2014 GOYA FREESTYLE WAVE 105L THRUSTER TEST REVIEW REPORT
2014 GOYA FREESTYLE WAVE 105L THRUSTER TEST REVIEW REPORT
THE LOW-DOWN Goya’s ONE series has been trimmed down to just three sizes following their ‘one-board-does’ concept that used to span 72-144 litres. Replacing the singlefin 104, the all-new 105 features thruster capability but is supplied with a 29 cm MFC 21 series G10 centre fin and MT blanks for the sidebite boxes. The new (85/95/105) models replace what were the freestyle wave section of that range, but are now effectively marketed as wave boards, or ‘real world’ boards capable of sailing in almost all conditions.
BRAND CLAIM “Freewave airtime coupled with Thruster torque. Imagine turning and sliding with all new angles and speed. This is the magic of the new One Thrusters. These new shapes turn average onshore conditions into carving paradises. They spark creativity and ignite maneuvers that may not even exist yet because the new One can travel paths on real world waves that simply haven’t been traveled before.”
PERFORMANCE Looking at the ONE, which seems wider in outline than the previous incarnations, it appears like there’s a freestyle shape’s nose and a waveboard’s tail. That width is the first thing you pick up on the water with a nice secure feeling off the plane – feeling in fact like a board with at least 5 more litres to be honest – which will be handy for those looking to nail tacks in lighter wind for example. The low-end and acceleration is useful, especially for the big boys, although there are shapes with more top-end speed in this selection – but that’s missing the point really, as this is a board that’s all about the turning. Around the bends we recognized shades of the 2013 Quad line behavior, with a lot of drive and acceleration through the apex of the carve. The general ride is comfortable. We think that’s mostly down to the extremely pronounced double concave producing a distinctly waveboardy feel. That sensation is emphasised by the flat deck and upright stance. The tail has a nice balance between having thin enough rails to carve and slash and volume and width for pop. In singlefin mode this could be a jumping weapon amongst some decent ramps, lifting-off like an old skool single, but with a modern, compact outline and thruster option for the rides back in. If it’s dedicated wave use you’re after, you might like to try the easy-to-sail Goya Quad range, (see our Oct & Nov/Dec issues for tests on the 84 & 94 respectively) but, if you’re after some versatility – or just like thrusters and/or singlefins – then our advice would be to get to a dealer or demo and experiment with some sidebites and/or possibly a smaller centre fin.
THE VERDICT If you’re undecided between a freestyle wave and pure wave board then with the Goya ONE you can’t go wrong – especially if your ambitions are to eventually be in the surf. Feeling like a larger board, but behaving like a smaller size, this 105 is also ideal for heavyweights.
2014 105-LITRE FREESTYLE-WAVE BOARDS TEST REVIEW REPORTS
JACK OF ALL TRADES
What is a freestyle-wave? Why would I need one? Why don’t I just make up my mind and either buy a freestyle board or a [big] wave board?
Until recently, a freestyle-wave (FSW) shape was more or less a flatter rockered, i.e., faster version, of a more bananery waveboard’s bottom curve. The idea was to make ‘getting around the park’ and planing easier, help us approach ramps faster – and subsequently go higher – all while we’re still able to tear into some half-decent ‘real world’ waves.
BIG BROTHER The original popularity of these shapes, that suited a lot of us more than the dedicated wave board we really wanted, came about as many people saw them as a sensible, floatier partner to their smaller, hard-core wave toy, being a more suitable pick for lighter wind conditions. (A good way to ‘justify’ getting that shiny pro wave model as well!)
However, the arrival of more ‘compact’ (shorter and wider) shapes across many brands’ ranges of all types of boards, has seen more and more large wave boards that rival these bigger FSW offerings appear on the market. They bring increased turning ability on the waves with them thanks to their reduced length fitting ‘in-the-pocket’ better than before.
PRINCIPAL TEST TEAM
James Randall 70 kg. Med. Height
Julian Da Vall 83 kg. 1.95 Tall
Toby Gibson 87 kg. 1.90 Tall
Brian McDowell 98 kg. 1.90 Tall
Thanks also to: Kevin Salmon, Kevin Pijl
However, when we want to try some freestyle or go for a blast, the FSW always hits the mark better, especially when we move the straps outboard, pair it with a larger sail and maybe a deeper fin for the sake of it too. Away from the coast, we also see FSWs as excellent ‘change-down’ boards for lake sailors who, often, effectively use them as high-wind freeriders that, from time to time, enjoy a day trip to the seaside.
But, as overall board lengths continue to reduce, we’re now seeing FSWs that also fit the curve of more challenging surf better – plus they help you catch it more easily too. Yet compact wave boards now too have faster/flatter rocker lines just as FSWs are seeing multifins added to aid turning – and so the lines are blurring more than ever. (And you’ll notice 4 multifin options in this selection here.)
‘BUT I CAN’T FREESTYLE – AND I’M NOT LIKELY TO EITHER’ In this selection you’ll notice some shapes are effectively large waveboards, (Quatro, Simmer, Goya) some are true crossover outlines (Fanatic, JPAustralia and RRD) a few are sort of ‘high-wind freeriders (Tabou and Naish) that can go in the surf a bit’ – kind of modern takes on the ‘wave-slalom, think Sunset Slalom if you’re old enough – which only really leaves us the Starboard as clearly more oriented to freestyle use.
Don’t get us wrong. You can, with a bit of fin swapping here and there, achieve some high-enough-level freestyle tricks on all of these boards – not that they’re ideal for learning freestyle mind – and you can ride every single one of these in half decent surf, but there is some bias, understandably, in each to be aware of as you make up your mind.
One other thing to consider, if waves are your ultimate aim, is that some large waveboards might be worth considering, but bear in mind the surfier shapes here are not a million miles away – very close in fact regarding the Simmer, Goya and the Quatro – and are well worth a spin if you can’t make up your mind – especially if it’s the 105L territory you’re assessing the landscape of. (So potential one-board quivers for heavier riders or lighter wind shapes for medium or lightweights.) But remember the scope for outboard/blasting straps that FSWs offer if that’s important to you.
FINS In slalom tests boards don’t come supplied with fins and in freeride and wave tests we’d expect the fins supplied to be the ‘best possible’ options. Yet, with FSWs, there has to be some scope to change fins according to use (e.g., smaller fins for wave use and specialist freestyle fins) so the ones supplied are probably, especially being powerbox in a lot of instances, understandably going to be limited in their range of use. However, for testing purposes we have to focus on the ones they come with, so our conclusions are based on those rather than what, in an ideal world, would see us try all sorts of fins out given the time and conditions.
THINGS TO BEAR IN MIND ABOUT THE TESTING
• We’ve tested individual models, NOT ranges, so have an open mind if it’s other sizes of the products we review that you’re considering.
• We only had two bona fide freestylers in team.
• We mainly used these on 6.0 crossover sails.
• Most of these shapes are available in cheaper constructions too.
For this run-out we spent two weeks in Dahab with good conditions, (12-33 knots) including some uncharacteristically cold, dense air with onshore wind that was more reminiscent of ‘home’. Egypt is fantastic and consistent and all, but there’s no real current and the air is thin. But, you need a reliable fortnight for a genuine test, a good base like we have at Harry Nass’ Centre 1, plus we had other freeride items to work through, so, although there aren’t really waves to test their true wave ability, there is chop and swell to explore the different characteristics. That said, ironically, on the flat water you can learn a surprising amount about their carving performance and rail-to-rail ability.
You can definitely feel the wavier stances and deck shapes and, as they’re all pretty short and therefore able to fit into the pocket of half decent surf, we know from the rocker line in the turns on unbroken swell which ones have more bite in the rails and kick in the tail and of course which ones possess the most pop!
CONCLUSIONS All these boards feel different, but they nearly all tick the same boxes. They nearly all ‘do it all’. Outside of the two extreme ends of this selections’ FREERIDE/FREESTYLE< >WAVESAILING spectrum, if you got on one independently somewhere and liked it, you’d probably not believe there’s a better one available. You really have to sail them all side-by-side to get the best perspective.
In fact we think that ourselves and a few other mags are the only ones to really get a good cross-section of the market in each segment. Most brands even don’t get the chance to comparatively test all their competitors’ boards – not the new year’s ones anyway …
Basically, there is quality across the board, but some match some briefs more than others and some suit some styles of sailing, sailor, sail and location more than others. In writing, the differences might sound subtle, but in feeling they’re not. Trust us, if we say they do everything and are wonderful, they are. BM
Special thanks to Harry Nass Centre Dahab, F-Hot/Dave White for the loan of their mast mounts, I Love Meet and Greet Gatwick Parking Services and North Sails / K-66 for adjustable outhauls.
Wild Diamond offer RYA courses (Start windsurfing, intermediate and advanced courses) and non RYA courses for beginners to experts. Windsurfing for all levels (except waves) is delivered in two hour blocks allowing for maximum progress without tiring student out too much in any one sitting.
Tiree is the perfect destination for ALL levels of windsurfing and home to the annual windsurfing competition the Tiree Wave Classic.
Beginners and Intermediates we recommend to visit us at any stage through our season. All instruction for this level of sailor is based at Loch Bhasapol in the Township of Cornaig.
Advanced and Wave Sailors we recommend to visit us during March, April, May, June, September and October which are Tiree’s windier months. This instruction can be based at Loch Bhasapol or at any of Tiree’s fantastic beach venues, depending on suitable conditions.
Our centre stocks a range of equipment including Simmer Style, Fanatic, Tabou and Naish which suits all ages and abilities. Whatever your level the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly and our instructors will build a personal sailing development plan around you to allow you to accomplish your windsurfing ambitions whilst staying on Tiree. Rig from the back of our trailer. Hassle free windsurfing!
Our advanced setup is run from the back of a large mobile box trailer and this in turn allows us to access any beach on the island within twenty minutes of making the decision to sail. The beauty of it is that on arrival all you have to do is throw your boom on your sail, connect your board and go! Oh yeah… and put your wetsuit on! It can be sunny but it isn’t Hawaii!
The advantage of this is made even more obvious when the conditions change and you have to change equipment to suit. five minutes later you are effectively de-rigged and re-rigged and good to go again on the correct equipment. All of the hassle is removed from the process. Equipment ready to go at the Loch edge!
Our inland windsurfing base at Loch Bhaspol allows us to work from the waters edge on one of the best beginner / intermediate / advanced windsurfing lakes in Europe. The loch has a sandy bottom and is shallow for two hundred metres or so from the centre building. It is the windiest spot on the island with any wind direction with south in it and is warm enough to sail in a shorty wetsuit in the summer!
All of our equipment is stored rigged in a shed buy the waters edge and ready to go at a moments notice. Our sessions in the summer are very popular and regularly book out. Booking in advance is strongly advised to avoid disappointment throughout July and August.
Windsurfing Courses
Our course takes you through all the basics of how to get started in the world of windsurfing. Traditionally it is a harder sport to learn than dinghy sailing, but with greater speeds and jumps it’s hard not to enjoy this fantastic sport once you put in the time to master the basics. Nothing beats the feeling of moving across the water powered only by the wind.
Junior School Holiday Windsurfing Courses
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of blasting along on a board with your feet locked into the footstraps! This 5 day course (am or pm) is for all you 8-15 year old adrenalin-junkies out there. It’s great fun and once you’ve tried it, you’ll be hooked!
Adult Windsurfing Courses
Perfect for complete beginners with no previous or little experience looking to get out on the water. We take you through all the basics and get you on the water in a safe and fun learning environment.
Team 15
A national rya program aimed at keeping you windsurfing after you complete stage 1 windsurfing. The team trains once every week in the summer season we compete in area and national events. This is the best way to enhance your skills on a board. our coaches have proven they coach to the highest level. the oxford zoomers team has a training roomo full of trophies!!
Wet n Dry Boardsports use land-based simulation, on-the-water demos and group coaching to help beginner windsurfers learn and understand the basics of windsurfing.
All of the learning is made easier through the use of modern widestyle beginner boards and light, beginner rigs.
The shallow, flat-water at Chalkwell or Eastbeach beach provide a perfect spot to learn windsurfing.
We provide you with everything you need to participate, inlcuding a high-quality, single lined glued and blind-stitched wetsuit, shoes and buoyancy aid. The only thing you need to bring is your towel.
All of our instructors are fully qualified and are hand-picked to ensure you have the best learning experience – plenty of fun whilst still learning!
Windsurf lessons
We also provide 1 to 1 lessons for advanced Windsurfers.
1 : 1 Lesson £30 per hour
1 : 1 Lesson with kit provided £35 per hour
Please feel free to contact us at the shop on 01268 569988. If were at the beach on 07971 830087 or email Jamie at jamie@wetndryboardsports.com if you have any enquires regarding this course.
Windsurfing is one of the most exciting watersports on offer. Thanks to its unique location, Calshot offers the ideal venue with both sheltered water for the novice and open water for the more experienced.
We are an RYA Training Centre and offer courses at all levels from novice to instructor.
Once you have mastered the basics you will be able to progress your skills via our regular supervised sessions, under the guidance of an instructor who will provide safety cover and offer top tips.
An excellent range of modern boards and rigs are available for immediate use.
This complete package offers excellent value for money and is hassle free – no board or rigs to purchase, storage or transporting of kit to worry about – book a board, sail, go home – easy!
The North Welsh Coastline has enormous windsurfing potential, with locations like Rhosneigr and West Kirby (ok technically on the Wirral) being famous for their popularity, and conditions.
We are really excited to be able to develop the pathway for people to get into windsurfing in North Wales.
As with sailing, we offer taster sessions, allowing you to get a flavour of what it is all about. You get two and a half hours of tuition, including wetsuits, and all kit for just £15!
Windsurfing has a reputation for being hard to learn, due to the design of the kit when the sport was first founded. These days it is a lot easier as we have kit designed specifically for beginners which provides a wide stable platform to take you through your first steps as a windsurfer.
We offer windsurfing instruction through the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) scheme, from Start Windsurfing for complete beginners, and intermediate courses, to aid speedy progression. The scheme is designed around a series of two day courses to maximise the speed of your learning whatever your age or ability. The RYA courses are recognised around the world.
RYA Start Windsurfing ( £150) - This is your introduction to the sport, and will take you to a level where you are standing up, sailing around, making progress towards and away from the wind with a few gybes thrown in as well.
RYA Youth Stage 1 (£120) - Getting you on the water and turning, steering, and generally having a good time with a few fun challenges thrown in as well.
RYA Youth Stage 2 (£120) - Building on the stage one skills to fine tune what we have learned, making those tacks and gybes slicker, and improving speed.
RYA Youth Stage 3 (£120) - This course gets you looking at the skills required for stronger winds, including harnesses and stance to make everything faster and more exciting.
Unsure if any of this is for you? We also run short tasters for just £15 throughout the season.
We also have a Team 15 club (youth windsurfing club) which meets twice a week, to hone skills, and generally have a good time on the water.
We also offer private tuition, with our skilled instructors. Duncan (our Development Manager) is a skilled wave-sailer who has turned his hand at most windsurfing disciplines. He can help shake off those bad habits, sand away the rusty bits, and have you blasting, water starting, carve gybing or whatever it is that takes your fancy.
Colwyn Bay is an extremely safe location for intermediates who are looking to move on to coastal locations. We can provide safety cover and maybe even some handy hints, and will be looking to run progression sessions on suitable days. We like to help give you the confidence to get out on the sea with some independence, but with the security of a tow back to the beach if it doesn’t all go your way.
When we are not running courses, our windsurfing equipment is available for hire. All we ask is that you can prove your competence either by producing a relevant RYA certificate or by showing our instructors. We have kit from 2.5m beginner rigs up to 4.5m with beginner boards down to 160l, from the Tabou and Gaastra ranges.
‘This shows the footage and action from my Wavesailing coaching weeks in Marvellous May 2013.
‘We were hosted by Lawamas for beds, breakfast and lunch, by Fettah and his fab team, and for toys and delicious lunches it was over to Bruno and the Magic Fun Afrika team.
‘The conditions were excellent with a variety of wave size from small to nerve racking. Over 2 weeks we had wind 5 days out of 7 and action to be had on the upwind break, main peak and the reef break.
‘I am in Marvellous Moulay every May so come and join me but please book soon as this clinic is one of my fastest selling and with a huge return rate. See you there in 2015!’
Jem leaves for Moulay today and is selling out his last spots for 2014:
PSC, Baja, Mexico – August 2 Clinic LAST PLACES
Brandon Bay, Ireland – September 27 Selling Fast
Jeri, Brazil – Dec. 7 – 15 Selling Fast / Clinic 1 SOLD OUT
An intense minute of pre-season training action from Gollito Estredo.
Filmed at his home spot of El Yaque, on Isla Margarita, Venezuela, it’s clear to see the five-time freestyle World Champ is hell-bent on regaining his crown in 2015.
The May 2014 Issue of the world’s only monthly English-language windsurfing magazine is out now! Subscribe or grab your copy now in either App or Print versions! (Prices include delivery anywhere globally 10 times a year.)
ULTIMATE WORKOUTS
SORT OUT YOUR STANCE // FIT TO SAIL // CAPE TOWN SPOT GUIDE
IN THE PIT
DRIVE John Carter profiles his arch-enemy Scott McKercher and finds out what life’s been like since he quit the tour and headed-up Starboard’s waveboard R&D program.
THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY – With a premiere deadline looming, Below the Surface Producer, the late André Paskowski, despatched PWA pro Klaas Voget on a Tolkien voyage to find – and film – waves among the fjords.
COAST Finn and Timo Mullen summoned JC on a classified mission to North West Ireland. With a top-secret point break firing, high security was paramount. Apart from the pictures and story that we garnered from Carter in a brutal interrogation debrief that is. (He buckled and spilt the beans on sight of a bacon sandwich and a bag of crisps.)
GEAR HEADS
BOARD TEST (115L Slalom boards.) Have you got what it takes to sail full-on race gear? Why should you be getting into it? If you want
a buzz like sailing big surf gives you – all the time – then you need to re-think and get stuck into this …
SAIL TEST (7.8 Slalom sails.) Okay. So we’ve sold it to you right? Now which is fastest? Raw, unadulterated power, or smooth and energy-efficient control?
THE 7.8 SLALOM SAILS LINEUP
GAASTRA VAPOR 7.9
NEILPRYDE RS: SLALOM 7.8
NORTH WARP 7.8
POINT-7 7.8 AC-1
RRD FIRE 7.8
SIMMER SCR 7.8
SEVERNE REFLEX 7.8
SUMMER WETSUITS BUYERS’ GUIDE Slim and supple rubber and the latest technologies to extend your precious time on the water.
SLALOM FINS BUYERS’ GUIDE No. Good fins don’t just bring incremental gains – they’re the difference between sailing in a straight line – or not! Read this and get in-the-know.
+ PLUS
HIT THE ROAD
CAPE TOWN SPOT GUIDE British Champion Phil Horrocks considers South Africa his winter ‘home-from-home’. So who better to get an inside view from on the best spots around the Cape of Good Hope and some handy travelling tips?
NUGGETS
PETER HART MASTERCLASS Are you fit enough? How do you train smart? We’re usually shy of contentious fitness features, but, as Harty’s been windsurfing for at least three centuries, you should definitely listen to what he has to say.
MOVE ON UP The second in Jem Hall’s new series focuses on effective stance – the foundation for EVERYTHING else we want to – or still need to – master. Whatever your level, you’re simply in denial if there’s not something enlightening in this guide for you.
BOARDSHORTS
LATEST & GREATEST He who dies with the most toys wins.
PEOPLE & PLACES What’s up and what’s going down.
SITTIN’ ON THE DUNNY
EDITORIAL Why does beer taste so good after windsurfing?
AFFAIRS OF THE HART Let’s get physical. As the owner of at least one good knee, Harty’s the chairman of the self-preservation society.
PRYDE JP JAGUAR AND VAN BROECKHOVEN PARTNER FOR DOCUMENTARY
PRESS RELEASE
NEILPRYDE, JP-AUSTRALIA AND JAGUAR CARS PARTNER WITH 2011 FREESTYLE WORLD CHAMPION STEVEN VAN BROECKHOVEN FOR “SECRETS OF THE WIND” DOCUMENTARY
IN BRIEF
NeilPryde/JP-Australia/Jaguar to partner with 2011 Windsurfing World Champion and four-time European Champion Steven van Broeckhoven for “Secrets of the Wind”, a unique documentary style windsurfing travel adventure.
From May 5th to June 3rd 2014 Steven will travel across Europe in a Jaguar XF Sportbrake stopping at Europe’s best windsurfing locations to live out his passion for windsurfing, meet his fans, interact with sports’ celebrities and create exciting stories along the way.
A dedicated microsite secretsofthewind.com as well as regular updates on NeilPryde Social Media Channels will enable the public to follow the journey in real time via #Secretsofthewind and #NeilPryde.
IN DETAIL
NeilPryde, JP-Australia and the iconic British car manufacturer Jaguar will partner with 2011 Windsurfing World Champion Steven van Broeckhoven for a unique documentary style windsurfing travel story “Secrets of the Wind”. From May 5th to June 3rd 2014 Steven and friends will embark on a windsurfing adventure through Europe, which will be documented via a series of short films produced by NeilPryde/JP team rider Andraž Žan.
Following the wind is the dream and passion of every windsurfer and its arrival always signals the beginning of a new adventure. The wind brings a sense of freedom, escape, adrenaline and the excitement of the unknown. The films will attempt to capture the essence of the wind and how it makes one feel alive as seen through the eyes of the ultimate wind worshipper.
“I believe that ‘Secrets of the Wind’ will be an amazing journey and an opportunity to showcase the windsurfing lifestyle, how alive it is and what it means to me”, says Steven van Broeckhoven. “I am particularly excited to travel to my favourite windsurfing destinations in the Jaguar XF Sportbrake, a car that for me represents the ideal windsurfing travel companion thanks to its dynamic ability, practicality and versatility.”
Steven will be starting his journey in Belgium and then following the wind to the Netherlands, France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain and Portugal. “Jaguar is delighted to partner with one of the world’s best windsurfers Steven van Broeckhoven for this exciting journey and provide real time updates on Jaguar’s European Social Media channels. The Sport of Windsurfing is one of the most ‘alive’ sporting disciplines and fits well with our brand promise of delivering an Alive driving experience,” says Marc Lee, Jaguar Brand Manager Europe.
Alex Zenovic, NeilPryde Marketing Director, had this to add: “We are excited to be working with Jaguar again on another collaboration that will promote the sport of windsurfing to the wider community in Europe. This is also a unique opportunity for Steven to show off his skills on a much bigger stage and also have some fun along the way.”
A dedicated microsite www.secretsofthewind.com as well as regular updates on NeilPryde Social Media Channels will enable the public to follow the journey in real time via #NeilPryde and #Secretsofthewind.
The XF Sportbrake is the most versatile derivative of the award winning Jaguar XF.
It represents a compelling combination of elegance and capability – both practical and dynamic.
It extends Jaguar’s design leadership to create a desirable, premium estate.
Remote-fold levers drop the 60:40 split rear seats (with integral ski-hatch) to create up to 1675 litres of load-space.
A full five-seater with an additional 48mm of rear headroom.
Rear air suspension allows for self-levelling while load carrying with no dynamic penalty.
Jaguar’s Adaptive Dynamics System – which continuously monitors the suspension and can adjust damping rates accordingly up to 500 times a second – is available on all XF Sportbrake derivatives.
Tailgate features ‘soft-close’ as standard, and can be specified with fully powered open/close functionality.
Acclaimed premium-quality interior materials used in the cabin are also a feature of the load-space.
Self-leveling rear air suspension allows for constant ride height whatever the load.
Available with both Aero and Black styling packs for additional on-the-road presence.
Driven by Jaguar’s refined, powerful and efficient range of four- and six-cylinder turbo-diesel engines as well as recently launched 550PS 5.0 litre V8 supercharged petrol engine in the XFR-S Sportbrake
Matches the XF saloon for both aerodynamics, torsional stiffness and dynamic handling ability.
A range of accessories – both internally mounted by floor rails and externally by roof rails – extends the versatility of the XF Sportbrake still further.
The UK’s Ross Williams has been crowned the 2014 Formula Windsurfing world champion, at Praia da Vitoria, Terceira Island, Azores.
The 2014 Formula Windsurfing World Championship was one of the most competitive battles for the highest places in the podium of the decade.
Windsurfers showed nerves of steel, as they waited for the wind to pick up in last day, in the beautiful Azores. Only two points separated first and second.
Ross Williams took five out of 12 bullets to claim the world title. The Australian danger Steve Allen finished runner-up and Gonzalo Costa-Hoevel, from Argentina finished third.
“It’s over! Final day was super stressful. Thanks to everyone who has supported me and inspired to achieve my goals. Massive shout out to everyone in the UK”, says Williams.
2014 Formula Windsurfing World Championship Results:
1. Ross Williams (UK)
2. Steve Allen (AUS)
3. Gonzalo Costa-Hoevel (ARG)
4. Amon Dagan (ISR)
5. Casper Bouman (NED)
2014 National Watersports Festival Junior, Stithians Lake
A couple of clips by Pete Davis from the inaugural NWF Junior event in Cornwall with all the top Brit pros on hand to inspire the generations of the future and introduce a stack of new people to windsurfing.
With a raft of top speed sailors in town for the Mondial du Vent, the South of France has been rocking with typical spring, strong-wind conditions.
Custom shaper ‘Phil Carbon’ produced this clip featuring Peter Volwater, Cyril Michel, Jean-Marc Degrelle, Bernard Olivier and kitesurfing and outright Record Holder Robbie Douglas (at 54 knots).
After successfully re-launching the Official (Open) Dutch Championship Wave Performance Windsurfing in 2013, and after many years without competition, the Watersport Vereniging Zandvoort (WVZ) has been joined by Jumpteam Scheveningen (JS) to lay the foundations for a Dutch ONKWave tour. ONKWave is recognised and supported in 2014 by the Royal Dutch Watersport Association via the Dutch Association of Competition (wind) Surfers (NVW).
The windsurf ‘community’ partners are also delighted to be joined by Essential Store Scheveningen who not only provide financial support, but share our vision and bring experience and enthusiasm to help the ONKWave establish itself and hopefully expand to include more tour stops in the future.
The Essential Store ONKWave 2014 stops at two previous PWA World Cup venues: Scheveningen, and Zandvoort.
The waiting periods for the first event in Scheveningen are:
17 and 18 May
24 and 25 May
14 and 15 June
The waiting periods for the second and final event of the ONKWave 2014 will be held in Zandvoort, waiting periods are:
30 and 31 August
6 and 7 September
13 and 14 September
Competition days are organized as ‘flash mobs’. Competitors are kept up to date via social media. Organisers closely follow weather forecasts in the days running up to each tour date and the ‘buzz on the beach’ does the rest.
News about the event can be found on the websites of the community partners and the Essential Store. And via:
Competition wave windsurfing is a jury sport. Sailors are scored on wave riding skills and tricks and jumps. Because you will be watching the Dutch Open Wave Championship, expect to see some of the most radical moves in the most radical conditions. Last year, the event was held in approaching storm force conditions and saw aerial acrobatics from 32 men and 8 women. A short video from the Dutch Water Sport Association of the ONKWave 2013 is available at:
But while it is a privilege to watch the best windsurfers, windsurfing is about the ‘stoke’ and when the wind is blowing you have to get out there. For this reason ONKWave also organizes a ‘downwinder’ during each event for windsurfing spectators who also want to get wet.
Downwinder anybody?
What is a downwinder? The currents along the North Sea coast can be strong. Get a buddy with a beach buggy, drive up-wind, get out, get in the water and surf and sail back downwind riding the best waves. You can spend a couple of hours sailing, arrive at the competition area, and kick back, enjoy the hospitality of WVZandvoort and Jump Team Scheveningen and watch the action for the rest of the day. In Scheveningen, the downwinder will take you to start at the Zandmotor.
Do you want to compete?
The Essential Store (Dutch) ONKWave 2014 is an open event (all nationalities) for men and women. Due to time restrictions there is a limit to the total amount of competitors who can join and a seeding system may be applied. Competition experience gives you an advantage but is not necessary if conditions permit enough participants.
The ONKWave 2014 will be held as ‘tour’ over two competition days at two separate ‘breaks’ along our glorious Dutch coast. The (in)glorious weather of the north sea permitting.
Are their expenses for the competitors?
Yes. There are registration costs for both competitions and downwinders. Competitors are asked to pay 20 Euros per tour date but this sum also includes a one-day official ‘racing licence’ from the Dutch Watersport Association. Downwinder registration is 10 Euros. Competition registration includes some drink vouchers, and on the downwinder there is always the chance of some ‘goodie bag’ stuff. Great deals for great days.
Is there a wind limit?
Without wind or waves there is no wave windsurfing. The Essential Store ONKWave 2014 will only take place if the conditions are good enough to run the events.
In Scheveningen: If the conditions allow, the jury expects sailing the whole weekend and will run single and double eliminations. The longer days in May also help. If the conditions are only sailable for one day we will run only a single elimination. Preferred wind directions in Scheveningen are: ZZW, ZW, W, N of NNO.
In Zandvoort: If the conditions allow, the jury expects a one day event and we will run only a single elimination. The shorter days later in the year also create a constraint. Preferred wind directions in Zandvoort are: SSW, SW, (WS)W, NW..
The wind limit will be determined based on wave condition. So light wind to medium wind from SSW with good waves and the competition is on!
Registration for the Essential Store ONKWave 2014
The preparations for Essential Store ONKWave 2014 are well underway. We already have the first competitors. In total we have room for 32 male competitors and we expect to have at least 8 female competitors. Registration forms are available on the WVZ and JTS website or send an email to ONKWave@gmail.com or onkwave@jumpteam.nl.
Roberto Ricci Designs (RRD) team rider Andrea Rosati introduces the latest incarnation of the Hardcore wave line with action from their team in South Africa.
Mystic Boarding profile their team rider Boujmaa Guilloul with an interesting clip that gives a brief insight into the 29-year-old Moroccan’s life, background and values.
A resume clip from the fun-filled fiesta that is the Tobago Carnival Regatta, with action from a range of waterspouts and top pros Kevin Pritchard, Diony Guadagnino and, of course, Brian Talma.
