Vulcan and Geoffrey with his flare gybe are both struggling because they haven’t grasped the concept of releasing the nose before a move.
So coming up I’m going to identify the commonest missing skills and suggest which light wind exercises you can do to correct the situation.
But first – a few tips about your choice of WindSUP and rig.

Practice Tools
I’m not going to ramble on here. It’s a bit of minefield and Tris Best in his WindSUP testing feature picks an informed path through it. Just let me tell you how design, size, setup and rig choice size are relevant to the session ahead.
The whole point of this exercise is to encourage mobility of hands, feet, body and rig – get out of your box, stretch your limbs, lift your head and smell the roses. Force 2-4 is the ideal practice wind. We’re not looking to plane so by rigging a sail bigger than 5.7 you’re making life unnecessarily difficult … and missing the point. The more power you have to resist, the less you can move. The idea is not to plane but to get used to chucking the rig around, holding it in unusual positions and powering it up in different ways.
After his first session on his WindSUP in the waves, Charlie said: “the most confusing thing was that with no footstraps, I didn’t know where to put my feet.” That is the idea – a totally bare deck encourages you to feel the effect of foot positions on trim and manoeuvrability.
If yours has a daggerboard or optional central fin I suggest you lose them if your aim is to relate the exercises to planing moves. Without a dagger the board pivots and slides and to go upwind you have to use the upwind rail (edge) for resistance, in the same way you would on a small board. BUT … most inflatables, thanks to their thick rounded edges, are very hard to sail upwind without a dagger.
Length is important. The glory of a SUP is its long waterline, which gives you a beautiful sensation of gliding and heightens your awareness of longitudinal trim. If you go too short (sub 9’) you miss out on that. If you go super long (above 12’) they’re a mission to turn, especially in waves and even more especially if you’re light. As for the choice of hard or inflatable – both do the job – but for performance, especially in waves, hard ones with their thinner sharper rails (notably those under 10’ with ‘all-round’ in their title) do it a bit better.

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Part 1 – Power Control – the instinctive resister
You’re probably familiar with the expression: “If your only tool is a hammer, everything looks like a nail.” The primary stance sinner is he or she (but mostly he), who buoyed by a degree of strength and a spirit of derring-do, enjoyed an accelerated journey into strong winds and planing. Their success (and success it is because they are loving this crazy new, skimming sensation) relies on having a lot of reserve power. By reserve power, I mean they have more than is strictly necessary to get them planing.
As a result, their relationship with the rig is primarily about resistance and pulling back against the force that is trying to pull them over. Resistance is their hammer. It’s a blunt instrument that leaves them:
• prone to oversheeting in gusty winds
• permanently in the back seat when entering speedy tacks and gybes
• very short of the subtle trimming skills needed to move down to smaller kit.
These first two exercises aim to completely change your power control instincts.

All in the front arm
‘Opening and closing the door’ is a useful analogy to help the beginner understand sheeting in and out. The front hand is the hinge; the back hand holds the door handle.
But ultimately the front arm should do an equal amount of power control. In fact the better you get, the more you use the front hand to manoeuvre and power the rig.
Drop the back hand back a metre, hold it still, head off on a reach and use the front arm to alter the sail angle – bending it to sheet out, extending it to sheet in.
This is a game-changer and introduces the concept of that you push rather than pull to increase power and speed. And on a similar note …

Sheet OUT to power up
The defensive resister lives by the maxim: “Pull harder go faster.” In the earliest stages the motto gets him to transmit enough force into the board to make it plane – but thereafter encourages the most destructive habit of all – over-sheeting.
Try this.
Across the wind, drop the back hand back and pull the boom in right over the centre-line. By over-sheeting, you stall the sail and kill much of the power. Then gradually open the sail again and feel it power up as it returns to its most efficient angle. Once again the idea is to reverse a reflex. Running into a gust, the instinct is to pull against – but in a gust, your apparent wind moves back (placing you on a broader reach) so you need to open the sail – and then gather it again as you accelerate. Duck gybes and top turns on waves are two more instances where you power up at the end of the move by opening the sail – where the instinct is to close it.
Power control is instantly easier with mobile hands.

Stance – the platform for success
Film a good sailor from the waist up coming towards you and it would be hard to tell if they were on or off the plane. In both instances the head is up looking over the front shoulder; they’re standing tall, hands back on the boom, arms parallel with the water, hips high. As you ease onto the plane, in terms of the way you stand, address and control the rig, nothing should change – but sadly it often does.
Take away the grunty counter-balance and many feel vulnerable and unsupported at which point they tense up and squat. The remedy is to think less about the rig and more about:
• Your own body shape – is it tall, aligned and balanced or crooked and out of shape?
•  How you are balancing and where the pressure is on your feet.
•  The effect of hand positions on your stance and trim.
Here are three exercises to alert you to your stance, balance and trim.

Find the tipping point and feel the feet.
Defensive planers sail on the heels. They over-commit to windward, bring the rig down over their heads in an “I’ll get my retaliation in first” attitude – their main objective being to avoid a catapult. Unthreatened by the light winds and small rig, the aim now must be to change your relationship with the rig from “don’t pull me over!” to: “please pull me along!”
The exercise in these unthreatening conditions is to find the edge of a catapult.
Stand tall, bear away a little and let the rig pull you more and more upright until you feel yourself toppling over – at the same time feel the pressure move from heels to toes. Then edge back and find the angle where the pressure is spread evenly across the foot and you can trim the board with both toe and heel pressure.
Do it lots, hooked in and out, until you reinterpret ‘edge of catapult’ for ‘position where the rig feels more comfortable and powerful.’

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MULTIPLE CHOICE
Sailing a long WindSUP in various conditions can highlight the pros and cons of certain design features. The long straight edges so good for light wind speed and gliding, do not behave as you might like if you engage too much of them when gybing and especially not when turning on a wave face. Remember the chant – ‘forward for speed, back to turn.’

Those who forget to step back will find that a rail riding WindSUP is a pretty common sight in the waves.

PHOTO Hart Photography

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Hands matching feet
All that is good and bad about a stance stems from the hands. Their position on the boom will determine that of your feet.
We’re facing each other holding hands (stay with me) and lean back as if windsurfing. If I suddenly pull your right hand to the side, you will have to move your right foot out to maintain balance. So on board, if you move your front hand to the front of the boom, your front foot has to move forward to avoid a catapult.
Hence ‘front hand forward’ is the number one cause for slow planing and failure to move into the straps.
The exercise is to see how hand position affects your stance and trim.
Start with the hand forward. Gradually move them back – as you do so move the feet back so the hands are always covering the feet. Keep going until the front hand is only just in front of the balance point and note:
• How far much further back on the board you can stand without it heading up.
• How much more leverage you gain over the rig.

Pumping with one hand
Big loaded-up sails can completely de-sensitise you to the rights and wrongs of pumping. For many it’s a double-arm heave aimed to … well you’re not really sure but it makes the board jump about a bit. Take the load away and you quickly see how easy it is to stall the sail and kill your speed with a bad pump.
Inject some subtlety into the process by trying it with one hand. Place your back hand on the balance point of the boom (the spot where you can sail one handed) and pull gently to start with. What should happen, if the sail is set correctly, is that the rig closes, moves forward and then opens. You then pump again and repeat the process.
You learn that:
• pumping isn’t an in and out thrash but a subtle circular motion where you catch the wind and throw it out the back.
• You are the transmission. If you direct it through your toes right into the board’s balance point, you surge forward. If you stand forward or back of that point, you turn or push water and stop.

One of the greatest benefits of these light wind exercises is the discovery that the rig has a neutral gear.

Manoeuvres – be the dominator.
In a move that is survived rather than controlled, you’re a slave to the rig, hanging onto it for grim death knowing that if you release your vice like grip for a second, it flies away like a greyhound out of the trap. Hence in transitions you’ll shuffle the hands to the new side, sometimes holding both sides at the same time (common in the duck gybe), which in turn means you’re hugging the rig like a safety blanket and have no space to manoeuvre.
The next exercises are all about putting the rig into positions where it balances itself, plays dead, stops fighting you, so you can loosen the grip, sail one handed or even release the rig altogether and just relax.

Finding the balance Point
Sail on a reach, dip the mast to windward and sheet out until the sail starts to backwind. Play with those angles until it’s completely light in the hands and let go – one second at first and then longer and longer. You discover the rig has a neutral gear. It’s the failure to find neutral that leads to a dropped rig during tacks and gybes.

One handed tacks and gybes
See if you can complete a tack or do a gybe rig flip using just one hand. It’s only possible if you find the balance point as the rig is rotating. And as you sheet in on the new tack, you have to move the one hand back down the boom to sheet in.

The boomerang
It’s the trick where you callously throw the rig to the water and it miraculously blows back into your hands. It’s fun, impressive and liberating as you cast caution to the wind and show the rig who’s boss. On a very close reach, move the rig forward at the nose, release the front hand, let the mast swing away and then use the back hand to throw the clew down and forward.

If your timing is right, the act of throwing plus the fact that you’re heading into wind makes the wind hit the other side of the sail and push it back up. Nibble away at it. First let both hands go almost together then gradually let the mast swing further and further down before throwing the back hand. The benefits are two fold – you realise it’s OK to release the front hand first (a ‘no no’ when you were a newbie) which is key to learning moves like the duck gybe. And you learn that when you release the rig altogether, it doesn’t necessarily crash to the floor in an explosion of water and fibreglass.

“ The basic WindSUP question is: do you want to plane on it? If yes, then it will be flat rockered but won’t turn well either in waves or on the flat.An all-round WindSUP (hard) will have a continuous rocker which pushes water as you try to plane but which pivots beautifully. If you’re a good windsurfer with a quiver of planing boards, the latter option has to be the one. ”

A WindSUP session on an Irish wave clinic – people practising all the things they never would if they were powered up on small kit – like tacking between waves, sailing back-winded and thinking tactically.
PHOTO Hart Photography

RIG CONTROL from eccentric positions
Two issues ago I focused on balance and particularly how much more you’ll enjoy a session if you eliminate the unnecessary, energy-sapping falls – falls that could so easily have been saved if only you had more instant control of the rig in eccentric situations like when sailing clew first and back-winded.

Back-winded
‘Backwinded’ means sailing on the wrong side of the sail – that is to say facing the wind on the leeward side, pushing against it rather than pulling. Why you ask? Firstly a number of ‘old skool’ tricks (heli-tacks, up and downwind 360s etc.) and most ‘new skool’ stunts have a back-winded moment – but more importantly it gives you a powerful ‘get out of jail’ card, allowing you to generate force from different angles and save a manoeuvre. Losing balance after a transition, most instinctively pull on the boom to save themselves – but in some instances pushing is more effective. Across the wind in a light breeze, step around the mast as if tacking and take up your stance facing the wind on the new side. It’s all wrong. Smoke puffs from your ears as the brain blows many fuses. The sail pushes at you. You push back – don’t do that or it’ll push back harder.
Power control comes 80% from the front hand – and from tilting the rig over to windward to effectively hide part of the sail. The first aim, after a series of slams, is to keep leaning the rig over to the point where it stops fighting and you can balance it one handed (that hand will be near the front harness strap). And always hold it way at arms length, drop your shoulders forward over the boom and sail on your toes. Understand too that depowering comes from easing the rig towards the back and letting the clew rise (pulling IN the back hand). Powering up comes from easing the rig towards the nose and pushing on the back hand.  We can talk about it as much as we like and it won’t help. You just have to get out, sail, steer up and down, note the changes in pressure and, through repetition, establish a few new neural pathways and learn to react instinctively. The road ahead is bumpy but worth getting wet for.

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BACK-WINDED – not just a trick
Windsurfing is initially about pulling … and then it shouldn’t be. There are many reasons to stand on the wrong side of the sail and resist the power by pushing – sometimes just to show off, other times to give you another choice of counter-balance and save a fall. A new power control method is introduced – that of reducing power by using the front hand to tilt the rig to windward and hide it from the wind.

When back-winded, 80% of the power control comes from the front hand. The best training method is to try and sail with the back hand off – and feel for that leeward angle where the rig balances itself. From there, ease the rig forward to power up and back to ease off. PHOTO Andy Stallman

This exercise – the heli tack leading to upwind 360 with the feet well behind the mastfoot – is one of the first exercises on the new skool freestyle trail. It forces you to get bold, widen your cage of movement, soften the knees and lean right forward to control the nose.  PHOTO Andy Stallman

LETTING GO
A stinking hangover from relentless powered up sailing is the point-blank refusal to relinquish the white-knuckle grip on the boom. They think it’s a tiger that, if released, will eat them. It’s not. It’s a pussy-cat that will play dead or even come back to you if you treat it with gentle respect. If you have the confidence to release one or both hands in manoeuvres, you create a lot more room as well as collecting admirers. The exercises below will teach you to give the rig its freedom.

It’s the oldest pose in the book, but sailing hooked in no-handed remains the best way to sensitise yourself to the sail’s power point. It also teaches you that the main role of the arms when planing is to do the minor tweaks, not the pulling.. PHOTO Hart Photography

The boomerang – so impressive and yet instantly achievable. Throw the mast and then the clew into wind at the nose so the wind hits the other side and blows it back up – it sharpens your wind awareness and introduces the notion of back-winding. PHOTO Andy Stallman

The light wind duck gybe showing the one element missing from many attempts – and that is to get the front hand right to the end of the boom, from where you have space and a clear view of the new side – only possible if you release the sail completely. PHOTO Andy Stallman

Clew First
If I had a cent for every time I’d seen someone make it round a gybe as far as clew first and then blow it, I’d be writing this from Monaco. Being able to sail, steer and respond to gusts clew first is the biggest escape card of all and will save you thousands of waterstarting or uphauling calories.

A couple of things make it a bit of a challenge.
With the sail reversed, the centre of effort lies more over the back of the board and so makes it head up.
Sailing across or upwind, the unsupported leech is the leading edge (the edge the wind hits first) so the sail feels ‘tuggy’ and unstable.
There’s the first tip – don’t try and sail upwind clew first. It’s much easier downwind because the mast is then the leading edge.
The first tip is to do it … lots. Come out of a gybe, change feet but don’t flip the rig – just keep sailing and respond to the unusual pressures.
Like back-winded sailing, the normal sheeting in and out roles are reversed. You pull in the back hand to sheet out and extend it to power up. All you’re doing is hiding the sail from or exposing more area to the wind.
Bearing away is trickier. Step the front foot well forward of the mastfoot and at the same time open the clew hand; direct that pressure through the front foot and push the nose off the wind. In a breeze it takes a bit of grunt.
People drop the rig when they flip it from the clew first position because they release it too close to the wind at which point the leech is really tugging and the thing gets ripped from their hands. The sequence is to bear away, depower by pulling in the clew hand and then bring the rig upright to its balance point so you can centre yourself, stand straight, pressure the heels and anticipate the whip forward – and then release it.
If you release a rig with your weight on the toes and the mast tilted to leeward, you’re only going one way – down face forward.

“ On the SUP you have time to clock the angle of your sail to the wind – and you realise that powering up comes from presenting the maximum area to the wind – which you do from pushing OR pulling.. ”

GYBE EXIT in slow motion
The pic doesn’t look startling, but it’s the position so many fail to adopt as they carve out of a gybe – hips pointing into the turn, shoulders facing out to power up the sail clew first. In light winds, you do a non planing gybe and try and exit without changing rig or feet – the muscles used and the strains experienced are the same as at 30 mph.

Non planing switch foot and clew first – a key position in so many moves. PHOTO Andy Stallman

And while you’re down there – why not indulge yourself with the number one, pre-millennium freestyle trick – the head dip! PHOTO Andy Stallman

Toes down, windward edge up
Under rotation and that horrible feeling of prematurely nose-diving and slamming, is so often down to board angle. If you hesitate or get momentarily defensive, you fall back and weight the heels. As the windward edge drops on take off, the wind hits the deck and drives the board straight back down. You have to take off from your toes. For a start you get more spring – but more importantly, you lift the windward edge, present the underside to the wind, which then drives the nose off downwind. The toes must stay down all the way round.

Here’s the sequence.
Sheet in as you approach the wave, sheet out as you climb the face to release the nose and at the same time drop the toes.
Wait for the wind to blow the nose downwind before picking up the tail and sheeting in again (by straightening the front arm) to power up and rotate.

MORE ‘VROOM’ to your MOVES
A carve gybe where the board seems to ride around a smooth but gentle track on rails elicits a gentle ripple of appreciation. But the one that turns heads and is greeted with a chorus of ‘whoops’ has a calm entry followed by a dynamic gouge where suddenly the whole rail buries and throws up a curtain of spray. The turn is done and dusted in a couple of seconds of raw explosiveness before the sailor returns to a state of calm nonchalance.
That dynamism comes from sheeting in with a growl and  directing that power into exactly the right part of the rail. And it’s something that’s equally powerful off the plane. Here are the elements to practise.

“ The length of the WindSUP alerts many to the notion of fore aft trim and how crucial it is to both speed and ease of turning. ”

The ever mobile back hand
If you don’t move the back hand back down the boom, you limit how hard you can sheet in. It’s by sheeting in that you control the nose, bury the rail and create the explosive power to rise up. I understand the issue. With so much else going on, it’s all too easy to forget to move the back hand.
Get used to it with the WindSUP.
Initially hold a straight line.
Without pushing or pulling, you note that by moving the hand back you immediately sheet in; and as you move it forward again, the sail automatically opens. It’s a less tiring and more efficient way to change the sail angle and instils good habits. The next step is to introduce it into a gybe.

Releasing the nose, reducing the rail.
A common sight is that of someone light wind gybing a SUP and following the turning circle of a super-tanker. No matter how much they scoop the rig and try to steer, the board just bumbles off downwind.
Two things are working against them.
• As they turn downwind the head wind cancels out the real wind and they have no turning force in the sail.
• The long rails of the SUP are gripping the water and resisting turning.
The skill to crack is a ‘spinny’ gybe highlighting 3 key elements.
No bear Away. Start the gybe close to the wind and pivot it within its own length. By NOT bearing away, the rig stays powered.
Release the Nose. Start the gybe by sheeting out and stepping back to release the nose, and get the front section of rail out of the water.
Back hand back. Drop the back hand right back on the boom to give you the leverage to properly sheet in (see above)
With the nose out of the water, you sheet in by stretching out the front arm to
windward and pulling on the back hand. Direct the power into the back foot, at the same time dropping the hips to the inside. If you make yourself the centre of the circle, the board pivots around you.
By changing your position on the board, you get a feel for the rocker-line. Move back so far and the board still doesn’t pivot. Move back an inch more and suddenly it releases. It’s the same with a short board on the plane except the fore and aft movements are more subtle. A board is so much more than just a platform and this light wind exercise alerts you to how crucial your position on the board is to both easy gliding and turning.

Summer is here. That should mean light, warm breezes. Get out there and twiddle. And take joy from the knowledge that if you do tool up for gentle WindSUP practice, a stormy August is guaranteed.

More technique golden nuggets from Harty next month. His website www.peter-hart.com reveals dates and details of his clinics and DVDs – and catch up on latest news on his Peter Hart Masterclass Facebook page.

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Jericoacoara, in the north of Brazil, has some of the most regular wind and outstanding conditions of anywhere. It’s no surprise the world’s best windsurfers come to train in this stunning resort.

From August until February, there is no better place to windsurf than Jericoacoara. From flat water to full on wave sailing, with over 90% days F4+ Aug to Dec and over 70% days F4+ Jan to Feb. These months you can expect to use sail sizes ranging from 4m to 5.5m. January onwards is less challenging and beginners can practice in the early morning.

There are three main spots. The Point, in front of the centre, mostly flat with small wave sets. Once outside, on the wind line, head to the famous Sunset Dune – the best freeride sailing in the bay. Malhada, upwind of the point, is the local jumping beach, although remote and with some rocks it’s for advanced and pro sailors only.

Club Ventos is in the best location for windsurfers in Jeri, situated in a beautiful garden right on the water’s edge, so you can always keep an eye on the action or relax on the sunbeds. The latest 100% carbon PRO rental boards arrive in October from JP and Starboard, and the centre has NeilPryde sails rigged on 90% carbon RDM masts. You can pre-book instruction courses and enjoy activities such as SUP, kayaking, surfing and kiteboarding.

There’s a wide range of accommodation from local pousadas to luxury hotels all within 15 minutes’ walk.

CONTACT
Club Ventos
www.clubventos.com
info@clubventos.com
+55 88 3636-3006

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Cool action from Bonaire Pink Beach on the 9th January 2018 with Taty Frans!

Via KUMAMOVIE7

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Indonesia is one of the world’s richest surf archipelagos and lately, it’s been on overdrive! Surfing websites have been awash with drooling pictures of some of the best swells in years as wave after wave poured into Bali and beyond. A hyperactive Indian Ocean did not escape the attention of global wave hunter, Jason Polakow. He teased us on social media but now read the full story of Jason’s epic ‘Indo’ mission in his own inimitable words.

Words   Jason Polakow  //  

Photos © Red Bull Media House / Jenya Ivkov

It has been quite some time since my last trip to Indonesia and I’ve been looking into a new adventure in this part of the world ever since. I have never really figured out where the best location might be as there are so many islands within the Indonesian belt that all have potential, but to find the right island that has the perfect balance between wind and swell is the real challenge. Travelling to remote locations that do not have a reliable source of intel. is always a stressful time for me. The stress does not come from the time spent travelling but the investment in resources that it takes to pull off a big project in a remote area. Looking at maps constantly only gets you so far before you have to decide should I stay or should I go! Unfortunately I cannot disclose the location of the island I went too, as the local crew would not take kindly to their spot being publicized, so my apologizes on not divulging the exact location.

MISSION START
So here’s how the story goes – after 4 flights, a car ferry and a long taxi drive I finally arrived at my destination after 4 days of travel. My first view of the ocean did not come till I was dumped on the road by the airport bus in a remote village. It was low tide and I could see about 700 metres of dry reef with tiny waves breaking on the outside. The local people who help out surfers in this area were not used to all my oversized bags. All the surfers rent scooters with side racks for their surfboards. I needed something bigger and after walking with my gear along the road for about half an hour, one of the local stores had a 3 wheeled motor bike with a loading box on the back that I later found out was used for garbage runs. It was the perfect solution for transporting my gear and after negotiating with 7 local Indonesians, I had my ride for the week.

The next obstacle was trying to find a boat big enough for all my equipment and that could motor outside the reef and check other passes in the reef. All the small boats stay inside the reef so I had to find a large fishing boat that would be willing to venture outside the reef and close to the surf. There are some motorized tin boats for the surfing camps, but they are full of surfers and don’t travel to the windy locations that I wanted to check out. I rented a small wooden canoe with a guide that spoke English and together we paddled from fishing boat to fishing boat trying to get someone to help me. After about an hour of paddling and chatting with the local fisherman we found a fishing boat big enough that would accept my terms. The boat itself was super sketchy and probably about 40 years old. The guy would spray a fuel cocktail into the carburettor to get the old girl fired up and the captain steered the boat with two pieces of rope that were tied to the keel. I was loving it!

RECON
The next day before the swell we spent the day looking at passes in the reef and trying to figure out the best location to windsurf. By the end of the day I had picked about 3 possible locations including one of the main spots the surfers go. We also had to consider where to put the photographers to keep them safe as the exposed reefs on low tide fill up with water quickly, especially with a pumping new ground swell. I went to sleep that night nervous and hoping it would all work out.

DAWN PATROL
By first light I could see the swell hitting the outside reef. It looked to be a good size and the film crew and myself shuttled from the canoes on the shoreline out to the fishing boats that were moored in deeper waters. We motored straight to a location that was on the top of my list. A few surfers were already out and I could see instantly, there was no need to check my other locations out. Perfect 6 to 8 foot waves peeled for an eternity down this reef and there seemed to be 3 main sections to the wave. Surfers were getting sick waves but they had trouble connecting all the way through, primarily due to the speed and distance between each of the sections. I was basically looking at the most perfect windsurfing wave ever. I could not believe my luck. This almost never happens. I started to freak out on the boat and I could not wait to hit the water.
I rigged on the boat, jumped into the water and was in the line-up in minutes. I could instantly tell that it was almost straight offshore making conditions very gusty. This coupled with very light winds made this location a battle all day long to catch the right waves, but I’ve sailed many locations around the world like this, so for me it was just another day.

DROP ZONE
To consistently catch waves, I found that one of the best ways was to be out of my straps and wait right at the bottom of the breaking wave. I would get sucked up the face of the wave and as it broke I would then air drop down the wave and shuffle my feet into the straps. It sounds impossible but the wave itself was quite a soft wave, so doing this type of take-off was actually super fun. The only drawback to this was you had to be in the exact perfect spot. If you were too far outside and the lip did not catch the board you would peel out the back or if you were too far inside you would get hit, resulting in a very long swim and even longer walk on the reef to get back out to the channel and into the line-up.  The best waves were the ones that had a long wall that looked like they would close-out. The best setup was to catch them at the top of the reef and if your speed and timing was right you could make it all the way down the reef, passing the 3 sections and gybe safely into the channel.

MOJO RISING
I had my mojo going by midday and I was getting a few turns at the top section of the reef, then I would blast about 100 metres down to the mid section where the wave had its best wall and shape. You could bust a few airs and hacks, then blast another 100 metres down to the last section where you would still have a good wall to air or slash off a few times. I had so much fun trying to time each of the sections perfectly, so I would arrive at each part of the wave at exactly the right time. Some of my rides were so long I was getting tired towards the end of the ride and once you pulled off into the channel the top of the reef was at least 500 metres away.

“ If your speed and timing was right you could make it all the way down the reef, passing the 3 sections and gybe safely into the channel. ”

Due to the offshore winds I could hug the line-up all the way to the top of the reef and tack at any point along the reef to catch waves that would pop up along my journey upwind. It was actually so offshore I could sail from the channel to the reef starboard tack. Not the ideal wind direction but still good enough for me to have a blast. At one point during the day I was almost able to catch every big set and then get back into the line-up within minutes. This is one of the reasons I love windsurfing. We can catch so many perfect waves and put ourselves in the perfect spot every time. When you only get one epic day you want to maximize your time and windsurfing is the perfect tool for that job. A surfer would never see some of the viewpoints I had during my day. Being so deep and looking way down the line to your next point of entry is the best feeling in the world!

SOLO, SO GOOD
At times I was the only person in the line-up, watching these perfect waves go unridden. Equally as weird is catching any wave you want at anytime. Being so used to jostling for position with paddle surfers, SUP guys and kitesurfers, it’s really a big component to what we do on the water. But here on this lonely reef all that is gone. It’s such a great feeling to just concentrate on waves alone. By the end of day I had put in six straight hours on the water and there was still enough light to catch more but I was just too tired.  We all celebrated that night with a couple of Bintang beers at the bar and very happy we scored epic conditions.

JP – KA 1111

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